I wanted to give an update as to where I am in the process of getting funding.
I won't get too specific with business details and won't make this post too lengthy either. However, I did want to let everyone know that I am in currently in the thick of pitching to would-be investors. Some might feel discussing any business details in a blog is a bit tacky, and maybe it is. However, aside from personal interest in me, I consider the primary appeal that this blog provides to be a step-by-step, inside look into how a film is getting made. Growing up with aspirations of becoming a filmmaker, I was always curious as to how some of the great directors wound up making their first films. I'd always ask, "how did they 'do it?" While there's no set playbook for becoming a director (or breaking into show business in general for that matter), I do think there's some value in reading how someone else is trying to do so. Maybe it'll provide some level of insight into the current landscape of independent film financing, or maybe due to my outsider status, it'll convince others to try going inside the industry first. Who knows? It's up to you.
With that said, I will share some insight into what I've experienced thus far. In my early beginnings of trying to get the movie funded, I confined what an investor was to "rich guys." I figured there were people out there with so much money, they were just looking to give it away, invest in something, blow it on a coke binge weekend in Vegas. I don't know. Anyways, in my mind, I was thinking there are going to be the smart version of "rich guy" and the dumb version. Through a year of networking, I believe I only met one real "rich guy," and he was the dumb kind. Unfortunately, upon reading 20 pages of my screenplay, he told me he was too bored to finish the rest of it. Who knows? If my movie had a violent shootout set in a strip club at the beginning, I could have a movie made right now. I digress though.
The bottom line is that either I am terrible at networking, or I'm just not in the best place to network to potential investors. There's probably a little truth to both. I probably could improve in branding myself, in speaking persuasively, in being likable. On the other hand, even if I was the better version of myself at all those things, I still might be in a similar place to where I am now. Maybe a trip to LA or New York...or Vegas would be a better place to find all these hypothetical "rich guys."
Needless to say, that fairytale moment in Entourage where Nicky Rubestein says "Fuck it," and writes a phat check to cover the budget of an entire movie never came for me.
So my mind got to wandering. $100,000 is a lot of money, but it's not a lot, alot. It'd be hard to come by, but it's within the realm of possibility. At this point, with my drive, possibility is all I need to say, "go."
And so I went. I have now redefined what a potential investor looks like to me. Now, a potential investor looks like my buddies I went to college with, my old friend from third grade, the girl I was in the friend zone with in high school's dad, basically anyone I know that will listen to me.
Thus far, I have begun calling old friends, new friends, some family, just to kind of explain the investment opportunity I'm offering.
To those I haven't called, expect one. To those I have, thanks for listening (hopefully).
To anyone who's curious, here are the basics of the opportunity. The budget for the film is around 100 grand. I'm selling shares in the film for $1000 a piece. There are incentives to get in early. The first 20 shares are worth 1% of the annual gross per share. The following 40 shares purchased are worth 0.75% of the annual gross per share. The last 40 shares are worth 0.5% of the annual gross per share. I plan on buying around 30 shares myself from my copier sales money. I believe in the movie that much and honestly enjoy the accountability to succeed that a personal investment provides.
Since I plan on shooting the film next Spring, I then need to sell about 70 shares outside of my own by then. I worked out that I need to sell 10 shares per month to stay within that timeline. Last month, I accomplished that goal. Thanks be to God.
Now, I have another push for October going on. It will never end until it ends.
I am happy to share this information for those curious about the process. However, I also share because I will honestly talk to anyone about this project or the investment opportunity. If you or anyone you know might be interested in that, I'll cook dinner for you, take you out for coffee, talk to you on the phone, whatever you prefer. I believe in this thing, and I think I can make you believe too if you would just give me the chance. So to any readers, please don't be bashful to ask questions or show this to friends.
The last thing I'll write in this entry relates to attitude. I'll shamefully admit my attitude hasn't always been the most positive throughout this process. It's hard to remain optimistic and upbeat when you feel lost, and when you're failing at a given task. However, only in the past few months have I realized that there's never a reason to be angry or upset about trying to make a dream happen. Have a goal. Make a plan to reach that goal. Recognize the resources you have access to. Reach out to people and use your resources to the best of your ability. Remain humble, honest, and positive throughout all of that. That's all you can do. Again, not saying I'm perfect in any of that, but that's the road I want to take. We'll see how it goes.
Please don't be shy to leave comments if you have anything to say/suggest as it pertains to the blog or my efforts. Please subscribe to the blog to get a reminder when a new entry comes out, and please share, share, share! Thanks!
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