INDEPENDENT TENDENCIES

This blog first appeared on www.gwallison.com

As I browse the various "writers job boards" on the wonderful world wide web, I've noticed a trend among the independent film making crowd. Let me first start off by saying that I love independents. I've done most of my work, well, in fact, all of my work in the independent world of film making. Many fine little gems are dug from the heap of films that are made every year. Sometimes, if we're lucky, we even hear about them! But let's not kid ourselves, I'm not planning my retirement while toiling away on some little independent film script. That's not to say that there isn't money to be made writing for an independent producer. There is! It's modest, but it keeps me from working at Home Depot. No offense to the gang over at Home Depot.

The trend that I've noticed, and I guess that it has always been there, is the barrage of requests, posts, emails, and forum notices from those trying to break into the "biz" asking for scripts for no money, just credit and a copy of the film. Yes, some filmmakers say they'll pay the poor writer once the film is sold, but most of us writing for a living know that you might as well go out and buy a lottery ticket. Your odds might be better! My favorites are the ones that say "dynamic up and coming director needs a good story." Well, shoot, a dynamic up and coming writer needs a good producer!

Asking a writer to give you a script for nothing is like asking Kodak for film stock at no cost on the promise that once the film is sold, you'll pay. Yes, I'm a little insulted by these posts. I'm even a little angry. I can spend anywhere from three months to eighteen months working on a screenplay, fine tuning it, massaging it, and marketing it. A lot of time, money, and "sweat equity" goes into these pieces. I'm not giving my work over to a hopeful soul on a promise and prayer. Neither should any other writer worth a lick! We need cash!

Filmmakers need to realize that this is a world ruled by the dollar. Unfortunately, I cannot live without money. The grocery clerk is always demanding that I pay for my meat and veggies. I have a feeling that if more independent filmmakers started treating their passion more like a business, they would (a) get better material, and (b) be more successful.

So, I've put together a list of options for the independent hopefuls:

Option the script (with actual money) then try to raise the funds to make the film. (Don't forget that the first person you need to pay is the writer)

Settle on the hacks giving their crap away and never sell a film!

That's it. No other options. If you want quality then it's going to cost you. If you just want to hurry up and make a film, it'll still cost you, but you won't have the quality. If you don't want it to cost you anything, you'll be making your movie for a very long time...and it may or may not suck. Chances are it will suck.

Everyone wants to get somewhere in this business. Some want to be famous. Some want to be rich. Some just want to make a living doing what they love. Whatever your motive, remember that money is always at the root of your dreams. So, if you want to make it, be prepared to spend it.