Producing

I apologize for causing a misunderstandment. The production company asked for about 10 pages with text and pictures. Including one page where I mention something economic. So I am not asked to give a detailed budget. But the production company wants to show potential investors that I am a qualified filmmaker. So please, someone who can answer my original question.

Göran Johansson If they were a legit production company with legit connections, they wouldn't be asking any of these questions.

I apologize for a misunderstandment. The company had an official sundance selection earlier this year. And they have more entries at IMDb. No, they don't expect me to estimate a precise budget. But I have stated that it would be extremely cheap to film my script. So they simply want me to give more details. I wrote that I have earlier filmed a lot, including 3 TV movies.

Göran Johansson Well that makes these people sound even sketchier. If they are producers, they are the ones who can make movies, no one cares what the writer can or cannot do aside from writing. And how & why are they pitching a film without reading the whole script? Are you selling the script or asking for production funds so that you can do the film? If selling the script, then without a doubt these people should be avoided, based on what you have told us. If you are asking them for production funds, then it raises alarm bells because they aren't even assessing the whole script.

Good Luck Göran Johansson.

"It feels like we’re entering an era where producers and writers will need to design stories with the platform in mind, almost like tailoring the narrative to the canvas" - love that and agree Sandra Isabel Correia . To an extent, artists have always created for their medium. And as you've pointed out with your post on Netflix and WBD, the entire system is shifting to accommodate this ever emergent dynamic between technology and how we interact with it. The younger generations came up in an environment of much less categorization and norms. They'll easily start a show on their laptop when they wake up, carry it over to their phone on the way to school, and return to it on their big living room TV that evening. Just like we now have news and advertisements EVERYWHERE!!! hahaha, I think we're moving toward entertainment EVERYWHERE!!! :)

Absolutely, Sebastian Tudores. Stories now have to travel fluidly across screens, almost like they’re composed for movement as much as meaning. Entertainment everywhere, yes, but the real art is keeping depth and resonance intact as it shifts from phone to laptop to TV.

Sandra Isabel Correia "almost like they’re composed for movement as much as meaning." I'm gonna run out of space in my quotes notebook because of you! hahaha ;)

Ahahahaa Sebastian Tudores, take me with you lol :))

Vertical (or micro-dramas) are a huge wave of entertainment, surpassing U.S. domestic theatrical figures in China. The anticipation and promotion of its emergence in the U.S. and Western markets it growing, suggesting a new pathway for storytelling. Truncated audience attention span and the sector's growth would seem to indicate a space for these productions to explode in popularity.

This is really interesting. I wonder if this is just event/spectacle or if they’re doing this to test theater turnout for some of their other titles.

True, Lindbergh E Hollingsworth. HBO did experiment with Game of Thrones, but I think what’s different here is the scale, timing, and context. Netflix is rolling out a simultaneous theatrical + streaming finale across hundreds of theaters, which feels like a bigger push toward hybrid distribution. And times are different today, audience habits have shifted, so this kind of move can be life‑changing for both the industry and theaters.

I know, Amanda Toney, it really is interesting! I think it’s both a spectacle for fans and a smart way for Netflix to test theater turnout for future titles. Times are different now, and this kind of hybrid experiment feels like it could be life‑changing for distribution and theaters if audiences respond strongly. Exciting to see where it leads! Happy weekend my friend :))

Movie theaters are slowly becoming a thing of the past. Everyone is glued to their mobile device. To be honest, if you can binge watch at home, why would you go to the movie theater?

The success of Stranger Things opened the door for an event theatrical promotion of the final season. Additionally, streamers seem to be doing more advertising and promotion in general to attract viewership to specific titles. Perhaps an admission that their programs are not being found on their platforms, and the challenge to generate more subscription and ad-tier revenue.

Impressive vision. Months working with an animal? How did you budget that???

You're welcome, Maheshwarapandiyan Saravanan.

Jon Shallit Hi Jon,

Thank you so much. Yes, we worked with the hen for six months.

There was no special budget line for her. We simply spent time every day so she could become comfortable with us and behave naturally during the single-shot filming. My team practiced 3 times every day for 6 months during 8 am sun, 12 pm sun and 3 pm sun.

At first, the hen was a bit unsure of the camera, but by the 4th to 6th month she settled in so well that she behaved almost like a method actor... very natural and aware of her marks.

When we went to shoot for 5 days, there were more people around, so she took a little time to adjust, but the team kept the space calm for her and she managed comfortably.

Happy to share more if you’d like.

Congratulations on this, what an impressive undertaking! I think you have opportunity getting support from animal groups to promote the fact that you were so patient with the hen for the film. The fact that you worked with an animal for that long and were able to incorporate it into your story is really interesting. Not sure if the hen is available to you but I’d imagine morning shows would want to bring the hen on and talk about how you did that and incorporated it into your film.

Hi Amanda, thank you truly for your kind and encouraging words.

As the process continued, other meaningful things also unfolded. Before filming at the live shrine, the community used two closed chits in their customary approval process, and the child’s choice allowed us to proceed in alignment with their practice.

Later, the set prop we created was gradually integrated into the community’s existing ritual space and remains there today. In that moment, I felt cinema quietly step into everyday life rather than end at the frame.

We are now, with complete humility, trying to take this story and the behind-the-scenes journey to global audiences, step by step.

Thank you once again, Amanda, for your warmth and support. I am still new here, learning slowly, and feeling very grateful.

Best,

Mahesh

E Langley That would be the same DOJ that of its own accord set aside the Paramount Decrees in 2020, giving its defacto blessing to the studios to re-institute cartel and monopolistic practices - which it has been tolerating ever since.

Hardly its own accord. Leveraged. Paramount settled a $16 million lawsuit with President Trump over a "60 Minutes" interview with Kamala Harris, removing a major hurdle for the deal.

And 10 year later they'll all be broken up by the government ...

E Langley If you are referring to the DOJ setting aside the Paramount Decrees, you are incorrect. They did this in 2020. It was part of a part of an internal program at DOJ, an ongoing review process that vacates RICO and antitrust orders the DOJ considers no longer relevant. The studios had nothing to do with it and the only parties other than the DOJ itself to speak to it in court were the association of independent cinema owners. Trust me, I wish the studios and networks were behind it - they weren't and even the attorneys involved had no connection to the studios that would imply influence. I looked. Hard.

It must be coincidence the administration held the lawsuit over Paramount's head. A miracle! The merger through when Paramount paid out the 16 mil and made concessions in a "pay-for-play."

This is the widely held understanding. Not a buncha blah-blah-blah.

Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg, I feel the need to further importantly state! With the mentioned court matters results it, is ever more obvious the massive attempt by many AI Co. to render human element obsolete! To what efficiency and extent, it is statistically unclear!

A woman back here at home claimed on a presentation of raw natural talent, she had to re-write on assertions that AI was used for the particular transaction, hence was denied. This claims that there are individuals with incredible competitive talent, but how does the system detects and differs from who uses it or not?

Suzanne Bronson, Piracy is another aspect effecting the artiste, to the extent it is alleged said pirates got their tech. from “secret agreements” with “prominent figures”, to again affect the copy rights of artistes.

Whether or not we believe the said account of the woman’s story, human talent wisely cannot be forgotten!

Doug Nelson, To my recollection, an advanced form of a template is where AI is best recommended, where human talent should then edit, particularly in the case where emotions for example is concerned.

We will have to update and educate ourselves as matters progress!

Hey Shadow; yeah been layin' low for awhile. I've been thinking about using AT as a research assist, not as an author. I'll write my own dam* scrip but I'm thinking that AI, with it's speed and available data, may be of some worth. Maybe.

Doug Nelson Well if you still have my email reach out to me there and we can set up a call. I'll give you some tips on the AI phenom - we work with it daily in all it's glory and muck. Otherwise DM me and we'll go from there.

Shadow - I'm just tryin' to get a handle on this AI stuff but so far it generally looks pretty weak.

Doug Nelson So look at this:

https://youtu.be/rXBhsHAcxBE

Not perfect, but certainly not weak. The downfall of AI video is not visual, which is getting better by the second, but narrative. None of the creators has an idea what do with anything like a story. That's where you and I come in.

I love it! I’m an animator myself and I like what I see I would say I would turn this into a cartoon animation.

Maurice Vaughan David Lee Melton Thank you both — that means the world to me! Realmon is something I’ve been crafting for a long time, and hearing that it reads like an animation-ready concept is seriously motivating. I’ll definitely keep sharing updates as the MEWniverse evolves. I’d love to hear any feedback or thoughts you have along the way!

You're welcome, Matthew Wach. Okay, no problem.

Maurice Vaughan Check out my post in the animation lounge, if you’re interested! I just introduced a brand new Realmon.

Matthew Wach Youi're welcome. Add me here and I'd love to see your concepts.

Congratulations on working on The Shawshank Redemption, Michael Fitzer, MFA! Incredible film! I think producers need more advocacy for their rights and protections. Producers do A LOT! I tried to make two feature films way back, and it was so much work! I didn't know anything about producing going in. I suggest aspiring producers learn a lot about producing before making their first film, show, etc.

Wow, The Shawshank Redemption is my all-time favorite movie!

I had skimmed this article before Michael Fitzer, MFA - but I am thankful you shared it here and prompted me to read the entire thing. I think many (me included) just assume producers at that level have nothing to worry about - blew my mind to read they have to even ask for something like health insurance during production.

Producers are not the engine - the entire production operational structure is the engine. Producers are the fuel. And some of these studios may (hopefully) realize that if you're too busy trying to get to some financial/market share objective to stop for gas.... well, we know the rest :)

Too true Sebastian Tudores! Too true.

I hadn’t seen this article, thank you for sharing it Michael Fitzer, MFA

I am just making that up - my company is doing R&D in AI movie making.

Ah ok Willem Elzenga 2 I'm researching Ai movie making companies and to be honest a lot of what is being produced is pretty low quality and was suprised to see a 50k tag attached to your statement. Thanks for clarifying

For 50k the AI trailer needs to be competative with traditional movie making. It's proven AI can do that, but you need to go the right way about it. Which costs money and therefore regular industry budgets. Most new AI filmmakers and AI companies seem to just try or experiment for publicity which resolves in a lot of low quality material.

Well you certainly know what you're talking about. I still very much a newbie to this. I know how to use Gen Ai and which tools work best to create the best results but as far as the business side of it, I'm pretty green

This movie looks like a lot of fun! It serves as a fantastic art concept for producers to get an idea of! I've noticed most naysayers of AI, have never actually tried it, or found the fun with seeing their imaginations come to life! I've always wanted to see my art animated. I recently began uploading my drawings into Sora and prompting it. It's a perfect brainstormer, "YES; and"s my ideas further and farther, and surprises me with the different kinds of personalities it gives the environment. It reminds me of a modern day Exquisite Corpse, originally invented by The Surrealists, only now it's a Digital Exquisite Corpse. Just like when different artists/writers take turns creating a comic book of a favourite character, Sora, frequently changes the appearance/voice of my original character. I imagine AI is going to be the perfect brainstormer that every writer/director/actor/voiceover artists/etc have been waiting for. These inventions enable us, with much much less waiting, and more time creating, to transform the ideas from our minds into tangible concoctions. This is my 10-second episodic, "The Watcher of Grey Harbour". If you like Ray Bradbury, Twilight Zone, Hitchcock, philosophy, the sights/sounds of the oceanics, you might get a kick out of it.... https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9Qo_mR6q1pR-g6RFkjBOGQbK5GqyUK3h&si=...

“What is truth?” retorted Pilate.

"knowledge itself is power", Sir Francis Bacon

The most interesting thing… Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think so.

Artificial intelligence forms its answers based on open sources across the internet. Which means that if it tells something untrue, that falsehood originally came from people. And just like with people, sometimes you have to say, “Let’s stick to the point,” because it can start giving you everything at once. Many people also love to talk too much.

Aleksandr Rozhnov We use AI daily in many tasks, including deep research. So far as "generative" AI is concerned - textual generation and image or video generation, you are correct to a point. All will generate results based on their training materials. So the old phrase "garbage in, garbage out" is more than appropriate. Generative literary AI is, by definition, going to be no better than average - if you generate a script or story, it's because it's been done many times before and it is likely actually plagiarized completely. Image and Video however, though trained on a set of imagery, can work with your own reference materials - in other words your own internally produced photos, images, videos, etc. This is the true power of generative AI and it a game changer for us at Diamond Shadow Productions.

But not all LLMs are trained on publicly available data. Especially in the image and video category, many are created on proprietary or partial proprietary materials. However, everyone who uses AI has experienced the phenomenon of the outright lie and bizarre fantasy answers. These are termed "AI hallucinations" though we can call them completely made up ideas. However, aside from the more or less novelty use of ChatGPT which most people will do, deep research can be done by these tools. They don't just scrape the web and give you an answer, they will do directed and very thorough research and analyze data as you instruct them, and will produce reliable results. well cited and notated with authorities you can verify. The key is that you need to be familiar with the area of research or you may not be able to assess the accuracy of results and conclusions. We used it to track 30 years of declining profits in independent and studio film, for example, and it came back with a full analysis of major studio accounting practices that prove film is structured to lose money in that system regardless of actual revenues. (If you are a major studio it doesn't matter because the losses are due to charges between your divisions or subs. If you are in independent, you are screwed because the studios just keep your money).

I completely agree with you here. If you use AI purely for entertainment, then yes — it will give you whatever it wants. But if you ask the right questions and set the right parameters, it will provide the right information.

For example, when I write scripts, I use GPT chats to type my text because I have very poor vision — I’ve had retinal detachments, and I simply can’t type normally. But when I tell it to write something word-for-word, it does exactly that. And for certain elements, it finds information quickly — and correctly.

Just recently, while working on the latest series synopsis, I asked it for the best law school in France, and it gave me the answer instantly. That saved me a huge amount of time researching it manually. And that’s exactly the type of information it delivers.

So yes — AI is an incredibly useful tool.

So yes - the budget information generated is obviously approximate. The budget part while instructive was never the key takeaway that "some" think it is. The real takeaway is all of the other information given such as IP value and learning about the way deals are "typically" structured, the story bible, logline and other key elements, comps. The budget information is a minor. If that's all you got from it you successfully missed my point.

I just want to make sure I understand - I assume this posting is only available to members of the Writers Room, is that correct?

That's right, Darrell Pennington.

Great news and proof of validity of Texas stepping up their film tax credit game (finally!) Thanks Amanda Toney!

WOOHOO!