In this 2nd Jettisode, Austin Actor / Director Jett Garner gives us his opinion on the much-hyped blockbuster film “Watchmen,” he discusses a recent interview with a “name” Texas film director who displays a very self righteous attitude in a recent interview regarding his latest movie (takes more than 1 person to make a movie people!), and lastly Jett answers ShortFilmTexas.com email regarding how to avoid getting ripped off by casting / agent companies asking for money up front to “represent” you as an actor.
Leave comments or send email questions to Jett at info@shortfilmtexas.com for future Jettisodes!
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Well, this post is a bit late but we’re going to try something new here at SFT on a semi-regular basis. We get so many questions regarding so many different aspects of filmmaking and acting that we thought it might be cool to present the answers delivered to you directly via the horse’s mouth. In this case, the particular “horse” is actor / director and good friend to Short Film Texas, Jett Garner. You’ve probably seen him in some of the short films on our site as well as in feature films like The Alamo and Baghead.
CLICK HERE to check out Jett’s work on Short Film Texas.
In this first episode, Jett Garner introduces himself, talks about the Academy Awards, the short films on the website and answers email questions from members of the Short Film Texas community regarding how to break into the filmmaking business.
For some of you, Jett’s words might sound like common sense and for others it might be just the push you need to help guide you in the right direction. Regardless, Jett is an experienced filmmaker who has been kind enough to share his experiences in the world of filmmaking and offer advice and opinions in an honest and straight forward manner.
So sit back and take a look / listen to what I’ve dubbed Jettisode #1. We look forward to your comments and feedback.
Are you a Texas filmmaker (yes, actors are filmmakers, too!)? Was this post helpful? Receive more posts like this via email and RSS to stay current with Texas casting calls, crew calls and Texas film news.
SA Film Forum
Grip Truck Round-Up
Tuesday, June 24th
San Antonio Downtown Central Library
Come take a look at the sampling of inventory and support available to help you take your project to the next level.
The forum is held the fourth Tuesday of each month at the downtown library auditorium, 600 Soledad, with networking from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. followed by a panel discussion from 7 to 8 p.m.
The forum is hosted by the San Antonio Film Commission and moderated by Nikki Young of , PrimaDonna Productions
What I Learned at the Texas Filmmaker’s Production Fund Panel at 2008 SXSW.
Texas Filmmaker’s Production Fund Panel at 2008 SXSW. Host: Bryan Poyser Guest Speaker: Geoff Marslett (winner of 3 TFPF grants)
This year’s deadline is June 2, 2008.
With the deadline rapidly approaching for the Texas Filmmakers Production Fund I probably shouldn’t waste your time by telling you how it all began in 1985 or that the Texas Film Hall of Fame is its biggest fundraising event. What am I am going to do though is cut to the chase and give you a few last minute tips that might help you wrap up your application and put all the materials into the mail with the confidence that…well, at least you actually completed the TFPF process and submitted your project before the deadline (postmarked by June 2, 2008.)
So, without further adieu…
…THINGS I LEARNED WHILE ATTENDING THE 2008 SXSW TEXAS FILMMAKERS’ PRODUCTION FUND PANEL.
Presented in one of the smaller panel rooms I attended, the TFPF presentation was packed. (Surprisingly, since Billy Bob Thornton was speaking at the exact same time just across the hall.) The presentation itself was pretty simple. Bryan Poser handed out copies of the 2008 application and we went through it page by page. Three time grant winner, Geoff Marslett, was on hand to offer a bit of advice and present visual representation of projects completed with TFPF funds, as well as, his current work in progress.
Having submitted an application for the grant, myself, in 2006, the information presented and gleaned from this panel was both helpful and frustrating at the same time. Below are some questions that might arise while you prepare your application and hopefully the answers will shed a little light and help make the process a bit easier.
What sort of video sample should I submit?
The video sample is one of the most important aspects of the application. If you have footage from the project you are working on that would obviously be your first choice. Scenes are absolutely the best video footage to submit. They are the clearest representation of your work and talent.
A trailer is probably the worst thing you could submit. Pretty much anyone can cut together a bunch of scenes and make something interesting out of it.
Keep in mind that the jury wants to see something that is going to represent the project you are working on both in tone and quality.
Does my project have to be about a Texas related subject?
No, but you do have to be a Texas resident. The jury is looking for interesting projects and whether or not you have the skills and planning to use the limited funds wisely.
Does the size of my budget matter when applying?
Yes and no.
The recurring theme of this TFPF panel was “will this project be completed?†The further along your project is or the more realistic your budget is play such large factor in the decision making process. You might have a great idea for a film, have already shot several scenes and calculated for a budget of $500,000 but then someone else has a great idea with a budget of $5000. Giving the $500,000 project $2000 isn’t going to put much of a dent in that $500,000 budget unless it’s complete and you are applying for finishing funds. On the other hand, giving $2000 to a $5000 project with a filmmaker who’s already underway and has a good video submission…smarter move.
There are just so many factors involved. Put yourself in the shoes of someone approaching you for money…would you fund your project based on the numbers and experience you’ve laid out for yourself?
How important is the accuracy of the budget?
Very. This was one of the hardest parts for myself because we rushed the application. You really have to sit down and be realistic. If you have never had to create an actual budget before you should apply for the TFPF grant just to give yourself the experience of going through this process. Even if you don’t win any money, you have a great template for your project that you can review, alter and adjust for future financial opportunities.
What exactly is “inkind?â€
While this might seem obvious to a lot of people, for those of you who don’t know what this means on the budget application, these are services that you think will be “donated†to your project. This could be food, equipment, cash, etc. (And if you’ve ever made a film in Texas you sure as hell rely on a lot of “inkind†services!)
How much detail do I need to go into on the Project Description?
To put it simply, this is a 3 page literary presentation of your project. Create the most succinct, visually descriptive string of words that you’re able to muster. When a person is done reading your project description you want them to have the same feeling they would have after viewing the finished film.
Express a clear vision and share your passion for the project.
How far do I take my project timeline?
Take it all the way to the finish line and keep running. If you’re going to spend time and someone else’s money you want others to know that not only are you willing and able to complete this project but that you’ve thought about what you’ll do after post production. When do you expect to submit to festivals? Which ones? Do you already have interested parties for distribution and intend to bypass festivals? Are you going to self distribute online and at personal screenings?
Show us the journey your film will take and when it will get there.
TO SUMMARIZE…
Basically, the entire TFPF process is a complete crap shoot. Not to sound negative but the number of applicants increases every year so the competition to get past the first round is pretty strict.
Remember that the jury, as impartial as they might try to be, is still made up of human beings. You never know who is going to read your application, what sort of mood they are going to be in or what type of filmmaking project they favor over another. I’m not saying that there is any favoritism but the cold, hard fact is that you might follow all the rules, create the most passionate project description, have a stunning video sample and calculated the most accurate budget known to man….and still find your project rejected and out in the cold.
The upside of all of this hard work is that, in the end, you now have an incredible business plan that you can use to apply for alternative grants and present to perspective financial investors. And that, to me, is the beauty of the TFPF Grant.
You live and you learn….usually the hard way. But if it was easy it wouldn’t be worth doing now would it?
Best of luck!
CLICK HERE to take a look at sample TFPF Budgets and Proposals.
CLICK HERE for 2008 TFPF Application and Guidelines.
WATCH AN EARLY MUSIC VIDEO BY TFPF AWARD WINNER ” GEOFF MARSLETT”:
There will be a number of ways offered that you can get yourself and your work in front of Dave. These include:
Event: Craft Sessions
Open To: ASG Paid Members
Fee: None
Event: Pitching Session
Open To: ASG Paid Members – limited slots available.
Fee: None
Event: Loglines
Open To: ASG Paid Members
Fee: None
Event: Hook Contest (9-11 Pages)
Open To: Open to the Public
Fee(s):
$5 to ASG Members
$10 to Non Members
Event: Meal with a Member
Open To: Two ASG Paid Members
Fee: None
Event: Wine and Cheese
Open To: Open to ASG Paid Members and Contest Participants
Fee: Food or beverage contributions may be requested.
Dave will present his popular seminar “Four Keys to a Salable Script†for ASG members. Dave will present tips on pitching. He will also listen to as many pitches as possible in the available time, estimate 10 to 15.
If you wish to be on the list of participates to pitch, please send your name to Nancy Smith at: nancy1001@sbcglobal.net
FreshDV had the opportunity recently to speak with Jerome Courshon on the marketing and distribution of movies and films.
Jerome offers a full course in the “Secrets of Distribution.â€
If you are a filmmaker of any kind you owe it to your crew, your cast and yourself to watch this segment. From contracts, residuals, and pitfalls to avoid Jerome covers the 101 basics of film distribution and helps prepare you for what you need to know once the ink dries on the DVDs.
CLICK HERE to watch a great video on Film Distrubtion 101.
In Jerome’s words:
“So you’ve taken the Sisyphean journey and made a movie, maybe your first. Congratulations! Now what? What do you do to ensure the final step of your filmmaking journey, getting distribution? What is the “correct†strategy to take? Is there even one??â€
“The answer is a resounding YES. Whether you’ve just finished your final cut or are already on the film festival circuit—or EVEN if you’ve been turned down by distributors already—there is a strategy for successfully getting Movie Distribution that MOST producers & directors do not know. Consequently, most filmmakers give up after spending a year or two spinning their wheels, with only the inner satisfaction of having made the movie.â€
The Problem
There are an estimated 4000+ independent movies being made every single year. Here’s the unfortunate truth: Less than 5% of all these movies end up with distribution.
The Austin Screenwriters Group offers quite a lot for free. Meetings are twice a month at Book People to read a member’s screenplay. You can learn how to improve your own writing by seeing and hearing what works and what doesn’t work in other people’s scripts. It’s also a great networking opportunity.
Annual dues are only $36. (Yes – that averages $3 per month!) Pay your dues, attend at least four meetings and you can have your screenplay read by the group. We use the dues money to bring in producers and other “LA People” to hear our pitches and to provide workshops for the paid members.
The group meets at 9:30 AM on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays at Book People.
