Lost in Translation

Lessons Learned. Don’t give advice until someone asks for it.

A gentleman contacted me on a social network last week. As a result of that contact I was led to his pending film project. The project included a logline and synopsis. I read the information…and left a comment that went something like this:

I love alien invasion films! I think you’re on to something by setting the initial invasion within the deep woods of Louisiana. In the Togline you mentioned something about a time zone and it’s not clear what the impact is. Also, remember that the synopsis should clearly identify the protagonist, the antagonist and the conflict. Good luck!

I cannot remember exactly what I wrote because the gentleman quickly deleted my comment (which is his prerogative), left a negative comment on my film project page, and sent me this exact email:

Please don’t post your bad comments on my page. I see your synopsis need a lot of work, why do black folks tries to pull other black folks down? its not COOL.

Obviously something got lost in translation. My first thought was to tear him a new asshole but then I considered the fact that my “critique” wasn’t requested and thus is pretty  much like an uninvited guest: unwelcome. Oops, my bad. But why did the brother try to pull the race card on me, given the fact that we’re both striving for the same thing: an opportunity to make movies. I’m in no better position of power than he is, but suddenly I’m “trying to pull [him] down.”

I did respond. I told him him I was trying to help and that his perception that I’m “trying to pull him down” was way off base. I think I should have just directed him to my blog. If I was sincerely interested in keeping my fellow brother and sister filmmakers down, why would I share so much of my journey in my blog?

Nevertheless, it is a lesson learned.

(NM) New Mexico Film Tax Incentives and Rebates info

New MexicoApparently NM is one of the only 7 states left in the USA providing Tax Rebates that also include a 50% great local hire payback incentive (www.nmfilm.com). 

For example, this is how your indie budget film might look on a spreadsheet

SAG ULTRA LOW BUDGET CONTRACT at $500k with $220k spent on NM Employees Program.

50% payback is $110k

Incentives are the 25% of $500k = $125k

$110K + $125K equals $235K total payback to Production Company (i.e. ROI $$’s to investors)

Not a bad way to satisfy those hungry investors or raise first-money-in using a promise to pay within 90 days of production end.

I’m a gladiator…in pajamas

I’m a gladiator…in pajamas. Murder-death-kill. Mayhem. Destruction. The Guns of Navarone. Superfly TNT.

I kill stories…in my pajamas. Bitch.

I chatted/emailed with my friends @Corporate_Mind and @Todfilm and I kinda sorta set a personal deadline. With that deadline hanging over my head I started taking chances. Working more. My brain starteed looking for a way out. How the f***do I turn things around?

As a result, I’m literally pulled in  different directions right now. From NBC to Amazon to Syfy to JuntoBox Films to Chiller to U-S-effin-A Network. Then there’s a gang of spec scripts to be polished, and three screenwriting contests to win.

I’m a gladiator in pajamas.

GLADIATOR IN PAJAMAS