Bride of Sorrows

Bride of Sorrows

I was thinking about the project as a whole.  I think it will be interesting and capture the imagination of everyone!   I can see it in my head, ever have such a great idea/vision?  I guess because life was hard I created this whole idea to distract me.  

 

promo pic for failed crowdfund

I think things do happen for a reason...  I used to be so upset at how hard funding was and this was before I had the whole idea, this was for the first novel.  I guess it is hard to express the huge image in your mind in a few sentences!   And there are so many people who deserve the chance, I can imagine it is so hard to choose!  I used to be upset, then resigned to failure.  But then I realized I can actually do it myself.   

I had said my experience of raising the girls with no money taught me to work with little to no budget.  Now I realize I can show how resourceful I am.  I have the creativity and perseverance to finish it.  I think because I tend to think "big picture" it scares people.

Lol, truly, my first idea was about $22 million but that included a place for the cast/crew to live as we did this project.  It included a workshop from a makeup school to train us right so it all looked good.  I had a lot of huge up front costs, but most were "one time" ones.  Like the building.  I explained I needed one to show stability since we are very new at this and need to raise confidence.  I said it would be a good investment and wanted the building paid in full to give my cast and crew the confidence we were going to do this and not just dream it.  The costuming would be a huge cost but it would be used in the trilogy of horror I have planed plus the TV series as well so would pay for itself over time.

Strangely enough, no funding  :p

But I decided to write the first novel but then got the trilogy film idea.  I love it.  I thought that would amaze and interest them.  Except I guess the lack of experience scared them off still...

Then I got the idea to do a low budget movie to show I can actually do this.  I think it was meant to be in a way.  I have learned so, so much this past year!  This S'happens was not a part of the whole Bride of Sorrows series, it was out of my comfort zone.  But I learned so much doing it!  

I felt so good about it, that I can do this on my own that I even wrote my funders saying that they gave me hope when I needed it but now I can stand on my own feet and do it.  Not that I would turn down the funding, but it did help keep me optimistic about the project when I began doubting everything!  Truly, I hope they read this and know it meant so much to me!  But I am going to be ok now!  Gathering everything for the business loan still, but soon!! 





I mentioned in another blog about the "low budget filming" and how that has really helped me out.  I am serious about that, I think every indie Director who is struggling with finance should write one.





Guideline for Low Budget Filming

• Write with the resources you have today in mind
•  
•  Be ruthless in cutting scenes that are super good but not do-able today
• 
  
• Network for crew and equipment!
• 
  
• practice the DIY stuff so it looks professional
• 
  

Writing the script to fit what you have today is kind of hard.  Imagination is what helps picture the scenes and it is not always easy to tame it.  If you have a super cool scene save it for when you have both the experience to make it look as good as you picture it and the resources needed!  

Short vs Feature ~on this,  I am not sure...  I would say go with the one you feel the most about.  A short film is a good way to show your style to others.  There are a lot of shorts out there nowadays but it is NOT  case of "flooding the market".  Instead, it helps generate the interest and encourage others to try that boosts the sales and makes the companies produce better stuff at lower costs!  So it is a very good thing that 'shorts' are so popular now!    Maybe it is a bit of snob appeal, the wanting to do a feature instead.  You know, that whole I am going to make a real movie!  :p

I already posted about ruthlessness in editing...

Networking is a great idea!  But it is true, instead of asking for free help, offer free/cheap help instead!  Showing your personality is not too annoying, that you can work with others and do a decent job will make them remember you for when you put out a call for crew...  They say that is the main benefit of film school is to make those connections and knowing most will be in some soft of profession rather then indie capacity...  But with people wanting to create shorts and Vlog, opportunities abound to network...

So, instead of learning the special effects by a well known school, I am doing it on my own.   It is not a bad thing by any means, though I would have preferred the classroom!   It helps it sink in when you make mistakes since you can not afford to make them twice!  hehe, so you retain it and your mind begins to think of ways to do it better.    Seeing some of the ones on Youtube, it can look amazing!  I guess with all things, practice and heart is all it takes...

hugs,

~Sea

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