This is how I feel on a daily bases because the fact that I'm so close to shooting my own feature film and just can't get over the hump. I do believe that grass is green on the other side, but it takes money to make money and everyone is trying so hard to just save the money they got. So, here's the big question is it more better to try to work from the inside out or work from the outside in? Meaning get a job working at a major studio and try to make my film from the inside of the major studio company or make my movie with the two months I have left till I have to get that job at that major studio. Either way I have a lot of work to do and having all the pieces of the puzzle already done I just hope for an opportunity. Confidence is something that must stay strong and willing to move forward to accomplish my goal for I know I'm going to hear a hundred "No's" before I hear one "Yes" I just hope that I'm somewhere near 100 now.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
F%&^ it! Chuck it! Football!
Football is back and yes I'm extremely excited to see people get hit and hurt. It's not like I enjoy people getting hurt in the sport of football its just that its a big part of the game, for something has got to give. Anyways my blog is about my film production company and currently raising funds for a film production is the hardest thing to do. For you can have the perfect business plan and the best script, but when you just starting out people look at you as a risk. Adult comedy is still risky to the majors of the industry, which happens to be the comedy I love and produce... Great! Seems I have everything against me on this one. Angelsoft is a way to get in contact with 1,000 of angel investors and it seems I've been turned down by all of them, but maybe it can help you find funds for your start up business? So, use that link and start trying to get money to start your company. Anyways back to the point I was trying to make, for I can do everything right like:
- Realistic sales numbers
- Perfect business plan
- Great script
- Surrounding myself with professionals on my management team
Thursday, July 28, 2011
How I'm going to use the experts in my business plan
1) JAY TURO
About Jay Turo: http://www.growthink.com/team/jay-turo
2) DAVE LAVINSKY
About Dave Lavinsky:http://www.growthink.com/team/dave-lavinsky?from=main
Jay Turo and Dave Lavinsky brought up theses nine steps, which are going to used in my business plan.
1) Executive Summary
2) Company Analysis
3) Industry Analysis
4) Customer Analysis
5) Analysis of Competition
6) Marketing Plan
7) Operations/Design and Development Plans
8) Management Team
9) Financial Plan
Even after all of these aspects are used in my business plan, what's the truth about this project actually getting picked up? Did you know some VC's (Venture Capitalists) get over a 1000 business plans a month and only invest in 1% of those projects. So, trying to find the right VC is difficult and tiring, for putting your project out there is hard enough, but if you can't find anyone to believe in you, it starts to take a tole on your enthusiasm. The thing i get out of the whole business plan thing is be confident and love what you do, for that is the key that makes the time not work against you, but for you. Know your project inside and out along with the market, whats hot and whats not. Really it's just the fact that your out there trying is the way I look at, for people will find you if you at least out there trying.
Kevin Kok out!
Even after all of these aspects are used in my business plan, what's the truth about this project actually getting picked up? Did you know some VC's (Venture Capitalists) get over a 1000 business plans a month and only invest in 1% of those projects. So, trying to find the right VC is difficult and tiring, for putting your project out there is hard enough, but if you can't find anyone to believe in you, it starts to take a tole on your enthusiasm. The thing i get out of the whole business plan thing is be confident and love what you do, for that is the key that makes the time not work against you, but for you. Know your project inside and out along with the market, whats hot and whats not. Really it's just the fact that your out there trying is the way I look at, for people will find you if you at least out there trying.
Kevin Kok out!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Two experts! So, not me!
I'm supposed to research two people in my industry (film), which are experts in business plans, so my two experts are:
1) JAY TURO
About Jay Turo: http://www.growthink.com/team/jay-turo
2) DAVE LAVINSKY
About Dave Lavinsky:http://www.growthink.com/team/dave-lavinsky?from=main
Just to help prove that they are experts and been doing this a lot longer than me.
Great now that they're certified experts, what are they certified for? These two are the founders of Growthink LLC at http://www.growthink.com/, which is a business plan development company. Woo! Exciting stuff... (hope you sense the sarcasm)
Ok, for a business plan what are key players or key investors looking for in your business plan? This is a good question for it takes money to make money. They said that these nine key factors are what you should be focused on in your business plan, in no particular order.
9) Financial Plan - "It is also the area that shows the company’s profit. Investors pay very close attention to this area, because they want to know how their money will turn a profit."
1) JAY TURO
About Jay Turo: http://www.growthink.com/team/jay-turo
2) DAVE LAVINSKY
About Dave Lavinsky:http://www.growthink.com/team/dave-lavinsky?from=main
Just to help prove that they are experts and been doing this a lot longer than me.
Great now that they're certified experts, what are they certified for? These two are the founders of Growthink LLC at http://www.growthink.com/, which is a business plan development company. Woo! Exciting stuff... (hope you sense the sarcasm)
Ok, for a business plan what are key players or key investors looking for in your business plan? This is a good question for it takes money to make money. They said that these nine key factors are what you should be focused on in your business plan, in no particular order.
1) Executive Summary
2) Company Analysis
3) Industry Analysis
4) Customer Analysis
5) Analysis of Competition
6) Marketing Plan
7) Operations/Design and Development Plans
8) Management Team
9) Financial Plan
Now why are all these things considered key factors? Jay and Dave didn't mention, which one of these is the most important, so it's safe to say that all these key factors are equally important.
1) Executive Summary - "The Executive Summary is often the first thing an investor will read, so it has to be compelling as it shows the investor how the business will work."
2) Company Analysis - "The Company Analysis is the foundation for the company."
3) Industry Analysis - "It assesses the market by examining the industry development, successes, failures, economics, etc."
4) Customer Analysis - "This section allows the business to identify its target demographics and their needs."
5) Analysis of Competition - "This section identifies the businesses competitors. It also assesses their strengths and weaknesses while highlighting what makes the business better. "
6) Marketing Plan - "The component also addresses the promotion plan, product/service pricing, and all other areas dealing with marketing."
7) Operations/Design and Development Plans - " Closely related to this process are management and the Management Team component, which simply states and qualifies the people responsible for the successful execution of the work."
8) Management Team - "which simply states and qualifies the people responsible for the successful execution of the work."
2) Company Analysis
3) Industry Analysis
4) Customer Analysis
5) Analysis of Competition
6) Marketing Plan
7) Operations/Design and Development Plans
8) Management Team
9) Financial Plan
Now why are all these things considered key factors? Jay and Dave didn't mention, which one of these is the most important, so it's safe to say that all these key factors are equally important.
1) Executive Summary - "The Executive Summary is often the first thing an investor will read, so it has to be compelling as it shows the investor how the business will work."
2) Company Analysis - "The Company Analysis is the foundation for the company."
3) Industry Analysis - "It assesses the market by examining the industry development, successes, failures, economics, etc."
4) Customer Analysis - "This section allows the business to identify its target demographics and their needs."
5) Analysis of Competition - "This section identifies the businesses competitors. It also assesses their strengths and weaknesses while highlighting what makes the business better. "
6) Marketing Plan - "The component also addresses the promotion plan, product/service pricing, and all other areas dealing with marketing."
7) Operations/Design and Development Plans - " Closely related to this process are management and the Management Team component, which simply states and qualifies the people responsible for the successful execution of the work."
8) Management Team - "which simply states and qualifies the people responsible for the successful execution of the work."
9) Financial Plan - "It is also the area that shows the company’s profit. Investors pay very close attention to this area, because they want to know how their money will turn a profit."
Friday, June 17, 2011
The future of how people will watch new movies via social media
I believe that new movies will have a set time and date on their release in the future and not only can you watch them at the movie theatre, but you can also pay to watch them streaming at your home TV. This is going to kill the movie theatre business, but people want the comfort of watching movies in their own homes, plan and simple. The film companies are going to have to cut out the middle man (theatre companies) to fight off all the piracy that the majors are losing money to. How will the movie theatre’s survive then? They wont I think this new business model will kill them and for them to accept this new distribution model, the major film companies are going to have to buy out the theatre companies or this will never happen. But, just think when the new film is coming out you can sit down with your family or friends you can drink, eat, smoke, etc. whatever makes you comfortable in your own house and watch the newest release as it comes out that day from your television and your couch. Now that is beautiful, don’t you think? Then there is no reason for piracy, if the price is right. Good old Bob Barker. The movies will have to be distributed through social media via Facebook and Twitter allowing you to share, comment, like, etc. So, the price for watching these films is the real issue for it will be up to the people to watch and decide, so it's up to Hollywood to make good movies! The people will be the rating system instead of film critics, cause in a way aren't we all critics?
Thursday, June 16, 2011
How will the movie industry survive survey
Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The death of sequels! Birth to Trilogies!
Now i don't know how many of you saw the Hangover 2, but don't waste your money please. Me being a huge fan of the first Hangover for it seemed that Hollywood finally got it right, but is a sequel really the right choice in this situation. Money wise... I would say yes for everyone loved the first one, why wouldn't the spend money on the second one. Film wise... Hell No! The to films were absolutely identical in there structures, besides a drug dealing monkey (which was pretty cool). The bigger question will there be a third? For a film like the Hangover only comes around every ten years. The film that comes to mind is, "Animal House" for it would have ruined the first one if they would have made another right after the first. Sure there would be a whole new cast and different ideas, but we've seen that before! The second Hangover definitely made me wish for my money back and I don't recommend anyone seeing it even bootleg for the disappointment is so bad it hurts the image of the first Hangover.
There's a new, "Planet of the Apes" movie coming out which if your going to remake such a huge film it's better to release it knowing that it's going to be a trilogy or more for the anticipation is there knowing there is still more to come. The Hangover did this wrong and that's why it sucked! The new, "Planet of the Apes" film reminded me of "Jurassic Park", but better! Can't wait!
There's a new, "Planet of the Apes" movie coming out which if your going to remake such a huge film it's better to release it knowing that it's going to be a trilogy or more for the anticipation is there knowing there is still more to come. The Hangover did this wrong and that's why it sucked! The new, "Planet of the Apes" film reminded me of "Jurassic Park", but better! Can't wait!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The working themes for films these days
Now, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the chick flick will soon be extinct from theatrical releases. The only films that seem to be working are Superhero, Adult Comedy's, and Animation. Think about it, for grown ups to go see a movie, what do they want to see?... Reality at its worst! Hence, "The Hangover" and now, "The Hangover 2", which will top the box office again and so will the third one. Yes, that's right I'm predicting a pre-qual for Hollywood has run out of options and the only option is to stick with what is working, which brings me to Super-hero's. The question is who doesn't love a super hero? And third... Yes, if your wondering why I didn't explain after the last question is because there is no explaining anything for that's a pretty solid fact in my opinion. So, back to the third theme that is working, which is animations. I personally hate animations, but that's because I'm a 27 year old male that has no kids. The one thing I said in the last sentence that proves my argument that animation is still be a top theatre seller, is kids! Kids drive the whole animation and theme park world with merchandise and all the fix-ins that come with it. For with out those little restless humans animations and animation films would be pointless. Nothing brings out the checkbook faster than a nagging kid hounding his mother about wanting to go see Shrek. It gives the parents time to nap as well as the little hellion watches the movie, cause you know their not getting any sleep at home. These three theme's during the recession still made money in the theatres when horrors, chick flicks, and any other film seemed to fail. Let's think together shall we... Ok, during hard financial times what keeps you going? First thing that comes to mind is laughter, ok check. Second, is imagination to think your in a different place cause reality sucks! Those two things you can find in all three of those themes I've mentioned and that is why these three themes of film are going to make money for days to come.
What you thinking DISTRIBUTION!
I look at distribution like a stubborn old man. For the saying goes, "you can't teach a old dog new tricks". Will someone please shoot this old man, for it seems this old man is trying to take everyone down with him. Netflix business model seems to be the only thing making money on digital distribution because as much as we might not want to see the age of DVD's and CD's to be gone (for your collection is almost complete with your wall cover in cases) the day is upon us. Netflix does have some issues with download time and streaming issues, so recently the invention of the cloud fixed all the those issues. Now if all of the majors can get together and put all their movies together for one large library and charge a low price. Well people welcome to the world of Ultraviolet, which allows you to stream movies/music from any of your viewing devices. Will this finally stop piracy?... Hell No! You kidding me, no matter what the majors do to try to stop piracy, there will always be a person in the movie theatre's with a camcorder recording the movie and selling it to people that don't have time or money to waste on the movie theatre. This brings up the question in ten years will the movie theatre's still be in business? Don't think so, for I think on the films release date you will be able to stream the film directly to your house for a flat rate via internet or your cable provider, your choice taking the open window away from pirates.
to check out ultraviolet visit their website
www.uvvu.com
thanks for your time.
to check out ultraviolet visit their website
www.uvvu.com
thanks for your time.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Professional Podcasts cause some people are really busy.
Design Patent Infringement
Ok blog people (no one is reading this!). Now, that I got your attention I would love to express some important cases that took place in IP (intellectual property). The first case is Gorm?... (Something that rhymes with orm) vs. White. Was all started over silverware designs as this Corbin guy was a designer and had his design ripped off by White who had a similar gothic design. The whole argument is about who should determine the fact of infringement. Should it be someone off the street, or someone in the industry? The case went to the supreme court where the supreme court ruled that it would have to be someone off the street that has no knowledge of the subject, so now the Gorm test is the standard in determining infringement.
Copyright Recapture
As the copyright act of 1976 was restructured there was a 35 year window to recapture your rights starting from the year 1978. You have to get a warning letter at least two to ten years to the owner of the copyright and work for hire doesn't apply to this concept. After you write the letter, you file with the US copyright office. You have a five year window after that to get your copyright back. This just goes to show that how the US copyright office is more towards the arts/artist. This concept was a get out of jail card if you got a bad deal back in the day and filing is already past, so this get out of jail card isn't helping me any time soon.
The Visual Arts Act
Alright the Visual Arts Act is more based on moral rights for the artist and not having your work manipulated without your consent type of deal. It was formed during 1990 and the Bern Convention (Europe's copyright law system) already had these moral rights in place and the United States didn't want to be left behind decided to get on the moral rights issue. So moral rights of work weren't really protected, except in a few states in the past. Now the Visual Arts Act helps protect the moral rights of your work. Section 106A of the Copyright Act.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Dastar Corp. v. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp
Welcome to my blog post that is for my Advanced Law class, so this really has nothing to do with whom, what, where, or why my film is still not being funded by any rich people. So, on to the assignment that's supposed to involve my industry and my industry being film. So, I guess back in the day there's this company named Doubleday back in the 70's wrote a book on WW2 and granted exclusive rights to the Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp, basically saying only they can use the books content. So, they made a WW2 television show and I guess it was great... shit if I know I wasn't even born yet! So, I guess there's a time limit on a copyrights cause Doubleday renewed there shit, but Fox on the other hand didn't, so the rights for the television show where left in the public domain. (Click the link if you don't understand!) 1988 came and Fox bought the rights to television show and in 1995 this company called Dastar released a video set from the original footage from the television show that Fox did. Anyways Fox filled suit and under the Lanham Act claiming that Dastar was "reverse passing off". (Yeah I had to look that up too) So, Fox won and I hope that's what you wanted teach and if you know anyone who has a million laying around willing to invest, tell him about my film.
Thanks
Kevin Out!
Thanks
Kevin Out!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Big Week coming up!
Dear nobody
Well hope your listening... LOL I will soon figure out how to find followers and work this RSS feed shit sometime this lifetime, but intel then I guess it's just you and me computer screen. And might I mention that your looking awfully dirty today. Well on to the topic of this upcoming week, now how can this week be so big compared to all the big weeks in my life. Well I'm glad you asked, for this week is the week that I set up a time to phone conference with a film investing firm in Boston. Her name is Vinca from Film Finance LLC and we've talked once and this relationship via email has almost drove me crazy with my business partner. To explain my insanity, we'd have to go back to the initial contact with Vinca and I hadn't heard from Vinca for quiet a while after the phone call. Now how it's put a strain on the relationship between my business partner and I, well after Vinca sent me an email enquiring her upcoming film pitch festival, I replied with a get in or out type of email on the whole investment of the film. Vinca replied with an interest in the script, so my agent wanted me to wait till the writer has looked over the script and touched it up, as my business partner wanted me to wrap up the script and get it to her asap. What did I do? I sent off the rough copy the following monday and still had the writer look over the script that we had so far. As the writer and I passed the script back and forth, my business partner still thinks this was the right move even though my agent told me different. For my business partners argument was that it's better for that script to get to her as the idea of our film is still in her head and it shows that we're professional and we had our shit together. When the writer (Sorry forgot to mention his name, John Gallagher) and I got finished with the script, I knew what I did in sending the script early was the wrong idea. So, with my agent and me agreeing to send a email saying sorry there was a mix up in communication on the script hopefully repaired the mistake that might come back to hurt me. I recently wrote Vinca seeing if she received the correct email with the correct script. She did and said she would be in contact this week to discuss the film and that's why this is a BIG week for me, cause if she comes through and funds the movie God Bless my soul I'm going to have to go to work on something I finally love.
kevin out!
Well hope your listening... LOL I will soon figure out how to find followers and work this RSS feed shit sometime this lifetime, but intel then I guess it's just you and me computer screen. And might I mention that your looking awfully dirty today. Well on to the topic of this upcoming week, now how can this week be so big compared to all the big weeks in my life. Well I'm glad you asked, for this week is the week that I set up a time to phone conference with a film investing firm in Boston. Her name is Vinca from Film Finance LLC and we've talked once and this relationship via email has almost drove me crazy with my business partner. To explain my insanity, we'd have to go back to the initial contact with Vinca and I hadn't heard from Vinca for quiet a while after the phone call. Now how it's put a strain on the relationship between my business partner and I, well after Vinca sent me an email enquiring her upcoming film pitch festival, I replied with a get in or out type of email on the whole investment of the film. Vinca replied with an interest in the script, so my agent wanted me to wait till the writer has looked over the script and touched it up, as my business partner wanted me to wrap up the script and get it to her asap. What did I do? I sent off the rough copy the following monday and still had the writer look over the script that we had so far. As the writer and I passed the script back and forth, my business partner still thinks this was the right move even though my agent told me different. For my business partners argument was that it's better for that script to get to her as the idea of our film is still in her head and it shows that we're professional and we had our shit together. When the writer (Sorry forgot to mention his name, John Gallagher) and I got finished with the script, I knew what I did in sending the script early was the wrong idea. So, with my agent and me agreeing to send a email saying sorry there was a mix up in communication on the script hopefully repaired the mistake that might come back to hurt me. I recently wrote Vinca seeing if she received the correct email with the correct script. She did and said she would be in contact this week to discuss the film and that's why this is a BIG week for me, cause if she comes through and funds the movie God Bless my soul I'm going to have to go to work on something I finally love.
kevin out!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Is it the economy or has bad apples ruined it for the good people?
The whole thing about trying to raise money for a film is the most frustrating thing in the world it seems like. Calling friends and family, but most of us aren't rich to be able to fund the movie all by our selves. So, we give away percentage points, which are points in comparison to the amount of money that movie generates, which pays the investor back. So, investors have the incentive to make money, but why does it seem that no one is willing to invest? I'm confident and have the passion to make this film, but is that enough? Has America gotten so low that even the good people get fucked? Being a man of your word us to mean something, but that is a thing of the past as street code has faded and sell outs are the soul survivors of a generation that took advantage of older generations trust. So, now I'm in a fucking dilemma, for my school is almost up and it's been two months since we've got the investment package done and the script all finished, but still nothing. My agent tells me this is just a process and that usually deals just don't work out right away, but I don't have time to waste. When college is up, what do I do? Get a job at a local thrift store to scrape bye as my film isn't my main focus anymore, as so much paying my bills is. Frustration is a word to use in this situation, but I'm not going to use that word, the word that describes this situation is George as in George W. Bush. Obama never had a chance to turn the economy around after the way G.W. tore that shit up. Now no one will trust anyone anymore, so for that G.W. I hope you crash in your G6 in my front lawn, so I could wake up in the morning and piss on the fires to help the fire department put out the blaze.
Kevin out!
Kevin out!
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