Posted by Michael Raben at 63.239.234.7 on June 11, 2001 at 18:56:35:
In Reply to: QUESTION FOR KEVIN SMITH posted by bigboyproductions on June 11, 2001 at 18:17:06:
: I have already started my own production company with my friends, BIG BOY PRODUCTIONS,we are currently working on our 1st movie, wich we are verey excited about, its called "Hibabobatuffy," wich I wrote and am currently co-directing.
: 1.) Say we finish this movie, and its great, could we sell it to a movie company? Could it possibly get into movie theatres?
It's within the realm of possibility; some independent films get limited theatrical and art-house releases. In theory, a distributor or independent arm of a major (ie Miramax, Sony Pictures Classics, Fine Line, etc.) might purchase your film for distribution (to theater, video or they might even sit on it just to have it).
: 2.) How would we contact the movie companys to set up a meeting of some sort so they could review our movie. Can you give us some adresses?
A good first step is to play some film festivals, build up momentum and a buzz and then try to play a major film festival (like Sundance, Cannes, New York, Toronto, etc.) or two if you can swing it. If distro or acquisition execs aren't coming to you, you could arrange a screening in New York or LA and invite them or you can go about contacting them individually, or through a manager/agent/producer's rep.
: 3.) Where can we buy movie cameras. Im talking about the kind that YOU use, is there any special place we could purchase them at, if so how much would they cost.
Every facet of this question depends on whether you want to shoot on film or video, where you are geographically and how much money you're willing to spend. Use the internet and your local yellow pages and research your options.
: 4.)How much money did you make from making clerks, I understand it was a LOW budget movie, so the profit was probably huge. (Something we hope to accomplish)
Miramax purchased Clerks for a flat-fee of about $200,000 above cost. They made all the money, although Kevin still owns the rights to Jay and Silent Bob and has pretty much free reign in using the other characters as well, albeit most likely through some "use" legalities.
: 5.) Is it really worth taking film school? What do they teach you there?
Some say yes, some say no. It depends on how you learn best. I lean towards using film school money to finance an indie production. If you read, research, experiment, plan and work with knowledgable people, you can get by without a film school degree.
: 6.) Keep up the kick ass work.
That's never been a problem.
Always,
Michael Raben