Ok, I have to brag a little. If you've followed any of my posts at all, you know that I haven't been doing this for very long. Only about five years in Acting/Producing and about two in Writing and Directing. So I'm still to the stage where there are still new things happening for me.
The first time I got a SAG commercial was pretty cool. The first time I got a part based on who I knew was thrilling. The first time I got to call "Action" as a Director on something that I wrote was amazing (even if the film wasn't! Lol!).
And so now, I have another first. I got to go to Cannes this past May (also a first in and of itself) based on the fact that my first feature film "Turbo Cola", my short film "Calls", and the script for my new short passion project "Stories" all got into this guy's film festival (Darwin Reina at The North Film Festival) year after year.
So, I went there with a plan. I went there with three completed films. The two feature films I was a Producer on, "Turbo Cola" and "18 1/2" and a film that a friend of mine did, also here in Central PA, called "Transient", a nice little Sci Fi Thriller. All three had received North American Distribution but I wanted to see if I could get Worldwide distribution as well.
I talked to everyone I could. Everyone who would take an appointment with me. For a lot of people, it was fun and glamor and walking the red carpets but for me, it was a work week. And as of Friday, I am happy to announce that I was able to get a deal for my friend's movie "Transient".
I'm still new to the game and still enjoying all of the "firsts" that come with it. I'd love to hear about some of your favorite firsts! Leave 'em in the comments!
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Congratulations on getting a deal for Transient and all your success, Brandon Keeton! Congratulations to your friend!
What stood out about your post is "I went there with a plan."
One of my favorite firsts is when I signed a shopping agreement for my Horror Comedy game show. I met the producer during Stage 32’s Introduce Yourself Weekend.
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Maurice Vaughan Sweet! I KNEW those Introduce Yourself weekends paid off! Lol! And yes, go there with a plan and at the same time, be adaptable. Honestly, people were more willing to talk to me about the movies I came there with that were completed than what the next thing I was going to do was. Everyone seems to want to jump on board when the thing's finished. Nature of the beast I guess.
Although the plan was in place for pretty much every day I was there, thanks to my wife, I did shift a few things. For instance, I am NOT a party person. I have never been one and will never be one. I got an invite to a "ticket only" invite kind of party and was going to give it to someone else that we were with. I didn't really want to go but I went anyway because the wife was insisting. And lo and behold, I got to hang out with one of the stars of her favorite show, Outlander, Graham McTavish, who could not have been a more down to earth guy and made me even more of a fan. It never would have happened if I had said no.
So yes, go there with a plan (preferably a film you have already completed) but be available to change plans if your wife has an inclination that you should be there! Lol!
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Big success! Congrats!
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Yeah, Introduce Yourself Weekend definitely pays off, Brandon Keeton. I've built a LOT of relationships during IYW, and it's a great time to catch up with friends.
Be adaptable is great advice! I go into every script, job, etc. with that in mind.
That's cool that you got to hang out with Graham McTavish. He was great in Rambo. I need to check out Outlander.
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Love this post, Brandon Keeton!