FilmmakerIQ.com

• Caleb Herring said 2 months, 4 weeks ago:

  This morning I woke up and checked my email. And to my surprise I saw an email from a writer. He emailed me to ask if I could direct his feature film. I have never heard of him. I have no idea how he found me. And he won’t respond to my email. I have the script and I really want to do it. But, I’ve never done a feature! I’ve done a few little shorts but all of them I’ve grown to hate. I am going to try this. So, I need the help from someone that’s made one. I need the entire list of things I need to do.

  From what I’ve read in the script so far (26 of 118) it takes place in Massachusetts. Here is the summary he sent me: After the Civil War and assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the following election for President. Senator Girardi campaigns for the nomination of the Republican Party, but a Representative and former district attorney decides to reopen a murder case that took place twenty years earlier to ruin his chances of becoming Commander in Chief.

  Oh, and I am in need of a producer so how could I get one? Or, would any of you guys like to help out? I’d pay you if we get funded it might not be a lot, but, I would still try to give you something. If I need to I will upload the script.

  Thanks!

  Director, Producer, Geek, Sleeper, and Professional Slacker.
  Caleb Herring.
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• Simon Hosick said 2 months, 4 weeks ago:

  I’d start by screaming “Whoa!”

  First, finish reading the damn script. Then talk.
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• KillerCordova said 2 months, 4 weeks ago:

  First you need to read the script.

  Second, or also possibly first you need to find out how he found out about you and what your connection to them is.

  Third, or possibly also first, you need to Google the shit out of them.

  Fourth, or possibly also first, you need to figure out who’s putting up the money.

  After that, then you can start focusing in on how to find a producer, and a full production crew.
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• Caleb Herring said 2 months, 4 weeks ago:

  @Dark_Water said:
  I’d start by screaming “Whoa!”

  Done.
  Still reading the script now on page 103. And the more I read the more I realize even though it’s set in the late 1800s the way they talk is more modern. He did say this was his first draft though. Back to reading.
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• Anthony Law Liddle said 2 months, 4 weeks ago:

  @raindancepictureshow said:
  He did say this was his first draft though.

  And that’s where you get nervous. Any writer worth his grain of salt knows to not send out a first draft.

  “The first thing a writer should be is – excited. He should be a thing of fevers and enthusiasms. Without such vigor, he might as well be out picking peaches or digging ditches; God knows it’s better for his health.” -Ray Bradbury
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• 8thSamurai said 2 months, 4 weeks ago:

  That’s not too far from me. And I know a couple of producers.

  Yes, the first draft thing would put me a little on edge. How many pages is it?

  This one might be time sensitive, as strange as it sounds.

  http://digitalisdreaming.blogspot.com/

  http://twitter.com/#!/DigitalisVitae
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• Caleb Herring said 2 months, 4 weeks ago:

  As far as who he is and how he knows me…I have no idea. He told me his name and email. He said he found me on Stage 32, which makes sense. I googled him to page 10 and found nothing but the script on some script sharing website. I looked him up on twitter and facebook, nothing. His name is Reginald Jackson. I just finished and the ending as a sort of Christopher Nolan feel to it (which I love!).
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• John P. Hess said 2 months, 4 weeks ago:

  I would be concerned about treading on historical thin ice:

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1868_Republican_National_Convention

  The Senator from Massachusetts Henry Wilson actually did go on to serve as Vice President under Ulysses S. Grant’s second term in 1873

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Wilson

  It’s one thing to use creative license, but it’s another thing to be historically ignorant about the times especially if you’re going to do something as high profile as a presidential election.

  All my Best,
  John Hess
  Creative Industries Media Group | GospelJohn.net
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• Caleb Herring said 2 months, 4 weeks ago:

  @8thSamurai said:
  How many pages is it?

  118 pages. He wrote a two page email to me. And he said he has finished it but he wanted to send me the first draft just in case I did not accept it. He sounds really paranoid. But, since he has not copyrighted it yet I guess I would be too. Then I emailed him telling him I would do it and he just now sent me the final. So now I got to go read that!
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• 8thSamurai said 2 months, 4 weeks ago:

  Best with it. Have either of you given any thoughts to funding sources? Producers aren’t magical money machines – they work with you to cross your tees, and may have additional resources.
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• Caleb Herring said 2 months, 4 weeks ago:

  @8thSamurai said:
  Best with it. Have either of you given any thoughts to funding sources? Producers aren’t magical money machines – they work with you to cross your tees, and may have additional resources.

  No I have not. I’m not really good at the business side of things so I was going to hire a producer for a percentage of what he brings in.
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• numballover said 2 months, 4 weeks ago:

  I don’t know what the script looks like, but just from the log line I can tell you that I would be afraid to direct that movie.

  Are you sure you have the skill to direct that type of movie? This sounds like a serious film. I personally don’t feel competent enough to direct that sort of movie.

  From the way it sounds that isn’t a first-timer’s feature…not even a second timer. That is the kind of film you do when you have four or five under your belt.

  Movie Reviews from Killerfilm.com
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• John P. Hess said 2 months, 4 weeks ago:

  Numb said it better than I could have.
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• Caleb Herring said 2 months, 4 weeks ago:

  @numballover said:
  Are you sure you have the skill to direct that type of movie? This sounds like a serious film. I personally don’t feel competent enough to direct that sort of movie.

  I’m going to give it all I can and hopefully it’ll turn out great!

  But, I still need a producer. So if you know anyone willing to take a risk and produce a first time 15 year old feature director. I would greatly appreciate it.

  Thanks for your time!
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• John P. Hess said 2 months, 4 weeks ago:

  I keep forgetting you’re 15…

  :)

  This will fall on deaf ears as I’m sure I would have ignored the advice at your age… Wait at least till you’re done with school. Maybe try a smaller film during the summer when you can devote all day to it.

  Forget the business side. You’re not there yet. No producer will touch this. If the script does manage a producer, they’ll bump you in a sec for someone else. No one will risk gambling on a high school freshman (when youre a senior, you’ll know why)

  Focus on making more short films. Get one new one done every month. Share them here for feedback.

  This advice is not to steer you away from filmmaking… It’s to keep you from burning yourself so bad you’ll miss out on the love of the craft.

  When I was 18 I attempted a feature. It failed and it kept me away from the camera for two to three years. Had I not been burned I may have chosen a different college path…> gasp< I might have actually gone to film school…

  I'd rather you succeed ib small steps than flame out… And in the end it's a marathon and your only competing with yourself.
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