Getting Outer Space

So, we’re on a shoot in the middle of Louisiana. The PA (production assistant) a funny kid named Kemerton Hargrove, says, “Hey, me and my friend Evan made a movie. It’s kind of embarrassing because I acted in it, too. You want to see the trailer?” Now, this happens fairly often on these shoots, and … Read more

Amanda Lin Costa is a Hands-On Producer

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Amanda Lin Costa, filmmaker, Her Letters photo credit Emon Hassan

She’s one of our faves on Twitter. Writing, directing, producing, editing…Amanda Lin Costa is a woman after our own heart. Her current project is a short film called Her Letters, a dramatic story of the dilemma a husband faces when his wife dies and leaves him a packet of letters with a foreboding request. She wants him to destroy the letters…without opening them.

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I’ll Work for the Promise You’ll Pay Me Eventually

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Good luck seeing this anytime soon!

One of the blogs we love to frequent is run by acclaimed screenwriter John August. I met John once, although I’m sure he won’t remember. I was an assistant on the Paramount Lot and he was one of the nicest, most down-to-earth writers coming through our offices.

The other day John posted an anonymous blog from a fellow writer ranting about the fact that, in our industry, companies don’t pay until there are “executed” agreements. They will not write the check…but we ARE expected to start delivering work right away.

Some Background

Whether you’re a writer, director, producer or production company, the process of getting to a signed contract is basically the same. Most deals get beat out verbally, deal points are agreed upon by email, and then the deal is “closed.”

Sort of.

Once the artist/agent/lawyer/studio all agree and a deal is “closed” (verbally) we as artists are usually expected to start work right away.

However, the deal isn’t “executed” until a proper “long-form” agreement is written up and signed.

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Featured Kickstarter Project: A Year Without Rent

Lucas McNelly just may be the living embodiment of the indy film spirit. What a cool guy…a sort of “travelling filmmaker.” We’ll let him explain (see the video.) Suffice it to say, we saw fit to pledge $25 to the cause, and you can do the same here. Lucas’ project also has a place in … Read more

A Little R and R in Rome

Taking a little vacation to start the new year. Be back next week. Until then, hope you’re all having a great 2011. Best, Joke and Biagio