Facing Reality

It's nearing the end of the year and it does not look like a feature is going to happen. Again. Obviously this is sad news. The good news is that I've been working professionally as a director pretty much as my primary job this year. So, I don't want to downplay the significance of that; it's a big step forward.

Lately I've been feeling like my approach to getting a film made might be becoming too rushed and intended mostly just to have kept my promise to myself. I am right now analyzing a couple other pathways which might prove more logical.

One major problem I'm finding is that all the projects I'm really passionate about AND I think have a solid return potential are simply more expensive than I can afford to make myself. And the ones I can afford are either still expensive considering they have little sales return potential or I just don't feel passionately about them.

As a result, I am thinking of going back to investors with an alternate method. I would go to them with a script and a list of potential actors. They would invest based on the ability to attach one of the actors. But they would invest first. If no actors were attached, they lose nothing. The advantage here is that we are able to make OFFERS to actors rather than beg on spec. I'm talking to various industry people trying to set this up.

The best news I have is that I'm very proud of the last project I directed and I've been hired for another one next month. I'm trying to focus on the wins here.

If I could package something with investors, by the end of the year, I think I would feel accomplished on this goal of stepping into features. I am still considering a micro-budget, self financed movie - but I am tempted until the brand new camera comes out because at least that would be one facet I would not have to worry about (since I'm already paying for it).