Jonathan Ziegler
Forum Replies Created
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You would have to split the HDMI signal coming from the camera – if you have the budget, you can send it to a splitter of some form and then hook up monitors. The bummer is that the T2i is sporadic with display – it will show on the external monitor during framing and focus, then it cuts out when you record and then it pops up on the screen again. I highly recommend using a power adapter for the T2i.
Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293 -
Well, think of every film as a new business venture where you are making a single product with a lifespan of about 5-7 years. It can be longer, but most movies don’t last much more than that.
SEC laws are pretty clear: you can’t guarantee a return on investment. This is something reserved for specific financial products like annuities In fact, you have to tell your investors that they are in danger of losing some or all of their money.
The question is who are your investors? Are they qualified investors (those making $200k/yr or more) or unqualified investors (the folks the rest of us know who make considerably less)? Qualified investors usually know the ropes already so they know the SEC regs and they’ll sniff out the newbies in a flash. No biggie. The problem is those who make less money will ask you the wrong questions about the investment. For example, they’ll want a guarantee of investment return, a specific time-frame, script approval, putting their cousin in the film, etc. because they want to be a big shot and the small money they can offer is not really very disposable.
Any sane business person would tell them to get stuffed, but you want their money so you have to deal. Don’t make any promises you can’t keep – you could get into big trouble with the SEC and you don’t want that. Hire a lawyer – an entertainment lawyer familiar with SEC rules for investing – offer them a % of gross for their services (typically no more than 5-10%). There are only a few instances where you can offer an investment to unqualified investors and you need to do so carefully and within specific legal guidelines. Lately, they’ve been cracking down on flim-flam filmmakers making invalid or illegal movie investments. The worst part is that everyone tells you to ask dentists and other professionals without following proper guidelines – that advice is terrible.
If you were to invest in a film, what do you want to see? You want to see a couple name actors, a name director, a knockout script, a solid, detailed budget in the $150k-250k range, SAG approval so you can get SAG actors, a solid schedule, an experienced producer, line producer, and AD. You want to know that the money you are entrusting them with will eventually come back to you. You want to see a marketing plan with detailed numbers on how you plan to spend the budget advertising, going to film markets, film fests, print, online, and periodical ads, etc. Just like a new product release, you have to make people aware of this new product and somehow encourage them to spend their $ on it.
Don’t worry if you don’t get US theatrical release. International markets are wide open and they have money. You can sell your film to Europe, Japan, China, South America, Latin America, and the US and Canada (there are actually more markets than that). A lot of US-made films go to other countries for theatrical and/or video release before getting a deal in the US. The more successful you are in other markets, the more likely you are to get a good deal in the US. If your film does well, then your next film will be much easier to fund.
The trick? Make money on a cheaply produced film (say in the $5k range), then use the money and clout to fund a $25k film, then use that to fund a $250k film…get the idea? Also, films are sold to video, cable, satellite, pay-per-view, video-on-demand, theatrical release, home DVD/bluray, Netflix, iTunes, Amazon, etc. The list can go on and on. Prefer film MARKETS over film festivals. There are fewer film markets and the people who are there are there to buy films whereas festivals are for fans who just want to watch the latest thing. You can get a deal from a fest, but you’re more likely to get a deal at a film market. Once you have a deal, then get it to festivals to help sell to other markets that haven’t sold yet.
There are plenty of films that make money and never see a US theater. Many go direct to DVD or straight to cable or satellite or go to international markets. Maybe you’ll be the next big thing in Japan? 😉
Don’t forget “free” crowdfunding sources like Kickstarter, too. If you will go this route, don’t forget to look into the numerous strategies for funding.
Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293 -
I think whoever shot the footage has the rights to it. If you have nothing in your contract specifying who owns it, then it’s yours unless the client pays for it. Work for hire doesn’t apply here since you have a contract and I’m guessing you are an independent contractor. Therefore, it’s your stuff until the client pays for it. You won’t be able to do anything with it, though.
You should sit the (former) client down and get him to sign an agreement which dissolves the previous contract and lays out how much $ you need to recoup your expenses and get the client his footage. If they won’t sign, let them know the footage will be permanently destroyed after a time and then delete and destroy the footage on that date.
Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293 -
Forgot to mention: I’ve met the vast majority of my current clients in person or through someone else’s formal intro (outside the business, at a networking event, through a friend, etc.). A handshake works wonders. We talk about everything but video. I ask about their company and spend an hour talking about it. Then, I tell them about some ideas I have for their business (hey, how about blah, have you tried that? Oh? It’s really neat and it would work great for you…). Next thing you know, we’re talking numbers and ideas and scheduling.
Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293 -
Um, first off, having done phone and in-person sales, cold-calling sucks. If you’ve never done it before and are gonna try doing it cold, lots of luck. The point is just to get the appointment, right? Well, tell the person on the other end of the phone exactly what you are doing – no salesman BS or anything. Why? They don’t know you from anyone so you need to make yourself stand out and nobody likes sales people. So, don’t be a salesperson, be an individual who wants to know about the company. Be yourself (which is terrible advice) as much as possible.
Now, I’m a little concerned you picked only 3 clients. Why? Cold calling will give you 1-2% or LESS response (that’s from an experienced cold-caller). Only 3 clients will just frustrate you. Trust me, broaden your scope.
Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293 -
Having done much the same thing, I always say jump on in, the water’s fine! Read: The e-Myth Revisited by Gerber. He talks about how to successfully take a former job or hobby and turn it into a business. Basic business principles will still be applicable – plan, get some start-up capital before you quit your day job, plan some more, talk to a lawyer, talk to an accountant, did I mention research? How about more planning? If you’re in no rush now, start getting practice by volunteering to help others with their projects. Get a feel for the biz. I prefer trial by fire so I didn’t take any of my own advice, but I realize I should have!
Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293 -
I think I’ll opt for the transverse dingle arm. I still have to wait for a new machine anyway – at least there’s hackintosh. 😉
Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293 -
forgot to mention – it’s Image >> Duplicate…
Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293 -
Have you tried first doing the action on a duplicate so the original remains intact and also copying the action once finished once through and just changing parameters for each size/crop change? in other words, you would open the original file, duplicate it, perform an action on the duplicate and save, then dup the original again and perform similar actions…rinse, repeat.
Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293 -
I’m guessing you are looking for something candid, short, and funny. That’s tough. Best bet is to grab a camera, get some friends together, have some beer, and go to a park, waterpark, Nascar event, other sporting event, and play with fire, water, or dangerous animals. Maybe get some cute kitty footage? This all sounds so generic, I know, but its consistently what people seem to like on YouTube, internet and TV. Look at jackass – they’ve created an entire legion of fans just from short, quick, dangerous stunts – think what you want, but they make money. Oh, also, guys getting it in the nuts seems entertaining (please wear a cup…).
Please, please, please remember to be careful and understand that you can get really, really hurt with some of this stuff. I’m not recommending you do any of it. In fact, I’m vehemently opposed to all of it. Enjoy.
Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293