Do you need funding for your film?
I don’t mean it as ‘hey listen to me ‘cos I can tell you where the money is’. I mean it as ‘do you actually need as much money as you are trying to find?’
The reason I ask is that so many filmmakers are stuck in the funding trap. Chasing the carrot of possible funding on the horizon… there’s just one more form to fill in… just one more meeting to take…
STOP!
Filmmaking is evolving at an unprecedented speed. All aspects of production, financing and distribution are changing daily.
And you are on the crest of this new wave. There has never been a better time to be a filmmaker… So forget the old rules! They never worked for us anyway!
I say you have EVERYTHING you need to get your movie made now. And what you don’t have but need, well that will find YOU when you commit to making your film. And I mean REALLY commit to making your movie in 2012.
That’s what the Guerilla Film Makers 2 Day Masterclass is about. Getting you into production right now, not ‘one-day-some-day’, because the road to ‘one-day-some-day’ leads nowhere.
Date : Feb 18th / 19th, Venue: Regents College, The London School of Film Media & Performance, Regents Park.
There is money and resources out there, but what attracts it to your film in 2012 is not the same as what worked in the past. Great ideas, cool casting, killer pitches and amazing web presences are all part of the deal, but taking massive action trumps them all.
So where do you begin?
Set a date for the first day of shooting right now. Don’t think too hard about it. Just do it. Then announce it to the world. Then follow through on your promise.
Making that genuine commitment to your movie and your career is the hardest part. The rest is easy. Well kind of ;o)
The Guerilla Film Makers Masterclass will powerfully step you through the whole process, from concept through completion, distribution and beyond.
Crammed with massive amounts of real world, hard won lessons, the masterclass will prepare you for the thousands of problems that face you as a filmmaker on your own journey.
It will also connect you with hundreds of creative and entrepreneurial collaborators – directors, actors, producers, editors, DPs, marketeers… and already there are a pile of productions that were born out of collaborations made at the Guerilla Film Makers Masterclass 2011.
Don’t take my word for it, read the hundreds of five star reviews for the masterclass on the official site here… (and it really is hundreds!)
http://www.guerillamasterclass.com/feedback/
In the past the masterclass used to cost £235, but last year I made an effort to make it affordable to every filmmaker. So now, with the discount code FILMING2012, it’s just £85 for the two days.
Get your pass here… (use code FILMING2012)
http://www.guerillamasterclass.com
If you still want to hold onto the old rules and keep chasing that carrot, got for it.
But if like so many other filmmakers you say ‘screw the carrot’…
If you choose to make something extraordinary with the resources that you have (remember, you have more than you think – and when you start your journey, more will find you)…
If you choose to embrace the brave new world that we are living into every moment, then buckle up baby, and sign up for the Guerilla Film Makers Masterclass.
Believe, and it’s going to be one hell of a ride!
It’s the only time in 2012 I will run it, so take action now.
http://www.guerillamasterclass.com/
See you in February!
Onwards and upwards!
Chris Jones, Film Maker and Author
www.livingspiritgroup.com
www.ProductionOffice.org
e: mail@livingspirit.com
I’d love to attend but the plane fare from Australia is significant. I discovered the books about 5 years back and it was inspirational (and educational) enough that I have been on the no budget feature filmmaking treadmill ever since. I’m not sure whether I should thank you or curse you for that as It’s kept me constantly broke and knackered and I’m not too sure why I do it a lot of the time but the books are undeniably brilliant. Will be there if you ever make it down to Oz.
Lets make it happen, would love to bring the masterclass to Australia!
The word “funding” for me gives out the wrong connotations – it feels like you are asking for a hand out to make your film. I think filmmakers should be looking at how to “finance” their films more which may include looking for funding but in reality takes a whole different mindset.
I agree 100% – I wrote a blog about it last year
http://www.chrisjonesblog.com/2011/01/a-guide-to-film-finance-and-funding-in-2011-are-you-going-to-get-funded-or-financed.html
CJ
I’ll agree, but only in certain circumstances. If you want to shoot something in your podunk hometown (and yes, I’m from one myself) with your DSLR, sure, you can do it without paying for locations and production insurance. But if you live in Los Angeles, this is an industry town. You go to a bar, restaurant, or 7-Eleven and ask if you can shoot a scene or two in their place, they automatically ask you for 1. Rental for the day, 2. Money to compensate them for closing down the place, or opening it up just for you off-hours, and 3. Proof of production insurance, usually a minimum of $1 million for their end. Such production insurance is not zero dollars. Then when you want to rent a real camera, like may a RED camera, same thing. Renting grip & lighting equipment requires the same thing. And if you’re caught by the police shooting something without a permit (which requires production insurance) you get a big fat fine. So, this doesn’t apply to people who live in LA or NYC, or practically any metropolitan area.
Hi Brian, so on the flipside, you can shoot in an unobtrusive way in major locations with DSLR – just nip in and do it, and be out before anyone knows. I blogged this recently How to shoot your movie on Oxford Street (or other ridiculously public location)