Filmmaking / Directing : Why most films fail to get made by Vasco Phillip de Sousa

Vasco Phillip de Sousa

Why most films fail to get made

You know why most films fail to get made? because filmmakers are too busy writing blogs and commenting on social media and doing other pointless things.

I post a job, and get hardly any responses. I get more responses for my opinions.

Development involves script breakdowns, finding people who might work on your movies, creating a preliminary budget... success advice and body language nonsense rarely helps.

Doug Nelson

"Why most films fail to get made"; simple - the story/script is no da*m good.

Tony S.

Offering any money for the advertised jobs? Money is honey.

David E. Gates

"You know why most films fail to get made? because filmmakers are too busy writing blogs and commenting on social media and doing other pointless things."

Ahem. Pot. Kettle. Black. ;-)

Vasco Phillip de Sousa

I deleted / logged out of my social media accounts for a couple years, and got more work done.

As for the jobs, yes, paid work. That said, above the line often gets together and lets their agents negotiate the prices.

I've tried to offer people opportunities, paid work, and given up on some of them. But, these same people are great at social media.

Another thing I noticed is that when I apply to work, producers don't always get back to me anymore. The more interesting their blog, the less likely they are to respond.

Vasco Phillip de Sousa

As for the story being no good, well, I've seen a lot of great unproduced scripts in my day, and a lot of stinker scripts produced. There are over 3000 unproduced spec scripts by WGA members, not to mention all the scripts by undiscovered writers, scripts that have been options but don't get produced, and scripts that never get written in the first place.

What makes a great story anyway? I might not like a story, but it might be your favourite. How many times has a friend recommended a book/play/film that you found boring?

Tony S.

Once. I killed them after watching the boring movie they recommended. :)

Chad Stroman

Tony S. I think that's the premise for John Wick Chapter 3.

Tony S.

Maybe Chad Stroman Say Wick is in "John Wick III," and a friend recommends, in the film, they go to see "John Wick III." They step out of the frame, sit in the theater watching themselves watching "Wick III," and bored-to-death Wick garrots the friend in the theater. A mashup of "The Purple Rose of Cairo" and Wicks I - III.

Damn, Chad. That writes itself!

Vasco Phillip de Sousa

If everyone had the same tastes, the world would be incredibly boring. Like a bunch of middle aged yuppies.

Chad Stroman

Tony S. I was thinking more of John Wick is sitting in the theater and some bad guys make him spill his box of Milk Duds. The sound of them rolling down the theater incline, bouncing off chair legs, etc. is the backdrop for Wick just staring straight in the face of the bad guy whose chuckle fades to a smile, then fades further to a sneer.

JOHN WICK

You owe me a box of Milk Duds.

Oh shi....

You're right. It does write itself.

Tony S.

LOL We should collaborate. Will work for Milk Duds.

Chad Stroman

That line would become the new teen catchphrase (replacing "I drink your milkshake") heard all throughout high school lunchrooms and places anytime someone spills anything. Over time it would become shortened so that anytime someone drops/spills something, someone would just say, "Milk Duds" (kinda like "Bless you." when you sneeze).

Ryan McCoy

Tony...Chad...I’d watch it!

Tony S.

Talking to each other? Lunchrooms are silent save the CLICK-CLICK of student smartphones as they text those sitting right next to them. But Apple will create a Milk Dud emoji for a new IOS release.

Thanks, Ryan. But do you have any money to invest?

Ryan McCoy

Tony S., to answer your question, yes. I have the ability to make anything happen if I believe in it. Good enough of an answer?

Tony S.

Sure. It was a joke though, as I assume was your promise to watch.

Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg

Yup.... job postings on stage32 get few replies in my experience... on the other hand, most of the ones I see are "for the love" projects or other non-professional situations...

Ryan McCoy

Tony...missed that one. :)

Harley McKabe

I managed to overstaff a crew for a non-paid short film not meant to be submitted to film festivals through a single ad on the gigs section of Craigslist. Stage 32 is more of a writing website, as evidenced by most of the classes and paid services targeting screenscribes. Facebook is even a better option for finding crew than Stage 32, at least in my experience.

If someone has money for their crew, they won't need a networking website like Stage32. Beginners, hobbyists and amateurs use this website to find a way in. Therefore more of the job postings will be unfinanced .

Vasco Phillip de Sousa

Dan MaxXx I had some straight to video, no theatrical.

If anyone wants to really speak, communicate to me personally, or apply for a job. I don't really have much time for forums.

Doug Nelson

So the answer to Dan M's question is; nowhere.

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