SeeingEyeBlog

I am hoping this scenario never plays out again. I’ve been working for over six months doing pre-pre-production for an indie feature. The script had buzz, there were some impressive names interested, and there was 7-figures worth of dollars pledged to us–but not released. Our team consisted of a writer/director, myself the DP, a production designer, two producers and a line producer. We were very much ahead of the game, and by the time we got into regular prep, we had a lot of the logistical detail worked out. Storyboards, locations, floor plans for set builds, bids from contractors for visual effects and post/finishing. But then we realized our financing fell through because the financier was apparently running a scam.

When I joined the project, it was a sub-million dollar labor of love. I watched with excitement as the project expanded, the budget growing to just under the limit for SAG low budget. It seemed like we were getting everything we wanted, and everything was going smoothly. It was going to be done right. Just when it started feeling like it was dragging, we got what appeared to be a green light, with the stipulation that the money wasn’t quite in the account yet, but it was in transit and would be there “next Tuesday.” But three weeks later, no money. Now it’s time for plan B, which is start over on the financing end.

It’s just a little annoying to be attached to a project for so long with the promise that all your days of prep will be rewarded because the money is “almost there,” only to face the reality that you just worked 6 months for free, AND the movie may not be made at all. The good news is, I’ve been writing my own screenplays. Maybe I can attract a scam artist too.