Category: Other Musings

You should think in terms of how your film story will benefit
Kickstarter, IndieGoGo, New Jelly, etc., contributors.
For example, if I donate $25 to your project, how will
I benefit from that, particularly in terms of the story?
Is the theme of the story, something I would champion?
How will this story strike the hearts of contributors?

So, you need a beginning, a middle and an end with a theme
that holds every story element together. You should have an
antagonist (seeks same goal as your main character, but
for a different reason and goes about accomplishing the
goal in a different way than your main character)) or a villain
(a villain represents pure evil with no redeeming characteristics,
who seeks the same goal as your main character, but for a
different reason and the way he/she goes about accomplishing the goal).

By telling the story from the point-of-view of a strong, main character,
who must go through a transformational arc, who has one main goal
in the story, with a theme that reflects in every scene, character, setting,
etc., then you’ll have substance to your story and it will attract
contributors.

The fine point for crowdfunding is to show the benefits for contributing
to your project and you will more likely connect with contributors.

Happy Crowdfunding!

Commitment to Professionalism
Donald L. Vasicek
Olympus Films+, LLC
The Zen of Writing
http://michaelc.nextmp.net/wordpress
dvasicek@earthlink.net

If you have an actor/actress in mind for your film, call the Writer’s Guild of America, and tell them you would like to have the contact information for the actor/actress you have in mind. You’re limited to 3 actors/actresses per call. Once you get the contact information, write up a small script about what you’re going to say, before you call. The fine point of getting through the gatekeeper, there will always be a gatekeeper, tell them how they can benefit by putting you through to the agent or the actor. Gatekeepers love to be the one who “discovers” the next great role for the actor/actress for whom they are working.

One last thing, there are always going to be naysayers in the film business. Believe in your project. Believe in your passion. If you have a slam dunk story, you can get past having an A list actor/actress to launch your project. As for companies, simply keep in mind at all times that you’re bringing an intellectual property to them that can earn them millions of dollars.

I have learned that perseverance in the film business works. I know because I’ve been at it for 30 years. Don’t take no for answer.

It’s always good to get someone who knows what they’re doing. But, with some research and effort, you can do find sponsors yourself and save the money. It’ll amount to finding sponsors so that you can place products of theirs in your film(s). Research how to approach potential sponsors. You’ll find information on how to do that. Once you find the information, go to work and get your sponsor(s)!

This will require following instructions on how to pitch (always show the potential sponsor how they will benefit by placing their product in your film, and/or by sponsoring your film). Once you learn how to pitch, then you will learn how to write a pitch letter. Once the letter is written, then do research to find corporations, companies, individuals, organizations, etc. Once you find those you want to whom to send your letter, research who you find to locate individuals who are involved in marketing within these corporations, companies, organizations, etc. Address your letters and send them to these individuals.

Happy Sponsorship Hunting!

Donald L. Vasicek
Olympus Films+, LLC
The Zen of Writing
http://michaelc.nextmp.net/wordpress
dvasicek@earthlink.net