Via JohnAugust.com

That’s right if you have a screenplay that shows the Department of Defense in a positive light they will give you a helping hand, maybe even loan you a aircraft carrier or perhaps even let you in on a few classified secrets.

If you want to make a war film and need a fleet of F-22s, a crowd of Marines, or a Navy aircraft carrier, just call up the Department of Defense’s entertainment media office and they’ll tell you if the Army can spare that M1A1 Abrams tank you’ve always wanted for a day or two of filming.

“The scripts we get are only the writer’s idea of how the Department of Defense operates,” Vince Ogilvie, deputy director of the Defense Department’s entertainment liaison office, told Danger Room. “We make sure the Department and facilities and people are portrayed in the most accurate and positive light possible.”

Hollywood has been working with government organizations to make more credible films for years (for instance, Jerry Bruckheimer and Paramount Pictures worked closely with the Pentagon when filming the 1986 blockbuster “Top Gun”). But the phenomenon is under newfound scrutiny. There was a bit of a kerfuffle recently when some in the press and in Congress speculated about whether the government will give Sony Pictures any pointers while they make a film about the killing of Osama bin Laden.

Wired | Read The Full Article

The excerpt below is from the CIA Entertainment Industry Liaison and they are eager to have a “constructive dialogue” with you.

As an organization that plays a key role in America’s defense, the CIA is a frequent subject of books, motion pictures, documentaries, and other creative ventures. For years, artists from across the entertainment industry — actors, authors, directors, producers, screenwriters, and others — have been in touch with the CIA to gain a better understanding of our intelligence mission. Our goal is an accurate portrayal of the men and women of the CIA, and the skill, innovation, daring, and commitment to public service that defines them.

If you are part of the entertainment industry, and are working on a project that deals with the CIA, the Agency may be able to help you. We are in a position to give greater authenticity to scripts, stories, and other products in development. That can mean answering questions, debunking myths, or arranging visits to the CIA to meet the people who know intelligence — its past, present, and future. In some cases, we permit filming on our headquarters compound. We can also provide stock footage of locations within and around our main building.

Intelligence is challenging, exciting, and essential. To better convey that reality, the CIA is ready for a constructive dialogue with a broad range of creative talents.

CIA | Entertainment Industry Liaison

Now, I know what you are thinking… where can I get may hands on some cool military gear. Well here is their contact information. But take my advice; go with the nuclear powered aircraft carrier. Otherwise you are going to need to bring 150,000 gallons of fuel to the set each day.

U.S. Military Assistance in Producing Motion Pictures, Television Shows, Music Videos

Department of Defense
Special Assistant for Entertainment Media
Department of Defense
The Pentagon, Room 2E592
Washington, DC 20301-1400
(703) 695-2936 / FAX (703) 695-1149

For information regarding U.S. military assistance in producing feature motion pictures, television shows, documentaries, music videos, commercial advertisements, CD-ROM games, and other audiovisual programs, please contact the Military Service being portrayed or being asked to provide assistance:

Army
Chief, Office of Army Chief of Public Affairs
Los Angeles Branch
10880 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1250
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 235-7621 / FAX (310) 235-6075

Navy
Director, Navy Office of Information West
10880 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1220
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 235-7481 / FAX (310) 235-7856

Air Force
Director, Secretary of the Air Force
Office of Public Affairs
Office of Public Affairs-Entertainment Liaison
10880 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1240
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 235-7511 / FAX (310) 235-7500

Marine Corps
Director, Marine Corps Public Affairs
Motion Picture and Television Liaison
10880 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1230
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 235-7272 / FAX (310) 235-7274

Something Educational:

A brief discussion of LLC vs LP for the independent film producer.

Something F*cking Stupid:

A fan blowing helium on a dog.

VIA: Making Of

VIA: INSIGHT OUT / HFF Academy

Being a filmmaker is like starting your own business and you need to think of it that way. The role and responsibilities of a filmmaker can be abstract and over glamorized for many starting out. They only see the artistic or technical aspects, but when it comes to the business side they don’t have a clue.

When faced with the business realities they either throw their hands up in frustration of their ignorance or they will just ignore it hoping it won’t matter or someone else will do it for them. Sure you can (and must) hire professionals such as lawyers and accounts, but you must also have some basic knowledge otherwise you can’t instruct or verify. Business knowledge also goes far beyond contracts and ledgers. You need to know sales and marketing, strategy, management skills and more.

There is so much to know you don’t know where to start. First take a deep breath. You can learn this stuff. You don’t need a Harvard Degree or be Warren Buffett. All you need is patience, persistence and a positive attitude.

Lets start by making the profession of a filmmaker less abstract by creating an analogy. We could choose lots of different bushiness to compare it to, but opening a restaurant shares many of the same motivations and obstacles.

The Restaurant Analogy

Lets say you love to cook and you want to make a living doing it and share your food with the public, so you decide to open a restaurant. Soon after looking into the prospect you discover the cooking part of owning a restaurant maybe the smallest aspect. Just to get the doors open you need to find financial backing, which requires knowledge financing. If you get past that you will need to deal with all sorts of legal aspects, accounting, licenses, permits, employees, marketing, sales and on and on. And, even if you have a business degree you still don’t know anything about running a restaurant.

Get Experience

The best place would be to get a job working at someone else’s restaurant. Even a fast food place would give you a basic understanding of how the business is run. As you move on to fancier eateries work on expanding your knowledge; ask questions, try and get a position in the back office, learn to manage workers, find out who they do business with (wholesalers, banks, law firms, etc.) and above all else network. Build lasting relationships with your employer, their employees, customers and business contacts.

Freelance

There is little that can prepare you for being out on your own. Freelancing is a good middle ground to work from. Working for someone else is a good starting point. You need to walk before you run. Start off with some small catering jobs. You are working off of someones else’s instructions, but it should give you enough artistic licence to show off your talents. Freelancing is also a great way to network (you see a pattern here). The people that hire you can be a great source for financing down the road, always be professional and don’t burn bridges.

Build Your Name

Now you need to widen your exposure. Start building a name for yourself by entering cooking contests. Attend trade-shows and other industry events. Give out food samples at local fairs. Think of other creative ways to get your work in front of the public and industry.

Hire a Lawyer

I don’t care how much business experience you have you need outside legal advice. Even if the best business attorney in the country was opening a restaurant he would still want a second opinion. It’s hard to see all the legal forest fires through the trees.

Create a Business Plan

A business plan is like a blue print of how you are going to open your restaurant and how you plan to be profitable. No bank or investor is going to consider loaning you money without a well thought out business plan. Projections, every number you give them is just more for them to pick apart. The numbers part of your business plan should only serve to show them you have some business sense, anything more and you are just supplying them with reasons to say no. Trust me, what looks good in your eyes more often than not will backfire.

Find Investors

Money is the biggest roadblock between potential owners and their restaurant. It is very hard to get bank financing unless you have collateral, so your best bet will be private investors. You should start with that network you have been building. Go to those business owners that hired you for freelance work. Ask your old (or current) employer where they got their funding. REFERRALS, REFERRALS, REFERRALS. Even if you are turned down ask them if they know others that maybe interested. Let your investors do the work for you.

Nobody is going to invest money they need to rely on for income. They will however invest money that they would have spent in Vegas or on a new sports car. Restaurants are risky investments. If your main sales pitch is big returns, you need to rethink it. You should be selling dreams, and the fun of owning part of a restaurant, having their own table, etc..

Don’t ever guarantee them anything and don’t ever lie to them…ever. Work on building a good personal relationship with them that will last for a long time. Even if your restaurant is a failure if you where honest with them and have a good relationship most of the time they will double their bet with you.

Opening the doors

I’m not going to spend time describing this part because if you followed the steps above you should have good foundation to build on.

…. End Analogy.

There are countless books, websites, forums, etc., filled with “advice” on how to break into filmmaking. They talk about who you need to know, what you need to write, how to talk, walk and shit. But while (some) information is always a good thing, they don’t really tell you what’s truly needed. Yes you need some talent, but the true filtering process is all about how much an individual is willing to give up/risk to become a filmmaker.

You’re not competing with other filmmakers, only with yourself, and that’s the hardest competition there is. No one is ever kept from making it as a filmmaker. They only give up or die trying.

Make sure and check out all these articles: Pre-Production

If you have any business related question please ask them in our Business School Group.