Not crazy actually, in the book publishing world if you sell a book for too much and it underperforms it can be difficult to get a second one published; that being said, the film industry and the book industry are very different
A documentary got hit on Sundance and sold with a million dollar. Wow that was remarkable story though. thx for another great interview Film courage. liked
Graphics and editing should not have cost more than $50-75K - or your graphics package was TOO MUCH for the film you sold. Music licensing cost too much? Easy - CHANGE THE MUSIC. Go cheap. So many options to cut cost here. Don't fall in love with your score - especially on your first low budget film. No one is showing up for the score/soundtrack OR the graphics package. With 7 offers on the table at Sundance - Your sales agent could have - SHOULD have - negotiated the film out fees and deliverable costs with the buyer eating a good chunk of it if not ALL of it. They bought the film you screened - and you decided to do a ton more more work on your dime. Even with more work needed - a common issue for festival films - you could have cut costs way back - hit your deliverables and probably netted closer to $600 - 750K.
Film Courage Yes to both of the questions. I am a professional editor who has delivered several films, docs, and TV shows. He never mentioned that the Sales agent also takes at LEAST 10% off the top (so $100K - meaning that he really only had the potential for $900K gross after the deal.)
Transfer from digital to physical film. These days a smart producer would go directly to Amazon or Vimeo and in effect self-distribute. Opening in 500 theaters is nothing compared to opening on billions of pc's, tablets, and phones all over the world instantly.
Not if you're competing with the entire Netflix and Amazon library. It's not uncommon to sell a film to Netflix or Amazon and no one hears about your film.
Sundance is a waste of time. The costs he's describing is about a money grab. The business of film is everyone having their hand out so you can release your picture. Secondly, all those costs should have been in the original budget. Music, graphics, etc...That's ridiculous. Documentaries are not the way to go unless you have a single passion project that reveals some truth to the public they really need to know, like Hitler's family lineage is alive and well, or how everything is rigged, politicians caught with their pants down with young boys...etc...Otherwise go find a job you can enjoy and have an understanding of your net value at the end of the year.
Film courage has atleast asked questions of detail. The actual process and discussing the actual individual grind of figuring it out as you go is not part of the whole process of creative art,it is the process. Unique to each individual pushing to get their story told,all of them are saying this. You cannot find easier ways to go about these things seeing how others made great quality material. It's only I. The doing you will evolve,but over ti e and most likely slot of shit not great at first for along time.
I’m not trying to downplay this man but in all honesty I believe that wasn’t a good deal key 1 he said he had seven offers on the table offers can work in many different ways that can be beneficial to your life long-term.key 2 He said your partnership with people. That also has a big affect on what you’re going to get and if you’re being dealt with right. key 3 He didn’t sell his movie for $1 million it was actually 300,000 he invested hard work and put in 700,000 I would think you would want to at least double your money . And for the love of God never settle for less money.
Wait.. The only way "If You Build It" got made and "made money" was because of numerous grants, awards and crowd funding? It didn't really make money.. only received charity... Sad that quality work can't "make it on its own"...
ppl whoare in these comments yea if you all wanna partner up im starting the team I got a twisted mind ive seen it all im ready for the unknown but first I wanna make a few movies I got crazy good ideas
sounds good but if u really think about it its like u selling a movie that's made by u there for I think the higher the price the more the dsabate like it makesb u think if ppl gnna like it. im a manipulater so I know what humans want I can target everyone n sell the most im a dedicated man n I just reently though of script writing wanna partner up hmu
Someone (can't remember who) said, "You don't make films so that you can make money, you make money so that you can make more films."
It’s very kind of you to relay your process behind-the-scenes. Thank you.
"lets sell for less" genius logic
Not crazy actually, in the book publishing world if you sell a book for too much and it underperforms it can be difficult to get a second one published; that being said, the film industry and the book industry are very different
A documentary got hit on Sundance and sold with a million dollar. Wow that was remarkable story though. thx for another great interview Film courage. liked
Graphics and editing should not have cost more than $50-75K - or your graphics package was TOO MUCH for the film you sold. Music licensing cost too much? Easy - CHANGE THE MUSIC. Go cheap. So many options to cut cost here. Don't fall in love with your score - especially on your first low budget film. No one is showing up for the score/soundtrack OR the graphics package. With 7 offers on the table at Sundance - Your sales agent could have - SHOULD have - negotiated the film out fees and deliverable costs with the buyer eating a good chunk of it if not ALL of it. They bought the film you screened - and you decided to do a ton more more work on your dime. Even with more work needed - a common issue for festival films - you could have cut costs way back - hit your deliverables and probably netted closer to $600 - 750K.
We like your commentary, curious if you have sold a movie and if you have dealt with a sales agent?
Film Courage Yes to both of the questions. I am a professional editor who has delivered several films, docs, and TV shows. He never mentioned that the Sales agent also takes at LEAST 10% off the top (so $100K - meaning that he really only had the potential for $900K gross after the deal.)
Another great video. Very interesting. ; )
Inspiring.
I don't wanna one million dollars. I want TEN % from profit 😂
What did he mean by film out?
Transfer from digital to physical film. These days a smart producer would go directly to Amazon or Vimeo and in effect self-distribute. Opening in 500 theaters is nothing compared to opening on billions of pc's, tablets, and phones all over the world instantly.
Not if you're competing with the entire Netflix and Amazon library. It's not uncommon to sell a film to Netflix or Amazon and no one hears about your film.
Sundance is a waste of time. The costs he's describing is about a money grab. The business of film is everyone having their hand out so you can release your picture. Secondly, all those costs should have been in the original budget. Music, graphics, etc...That's ridiculous. Documentaries are not the way to go unless you have a single passion project that reveals some truth to the public they really need to know, like Hitler's family lineage is alive and well, or how everything is rigged, politicians caught with their pants down with young boys...etc...Otherwise go find a job you can enjoy and have an understanding of your net value at the end of the year.
Film courage has atleast asked questions of detail. The actual process and discussing the actual individual grind of figuring it out as you go is not part of the whole process of creative art,it is the process. Unique to each individual pushing to get their story told,all of them are saying this. You cannot find easier ways to go about these things seeing how others made great quality material. It's only I. The doing you will evolve,but over ti e and most likely slot of shit not great at first for along time.
I’m not trying to downplay this man but in all honesty I believe that wasn’t a good deal key 1 he said he had seven offers on the table offers can work in many different ways that can be beneficial to your life long-term.key 2 He said your partnership with people. That also has a big affect on what you’re going to get and if you’re being dealt with right. key 3 He didn’t sell his movie for $1 million it was actually 300,000 he invested hard work and put in 700,000 I would think you would want to at least double your money . And for the love of God never settle for less money.
Wait.. The only way "If You Build It" got made and "made money" was because of numerous grants, awards and crowd funding? It didn't really make money.. only received charity... Sad that quality work can't "make it on its own"...
Sell a movie means sell a script or what?
ppl whoare in these comments yea if you all wanna partner up im starting the team I got a twisted mind ive seen it all im ready for the unknown but first I wanna make a few movies I got crazy good ideas
i'm i the only one watching the video coz it's talking about a script for a million lmao ..??
sounds good but if u really think about it its like u selling a movie that's made by u there for I think the higher the price the more the dsabate like it makesb u think if ppl gnna like it. im a manipulater so I know what humans want I can target everyone n sell the most im a dedicated man n I just reently though of script writing wanna partner up hmu