I have just been approached by a potential backer to produce a film on an issue that has driven me for something like 10 years and feels as if it has governed my entire life.

At this stage the subject matter seems less relevant than the procedures involved in the planning process. From my viewpoint the topic hardly seems relevant other than I should be surprised if there is much or any need for location filming which is not to say that I am ruling it out.

From the brief I've been given, I need to know how to produce something tangible to explain the concept of what is involved, the aim of the film, who will benefit, the potential number of consumers likely to be screened to etc.

They don’t want me to go mad and spend loads of time or money on these initial preparations. At this stage all they want is the basis of a business plan without cash flow and projected figures. As it is still in the very early stages, I will also need to develop an uncosted business plan and would like to know the headings that I would be expected to include and document.

Essentially all they want is a story. How do I go about presenting a story to make it presentable for filming purposes?

As my background is commercial, consumer or political research and career counselling the work involved in preparing the preparatory plans for financing is not quite my area. Not surprisingly I am just a tad uncertain of the initial processes for a project of this nature. Should any SF users have any practical ideas, suggestions or first-hand experience of what is required, please contact me urgently.

Genuine posters only please, with very grateful appreciation, wendy

Wendy,

I've got some experience, but to be honest only based on my A-level in Film and the conversations I've had with film journalists, film students and those who've worked in some form or the other in the film industry.

However if there's any questions, feel free to drop me a pm. I might be able to help you in some way, even if it's just small things!

Thanks for your offer Hook, I've dropped you a PM. I also wonder if anyone might know of relevant links and forum that could help me identify the information I need.

Thanks to everyone who's viewed my thread so far. wendy

Wendy,

I've produced a couple of shorts, and have also done pre-production, budgets, breakdowns and such for a couple of low budget features.

Is this a documentary? Fiction?

I've scripted both.

A good book to start with is 'The Guerilla Filmmaker's Handbook'.

Start with the synopsis - short breakdown of the story. Look at the market place. Is it cinematic release? Straight to video / dvd? What sort of budget do you have possible access to? Is there pre-production budget?

I may have a couple of spreadsheets and such from one of our projects that I could let you have a look at, although they're costed. They will give you headings and such.

But that book I mentioned - well worth it. It's about 20 quid and they usually have it in Waterstone. The most recent edition is, I think, a hideous green cover and also contains a CDROM of document templates.

My experiences in movie land (and I'm just editing a script for someone now) have been great fun, hard work, bloody frustrating and occaisonally boredring on insanity. Everyone should make a film.....it's a great experience! :)

Joe

Honestly dont know. This came like a bolt out of the blue when I flippantly included a 1-liner about my greatest unrealised aspiration and didnt expect to get taken up on it. I obviously wrote to much too soon to the right person. :P

I'll definitely be popping in to Waterstones tomorrow and would certainly appreciate any help and guidance on the hows and whyfores and all the rest of it. Never done anything like this in my life before. Cant tell you how exciting the challenge is. Think it could be a documentary, fiction as well as a business film.

Wendy,

I've produced a couple of shorts, and have also done pre-production, budgets, breakdowns and such for a couple of low budget features.

Is this a documentary? Fiction?

I've scripted both.

A good book to start with is 'The Guerilla Filmmaker's Handbook'.

Start with the synopsis - short breakdown of the story. Look at the market place. Is it cinematic release? Straight to video / dvd? What sort of budget do you have possible access to? Is there pre-production budget?

I may have a couple of spreadsheets and such from one of our projects that I could let you have a look at, although they're costed. They will give you headings and such.

But that book I mentioned - well worth it. It's about 20 quid and they usually have it in Waterstone. The most recent edition is, I think, a hideous green cover and also contains a CDROM of document templates.

My experiences in movie land (and I'm just editing a script for someone now) have been great fun, hard work, bloody frustrating and occaisonally boredring on insanity. Everyone should make a film.....it's a great experience! :)

Joe


I'd also really appreciate the spreadsheets you've mentioned which will be an excellent starting point for my business plan and will have the added benefit of give me an idea of the likely costings about which I am totally clueless. If it's not pushing my luck then I'd be profoundly grateful if you could also email me the related business plan. :P Thanks, once again. Wendy

Let me dig 'em out.

The most complete stuff I have is a feature proposal. There are differences between feature, short and documentary, but it will mke a start!

Joe

That's really fantastic and so very kind of you.

Could the local College or Uni. not help in any way?.... just a thought.

Could the local College or Uni. not help in any way?.... just a thought.


Yep. Getting the book JP recommended on my Uni card = £0 :D and gotta dash because they dont usually hold them on reserve like this. :thumbsup:

Thanks very much for that excellent recommendation Joe. Although they only had an old edition I did find something of immediate benefit to SF posters and mods alike which reads as follows:

"The Ten Low Budget Film Commandments"

No 9: THou shalt ask if in doubt. If not in doubt thou shalt ask anyway.:D

It would save us all a great deal of unnecessary work and unpleasantness.

In the meantime if anyone else has any useful links or has any useful contacts please either post on this thread, PM me or an email if you have that address.

Once again many thanks.

As well as the book Joe recommended, I found the book "The guerilla film makers blueprint" a really interesting read :)

Sorry to make a small highjack but if anyone is capable of free or ridiculously low cost editing I will be needing someone very soon I think.
:)

Sorry to make a small highjack but if anyone is capable of free or ridiculously low cost editing I will be needing someone very soon I think.
:)


Hi Zebra, dont mind sharing this thread with you; just wondered what you're doing and if you could give me any help? Thanks wendygs

Joe have you any pointers as to what is absolutely imperative to include in this synopsis? If anyone else as got anything useful to contribute on this that would be much appreciated because someone I contacted as a result of a referral advised me it is as essential as the filmscript without which nothing is going anywhere. :D

Thanks wendy

Sorry to make a small highjack but if anyone is capable of free or ridiculously low cost editing I will be needing someone very soon I think.
:)


Hi zebra

Strongly recommend that you buy this book Joe recommended. It is excellent value for money even at £29.99 and has all the information you need. Also have you looked at South Yorkshire Film Network (www.syfn.org) costs £25 annual joining fee and provides access to an invaluable range of facilities including low cost services and resources. You could also try this link www.talentcircle.co.uk