Tonight in Philadelphia, I'm giving a seminar on "The Art of Producing" at the Scribe Video Center. It's been fun gathering my thoughts together this past week, and thought I'd jot down some of them here, in no particular order of importance:
* Producing is the art of con. Con being convincing. Con being a contribution. Con being consistent. Con being considerate.
* If you focus on how your film will make a contribution to others instead of how it will contribute to your career, you'll do just fine. And you'll have no trouble raising the money you need.
* People want to contribute to you and your project far more than you'd ever imagine. They're just waiting to be asked. A good producer knows how to allow people to contribute powerfully.
* The most important thing to master as a producer is the ability to describe your film compellingly in 30 seconds or less. And to be ready to do it at any time without warning.
* One of the biggest problems inexperienced producers make is their budgets are too low. Funders are far more suspicious of that then budgets being too high.
* If you're serious about raising money, watch how you talk about money, watch how you dress around people with money. If you say things like "Documentaries never make money," or "Documentary filmmaking isn't a sustainable career," then, guess what?
* Distribution and outreach is something that should be planned for from the very beginning. Start building your email list. Put up a website and have an email signup form. Keep in touch with your mailing list frequently throughout production and post-production.
* Always think long term. It's not just about the current film, it's about sustaining a career over time. So always make agreements and keep to your word. Your most important attribute is your integrity.
* Producing is mostly negotiating and selling, and learning how to maintain your enthusiasm in the face of rejection.
* It sounds stupid, but the best way of getting into festivals, getting attention for your film, and getting distribution deals is to make a really good film. Stop worrying about your festival strategy and worry about whether your story is working.
* My favorite quote about producing, directing and just being a human being, in general (wish I knew who said it): "We wouldn't worry so much about what other people think of us if we knew how seldom they do."
Excellent post!
There are so many out there that want to be rewarded for their work in the movie industry, and yet fail to realize that it is an 'industry' and a business.
Just like any other industry, it has it rules and ways to do things that make it more likely that you'll be successful.
These ideas should help those who are honest in their desires to see things from the practical side that they need to.
Posted by: Gary Bourgeault | April 22, 2006 at 12:43 AM