Studio
Concept Notes from the Lionsgate Team
3/3/2010 at 9:30 AM by Kenneth Woo
We are entering the final week of entries and welcome your last minute submissions, comments and additional notes. We are starting to see some great stories develop and are pleased with this group endeavor. We do want to guide you to the finish line however with a few comments and suggestions.
Your log line is the most important part of the submission. You must try to get us (and eventually an audience) to want to know more. Choose a concept that is easy to express in a sentence; if that's hard for you to do, you may be working on a low-concept idea.
Alex Barkaloff Writer, Producer
Lisa Ellzey Producer
John Sacchi Producer
LOOP PLANES Announced for SXSW 2010
2/12/2010 at 9:19 AM by Kenneth Woo
We are thrilled with the news that Loop Planes, our first collaboration with Killer Films, has made it to SXSW this year.
Thanks again to the Massify community for making this such a successful program, and congratulations to Killer, Robin, and the entire Loop Planes team!
SXSW Announces Shorts Lineup
From Online Video to Eight-Figure Picture Deal
2/11/2010 at 11:05 AM by Suraj Das
Imagine this: you've just mastered shooting on a new digital-SLR or compositing using some new killer-app. You decide to drop a few hundred bucks to throw together a short video that demonstrates your newly acquired skills, and then you upload your finished piece to Massify, YouTube, Vimeo, or all three. A few days later, your inbox nearly explodes with e-mails from Hollywood executives and agents; they would all like to offer you a few million dollars and help develop your idea into a feature film.
If the aforementioned scenario sounds farfetched, you're probably unaware of the recent success of Uruguayan filmmaker Fede Alvarez. Alvarez uploaded the short video above, entitled "Panic Attack!" which reportedly cost him only about $300 to create. The video was written up in a number of tastemaking blogs and went on to become a viral sensation, spreading like wild-fire and racking up an impressive 1.5 million views in just three short weeks.
>> Read more
Suraj Das Writer, Director
Welcome from the Lionsgate Team
2/1/2010 at 7:31 AM by Kenneth Woo
Welcome to the Lionsgate Incubator!
Lionsgate wants to develop a high concept comedy, a movie where the premise can be explained in a single sentence, or better yet, title.
The winning script should be fun, full of hilarious dialogue and memorable characters. It should be grounded, but playful and set in the present day. Feel free to draw from your own backyard, workplace, relatives, in-laws and ex’s. Have fun with gags, tricks, and hi-jinks within the context of a relatable story that has universal appeal for men and women alike.
In the coming weeks we will be reviewing and commenting on your submissions, and speaking openly with our opinions in our postings. Working together through this incubator we hope to develop the next laugh riot to be released by Lionsgate.
Ladies and gentlemen, start your pens!
Alex Barkaloff Writer, Producer
Lisa Ellzey Producer
John Sacchi Producer
Massify.com, Lionsgate, and YouTube partner to create breakthrough Comedy Film - Incubator goes Live
1/26/2010 at 6:52 AM by Kenneth Woo
We are thrilled to announce that Youtube has joined the LINC partnership as our global distribution partner. This will ensure that the final film produced from this program will reach the largest and most engaged audience online. Coupled with your talent and Lionsgate production resources - we're looking forward to seeing a fantastic film emerge in the coming weeks!
Concept development opens today - so head over to the program page to get started.
Read the press release below:
>> Read more
Kenneth Woo
Killer Films Announces Ace Hotel Selections
1/15/2010 at 2:56 PM by Christine Vachon
Killer is extremely excited to finally move into the preproduction phase of our project with Massify and the Ace Hotel. We've selected three films to produce from the final twelve. We chose these projects based on a number of factors; we selected films we believed were most makeable on a micro-budget, films we were confident we could shoot on short schedules, and scripts that all offer a strong, fresh point of view, that are tonally and thematically diverse.
Christine Vachon Producer
Lessons from Last Year
1/6/2010 at 1:19 PM by Suraj Das
Lessons from Last Year
Happy New Year, independent filmmakers! What better way could there possibly be to start the new year than by looking at the trends and business practices that dominated the American film industry in 2009? This sharp, perceptive, and funny post on IFC's The Independent Eye blog does just that. Covering issues ranging from the decline of star-driven movies at the box-office to the rise of 3D, the article brings up some very good points and raises some truly interesting questions about the immediate future of filmmaking. You know what they say about those who do not learn from history - so click here to take a look at the piece and keep yourself in the know!
Suraj Das Writer, Director
Critics Unveil Their "Best of The Decade" Lists
12/31/2009 at 10:39 AM by Suraj Das
With the end of the year just days away, critics have really started to weigh in on their picks for the finest films of the decade. Indiewire has posted this excellent, in-depth article with tons of input from lead critics, as well as this comprehensive list of the must-see films from the last ten years.
Rotten Tomatoes, using their extensive archive of reviews from the nation's top film critics, has posted a slightly different list of the most critically acclaimed films of the 00's. Notably, they have chosen to divide up their list by genre, which ensures that comedy, science fiction, horror and other genres that are often overlooked get their due as well.
Suraj Das Writer, Director
Paramount's "Micro-Budget": The Future of Indie Film?
12/16/2009 at 12:35 PM by Suraj Das
No doubt compelled by the remarkable success of low-budget hits like Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project, Paramount is developing a "micro-budget" division to focus specifically on producing films with budgets that do not exceed $100,000.
As reported by The Los Angeles Times, the division will spend no more than $2 million a year financing roughly 20 micro-budget pics; but not all of these films will see theatrical release. Instead, Paramount intends to use the new micro-budget division as a testing ground for new talent and innovative approaches to filmmaking.
Suraj Das Writer, Director
My Adventure in Theatrical Self Distribution: Part 4 of 4
12/15/2009 at 1:08 PM by Jon Reiss
This week wraps up the lessons I learned releasing my film Bomb It.
This experience inspired me to write my book Think Outside the Box Office so that other filmmakers - like you would not have to reinvent the wheel like I did - and would have a resources to help you through the process.
Lesson 11: LA/NY or Multicity – I vote for multi city. I don’t know if I would have gotten a NY booking – or LA booking without my smaller market bookings without four-walling (renting the “four walls” of a theater). In NY this can cost $10-$18,000 a week.
Also starting with smaller markets allows you to learn from your mistakes before you get to your bigger cities. Second it gives you more lead time for your materials prep.
Jon Reiss Producer, Director
My Adventure in Theatrical Self Distribution: Part 3 of 4
12/14/2009 at 8:02 AM by Jon Reiss
More lessons from the trenches of self distribution.
Lesson 6: Get a publicist started early. But publicists can be very expensive. Since nearly everyone on our crew had deferral deals – why not apply this to the publicist. If you’re going DIY – people are less optimistic of their deferral happening after you recoup the costs for the whole film.
Think outside the box – someone who doesn't specialize in film is a better option. Lynn Hasty of Green Galactic who does art/music/fashion and some film had done such a fantastic job for us on Better Living that I convinced her to take me on for Bomb It. She started in October for a Spring release (most long lead press needs 5 months at least). I guaranteed her 6 months of cash (½ cash ½ deferred) and she would adjust her work depending on our release schedule. This was very helpful when we got pushed.
Jon Reiss Producer, Director
Mass Hysteria Seeks Script Submissions
12/11/2009 at 1:29 PM by Suraj Das
Mass Hysteria wants to develop and produce your pitch for a hilarious feature-length comedy. Are you big Mel Brooks fan? Do you love films like "Office Space," "Anchorman," and "The Hangover?" Well, this is the perfect opportunity for you to develop your comedic story ideas and concepts, and possibly even see your script produced and released in theaters nationwide.
Mass Hysteria is an innovative film studio dedicated to discovering new talent and producing fresh, exciting comedic films for a new generation of audiences. The company's advisory board is made up of a number of industry luminaries including Albert S. Ruddy (two-time Academy Award-winning producer of films such as "The Godfather" and "Million Dollar Baby"), John Landis (legendary comedy director behind "Animal House," "Trading Places," and "The Blue Brothers"), and Pat Profit (writer of "Police Academy," "Naked Gun," and "Hot Shots").
Suraj Das Writer, Director
Killer's Notes on the Ace Hotel Shortlist Finalists
12/11/2009 at 7:34 AM by James Sehring
Hello Readers/Writers! Please take a brief moment to review these brief notes and initial thoughts. Then, if you can, take more time to work on your scripts! We'll sit down with all twelve writers in the next week, to discuss artistic vision, the practicalities of making these films, and what sort of ways they can tweak their script to realize each story's potential. Following our meetings, we'd love to see 2nd drafts of each script by 12/23. We'll select our final set of shorts in the new year based on the quality of writing over both drafts and the meetings/discussions we have over the next two weeks. Thanks so much again for participating, and we look forward to sitting down with everyone very soon. If you have any questions, feel free to message David Kaplan or James Sehring at your liberty!
In no way are these notes intended to be seen as instructions or directives. Instead, treat them like prompts... we intend for this to be a collaborative process and are looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts. Thanks!
- The Killer Team
James Sehring Producer
My Adventure in Theatrical Self Distribution: Part 2 of 4
12/10/2009 at 6:19 AM by Jon Reiss
Needless to say I ended up taking over the theatrical release of Bomb It myself.
Henceforth some of the lessons that I learned distributing my film – in a somewhat chronological and a bit priority order:
Lesson 1: Research Most information you need to book your film is readily on line. There are lists of theaters at places like workbook.org. Most theaters have websites with the office number.
Lesson 2: Make the call. Bookers are generally nice people who love film. If you have a compelling reason for them to look at the film – chances are they will at least listen. You can find the phone numbers of bookers of most independent theaters, go to Workbookproject.org for a list. Even though Landmark is a chain – at times they book indies – but you have to have a lot of lead time.
Jon Reiss Producer, Director
My Adventure in Theatrical Self Distribution: Part 1 of 4
12/9/2009 at 5:32 AM by Jon Reiss
Or how I “invented” the Two Month Window and spent six months wanting to kill myself every day.
Part 1
My story is not unlike most independent filmmakers these days. We bust our butts for years producing – in our minds – a great film, only to find the distribution landscape radically changed from either our prior experience or our hopes and dreams.
For a number of years now I have heard a variety of filmmaker pundits declare “Theatrical is dead, long live the long tail!” But until my own adventure with distribution – I refused to believe in these pronouncements. After a year and a half since the world premiere of “Bomb It” at the Tribeca Film Festival and six months after the film’s theatrical release – I do believe that while there still is a strong role for a theatrical release, savvy filmmakers need to lead the way to more creative ways of getting their films seen by an audience.
Jon Reiss Producer, Director
