Well, we should be 2 weeks to principal photography, but it looks like it'll be pushed back due to scheduling conflicts. That's ok, gives me more time for fundraising!
We have several wonderful companies on board as corporate sponsors now. They're offering everything from free locations to deep discounts on essential services. They include Beau's All Natural Brewing (http://www.beaus.ca/), Umi Cafe (www.umicafe.org/), the Highlander Pub (www.highlanderpub.ca) and others I'm still waiting for an approved agreement from. Pay these folks back for their generous support of indie film, EAT OR DRINK there! And mention why, show them that film involvement is a great way to build their business.
We're looking at having a couple of fundraising parties; one at a popular sports bar with live music, one at a comedy club! You'll want to go to both of these events, as there'll be prizes and such in the offing.
We're planning much more than just a film; we're doing a behind the scenes mini-doc, a CD of the soundtrack music, and several music videos with the fabulous bands involved in the film. You'll definitely get your money's worth on this DVD.
Now all we need is the last bit of money. We're taking donations (what's beneath your couch cushions is fine) at http://mmw.jithpauldesign.com/, of course, we'll take more than pocket change too. We're not too proud!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
You can actively support local Film-makers
Now it's easy to get involved in supporting local film-makers!
Thanks to Jith Paul, we have a quick link to donate to the film Me, my Mom, and a Whistle.
http://mmw.jithpauldesign.com/
Now that emerging artists and small independents are competing for the same dwindling pool of government funding monies as Atom Egoyen, Norman Jewison, and David Cronenberg, we've decided to OPT OUT of the traditional funding model.
We're looking for cash donations from people who believe in independent film. While we're hoping to get $20+ per person, we'll take whatever you can find in your couch cushions! I figured that if everyone on the friends lists of the cast & crew donated $20 each, we could make this film, AND PAY EVERYBODY!
If we get enough, we'll reward thhe people who were so kind and supportive with a party & a screening!
Now it's easy to get involved in supporting local film-makers!
Thanks to Jith Paul, we have a quick link to donate to the film Me, my Mom, and a Whistle.
http://mmw.jithpauldesign.com/
Now that emerging artists and small independents are competing for the same dwindling pool of government funding monies as Atom Egoyen, Norman Jewison, and David Cronenberg, we've decided to OPT OUT of the traditional funding model.
We're looking for cash donations from people who believe in independent film. While we're hoping to get $20+ per person, we'll take whatever you can find in your couch cushions! I figured that if everyone on the friends lists of the cast & crew donated $20 each, we could make this film, AND PAY EVERYBODY!
If we get enough, we'll reward thhe people who were so kind and supportive with a party & a screening!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
cash flow sheets and fund raising
I'm sitting in an empty office, in the rain, coffeeless.... sigh.
Who knew such a collaborative venture as film-making could be so lonely?
And I've sprained my brain on cash flow spreadsheets, and still can't find the missing $10k. Precisely $10,000. You'd think it would stand out.
But I've compared the budget and the spreadsheet until my head hurts, and nothing. It's probably in a formula somewhere.... sigh.....
At least I have proof positive that there is a "math center" in your brain. It's on the top, just to the right of the Brocha divide, and just where the top of your head starts to slope back into the back of your head. Ouch.
In the meantime, I may have a couple of new product placement deals, some cash investment, and a star. Things just keep getting better!
Who knew such a collaborative venture as film-making could be so lonely?
And I've sprained my brain on cash flow spreadsheets, and still can't find the missing $10k. Precisely $10,000. You'd think it would stand out.
But I've compared the budget and the spreadsheet until my head hurts, and nothing. It's probably in a formula somewhere.... sigh.....
At least I have proof positive that there is a "math center" in your brain. It's on the top, just to the right of the Brocha divide, and just where the top of your head starts to slope back into the back of your head. Ouch.
In the meantime, I may have a couple of new product placement deals, some cash investment, and a star. Things just keep getting better!
The previous post....
was meant to go in my homesteading blog (http://theleadingedgeofchaos.blogspot.com/) and not here. Sorry for the confusion, but Me, my Mom, & a Whistle has no chickens in it. But it does have a chick or two, human ones.... sorry, bad pun.
I'll post something decent soon, I promise.
I'll post something decent soon, I promise.
Friday, June 19, 2009
the 12 hour auditions over, now the hard part....
So, we had the call backs-chemistry test yesterday. 12 hours + 30 actors = few decisions. Sigh.....
It's an odd complaint, but so many of the actors were so good that we still haven't narrowed it down much. Some people did better than they did at their last audition, some did worse. A couple of choices seemed obvious, and we have first and second choices for several roles, but the leads are still wide open.
While the director was down from Toronto, we made a few other decisions as well; such as how far I can go to negotiate a deal before having to check with the other producers, how much I can "give away" to get the film made, and which distributor/ marketing firm we're interested in going with.
So, a good day. And a good place to take a weekend off, if you call planting tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, & many other veggies to be a day off!
It's an odd complaint, but so many of the actors were so good that we still haven't narrowed it down much. Some people did better than they did at their last audition, some did worse. A couple of choices seemed obvious, and we have first and second choices for several roles, but the leads are still wide open.
While the director was down from Toronto, we made a few other decisions as well; such as how far I can go to negotiate a deal before having to check with the other producers, how much I can "give away" to get the film made, and which distributor/ marketing firm we're interested in going with.
So, a good day. And a good place to take a weekend off, if you call planting tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, & many other veggies to be a day off!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Final auditions! (I hope)
So, the "final" auditions are tomorrow. My back is nervous, another 10 hours standing up filming auditions. At least I've been there often enough to find that jewel of a restaurant; cheap, but oh so good. It's a greek hole-in-the-wall place by the Parkdale Mkt. $7 buys a chicken pita, greek salad, and pop.
As for the auditions, it was really hard to whittle it down to a maximum of four contenders for each role. While some choices (to keep or let go) were obvious, some were really agonized over.
But it should be fun, and as we're testing for chemistry between the leads, it could be surprising.
While we may not have decided on yeses yet, those unfortunate enough not to be chosen, should be getting their no's next week.
As for the auditions, it was really hard to whittle it down to a maximum of four contenders for each role. While some choices (to keep or let go) were obvious, some were really agonized over.
But it should be fun, and as we're testing for chemistry between the leads, it could be surprising.
While we may not have decided on yeses yet, those unfortunate enough not to be chosen, should be getting their no's next week.
The book rises again....
So, I finally heard from the publisher (they've had it for 50 weeks!) and they apologized for the delay. Gotta love British understatement. LOL
So, they love the story, they love the characters, they love the 'voice'. They hate the ending. :(
But, at least they're willing to work with me on it, in the fall. (next time we're both free to take on more work). So, I'm still on "the list" for Cutting Edge Books, and still listed on Amazon.ca. (under a pen name)
So, they love the story, they love the characters, they love the 'voice'. They hate the ending. :(
But, at least they're willing to work with me on it, in the fall. (next time we're both free to take on more work). So, I'm still on "the list" for Cutting Edge Books, and still listed on Amazon.ca. (under a pen name)
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