Hello everyone!
After months of chasing around the Scottish TV & film scene to find the right producer, production company and director that ticks the box in order for me to be eligible to apply for a £90,000 fund for a short film, only to come up short AND be told by the funding team that despite writing and producing an award winning web series that has been distributed in 60 territories, a low budget feature film doing the same, and my most recent short playing at an Oscars qualifying festival, only top of raising in the region of £75,000 for these projects, I would be unlikely to be successful in the application.
So I am taking the 18 page short, CALL OF THE LAOICH, and developing it as a 90 page period feature film set in the Scottish Highlands in the 18th Century, with the intentions of shooting it in Scotland and creating an epic story that we can tour at comic cons around the world and take to film markets to gain interest and sales. The ultimate goal is to kick off the Laoich Universe of TV shows - both live action and animated series - features, comic books, novels, merchandise, video games and board games.
I have an Australian production company on board with ties to Canada.
I have realised that for the foreseeable future, the Scottish funding bodies won’t back me and I need to forge ahead on my own.
I reckon, based on conversations with my Australian producer that a budget of £1m would be ideal for such a project and we could make something special.
There’s also scope for match funding with other territories.
I am tempted to go down the crowdfunding route one last time but chasing after wonderful backers who would put in £5, £10, £100 or even £1000, it would be a massive task to get up to the £1m mark.
So my thinking is offering higher priced producer perks at £500, £1000 and £10,000 - with the top perk offering the Executive Producer credit and the condition that if (and only if) the film is sold, they’ll get their money back.
I’m thinking other perks could include zoom calls with the key cast and creatives, invites to the set, the opportunity to be in the film, and at the top level, be killed by a monster in the film.
Does this sound even remotely feasible as a goal?
With the budget raised we can hire the right line producer to manage the funds and make sure that’s all done right, bring on board the ideal director, VFX company, costume designer, DOP etc.
To get people excited about the film I want to bring a concept artist on board to create images of the Laoich, four ancient Pict Gods and Goddesses, their human champion Freya, the Denizen (or creature) Eubha, who they are tasked with saving when she is kidnapped by the King’s secret army, the Black Thistle, and Eubha’s young daughter who has to find the Laoich’s sanctuary and convince them to risk a war with the king to save her Mum.
The Laoich, whilst they appear in human form, can transform into Golden Eagles, Hares, Deers and wildcats. So VFX test shots of that would help sell the concept along with concept art.
I would want to hire a small cast and crew to shoot a teaser trailer to build excitement and support.
I would want a poster designer to help with banners and teaser posters for the crowdfunding campaign and help bring people into this world. Perhaps even shoot a sequence of the Laoich working together, using their magic abilities to save someone.
Build a solid pitch deck, a slick one page pitch, concept art and character designs etc.
If we can build the pieces together and raise the funds then I can approach the agents of the likes of James MacAvoy, David Tennant, Karen Gillan, Alan Cumming etc to be a part of the cast with a mix of established faces and upcoming Scottish talent.
If you think there’s anything you can help with then please do email me at contact@sillyweefilms.co.uk and we can have a conversation.
Thank you!
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Fantastic tips and insight, Daphne Schmon! I'm not a filmmaker, but this info will come in handy if I ever make proof of concept videos to help pitch my scripts. Thanks!...
Expand commentFantastic tips and insight, Daphne Schmon! I'm not a filmmaker, but this info will come in handy if I ever make proof of concept videos to help pitch my scripts. Thanks!
1 person likes this
This is such a clear and practical breakdown, Daphne Schmon, thank you for sharing it!!
I especially like your point about not treating the short as a “mini-feature” but rather as a proof of concept th...
Expand commentThis is such a clear and practical breakdown, Daphne Schmon, thank you for sharing it!!
I especially like your point about not treating the short as a “mini-feature” but rather as a proof of concept that conveys tone, style, and creative potential. I think that’s something a lot of filmmakers wrestle with, wanting to show everything the feature will be, instead of focusing on one strong, memorable slice that demonstrates the story’s viability.
The nonprofit/impact campaign angle also feels like an underutilized strategy. A short aligned with a cause can open up access to not only funding but also built-in audiences and advocacy groups who will champion the project. That can be invaluable when you’re trying to get traction for the feature later.
A workshop diving into the nuts and bolts of structuring these agreements sounds like it could be hugely beneficial, especially for indie filmmakers who might not have much legal/financing background. I’d be curious: in your experience, do investors tend to be more motivated by the potential roll into the feature, or by the social impact element?
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Great tips! Daphne Schmon
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Awesome advice, and explained very well! Thank you Daphne!