-
FCPX cutting a hundred million dollar feature right this minute.
-
[Oliver Peters] “The usual examples that are held up are Rodriguez’s first film and “The Blair Witch Project”. Neither one of those efforts would have ever seen the light of day if the studios hadn’t paid for a significant amount of additional post after the project was picked up.”
And let’s tackle these two examples, because, like you, I am annoyed when people spout these off like it means something.
First, El Mariachi. Rodriguez recognized a niche market that wasn’t being served, and he was rewarded handsomely for it. Now? That niche market (like pretty much every other conventional narrative film market) is oversaturated, so you’re going to get pennies. It was a case of being in the right place at the right time. The difference between investing in Apple right before the first iPod and investing in Apple when its stock was over $700.
Second, The Blair Witch Project. A movie that wasn’t very good, and relied solely on the “gimmick” of believing that it was real. Easily found in the DVD bargain bin not so long after it was released. Who made the Blair Witch Project? No one can tell you off the top of their head. And how much did they make from this movie? Depends on the deal, but these being first time filmmakers, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s lower than you might think.
You might as well put that money in the lottery.
-
[shawn Bockoven] “Joss Whedon funded the project himself (at just over $200,000) and enjoyed the independence of acting as his own studio.”
He’s also Joss Whedon and is thus a named entity that people knew already from several successful properties.
How do you translate that into an example to follow? “First, create three television franchises that are cult hits.”
Yeah, right.
-
[Gary Huff] “Not a good movie. And do you really want the career that the filmmakers on that film got?”
See my comment below. FWIW that movie grossed well over $160M worldwide. The actual filming partners walked away with a fraction of that. Yet, AFAIK, that may have been a fair amount in the clear. I won’t state a specific amount (although I know it) but comparable to what most working stiffs will earn in several years (or even a lifetime). That means if they banked it, they had some personal pad to not be immediately hurting for money. That’s far, far better than any other indie filmmaker I know or have worked with.
– Oliver
Oliver Peters Post Production Services, LLC
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com -
No translation … Josh took a chance with his own money and my family has been entertained many times signing along with the DVD playing in our SUV. The Whedon’s are a very talented family.
-
[Oliver Peters] “). That means if they banked it, they had some personal pad to not be immediately hurting for money.”
I’m not saying they didn’t get anything, just that it’s probably not as much as people might think (definitely, like you said, if they were smart to keep them comfortable for a while).
But outside of that, it didn’t lead to any continuing career from what I can tell. They are still unknowns and haven’t made anything since 2009. Not the career path I would want for myself (except for the money).
Much unlike, say, Reservoir Dogs.
-
[shawn Bockoven] ” Josh took a chance with his own money”
How much of a chance did “Joss” take? There’s a difference between barely scraping up enough for a $200,00 project with the possibility of losing your house, and risking $200,000 that losing it means you at least get a nice tax write-off.
His example should not be held up to inspire someone to max out 4-5 (or more) credit cards because it’s worth it to be successful. It’s irresponsible.
-
[Charlie Austin] “lol. when I was doing freelance production work I would run away as fast as I could when I heard that word…”
My standard response to that is, “so you mean work for free?” People get all upset when I say that, but I have yet to meet anyone who ever got any of this mythical deferral money.
-
[Gary Huff] “Not the career path I would want for myself “
Yes, I’m sure everybody would like to keep it going but one huge hit is not a failure
heck man, if it is……what does that make NO big hits?
People don’t know their name, but if they walked in a room and said “I directed Blair Witch” folks would know that film
-
[Gary Huff] “Who made the Blair Witch Project? No one can tell you off the top of their head. And how much did they make from this movie? Depends on the deal, but these being first time filmmakers, “
Maybe good, maybe not. Without “The Blair Witch Project” would there have been “28 Days Later” or “Cloverfield”?
I actually do know some of them and have a general idea what they walked away with (see comment above). Some of them continue to make indie films, but also commercials and web marketing. FWIW – they invented the concept of virtual marketing over the web and other media outlets for a film. Something that many major studios tried to dissect and duplicate without any real success.
The deal with most indie filmmakers is that they have one good idea and it’s a project of passion. They raise money for the production and then start worrying about selling it and the distribution deals after everything is finished. Very few indie filmmakers embark on their journey with any actual business plan or strategy. Making money in the movie biz is like making money as a musician with hit records. Similar stories and percentages.
I would suggest that this also has a bearing on career choices for editors. A friend once passed along this advice from a mentor of his (an old film editor). I’ll paraphrase: “You can work in commercials and corporate and make a decent living most of your life, or you can work in features and live like a king for six months every two years.”
– Oliver
Oliver Peters Post Production Services, LLC
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com -
[Simon Ubsdell] “Especially the “deferrals never get paid” part ;-)”
My policy is to get paid, even if I need to take a big discount on the job. Bird in the hand…
– Oliver
Oliver Peters Post Production Services, LLC
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up