|
How long has your award-winning prodco been in business?
Started developing projects in 1995. Shot our first feature film in
1997.
Why did you decide to pursue independent film making over working
for a major studio?
I never had the opportunity to work for a studio. I had a script that
I wanted to make, and doing an independent production was the only way
I could get it done.
If the prodco is not your full-time job, where else do you work?
I'm a full-time mom, who makes movies in my spare time.
Did you study film in college?
I didn't go to "film school." I went to independent filmmaking boot
camp! 3 weeks on location, with cast, crew, equipment, 35mm short-ends
and a micro-budget. There's no better way to learn than by actually
doing it!
If you've had other jobs in the business, what were they?
I became a member of SAG in 1979. A guest star role on "Archie Bunker's
Place" got me started in the business. I learned a lot from being on
sets and watching the way things are done.
When did you decide to become a producer?
It's kind of funny. I took my kids to see a "movie." I won't name it,
but it was a huge budget studio film, that made millions of dollars
and was horrible. After the 90 minutes of torture was over, I decided
that someone needed to make movies that wouldn't be painful for parents
to watch with their kids.
What do producers do, anyway?
Everything! Or at least I do. In development/pre-production, I read
scripts, arrange financing, scout locations, do the budget, breakdown
and shooting schedule, hire cast and crew, work on product placement.
In production, I'm on set every day, keeping things on schedule and
running as smoothly as possible. In post-, I supervise editing, sound
mixing, color timing, arrange music licensing, screenings, festivals,
meetings with distributors. It's endless. But it's also because I'm
very picky.
What's the biggest challenge of independent production?
One word - Financing!
What's the biggest reward?
A great film! On schedule, and under budget with a cast and crew that
want to work together again.
How do you find funding?
It's hidden inside my mattress. I wish! That's a tough one. It's different
each time. On my first film, I got family and friends to invest. On
my next film, I'm working with distributors and pre-sales.
Is budget a big factor for your company when you choose a script to
develop?
Absolutely! The potential for a greater investment return is obviously
better on a modest budget, and that's the ultimate goal - to get your
investors their money back!
What do you look for in spec scripts?
A great story. It doesn't need exotic locations or outrageous special
effects; that's just eye-candy. Give me characters that are real and
that I care about.
You've optioned Screenplayer Kent Graham's script ZOTZED! What attracted
you to the script?
It's so well written. Kent did a wonderful job. It's funny. The characters
and story are well developed. It's something I would enjoy watching.
Please describe the projects your company has in development.
Kent Graham's ZOTZED! is our main focus. I'm hoping to shoot it this
July, which means it could be ready for viewing by the end of the year.
We're also going to be shooting a music video for the band Golden Ticket,
within the next few weeks. I have another script in development that
the writer is doing re-writes on. Hopefully it will be ready for a 2002
shoot. And our first film, THE LEGEND OF CRYIN' RYAN, is currently being
novelized by Phyllis Whitfield. The book should be available by the
end of year.
For artists in other media, the work is sacred. Why is screenwriting
not?
A screenplay, in a sense, is not a finished product, as a painting or
a song is. It still needs to be "developed" into a movie, which brings
other people's ideas and input to it. Because there are so many other
factors that are involved in getting the written words onto film, there
has to be flexibility, in order to accommodate schedules, locations,
and availability of actors, which often cause changes to have to be
made out of necessity rather than choice for the producer.
Please predict the future of film for our readers, in view of all the
advances in digital video.
The advances of digital video are great. It gives a lot more people
the opportunity to make movies that they otherwise wouldn't be able
to because shooting on film is so expensive. I think "film," however,
will always be the preferred choice.
Is there anything else you'd like people to know about your production
company?
We're always looking for scripts to produce, and I'll read all pitches
and synopses, hoping to find a great one. I'm always in need of present
day, small town USA, "family" stories. No expensive locations or crazy
effects. Think STAND BY ME or THE SANDLOT!
|
