Open Source Idea

The idea started after reading the Workbook project web page and newsletter., there I have read story after story and heard media creates who I have great respect for talk about how SHARING and working TOGETHER makes better end products.
And that joint efforts just makes sense. Further reading of the workbook project newsletter talks about why a media maker need to share more accurate financial information to those one is looking for to investment.
(Sidebar have a real web page My Space/Facebook does not count.)

This is a part of the process of Open Source INFORMATION is key. Small indy film has many roadblocks belive it or not open information removes same.

So a project I am working that will go public very soon will create a media project that will allow interested parties investors or not access to as much information as we can . Mind you some actors and crew do not want their wages known and we understand this.

What will you be able to get
budget information
shot information
Story Boards
how we are able to get the equipment etc.

The business plan as written.
Accounting information Other then steps needed to protect from ID theft etc.
our ideas for creating the universe that everyone will be able join via your own media work.
Yes our project will form the "rules" Good Guys bad guys shade of gray guys why they interact etc and if want to do something with it go for it.

Again crew and cast pay information will be off limits as well some companies doing product placement may not want to share that information we understand.
Yes my goal is that anyone on line can see how we are doing. Trust is made by information.


This project will be distributed by our self's we are TIRED of being ripped off and abused by distubters not looking to make money (we all have kin to feed) but to rip us off. Just this morning I heard a story about someone who paid a distribution company $5,000 up front then 50% AFTER marketing expenses!! (of corse there is nothing written about how much that is)
So we are planing to use WEB 2.0 to make distribution as easy and inexpensive as possible.
We have the power! We will use the power!
The New Now is here!!!

Carefull

The gilmer of film making and Stardom is not worth your soul. Trust me. Dream act work hard yes. Deal with abuse put up with crooks drugs booze no. I can not tell anyone how to live your life, however in the morning light you can not look yourself in the mirror time to rethink.
If your life become a drama best seen after 11 PM on pay for view get the help you need. There is help out there take advantage of it, please.

Rip off companies

In the last few days I have heard story after story about film makers not getting paid after selling a film.
Mind you there are two sides to a story yad yada yada still
Film makers:
1) Have everything in writing
2) Have a lawyer look over contracts BEFORE you sign then
3) Check backgrounds and ask for references. If the company gets pissed off might be a reason they are not happy to provide them.
4) If a deal is to go to be true it is.
5) If the company starts not living up to their end use a lawyer sooner then later
6) Tell the world have facts to back it up.

One of the reasons these fools get by with this is no one knows about who they are and what they are doing

Note I am not a lawyer and do not play on on TV

Great great great info site.

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/55-great-websites-to-download-free-sound-effects/

The War on Hollywood

For far too long "we" have been fighting heaven and earth to claw our way to hollywood to make it big and be a star. A great home in the hills, Nice car and Eye candy on the arm and the rising star on the office couch.
Taking classes in film school hvy on art and little on how. Once out of school slaving as an intern hoping if we know/sleep the right folks one day maybe we can get a check.
So how did we get sucked into this? Are we just nuts?
Look we do not have to do this to our self's. For example in Racine WI you can be come a producer on the City Cable Access station for $60. Get training on how to use a simple video camera for another few buck and imoive too. Buy some minidv tapes your looking at a investment of less then $200 and a few hours of time.
The teck school here will train you in basic graphic stuff to design logos web design. Then all you need is the time to film something and put it on the air.
There are tons of web pages (see the links on this page) with more information. With today's equitment and accuess to that equipment take what you want.

Finding Money for Film

Not locked in but looks better and better for the Darkside film projects. So let me save everyone a lot of money. You get what you ask for

Uwe Boll

I like him I loved Hpuse of the Dead. I really loved all the naughty bits.
Interesting that I might be working with him.... Bring you updates.
Fund raising for film can be fun

The BTR show!

Starting this week we will be adding a equipment/software review to the Indy Film Wisconsin BTR show, You can hear it via the player on the blog.
From the Red to editing software we are going to help find out what rocks and what sucks, no holds
bard.
Last week I was too ill to keep the show going for the moive review of Black Widows so I will of course talk about this interesting film.
If you want your film reviwed please email me at wclingman@wi.rr.com. Same if you would like to be a guest.

Thanks!

Why SAG?

Thought. If I as an Indy Film Maker have a budget of say $150K. Why would I ever do anything SAG? Yes there some stars that are SAG that I could only get if I did say a SAG Indy thing but if my film will only get $$ for a star is my film any good? I think not.
Does SAG offer anything for the Indy Film Maker?
SAG IMHO is just like any other big union the top 5% get the $$ the rest are sheered like sheep.

The Web

The web in a short time will be the place to find your media entertainment. Film makers (not art film) should be making the plans to start the move.
The films will be cheaper to make
Less expensive to watch
Allows more to the marketplace of ideas

A good thing for everyone well maybe not some like SAG will power over members go away since the Hollywood system will be killed off. One will not have to go SAG to get good talent.
The funding will come I think not by investors more like TV advertising model or product placement.
Now what can we do today to get where we need to be?

Film Wisconsin

Dave Fantel of Visit Milwaukee who sits on the board of Film Wisconsin will be the guest this Friday on Indy Film Wisconsin Podcast. You can hear the show via the player on this page.
Much news great info.