Producing

Completely agree with Ewan Dunbar. I've seen so many at Cannes blow their opportunity by being unprepared. Also have watched many an exec's eyes gloss over listening to unwieldy pitches.

Zel Anders you were a rockstar! I really love the world you described and drew us in at the get go.

Richard "RB" Botto - love hanging with you in Cannes- the panel we shared a few years back was fabulous. Crowdsourcing..and myself and Amanda and Harry Lowell.

Ewan Dunbar - especially if the do not do the homework on the people they are pitching to and/or not understanding how cultural and language difference can affect delivery :)

That was one hell of a panel, Alexia Melocchi. Looking forward to seeing you at Cannes in a few weeks!

Ah, the click bait. Let the damn thing play out. It just got accepted at Cannes IN competition. Not as a flashy out of competition title like the last few years with TOP GUN and the latest Indy movie, but in competition which means it's in play for the Palme D'or.

One other thing...Don't think for a second Coppola thought this would be an easy sell or that this would be a bank breaker. He's not that naive.

Richard "RB" Botto I never thought he was RB, he has way too much experience to be blindsided. The big issue is what niche will the film will find. I’m just interested by the story polarising opinion, but for me, that’s probably a sign of a good film!

It'll find a home, no question. It's not going to be a profit center. Guy is 85, he gained tremendous wealth in the wine industry, sold some of it off to make a passion project that he's been trying to make for 20 years. It's niche will be in his fans, the fans of advancing technology, film buffs and the curious.

I love seeing all the discourse around this especially amongst young people online who are really pushing for the film to find a home but also

likening it to the production of APOCALYPSE NOW, after Cannes somebody will pick it up!

Some more on the subject out of Cannes

https://variety.com/2024/film/global/cannes-thierry-fremaux-francis-ford...

Thanks Christopher. Would a line producer ever approach a writer or would it be the other way round?

Jacqueline Smith Line producers are like CPAs for the production. They work on budgeting and logistics and make sure the production stays on budget. The exec producer would hire a line producer to develop a budget in the pre-production stage. If you were looking to producer your own movie, then you might want to consultant with a line producer to put together a detailed budget as part of a pitch to raise financing.

"facilitation fee" would be absolutely a sign of sleeze. Even some "legitimate" producing companies want to charge you for the honor of having them insinuate themselves into your project just in case it goes anywhere.

Well, both approaches I've had have been discovered IMO to be 'Scams'. Unfortunate that both were made on this platform, leaving me apprehensive about using it regularly. No idea what Stage32 do (if anything) to prevent this kind of attempted exploitation? It is possible others have been 'scammed' already!

Hi, Jacqueline Smith. If you ever run into a scam on here, email Technical Support (support@stage32.com) with the person’s name, their Stage 32 profile link, and screenshots of their messages. If you aren’t able to take screenshots, copy and paste their messages when you email Technical Support.

Such great advice here. Brilliant move getting RB's book. I also agree with Lindbergh that having a pilot script at the ready can go a long way, especially if you want to write on the show yourself. If not, and you more want to find producers to develop your IP, then building your audience is the way to go. These can be big investments. Three-Body Problem isn't just a great book, it sold 8 million copies and that gets the industry's attention. Build it and they will come. Wishing you huge success, Abdur Mohammed!

Thank you for the good words and the endorsement, James Hoey. Means a great deal. Don't know if you left an Amazon review back in the day, but if not, never too late and would be greatly appreciated.

Thrilled that you found it useful.

Can't wait to hear what you think, Abdur Mohammed. I do believe it will help tremendously.

Richard "RB" Botto I left a review, quite some time ago and I’m now using your book as a means to crowdsource my animated urban fantasy series. Thank you, RB.

I remember it well, Geoff Hall and I remain grateful. Couldn't be more thrilled it's still paying dividends. Sending all the positive vibes for the series!

Thanks for sharing, James Hoey! It's going to be a great one!

The post is live for members to comment with questions NOW!

https://www.stage32.com/lounge/cinematography/Ask-Me-Anything-AMA-Wednes...

Adding to what Christopher said, a movie or TV show will have a “Clearance Coordinator “ who will reach out to companies to obtain permission for use, and all this will be mentioned in the report. Should a company not give permission then an VFX enhancement will be required to remove, change the item in question. There’s only so much the clearance coordinator can do while reading the script. They do a lot of heavy lifting after the scene is shot as there’s set dressing, artwork , etc being used. So they will watch edited scenes and sequences and identify things to do clearances on. Productions will also have “errors and omissions “ insurance that will help to cover this as some things do fall through the cracks.

Thanks for the info, Christopher Phillips and Lindbergh E Hollingsworth.

This is a service that a lay office would do, and might be required to do if you need E&O insurance.

Stage 32 actually has a great webinar on this topic! >> https://www.stage32.com/education?p=8944906600755&affid=ejlounge

Thank you for the recommends Christopher Phillips

Hussey is special, man. Knows story inside and out and, as important, understands the money, business, marketability side at a high level.

Congrats on moving on with THE MESSAGE. Like that you have multiple lines in the water. As it should be.

Sean was terrific and worth every penny I spent on the story AND the career advice. And thank you, RB, for the congrats.

Most welcome, my friend. Well earned.

Richard "RB" Botto One of the producers in this area is in neighboring, to me, Bulgaria and is apparently planning a satellite operation in Greece.

Back during COVID, there was a strong trend of local language in international content. Although the trend continues, it has clearly faded, with a return to accented English to indicate location on many productions.

But the COVID boom in international content seems to have primed audiences to be more open to films and series set in "foreign" locations for the long term. Combined with strong economic incentives, both rebates and lower costs, this bodes well for the industry in Greece, and in Europe more generally.

International co-productions remain on the rise, Christiane Lange. Already seeing the pregame action for Cannes on this front.

And yes, there is an acceptance (weird to say, but it was out of vogue for a minute) with accented English, but in various areas streamers continue to spend for local language - Netflix in Italy is one of many examples.

But you are 1000% right, COVID changed viewing habits, especially for English speaking countries to be more amenable to watching shows/movies either with subtitles or dubbing.

I was not aware of this book but I am absolutely going to read it. Curious to see how Villeneuve interprets it on screen.

One of the most important topics in the world. Will be interested how he handles it. Oppenheimer (and Putin’s threats) have pushed this long nightmare back into consciousness..

And here’s the Angel Guild membership page:

https://www.angel.com/guild/join#plan-selection

The owners screwed the writer-director, artistically & financially.

Dan MaxXx from what I read, Dan, he relinquished his fees.

I had decent success with middle-age dentists with more money than brains. High salary ppl with deep pockets for expensive hobbies.

Maybe start hanging out at charity events, art galleries, car auctions- places that attract $. I just joined a new gym and it seems every member is a crypto millionaire. GL

Dan MaxXx Dan Max, crypto-millionaire?

In one of my scripts a filmmaker gets financing from a crypto-cash billionaire. Doesn't work out well for him though.

Richard Buzzell from crypto to crypt, then Richard?

Geoff - Actually yes, although the route is indirect. It's a cautionary tale in a number of ways.

Great to hear, Justin Groats. Way to go!

Love to hear it! Every pitch you make is a building block for your career and helps you get better at it!

That's awesome, Justin Groats!

Wonderful to hear Justin! Glad you were able to overcome the nerves and I am so happy to hear the pitch went well! Congrats :)

Nice one, Justin Groats and well done for holding it together despite your nervousness. Learn and grow.