More to come…
April 23, 2008 | 2 Comments posted
David from London writes: “Can you advise whether or not the Filmmaker One podcast is still going out? I’ve checked both iTunes and your website but unfortunately cannot find any additional episodes past podcast #10.”
Thanks for asking David. Yes, Filmmaker One is still alive, and has many more shows planned. We have been on an extended hiatus since episode 10. This is mainly due to entering the busy season for my production company. I extend my apologies and my appreciation for our listeners and subscribers who have stayed with us.
So here is the plan for the future of Filmmaker One. We have two more shows left in Season One. Episode 11 will cover The Screenplay - Act 2, and episode 12 will finish the season with Act 3. These shows will be posted the next few weeks.
In June we will start Season Two. We will retool the show with a new format, new music beds and new technology. We will be moving into new studios, which will enable us to expand the scope of the show. Bob and I will be talking to a wider variety of industry professionals.
Thanks to all for your patience and support for Filmmaker One. Please stay subscribed because “you ain’t seen nothing yet.”
Filmmaker One - episode 10
Common First-time Screenwriter Mistakes
March 16, 2008 | 2 Comments posted
In this episode, Bob Gebert and Tracy Evans set out to continue a previous conversation on components of the screenplay.
But the conversation quickly veers away from a no-doubt heady and ponderous discussion of Act Two, to a free-form exchange on flashbacks, dream sequences, orphans, script formatting and brass paper fasteners. Check back next week for the continued examination of the screenplay, with a focus on the Second Act.
Items mentioned:
- Juno
- The Screenwriters Bible
- The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers
- Prong paper fasteners, brass, 1-1/4 length
Expanded Filmmaker One Show coming soon
March 15, 2008 | Comments?
We are in the process of expanding the scope of the Filmmaker one show. In the coming weeks, and are very excited about installing new technology and moving to a new facility.
New gear will be coming on line later this month. It will enhance our ability to conduct remote interviews. We are adding a hybrid telephone system that will give us high quality sound over POTS (plain old telephone service). This will lead to expanding our guest list and covering new topics of conversation.
We will also be moving into new studios in the 2nd quarter of this year. Blueprints are being drawn up now for our expanded New Media studio. The facility will include an audio recording studio, a video stage, edit bays and more. The plans for the Filmmaker One HD video supplement show, mentioned last month, have been postponed until completion of the new facility.
We will keep you up-to-date on all this as it develops. Please visit the site for updates, and stay subscribed to the show. If you are listening to the Filmmaker One show through one of our click-to-play options, we appreciate it. But please consider subscribing to the show through iTune. It helps pump up our numbers there and that can lead to becoming a featured presentation in the store. All you have to do is click the Listen To One button at the side. If you have iTunes installed, it’s easy and free.
These guys won a prize, and so can you.
March 10, 2008 | Comments?
Have you entered our drawing yet? For the last few weeks, we have been giving away iKan Production Slates to lucky weekly winners. We have but one more left, and here is how it could be yours!
Simply sign up for our free e-newsletter and you will automatically be entered into this weeks drawing, as well as all future drawings.
Next week marks the end (or does it?) of our six-week prize series. We plan to end it with a bang; a yet-to-be-announced super secret prize. I can’t reveal it yet, but I will give you a hint. It lights up, and makes noise!
Congratulations to our previous winners:
- Clarke from NYC
- Jeff from Baltimore
- Andy from Nashville
- Luis from Sarasota
So sign up for our drawing today, and thanks for listening to the Filmmaker One show.
Filmmaker One - episode #9 -
The Screenplay - The Second 10 Pages
March 9, 2008 | Comments?
Topics aplenty on this weeks show. Bob Gebert continues his examination of the screenplay and how he approaches the second 10 pages.
Christina Mauro then joins Bob to continue their conversation on producing indie films, and procuring name talent.
I’ll talk about an upcoming digital media conference at which I will be speaking, the latest developments at Apple on digital self-distribution for indie producers, and we award another prize in our 6-week series of give-aways.
Items mentioned:
- The Wizard of Oz
- Aristotle’s Poetics for Screenwriters
- The 4th Annual New Media Expo
- Has Apple confirmed indie film self-distribution?
Has Apple confirmed indie film self-distribution?
March 8, 2008 | 2 Comments posted
The holy grail of rumor confirmation is often a company executives slip-of-the-tongue, or an inadvertent web site posting. One of our astute readers (thanks Aaron) led me to this section of the Apple website. Do these few words confirm that Apple will soon allow indie filmmakers to distribute and sell their wares on iTunes?
We have discussed the probability of indie film self-distribution through AppleTV on this blog and podcast before (see episode 6). Apple already has a program in place for indie musicians. They can simply fill out an application, submit their work for review, and upload MP3 files to the iTunes Music Store.
The program is currently for music only, which the site states several times. However, at one point the site mentions promoting “your music, TV show, or movie” right after the paragraph on submitting your content. (see image above. highlight added.)
The link in that sentence leads to the iTunes Affiliate Program, which allows anyone with a web site to post links to iTunes content, and receive a commission on a sale. For example, here’s a link to a cool Bob Dylan Album. Buy a song through this link and Apple will send me a nickel!
But the sentence uses the word “your” when referring to music and movies. Does it simply mean your favorite movie, or literally your movie. One might think the former were it not on a page all about uploading and selling your user-created content. The previous paragraph is titled “Submit your content” and this paragraph is titled “Market your content.”
Earlier this week, Apple started another program for indie devlopers to sell iPhone applications in a similar fashion, with one big difference. The developer sets the price. This is a unique option that Apple does not even offer major music publishers or film studios.
Are we soon to see a similar program for indie film producers? Even disregarding this little web clue, I think so and here is why.
But what do you think? Is this a slip up that confirms Apples future indie plans? Or is it just a oddly worded phrase into which I am reading way too much. Post your feedback in the comment section and let me know.
Ahh, the internet. There is no better place to over-analyze minutia.
Apple soon to distribute and sell indie productions.
March 7, 2008 | 2 Comments posted
A few weeks ago on the podcast, I postulated the possibility of selling your movie through Apple. I discussed the idea of low- to no-cost independent movie distribution via the iTunes Music Store, and suggested that this would happen someday soon.
Independent producers can’t currently sell movies in this way, but yesterday Apple took another step toward making this happen.
Steve Jobs and company announced that they will begin distributing and selling independently-produced applications for the iPhone in June of 2008. Anyone who can write a computer program will be able to sell it through their new App Store. It’s like the iTunes Music Sore for computer programs.
But here is how it significantly differs from the iTunes Store model, and why it is important to filmmakers. The iTunes Store only sells TV shows and movies from major film and television studios. The App Store will sell independently-produced content, at a price set by the producer. This pricing model is a first for Apple.
It will work like this. A programmer writes an app for the iPhone and submits it to Apple. Once it passes an internal review process, Apple posts it to the App Store where anyone can purchase it with a single click, right on their iPhone, iPod Touch or computer.
Although these are not movies or video, take note of the way they are approaching the business plan and compensation, because I feel quite certain that we will soon see a similar model for video and film producers.
Apple handles the hosting, bandwidth, and credit card transactions at no cost to the developer. The developer sets the price of their program, and splits the sale with Apple 70 % to the developer, 30%. to Apple. There is a one-time nominal $99 fee to join their developer program, but other than the cut of the sale, there are no other costs or charges. This is really an amazing deal for developer and programmers.
I expect to see them create a similar deal soon for video and film producers, possibly later this year.
When this happens, it will be a game changer for indie filmmakers. The concept of stocking your movie on the same “virtual shelf” beside major Hollywood releases, with no manufacturing or distribution fees is quite unprecedented. Customers will purchase, or possibly rent, your movie with the click of a button. And Apples send you checks monthly.
Never before has this type of distribution power been available to the indie filmmaker.
New Media Expo - Las Vegas
March 5, 2008 | Comments?
I am very excited to report that I have been invited to speak at the 4th Annual New Media Expo in Las Vegas. The Expo is a hands-on, learning event for independent content creators. Each year they offer a variety of “how-to” conference sessions on producing online video and audio content.
They have asked me to present a session which I proposed on producing audio podcasts. I call the workshop “Interviews - Top 10 Production Techniques”, and plan to explain and demonstrate various recording techniques and equipment setups. I am honored to be one of the 52 speakers they selected from over 700 submissions.
So if you are a filmmaker interested in exploring online media, an aspiring podcaster, or just looking for a good reason to go to Vegas, mark your calendar for August 14-16. I will have more information on the seminar and the event soon, including a link to a priority registration site for anyone interested in attending.
Tracy
Episode #8 -
The Screenplay - The First 10 Pages
March 2, 2008 | Comments?
In this continuation of last weeks discussion, screenwriter/director Bob Gebert examines the elements that go into creating the first 10 pages of a script, and how to make the audience identify with the hero and experience the movie through the characters eyes.
Actor/producer Christina Mauro joins Bob to talk about producing indie films, working with first time directors and what she looks for in a project.
And we award another prize in our 6-week series of give-aways.
Movies and books mentioned:
- The Godfather
- Bart Gavigan
- Rambo
- War of the Worlds
- A Killer Life: How an Independent Film Producer Survives Deals and Disasters in Hollywood and Beyond
Box Office Receipts 1986 - 2007
February 26, 2008 | Comments?
The New York Times online edition published an interesting interactive graph this week called The Ebb and Flow of Movies - Box Office Receipts 1986 - 2007.
The undulating area of each shape in the graph represents the weekly total domestic gross (height) and the theatrical run (width) of an individual movie. Clicking any of these fluid shapes brings up details of that movie and a link to the review. This is a fun and handy reference piece for those of us who like to “follow the money.”
Check it out at nytimes.com.
- More to come…
- Filmmaker One - episode 10 Common First-time Screenwriter Mistakes
- Expanded Filmmaker One Show coming soon
- These guys won a prize, and so can you.
- Filmmaker One - episode #9 - The Screenplay - The Second 10 Pages
- Has Apple confirmed indie film self-distribution?
- Apple soon to distribute and sell indie productions.
- New Media Expo - Las Vegas
- Episode #8 - The Screenplay - The First 10 Pages
- Box Office Receipts 1986 - 2007
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