Ondrej Michalek's Lounge Discussions

Lynne, what would be your ideal release platform for "The Trailer Bar Book Club?" Do you see it as a cable movie....independent theatrical release....Internet release....DVD, etc?

Hi Bill, I would love it to be a cable movie (Lifetime, etc) but I am not sure we are at that quality. We did reshoot some scenes where we had audio issues (we were shooting in a bar after all and we had the locals as extras so it was hard to control audio, we've learned a lot since the first shoot!). We would also love DVD release. If you have any advice we would appreciate it. Thanks, Lynne

I don't think my advice qualifies as expert advice, but if you already feel that you have some quality issues, well...that's not good. If a distribution expert confirmed that, then I would imagine that, at best, your current version would serve you best as a demo to a production company that would partner up with you and that could make a better version. Or that you can use it and try to raise the money on your own from someone with capital in order to re-shoot it. I would probably try to get a distributor to review it first, and take it from there. Good luck, Lynne.

Thanks Bill. I think that is great advice. I hadn't considered that. I will talk to some local contacts regarding distributors but if you also have any contacts that you could recommend I would appreciate that. Thanks again for your help.

Just wanted to update everyone and thank you again for such great advice. We went back and fixed some of the audio (reshot one scene with lapel mics) and added music throughout the film. We then had our premier of "The Trailer Bar Book Club" at the actual Trailer Bar where we filmed and it was a great success! We had copies of the DVD there for sale and sold out! I then took the advice of people here on this blog and submitted to local film festivals and we have been accepted to the Eastern North Carolina Film Festival! We are so excited! They have also stated they can help with distribution. I have not looked into that yet and hope the festival can provide us with some support in that regard. Thanks again to everyone here for your advice! It really made a difference!

Are or will you be dealing with TV series as well ???

Hi Anthony, If you are looking for some interesting content or would like to let other industry professional know about what you are looking for - I recommend checking out this app (www.filmplix.com). Registration is for free, it allows you to browse through actual content and also you can post a content request there!

Hi Mohen, It is a pitty you were not successful, however I would not give up. I personally like WWII movies and would like to see more of them. There is an app which could help you not only with funding but also with finding potential buyers from top industry companies. I really recommend checking it out - www.filmplix.com - also the registration is for free.

Hi - tried crowd funding too and it didn't work, heard it doesn't for a lot of people. Maybe it's not for you? Good luck with the funding! Am working on that too...

Crowdfunding is not free money. It takes a huge social networking effort and if you do not have a huge social network presence on Twitter, Facebook and others, and if you are not going to work your network every day, your crowdfunding WILL fail. There are NOT millions of people looking at kickstarter and indiegogo hoping to find someone to givemoney to. You have to bring them there... those are just deal sites where you close the sale and get the money.

Don't give up, Mohen! Get your logline and screenplay up on your stage32 website, and start pitching to execs that match your project right here on st32. If it's a dream worth fighting for, keep fighting for it =)

Hi Mohen, my creative partner and I ran a successful Rocket Hub crowdfunding campaign for our independent TV pilot, Farm Story, and I can tell you that what Shadow says above is correct. I'm not sure what exactly you did with your campaign of course but you HAVE to be relentless in pushing it, working your social media, working your email lists, pestering your friends and family to share it around. The big trick though is to do this in a way that doesn't seem like you're pestering people. Be funny, be sharp, be honest and emotional about your project, whatever it is that you can do to give people a reason to support you. Remember there are thousands of people out there trying to do what you're doing, and tap into your unique qualities, and those of your project. If you have any marketing gurus in your circle call on that friendship for help, or barter with that person and exchange work with them. Put up pictures and videos. Update regularly. Be real and passionate. DON'T GIVE UP!! =)

Hey guys, Thank you so much for the help. Heres a link to my Indiegogo campaign. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/film-three-sixty-five/x/11601674#/story I would love any help you can give me. -Sarah

Well, ... ok, here are a few thoughts from me: Before starting a crowdfunding campagin you need to do more research on how this works and what points are should be very clear. I know it is a passionated project and the quality of your work (what I have seen in the video) is good enough to have a successful campagin. - But it's missing clear information. Almost noone is attracted by a long text and does read it all the way trough. People don't want to spend so much time on that. -> You need a video of yourself (perhaps with one crew member) to explain what is your goal. Goal = to make that movie. Why is it important? Because you already have a kick-ass story, most of the crew members and even invested money and time to shoot some scenes (or is this video a selection of old credits?! I didn't understand. If so, then show one or two examples and explaining that you already accomplished a few projects with no money and wonder what you can do with a little financial help...). You need links to proof your credits. - Next point is very similar that you are very unclear in your information. "We are hoping to raise $6000 for this film to cover cost of Actors, Locations, Permits, Food, Insurance, and everything in between. " For example you can have a little picture chart that shows for what is the money. "everything in between" doesn't sound too good, because the backers really need to know where the money is going. - Who are you? - Give us more details about your background. And who is your team? Have you studied film or what was your childhood experience with film? That moment when you realised you need to do this. Your main actor did already theater (just an example)? Post it. Promote it. Do the more personal touch. - Say thank you! Say the poeple thank you for alone visiting your campaign and when they can't support with moeny, perhaps they can share it on their twitter or facebook. - Perks? Really I don't understand what your perks are... A poster for 15$ about an unknown film is not what someone is interested in. Would you back that? What would really be exciting for you when you visit another indiegogo campagin? And most important - where is the film to get? There is no perk for that. You can talk endlessly about perks, because there are so many choices and decisions to make. But you can improve that, I think. - Can people be in conctact with you? Do you want feedback from fans? Perhaps someone really would like to help you but you need to ask and allow people to contact you. Make it visible. Unfortunately vulnerable sometimes... Oh, I just see it that you have a website about that film. Great, but that needs to be more featured. The Cast site looks good. These pictures need to be on that indiegogo campaign... I know it's a lot of work, but it can pay off. Just my first thoughts about that. I hope it is encouraging though. :-) All the best for you Sarah.

Hi Sarah! Congrats on taking the plunge! I liked your trailer but I wanted to see a pitch video telling me about you and why this film is important for you. Also, the written summary should tell me more about the story. A paragraph or two about who it's about and what challenges that she or he faces would be really helpful. Also, for perks, you should offer a DVD or download of the short. A question about the trailer, has the film already been shot? If so, what is the funding for? Hope this helps. Good luck! Kenny Hargrove Filmmaker, playwright

Hi Sarah! This app helps you with looking for potential investors. It also allows you to link your new product with kickstarted or indiegogo for better crowdfunding. Registration is for free so I recommend checking it out! www.filmplix.com

Best of luck!

Thx Ondrej! Looks interesting. Will sign up but honestly don't think would pay anything up front, would prefer to pay cut/fee for any deal directly made through your site. Your videos are very appealing! Good luck with the site.