Low Budget Short--Need advice

[getbusylivin']

Hi All. Need some sage advice. I've got someone interested in filming one of my short scripts--a horror short that is generating some good interest right now.

I need help figuring out how to separate the wheat from the chaff. This guy is a young hip hop artist who wants to star in the film and use it as his acting demo. He and his producer make music videos but have never done a film.

My instinct is to wait for someone who wants to take it the festival route (one producer reviewing the script wants to do just that but nothing confirmed).

Or is it better to have a film in your pocket any way you can? Would love to hear some thoughts. Thanks.

[NikeeGoddess]

wait?! are you nuts?! lol!

anyway, the process of making music videos isn't much different than making a short. and music videos must be exciting and keep you entertained every second. this is what you need especially for a short. if you can do it for little or no money then go for it. and there's nothing wrong with taking it on the festival circuit when it's completed. everybody has a production under their belt.

then submit it to DC Shorts -- hurry!

[carcar]

It's a short! And someone else wants to pay to produce it? Do it, for God's sake. You'll get a credit. Who says you can't festival it anyway?

[christopher jon]

I need help figuring out how to separate the wheat from the chaff. This guy is a young hip hop artist who wants to star in the film and use it as his acting demo. He and his producer make music videos but have never done a film.

My instinct is to wait for someone who wants to take it the festival route (one producer reviewing the script wants to do just that but nothing confirmed).

This might sound crazy but why not hook both parties up.

It'll be less of a financial risk for both producers or more money for the project and everybody gets what they want.

You want a to make your film

Hip Hop guy gets his acting demo

Producer gets short to take to festivals.

It's really a win-win for everybody involved. It shouldn't be a problem unless egos get involved.

[LMPurves]

It seems like this would be your first script to be produced. If that is the case then you should go for it.

However, just so you are aware, my production company started with music videos before we branched off to film. One of our better known artists wanted a short to star in to promote his acting career and since it was on his dime, I wrote one for him.

The whole project turned into a giant fvcking nightmare! The guy couldn't act his way out of a paper bag and his best friend whom he hired as co-lead was even worse! The project went nowhere. Didn't even get in to festivals.

I learned my lesson and now I refuse projects in which the person paying for it wants to act in it.

Even after what I said above, I would still encourage you to go for it if they have the money. You have nothing to lose and a lot to learn with the experience.

Wanna learn about filmmaking? Ya gotta make a film!

[getbusylivin']

Clearly this is my first rodeo! Thanks for all of the advice and the cautionary tale about the actor nightmare. I'll keep talking to the hip hop guy to get more concrete answers. When the time comes, I assume that I'll need to draw up an agreement between us--do templates exist?
Thanks, again.

[SCanfieldfilms]

Originally Posted by getbusylivin'

Clearly this is my first rodeo! Thanks for all of the advice and the cautionary tale about the actor nightmare. I'll keep talking to the hip hop guy to get more concrete answers. When the time comes, I assume that I'll need to draw up an agreement between us--do templates exist?
Thanks, again.

Indeed, they do. I know www.independentfilmmakercontracts.com sells them for anywhere from $35-50, but if you know what to look for, and what you're looking to get from the agreement, it's not incredibly difficult. Plenty of examples exist.

[Done Deal Pro]

Originally Posted by getbusylivin'

When the time comes, I assume that I'll need to draw up an agreement between us--do templates exist?

Yes, they do: http://www.donedealpro.com/members/l...ection _id=13

Get an attorney to help you out, if you can, unless you are not that concerned about the script or what goes on ultimately. If it's for a short film it might not be worth the cost, but you'll need to decide that for yourself, of course.

[SCanfieldfilms]

Originally Posted by Done Deal Pro

Yes, they do: http://www.donedealpro.com/members/l...ection _id=13

Get an attorney to help you out, if you can, unless you are not that concerned about the script or what goes on ultimately. If it's for a short film it might not be worth the cost, but you'll need to decide that for yourself, of course.

On that note, if you can agree to terms outside the lawyer, a lot of firms in town will write something for relatively cheap including your specs for the deal if you're iffy on doing something yourself.