I’m still here

Peace, love and soul.

I’m still here. I’m still working. I’m still checking the door, the window, the cracks, the crevices and the nooks and crannies for a way. Last week I managed something I’m very happy about. I leveraged the power of social media (Twitter, Facebook and Myspace) to take Deterrence Theory, my submission on JuntoBox Films from Level 1 to Level 4 (the greenlight assessment phase) in just six days. We would have made it sooner but some  people followed the submission without rating it. The ratings are what was needed to catapult the project through the levels. Nevertheless, it’s there. Now we wait and see. What else is new?

Heard back from NBCUniversal about a series and MOW project I submitted. I got a “PASS” from Cloo and Chiller on a procedural series and a horror MOW. I’m still waiting to hear from USA and Syfy about some highly commercial projects. Plus there’s this little-big web series project with the director one of the highest grossing movies of 2011 that has a lot of potential. If things go super well, I may see my projects go into production 2, maybe 3 times before the year is out.

Next week I go back to NBCUniversal for a refresher on what those networks are looking for. There’s no such thing as being overworked in my book. Not right now.

Lastly, just like clockwork, my twitter/Google+ buddy Rashad hit me up about a new opportunity with a different kind of studio. Rashad is a true buddy. He hits me up at least once a month with info he’s come across that might help me in my endeavors. WE (Black folks) need to work together more instead of being so damn polarized. Hateration gets you nowhere.

Our discussion led me to reevaluate a something. It was timely. Thanks to some testosterone and a few challenges I’ve written more feature length scripts in the past 18 months than I have in the previous five years. Time to reach out and see if these puppies have legs to stand on. So I have. Best thing, I’ll know for sure by the end of June how much interests these scripts garner. I’ve said it before, Legend of Black Lotus is my social issue, character driven “indie” project. Everything I’ve written since then has been tailored to the commercial market.

It’s going to be an awesome summer.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Behind the Badge

THE GOOD

I’ve got lots of projects rolling and trolling around my personal headspace. In particular is a sexy psych thriller called Deterrence Theory. I’ve uploaded to project to Forest Whitaker’s Juntobox Films web site. If the projects is reviewed favorable and approved, it might get greenlit by the company. If the company greenlights the project, it puts up all the money to make the film!

THE BAD

In order to be approved for consideration the project first has to amass 80 favorable reviews of 4 stars or greater. I’m lucky, in just a short time I have nearly 50 people who’ve reviewed the site. I need 30 more to seal the deal. And that’s why I’m writing this blog.

THE UGLY

In order to follow and rate my project you have to first register o the site. Problem is, the site, Juntoboxfilms.com is still in beta. I ran into several glitches when I tried to register by linking my account to my Facebook profile.  The site could have benefitted from a longer incubation period or better year, a hold until the beta 2.0 version. Sorry Forest.

CALL TO ACTION

That said, I still need your help to bring Deterrence Theory to life. If you read this blog, subscribe to this blog or stumble upon this blog, please go to http://www.juntoboxfilms.com/projects/deterrence-theory , register ( it’s probably best not to link your FB account at this time ), then FOLLOW my project , and most important, find the stars by the logline, synopsis and media (images) and rate them FOUR STARS or higher.

Thank you for your support

What is Deterrence Theory?

What is Deterrence Theory?

Deterrence Theory…is a sexy psychological action thriller. With this project my goal is to make the kind of film I want to see in the movies. I can produce more meaning and dramatic movies later. I already have my romantic fantasy adventure project Legend of Black Lotus that explores the relationships, prejudices, self-worth and the bonds of parental love. But right now, I want to make something sexy, smart, and fun. I want to make a contemporary thriller that showcases people of color in roles that traditionally don’t go to them. The leading roles in the project call for African Americans, Hindu’s, Arab, Nigerians, and Asians.

If you are a fan of thriller films help me make Deterrence Theory!  Just register to FOLLOW the project on JuntoboxFilms.com and make sure you RATE the individual sections. Click here to register/rate/follow .

LOGLINE: A suspended US Marshal is reinstated to track down an escaped female prisoner before she’s extradited but begins to suspect that his growing obsessions for the beautiful convict and his shortcomings as a cop are why he was chosen for the job he is expected to fail.

The phrase “deterrence theory” has military applications… In the simplest sense, deterrence means using the threat of military action to compel an adversary to do something, or to prevent them from doing something. Deterrence theory gained prominence as a military strategy during the Cold War with regard to the use of nuclear weapons.

The DT Project pays homage to two of my favorite filmmakers, Tony Scott and Michael Mann. It also honors smart films that I loved growing up, films like A Clear and Present Danger and Patriot Games.  Deterrence Theory will sexy, gritty, mean, sensual, endearing and ruthless — all crammed into one film. DT encompasses some of my favorite emotions and grit from Scott and Mann films like Band of the Hand, Miami Vice, Domino, Unstoppable, The Kingdom, and Collateral. Everything  that happens is born out of one man’s search for the truth.

Deterrence Theory is Man on Fire meets Basic Instinct and The Fugitive

Remember the Nine Inch Nails electric guitar in Man on Fire that was Creasy’s avenging angel theme?  Imagine that type of danger lurking throughout the film. THAT’S WHAT I’M TRYING TO MAKE.

But a thriller cannot stand without a good mystery so I’ve written in an underlying secret as an undertone to many of the action sequences that will fit well in hot and humid setting like New Orleans or North Carolina, or someplace hot and dry like Arizona.

If you are a fan of thriller films help me make Deterrence Theory!  Just register to FOLLOW the project on JuntoboxFilms.com and make sure you RATE the individual sections. Click here to register/rate/follow .

Juntobox Films is greenlighting (financing) FIVE films this year. Help Deterrence Theory become one of those films.

Jam Session: Hitting the Right Chords

Film funding is a big-freaking-deal. Whether you crowdfund, find a rich uncle, secure a grant, beg, borrow or get funding by a prodco/studio it’s never easy. And it’s never quick.

I’ve been waiting since December to get updates on a few projects of mine that are awaiting decisions on funding an co-production monies. Slowly the news started trickling in January, after Sundance and then the Oscars™.  It wasn’t good news. The projects I submitted did meet any needs, and thus, no production partnerships, ie. no money.

All but two projects stopped were in their tracks, but the two in question never came up. It was as if they evaporated over-the-transom like some otherworldly insect being zapped by a phaser gun as it entered one’s crawlspace. I began to question whether or not I’d even submitted the projects. Maybe the paperwork got lost in the shuffle. Maybe I was going mad.

Then, last week word came in that my sci-fi project (project A) had garnered interest…and questions. There was some clarification needed. I responded and  figured that if I didn’t hear back within two weeks that project too would be dead in the water.

But the fascinating thing was that new light was shed on both Project B.  While Project A needed clarification, Project B , a TV series proposal,  was still under consideration.  That was a huge freaking relief.

More news came on my birthday, March 19. Project A was moving to the next stage. Things need to be prepared, prepped and submitted. I reached out to my colleagues to add to the project and to my talented friends for creative support. Now I’m grinding to get what needs to be done completed and on its merry way.

It’s scary as hell…but I love this part. I cannot wait until I get freaked out by news on Project B

Film Budget Spreadsheet Template x2

I had hoped to have time to finish my self-made film budget Excel template next week. This isn’t a cheesy 1-page generic spreadsheet! It’s 15 pages and customizable!

But then,  my Twitter friend (@whomadewhoprods) pointed me to  a free film budget template by Telefilm.ca that is smoking hot!! I still prefere the nomenclature of my spreadsheet but Telefilm has a damn good one too!

Here is the link:  http://www.telefilm.ca/en/search?q=film+budget