From the great people at Film Courage, a great video on film financing.
Enjoy.
My journey into film
A film and art blog by Tim Schroyer
Category Archives: Feature Film
Update on Sex Slavery film 25 June 14
I just wanted to update on the short I am doing on sex slavery, I have decided I need this to be a feature length film. As many know I have been working on this film for 2011, and ooohh there is a lot to the development story of this film which will come out soon, but I was really struggling with the basic plot of my film, and then, after having a conversation with a Tampa filmmaker Marcus Kempton, the plot came to me. At first it was a short, but the deeper I got into the process the more clearer it became that this needs to be a feature. In this film, I am also going to get into the subject of what it means to be a soldier that, did multiple tours in combat, what it is like to adjust to civilian life. I almost have tagline done, and I am outlining and writing the synopsis. I am really excited.
I am reading Dexter Filkins’ book “The Forever War” as part of my research for my series. I am looking into what I need for Pitchfest out in LA. Hopefully I can get what I need to go and get sponsorship. I can’t can’t afford to go. And hey, I know it is a long shot that this will make it to a Network., but I got to try and see what can happen. I already have support in my community and people that I trust. Really Excited
I have forgotten about the crowdfunding site https://dana.io/ I think you should look into, and, I will write about it in the next few days.
As always, feel free to contact me.
13 Jun 14 real quick.
So I had said I was developing a short on sex slavery, now it is going to be the feature; which I wanted to do in the first place, but didn’t have the plot. The idea I had for the short is prefect for the feature. I have already started to write the tagline, outline, synopsis and soon treatment. As I progress I will let you know and down the road hit you up for money. Yes, I will need your help to get the film going financially.
Oh, it just occurred to me, I need a PMD Producer of Marketing and Distribution. Contact me you are interested.
Hey hit me up if you want to ask any questions or thoughts timschroyer@gmail.com
Quick update, 1 June 14. 2:14 am
Ok, so I was asked to join and produce a project; which I had strong reservations about doing. I am not going to go into the details, but I saw huge red flags go up and now have decided to be a consultant rather than a producer. However, good news, through that process I came up with a film idea for a short film regarding the sex trade; which, as some of you know, I have been developing for a feature film. Yes, it is heavy subject, but it is something I feel passionately about. So I will be writing and directing it. I will need your help to get it made. I will need you to spread the word about it and when the time comes, need you to kick in some money.
On the other fronts of my lackluster attempts at being an artist, I bought 4 lbs of wheat paste so that I can start working on mixed medium pieces. Also got 3 tubes of paint: black, white and red. I am talking to some editors to edit Jamie Lowe’s”De Flip Side” and I just got a copy from Jonny Cromwell book, “82 Days”; which I am going to start reading and strategizing for a release. And of course I have the series that I am developing. Which is an intensive endevour.
I also want you to check out this new crowdfunding site https://dana.io/. I am going to do a review on it this week, and they seem like really cool people that you should look up on Twitter and Facebook and say hi. They are really nice people.
If there is anything you want to discuss hit me up. I would love to hear back from you all.
Film on Sex Trafficking and bloging about sex traffing
Yes, I am still making this film. No, I didn’t forget.
So I am a filmmaker, multidisciplinary artist, thinker writer. In film I am a producer and director. Back in 2011, I decided to produce a film regrading sexual violence. I teamed up with the very talented screenwriter Semone Fournillier who is currently attending AFI American Film Institute. We did lots of research and eventually Semone came up with a good screenplay. In it, it dealt with underage prostitution, rape and a predator; which lead me to going deeper into those subjects.
At the same time, I was starting to read post by Dr. Brook Bello on Twitter and Facebook. She is the founder of More to Life and a woman who has been waging war against the sex trade for a very long time, which restarted my interested in the sex trade and how it could be turned into a film. I say restarted because in 2004 I heard…
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I came across this while looking for a document. It is Ted Hope’s 99 Recommended Steps For Making Good Movies. I copied and saved it when it came out so I would always have it. Ted Hope has been he most influential person when it comes to filmmaking. I never went to film school, so I decided to teach myself. I taught myself how to drive a car and swim, why not film?
I found Ted’s Blog when I first started and have followed it ever since. Filmmaking and media is changing so fast it is about impossible to see where it will end up. If it ends up anywhere, but instead an ever evolving. He has many great guest writers that give great insight into to today’s film landscape and culture. If you are reading his blog you are falling behind.
This is how I do it, generally speaking.
Or rather, this is how I try to do it. There really is no template; I have to adjust the plan for each project. And it doesn’t always work. Sometimes I fail (at least to some degree).
And yes, I have left out the details. After all, that is where the art, experience, & innovation is. And of course as this is a collaborative endeavor, there is always — and thankfully — that “other” factor.
1. Maintain wonder & love for the world & most/some of the people.
2. Recognize the barriers & be empowered by my desire for change.
3. Find an inspiring idea & the correct collaborator for it.
4. Maintain love & respect for the film industry.
5. Develop script.
6. Fall in love with project.
7. Get non-financier, non-buyer industry types to give feedback on script.
8. Maintain wonder & love for the process.
9. Further develop script.
10. Maintain respect for collaborator(s).
11. Identify audience & market for project.
12. Enhance my enthusiasm for potential of the results of audience engagement with ambitious cinema.
13. Develop additional materials to properly contextualize project, like image books (aka look books), reference material, blog posts, etc.
14. Try to locate audience and key influencers for the project.
15. Develop transmedia extensions (I know I should do this earlier).
16. Encourage Filmmaker to engage with True Fans (i.e. build community).
17. Strategize production process.
18. Ballpark budget.
19. Evaluate potential cast for project.
20. Consider possible shooting locations.
21. Introduce Writer/Director to US Talent Agencies if necessary.
22. Have Director meet wide range of actors.
23. Strategize financing.
24. Strategize casting process.
25. Develop financing plan.
26. Execute casting process strategy.
27. Attach lead actor.
28. Attach another actor (or two).
29. Revise financing plan as necessary.
30. Revise script as necessary.
31. Estimate possible profit & losses.
32. Revise financing plan as necessary.
33. Approach sales agents.
34. Get foreign sales estimates & foreign sales deal terms.
35. Revise financing plan.
36. Budget, ideally in multiple variations.
37. Approach private equity.
38. Revise financing plan.
39. Revise script as necessary.
40. Get verbal commitments from private equity.
41. Determine most appropriate & then secure sales agent.
42. Continue to source additional financing.
43. Revise financing plan.
44. Revise script as necessary.
45. Develop initial outreach, engagement, awareness strategy.
46. Consider and possibly secure a presale or three.
47. Revise financing plan.
48. Revise script as necessary.
49. Revise Budget.
50. Consider and possibly secure gap & mezzanine financing if necessary.
51. Finalize financing structure & partners
52. Consider & secure key crew collaborators.
53. Scout primary location.
54. Revise script as necessary.
55. Revise Budget.
56. Secure tax credit/rebate.
57. Lock all financing.
58. Lock talent deals.
59. Lock Location.
60. Revise script as necessary.
61. Revise & Lock Budget.
62. Revise initial outreach, engagement, & awareness strategies.
63. Prep.
64. Revise script as necessary.
65. Initiate initial outreach, engagement, & awareness strategies.
66. Shoot.
67. Celebrate completion of shoot.
68. Wrap production.
69. Ponder the big picture.
70. Edit.
71. Revise outreach, engagement, & awareness strategies.
72. Initiate revised outreach, engagement, & awareness strategies.
73. Build awareness.
74. Ponder the big picture.
75. Complete “Movie”.
76. Wrap post.
77. Further revise outreach, engagement, & awareness strategies.
78. Take to festivals.
79. Win awards.
80. Celebrate.
81. Further revise & implement outreach, engagement, & awareness strategies.
82. Sell & license “movie”.
83. Celebrate some more.
84. Deliver “movie” to licensors.
85. Further revise & implement outreach, engagement, & awareness strategies.
86. Market some more.
87. Screen, screen, screen.
88. Publicize.
89. Market some more.
90. Distribute.
91. Harvest, aggregate, & analyze, data.
92. Ponder the big picture.
93. Share the knowledge with the community.
94. Win more awards.
95. Collect profits.
96. Share the wealth the partners.
97. Ponder the big picture.
98. Plan the next one.
99. Do it all over again, but do it a little bit differently.
South Sudan Documentary
In case you haven’t heard I am doing a full length documentary on South Sudan. This project fell into my lap about a month, month and a half ago. A friend of mine has been working on something called the Jonglei Peace Initiative which had ended years of ethnic civil war in the state of Jonglei, South Sudan and will bring development to the region and a plan for the rest of South Sudan. JPI was started by the Diaspora of South Sudan who live here in the United States and Canada. These men are also known as the Lost Boys of South Sudan and much has been written about them as well as a documentary done on them.
My documentary will cover many topics: JPI, which is a very important issue to South Sudan’s future, the tensions between South Sudan and Sudan, which could lead to full scale war, women’s right, freedom if the press, development and education, the rebel leader David Yau Yau and his tyranny and the how does a young democracy survive and grow. I am sure there is more to talk about. Through my research I have become very interested in this project. I and my crew get to document the history of a young country as it too experiments with democratic rule.
The first leg if this journey is to get to Washington D.C. at the end of March for a conference that is being held with the leaders of JPI and the Vice President of South Sudan. Then we have to plan our first trip to South Sudan. I am now looking to get this funded. That is the big part now, getting it funded. Where that is going to come from I do not know but I am confident it will come.
My crew; I do have one. I have Brandon Hyde as our Cinematographer, Tony Tartaglia as our sound guy and William, Billy, Wright as our go to guy for whatever it is we need at that moment. Tony, Billy and myself have served in the Army. Tony was in Vietnam, Billy in Iraq and me in the 82nd Airborne. So we have that covered.
I will be writing a lot about this documentary and would love here hear what you have to say and please spread the word. We need to bring awareness of this film and I need your help to do that. Thanks
Grey Room
Grey Room
I have been asked by Preston Walden to produce his newest film “Grey Room.”
“Grey Room” a supernatural thriller that is the prequel to a feature in the works. The thought is to make a great short film, build an audience and attract investors. We are putting a lot of work and love into this film and want you all to come along this journey with us.
The premise of the film: What if the Mayan calendar didn’t predict the end, but the beginning of the end? The short is about the lovely Susan Wilcox, who on a terrifying night alone, comes to discover who and what she really is. Follow her into the unimaginable as it unfolds.
I will be giving you updates on our progress and the methodology behind the film. We need your financial support as well your feedback on the film. Without you have no film so please spread the word. Our “Grey Room” Campaign and fundraising will kick off on the 14th of July. We will also be taking donations through CrowdFunding sources. I know you will come through for us.
Thanks again people.
SORRY FOR BEING AWAY FOR SO LONG.
Oh Lord Jesus, I apologize for being away for so darn long. A lot has happened since I last wrote. I went to my first festival that I was in and I directed a music video for the cancer charity Relay for Life.
I had a project that I started to work on then it died on the vine however, I do plan on resurrect it in the future. The feature film is being written as I write this and I am really excited, so I will let you know more as it progresses.
Oh, we were going to do a short film for the NBC Film Festival but then decided to not green light it for we would have only given us 30 days to raise funds, plan it, shoot it, edit it and do all the that is entailed in post.
So what is going on now? Well I have stepped back from film making so to speak. No I am not getting out of film making on the contrary. I am stepping back to start my production company and dive into a lot of reading and research about film making and the business of film making . I will write more on starting up the production company very soon and get your feedback.
Oh Yeah one more thing, the filmmaker speaker series is up and running. Filmmakers Speak started with Russell Hess and our next speaker is Rich Nation. More to come on that.
OK Love you all.
timme
Update on feature.
As you know I am producing a feature film on sexual violence. My partner and the writer Semone Fournillier will be begin writing in April and end in June. She is using this script for her Masters class at UCLA, so by the time she is finished with the class we will have a very polished script.
Soon we will be having a production meeting with veteran Casting Director and film consultant Bobbi Hill. She is brings 30 years of experience to the table. In addition, Marilyn Bray who is our film and content consultant will be there. I will keep you filled in on when and how the meeting went.
Also, if you are a survivor of sexual violence we would like to hear from you. We want to keep this film as real as it can be. We don’t want to sugar coat sexual violence as it often has been. You can contact me at timschroyer@gmail.com
Why am I telling you all this. Well for one I am telling you my journey into film. Thus the name. Also, I am trying to build an audience and garner interest for our film. Risky? Maybe but I think it will pay off in the long run
FYI, I am looking for a PMD. Producer of Marketing and Distribution. I have 3 films that need a PMD. If you are interested please contact me.
My journey into film 