I made it happen with a lot of help, but it was me that made it happen. I kept pushing, and working tirelessly, and I didn't ever say it wasn't going to happen.
I made some mistakes. Here are the mistakes I made, but I'm still very humbled by the mistakes I made and a few mistakes others made too. We were trying to do something that most never get a chance to try.
For my first movie, Panomundo, I was brought on the project because my then acquaintance, and now one of my best friends, Charysse Tia Harper, invited me to a screening of her short film. I went with a friend and afterwards met up with her. I asked her what she was trying to do next for the film and her response was she needed more funding. I told her pointblank that I had never done such big numbers before. She (who I will always love for this) gave me a chance. She said if I think I can do it, then she'd bring me on as producer. Now this was a "sink or swim" situation. And for the first few months no money was coming in. I helped her develop a business plan, helped develop the website, did fundraising ideas, and shot some of the promo material with her. It took a while, but I finished swimmingly.
I figured someone took a chance on me, why no I try the same? I met someone in a Cinematography class that liked the idea of the script. She said she wanted to produce. I relied on her as a producer who had never done anything before and didn't fire her when I was busy writing the script, looking over and she was not on the phone making calls to people to sponsor our film. She was too busy playing games on Facebook. I am a good guy at heart, and try my best to see potential. I'm still a good guy but eventually I took over her job. Miraculously, I raised enough to pay for pre-production and with a little bit of post-production left over with 2 new producers. I will fire someone in a heartbeat now if they don't have the guts to knock on a stranger's door. This is a humbled job as a producer. Not for the timid or scared of rejection. And being fired is a rejection of sorts, so I'm OK rejecting them if they under perform.
I had a set-goal in terms of finances needed for this story. It was the cost of a backyard indie, but an action filled melodrama. I love action movies and I love to get my heartbeat racing while watching a movie. I like badass women and I like Los Angeles. There you go. One thing I planned on was to contain 90% of the action. On hindsight, I should have wanted more cash to get this done, but I was stubborn we could do certain things, like continuously film with 2 cameras to save time and money.
Some things worked and some things didn't, but overall, it's something I'd like to try again, but with more people behind the camera, unlike Kubrickian crews I had envisioned. I just don't like seeing people standing around doing nothing while I'm paying them! So next time, I'll understand if a few people are waiting.
On the day of the shoot, one of the actors came up to me to discuss her pay. Out of the paperwork that came in, we didn't have a signed contract from her. Now, I thought I stressed to the producer how important this was, because no chain of title, no movie. But at the end of the first day, the actor came in to talk to me alone when I was needing to direct a scene. She brought me off to the side and said her manager had read the script and wanted a percentage now, and she was demanding more money. I told her to talk to the producer, and from there I quietly told the camera operators not to focus on her shots, because we were going to either not use her footage or kill her off in the next scene. One, that was completely unprofessional, and two, we were very upfront that we had finances, but it was very low budget. I don't believe anyone on the set, except that actor, was doing this for the money. We did it because we love making movies. All paperwork must be filled in and on time. No other options. I will put clauses that people will lose credit and compensation if it's something that hinders my productions from now on.
Production went into hiatus as I couldn't find a producer to jump in. It's better this way, because now I know the producers I want working with me are go-getters. Attitude is a big deal. Not giving it your all or spreading yourself too thin won't go very far, or worse, will deliver a shoddy product. I'm still open to newer producers but I think it's important to know who I'm dealing with before anything significant happens and letting them know that if they aren't playing ball, they need to resign.
One other thing was one of the financiers didn't come through with their check. That's not terrible but it was a lot of me chasing after them, which would've been nice to have. This should be a none-issue with the next producers.
Lastly, one person stole $500 from me. I've forgiven him now. I still can't believe it, though. Seriously? If he hadn't stolen the money, he could've made it back hundreds of times over if he'd stuck with me. I will watch every single dime this time. No room for errors. In fact, I want to talk to my lawyer to see what options we have on taking this guy to court. Lawyers are mandatory in every aspect. Take down driver's licenses, social security, etc. No more Danny will take you on your word because his old-school Iranian ways of handshake deals end up in turbulence.
People always ask what I want. I want to tell stories. There is no other agenda. I'll take the money and fame, and respect that comes with it, but that's not WHY I do it. A year later and I look back on the movie with fond memories.
I said to every naysayer when they said it couldn't be done, "HELL OR HIGH WATER IT WILL HAPPEN". And it did happen. If you're out there with a script and waiting on films to get made, it's only gonna happen if you make it happen. Rely on others but know who your team is and rely on yourself most. Make relationships happen. Make that movie, hell or high water 💀
It's coming back soon and I can't wait for you all to see it.
On the day of the shoot, one of the actors came up to me to discuss her pay. Out of the paperwork that came in, we didn't have a signed contract from her. Now, I thought I stressed to the producer how important this was, because no chain of title, no movie. But at the end of the first day, the actor came in to talk to me alone when I was needing to direct a scene. She brought me off to the side and said her manager had read the script and wanted a percentage now, and she was demanding more money. I told her to talk to the producer, and from there I quietly told the camera operators not to focus on her shots, because we were going to either not use her footage or kill her off in the next scene. One, that was completely unprofessional, and two, we were very upfront that we had finances, but it was very low budget. I don't believe anyone on the set, except that actor, was doing this for the money. We did it because we love making movies. All paperwork must be filled in and on time. No other options. I will put clauses that people will lose credit and compensation if it's something that hinders my productions from now on.
Production went into hiatus as I couldn't find a producer to jump in. It's better this way, because now I know the producers I want working with me are go-getters. Attitude is a big deal. Not giving it your all or spreading yourself too thin won't go very far, or worse, will deliver a shoddy product. I'm still open to newer producers but I think it's important to know who I'm dealing with before anything significant happens and letting them know that if they aren't playing ball, they need to resign.
One other thing was one of the financiers didn't come through with their check. That's not terrible but it was a lot of me chasing after them, which would've been nice to have. This should be a none-issue with the next producers.
Lastly, one person stole $500 from me. I've forgiven him now. I still can't believe it, though. Seriously? If he hadn't stolen the money, he could've made it back hundreds of times over if he'd stuck with me. I will watch every single dime this time. No room for errors. In fact, I want to talk to my lawyer to see what options we have on taking this guy to court. Lawyers are mandatory in every aspect. Take down driver's licenses, social security, etc. No more Danny will take you on your word because his old-school Iranian ways of handshake deals end up in turbulence.
People always ask what I want. I want to tell stories. There is no other agenda. I'll take the money and fame, and respect that comes with it, but that's not WHY I do it. A year later and I look back on the movie with fond memories.
I said to every naysayer when they said it couldn't be done, "HELL OR HIGH WATER IT WILL HAPPEN". And it did happen. If you're out there with a script and waiting on films to get made, it's only gonna happen if you make it happen. Rely on others but know who your team is and rely on yourself most. Make relationships happen. Make that movie, hell or high water 💀
It's coming back soon and I can't wait for you all to see it.
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