I love the questions posed in the title of this post. Let's use this post to answer those exact questions one at a time!
Is there any goal beyond only MAKING the movie?
Yes. It has been a long time goal of mine to have a movie that was of high enough quality all the way around from story to production and directing to acting that I would feel compelled to enter the movie into various festivals, large and small.
At this point, I only have the story and screenplay, but I and every person to read it so far is certain of its quality. In fact, I have never been as confident of any single piece of art I have produced including every piece of fiction, poetry, and music I have ever labored over. Only a VERY SELECT FEW besides me have read the entire screenplay and know every major and minor beat found in its pages.
To my great surprise, and honestly thrilling me beyond my wildest expectations or even dreams, those few folks who were allowed to consume the whole thing have been incredibly excited and enthused. My Senior Executive Producers, Rita McBean and Dan Koven, in particular, appear to be locked in some kind of three-way competition with me at this point for who flips out the most when talking about it! Both of them literally ASSAULTED me with praise following their first readings. SCARY LOVE! (Isn't that always the best kind? Is there any other kind?)
The breathtaking praise, energy and enthusiasm from all involved so far fills me with the confidence that I am right about this story. It is the right story to take to festivals!
Now, I am working very hard to find the right team. Dan and Rita are doing their part to make this happen as well.
Here's who we have so far (*ALL subject to change, of course, until shoot begins):
PRODUCTION TEAM
- Writer/Director/Producer--Robert Christopher Smith
- Senior Executive Producer-- Dan Koven
- Senior Executive Producer--Rita McBean
- Make-Up/Effects/Executive Producer--Amy McCain
- Sound Engineer/Executive Producer--David Nylund
- Executive Producer-- MORE COMING!!! (This is basically our "street team" once crowdfunding starts!)
Casting for our Acting Talent has just begun. There are ads out on Craigslist and people are beginning to inquire about acting in the movie. These efforts will intensify greatly beginning next week, and we approach the one-week mark to the FIRST TABLE READ.
Once that table read is behind us, ALL ROLES MUST BE FILLED quickly. There will be no room for screwing around since we will immediately schedule the second (and this time, PRIVATE) Table Read. This second table read will be exclusively for cast and some crew to begin hammering out our delivery.
The one and only role that I know for sure is that the CarryOut should be played by The Carriage House. I plan to finish those discussions very soon and lock this down.
The pieces are coming together. With the amount of people already working on this with me, and the over all buzz, I am confident THE RIGHT PIECES ARE COMING TOGETHER.
We are taking this movie to FESTIVALS.
Where is this GOING?
It has been a long time fantasy, and now firm goal, to attend SXSW. However, I wish to do so as a participant, and not only as an attendee.
What is SXSW?....HOW DARE YOU!!! Kidding, kidding...No big deal...OK, you are not big enough of a geek yet. Let me fill you in. SXSW is South by Southwest, a huge annual festival held in Austin TX over several days each March celebrating all the best in new music, movies, and more in entertainment. It is the model for music festivals like this and is the largest of its kind in the world. In fact, the attention that it drew to itself in this regard is what has made it so increasingly popular and effective for film and other interactive media.
They absolutely would NOT choose this movie simply because of its musical nature. Having said that, however, "The END of FUN" is more than a natural fit for SXSW, and has the potential to draw a significant buzz (if done right, back to the whole first part, above!).
At this point, I clearly envision myself, a few actors, maybe a producer or two all taking "The END of FUN" to Austin, TX for SXSW 2017 next MARCH!!!
Is there a PLAN?
Why yes! Yes, there is a plan!
The plan for developing and shooting "The END of FUN":
- Continue casting up to and through TABLE READ 1 (July 9)
- Begin Crowdfunding (Kickstarter is likely, and will run for approximately 30 days)
- Money for Location(s) including The Carriage House
- Money for Actors (I want to hire as professional actors as possible-- whoever is hired MUST TAKE THIS 100% seriously and be deeply committed!)
- Money for Production Team (Sound, Make-Up, Cameras, Editing)
- The PRIMARY budget has been estimated and will be locked following the finalization of casting and crew hires
- Have cast and screenplay "locked" before TABLE READ 2 (projected date=Aug. 13)
- Record Audio for karaoke performances (Mid-Aug)
- Shoot movie over 4-5 days (Mid-Aug/Possibly Late-Aug/POSSIBLY Early Sept!)
- Edit and Postproduction in September
- Final VERSION ready by HALLOWEEN 2016
- This will be submitted to SXSW Nov.1 (ish)
- This will entail a VERY SLIGHTLY higher rate for submission since we will have missed the initial dates, but it WILL NOT AFFECT our eligibility in any way at all!
- Prepare Press Kit in anticipation of Positive Response (WE WILL NOT SUBMIT UNLESS ALL IN AGREEMENT THAT THE END PRODUCT LIVES UP TO OUR HOPES, DREAMS, EXPECTATIONS, ETC.)
- Attend SXSW in March 2017
- WIN? SELL MOVIE?
- Who KNOWS?
- Continue to submit the film in other, especially more local (we are in SoCal, after all) festivals and events.
Of course each progressive level of success in this business requires not just talent, but persistence, timing and plain old luck. HOWEVER--ANY SUCCESS EXPERIENCED WILL ALWAYS BE SHARED WITH MY FELLOW ARTISTS WHO ARE SO KIND TO SHARE THEIR TALENTS ON ANY PROJECT WITH ME. You have my word on that-- NOW and FOREVER!!!
What do you guys think? Questions? Caution? Advice? Praise? Encouragement? WHATCHA GOT?
#TheENDofFUN #JadeSilver #KaraokeCanBeMurder
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