My name is Robert and I am developing passion projects through my personal studio Fandom Studios. I started writing/directing with a Star Wars fan film in 2018 (I'm actually a Darth Vader with the 501st) and from there studied all aspects of filmmaking through online courses and practical experience.
I have financed three short films and recently wrote/directed/edited/DP on my female driven John Wick style action drama short Velvet: Blue Assassin. I want to develop Velvet into a feature length film so I’m currently developing the script. I wanted to learn budgeting, producing, working with actors and of course writing — and now I like to connect with others and learn about pitch documents, indie film finance and distribution options.
I look forward to meeting other creatives and kudos to you all for having the drive to make your dreams a reality.
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Hi Robert! I'm so glad you're here and that is SO COOL that you are Vader with the 501st!! Have you checked out Stage 32 education at all? There are some amazing classes that can show you the ns-and-outs of budgeting/producing/filmmaking - and some labs that you can use to develop your writing. ALSO - how far along is your feature script based on your short? They just extended the deadline for the Action Contest, and the Female-Driven Contest is happening right now, and they both feel like a really good fit for your script --
Action Contest -- https://www.stage32.com/happy-writers/contests/2nd-Annual-Action-Thrille...
Female Driven Contest -- https://www.stage32.com/happy-writers/contests/2nd-Annual-Female-Driven-...
Class on Producing/Budgeting (there are more besides this one too) -- https://www.stage32.com/classes/The-4-Critical-Steps-to-Making-and-Manag...
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Emily -- thank you for the information. I have the female contest bookmarked :) And I'll also look at the action contest. My goal is to have a reviewable feature script by the first week in March. My previous short films -- Real. Again. (female based cast), The Secret Stake Society Chronicles (female-based ensemble cast) and Velvet were written because I thought there could be more stories written about intelligent, capable and flawed female characters. I'm also writing my first romance/drama Novel. I also plan to check out the various classes. I want to be ready when the script is done to move forward in development. I am lucky to have a local TX based well known 70s actor interested in a Velvet main character.
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Welcome to the community, Robert J. Butler. A female-driven "John Wick" style short sounds exciting! :D
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Welcome Robert J. Butler
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Hi Robert I'm reading screenwriter for dummies because of the breakdown of written scripts maybe that might help you out with writing? Also everything from indie film hustle and RB novel. But don't let the Dummies books detour you from picking it up. It's a really good break down lastly, don't take it as if I'm offending you for suggesting the For Dummies books. I'm just giving you some suggestions on books that helped me out.
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Joseph Quiles -- Thanks. It is one of several books/online references and master classes I used to learn about writing. Or at least make a good attempt.
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Welcome, Robert! I'm new myself. HUGE fan of Star Wars, so the idea of the 501st alongside Vader featuring in a film is amazing! Also, Velvet sounds very cool, so I hope to see it developed
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Mandorlie -- Thanks. Star Wars had a short film contest and I entered. I enlisted all my Jedi/Stormtrooper friends together to make a micro short -- learned a lot. Now I'm a Director for a funded Star Wars fan film out of Houston -- so coming back to my roots :)
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Greetings from a fellow NTX!
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Would love to see your version of a female driven John Wick!
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Welcome Robert! I'm also embarking on creating a couple of short projects for my reel as an actor/writer. Looks like you are doing well....just going for it:)