It's Getting Serious Now

There's been another, exciting, development in the movie world. Last weekend we had a pre-production meeting to prepare for the 48-Hour Film Project that's coming up in July. Nothing too major, we all brought a dessert, and talked about the rules of the contest and took inventory of our assets, equipment, props, access to locations, etc.

After about an hour or so the meeting wrapped up and people started to leave then myself and two others were asked to stick around. I was all, "sweet", cause there was still dessert left. After everyone else had left we get down to business...literally. Turns out the reason for the meeting wasn't so much about the 48-hour project but to get us together to talk about taking the next step in our careers. Basically there are six of us that are the "core" group and then a couple others that kinda float in and out. It was proposed that the six of us form a production company and start raising money to produce a short-film to submit to festivals.

Once I picked myself up off the floor it was very exciting. The more we talked the more sense it started to make. Each of us brings a unique skill to the group but we also work very well together. "J" has mad producer skills, "T" has mad directing skills, I have mad production management skills, "F" has mad camera skills, "H" has mad post-production skills and "J2" has mad writing skills....put it all together and what do you get?? Count It! Productions. Like I said we work together very well and collaborate on all aspects of production...we've worked together for about a year now and really are a good team!

After the announcement was made we went around the room and each shared our thoughts and it was really interesting because we pretty much all shared the same "story" of how we've always wanted to do this and how we feel that time is slowly ticking away. I think four out of the six are over 30 and we all seem to be in the same place. Actually one of the guys is from eastern Washington too and our stories are really similar, we both moved here to get into the movie thing and we're in our 30's and aren't getting any younger, etc. It really made me feel good and I realized how close we really are. Also expressed was the desire to do more "substantial" material, which was really nice to hear. The three minute stuff has been fun but I know that I was ready to tackle meattier material, so it was good to hear that the rest of the group wants to as well.

Right now we're in the process of the getting a website up and actually forming the company. "T" is meeting with an attorny on the 16th to get details on forming an LLC and what that takes and how much it costs and all that stuff. Then we need to nail down all the other stuff...like how we're going to raise $15,000 - $20,000 we need to shoot the film. Obviously not everyone will be able to invest at the same level. We are truly from every walk of life, two are home owners, the rest aren't, four of us have good jobs and are for the most part financially secure, and then a couple are college kids that are working 2 part-time jobs, etc. We're not thinking that all the money will come from us...I imagine probably 1/2 will but that still leaves a pretty good chunk so we'll have to come up with some fundraising schemes. Plus it's going to be a good 1 to 2 year committment. Obviously none of us are quitting our day jobs so it's going to take awhile to get everything in place and raise the money and then shoot it and edit, etc.

That's all I know now.....stay tuned for more information!!!