Producing : Looking for Producers by Rohit Kumar

Visit my project page to learn about my projects and what role would you like to play. My plan is to work with my producers to fund my projects in collaborative fashion using my Funding for Internship and Scholarship Programs ebook. Also see article that was posted about obtaining a producer in Stage 32's archive.

Damian Lloyd that wouldn't be my approach for sure. That seems like more exploiting a producer rather then collaboration. I am currently looking for producer who can really trust me with my first attempt to make my first short film and back me up so that we both can find that rapport on work in a such a way that, the feature film I have in mind, we will come out with clear stronger trust built in. I want to send my short film to the festivals which also in the lines of feature film on the same stream, so is why trying to see like minded people who can be you know cofounders. Because I am looking for long term collaboration and build a studio together.

Tasha Lewis 2 Surely will check. Thanks for tip

Thank you in advance Rohit. I appreciate your taking the time out of your busy schedule to review. I welcome your comments and suggestions. Stage 32 offers an array of top notch individuals in their oral and written pitch opportunities. You may also want to try App.Pitchinvestorslive.com .

What specific tasks are you asking a producer to do? If you want to make your first short film, just make it. You don't need a "producer" to do that. Looking for co-founders for a studio - find others who have the same passion and goals. Don't get stuck on a job title.

John Ellis This is my current scenario https://www.stage32.com/lounge/promotion/New-film-maker-here-and-need-al...

I have a small team who are willing to help me shoot short film. I have been part of Ads, short film making before. Now I have a broken laptop, a website I'm working on to build for films I'm going to make, documentary, feature so on. And I need to raise funds for my first short film as well as feature film. So I need a producers to be part of our team who can may be help raise funds or bring investors and be part of this idea i'm working on just like your Ellis Entertainment Media. And I want to send my films to international film festivals. In India people just don't work for free, so I can't simply call up my team to shoot a film just because I want to or I convince them to do so. Work culture is completely different here. And I don't have funds right now with me to do as many here already recommended to "Just shoot" or "Take loan" or as such.

So. 1. I got to find a producer or a corporate team who can help me out to make my first short film to really show what I am really capable off. And I'm 100% sure I make a decent film.

2. If I'm able to atleast make one or two film then yes I can draw crowdfunding or seek more bigger help based on what we done in the past.

That's the whole situation I'm in now. I just put up everything what I have in right now. Hope you understood my situation now. Kindly read the above link too

Thank you for your honesty about your goals and current situation! In the Stage 32 articles today on fundraising and financing, an overview of the processes. Additionally, you can use the following Pitchinvestorslive.com, grantspace.org, filmdaily.tv, documentary.org and hollywoodreporter.com (Source Funding for Internship and Scholarship Programs by Tasha Lewis). If you would like to be one of my book reviewers, I will donate a copy to your cause.

Rohit, Damian's post warns against looking for "I just want a Producer who will raise all the money and handle all the business so I can concentrate on my Art," - and your first says that would not be your approach. Yet in your subsequent post, that's exactly the strategy you detail. To repeat, it is doomed to fail.

Prove what you can do via short films with the team you have and you will attract the producers. It will be more difficult and take longer, but this strategy is more likely to succeed than hunting unicorns.

I’m looking for a producer - I have three screenplays ready to be made into feature films. Usually I write them a short note and mention this and ask may I send them the loglines. Some producers have gone as far as reading a script and nothing planned out. Right now I’m expecting to hear back from one producer and have just sent the loglines off to another. Good luck with your work!

John Ellis What many people don't understand is this,

1. There are two streams of business, be it to run a studio or software or build any product of any kind. A ) Verticals and B) Horizontals.

A) Verticals , are those people who are Producers, Directors, Co-founders, CFO, CEOs, CMOs, Sales persons, distributors. Now they can raise fund or bring in investors or corporate ties up or team who deal with crowdfunding, marketing, sales of the collateral etc. Now there are people are eligible to do this role and eagerly looking for those roles.. I have done this role.

B) Horizontals are like Artists, Creative Head, Software Engineers, Graphic Designers, Project Lead, even Operations, Actors, Writers, Cinematographer, DOP, Technicians and so on.

Every industry works in this model. You take films or software or any art or event. It just works like this. It's not failure as Damian is talking about. He is only talking a part of it and you kind of stuck to that.

I am someone who worked on both streamline of the business. I have been a Cofounder, Growth Hacker, Strategist as well Creative Head , Project Manager in different industry as well as art studio too.

So technically speaking I'm doing both , writing my stories, story board, finding how to raise fund, crowdfunding as well as making team , finding actors everything. The one I'm talking about as a cofounder. There are specific people who are skilled in those and they actually understand what I'm doing and know what's the value proposition I'm going to have with my work as how to make it more profitable.

So as a Director to be I know what they actually are going to bring to the table. as well they would be understanding my approach if I find such and discuss.

But someone like an Actor or say Operations team or DOP, or others will not be able to understand why a director is looking for Producer or his/her approach to look for crowdfunding as such. Infact of the art business dont' even work this way and feel it's a failure because their approach is always inorganic. Each person got their own KRAs and Producers got their own list of to do's which they are good at and which others can't do it. Like a Producer if knew everything, he/she himself can do his own films rather than invest in anyone's else for that matter.

So when I meet someone as such, and have discussion with me on those lines, they will clearly understand what I'm looking for and know I'm no fooling around in the process of film making I'm talking because they have done that before with each and every industry. Most people unfortunately don't even do anything in these lines what I have noticed, so they assume it's hard way to do that and will fail. That's all. But I'm optimistic because it's a structure every industry's core how it works knowingly or unknowingly. They just don't name it that's all.

So those who don't know the process, obviously will fail. I'm not someone who haven't done this, or worked on this. So if I'm talking to producers they know they are talking to someone who isn't just naive about the money matters and their investment will go to the drain as such. They will know what's my goals are, what I'm doing with the website as well as my creative mind heart to work on films. So failure is for those who act to know,but don't know much. But not to those who are working on it since years and know the drill.

Do producers realize that the screenwriter has devoted countless hours to produce a screenplay. Is it now the producers are demanding that the screenwriters come up with the money to produce the movie? Screenwriters do their share. They write the friggin' movie. Everything is based on that script. If the producers are happy with the screenplay, then find the funds, people, etc... so they can make money on what the screenwriter created. That's the way it seems to me that the whole process of making movies should be done.

Claude Gagne I agree on your thoughts. Even I have debated on these lines since long time. But unfortunately industry never worked in this approach. That's the harsh truth. I often put forth my artists or geeks who bring the creative mind as the "Verticals" of the industry but what I have seen and learned is that, most of the existing "Money" holding biggies /corporates always want to keep the value of any creative form on the tap. Because for them, it's like our work is trivial. So is why you see many keep saying "Ideas are trivial, anyone can come up with idea, but if you do bring out the idea than it's a value".

Now if we think of it, each writer, artist bring out ideas itself. They have the creative mind to develop things. But for producers or those stream of people, for them it's trivial. All that working in producers mind is, "If I'm going to invest for this, and bring in say distributors and so forth, how much profit I can make. "

So is why formulaic movies came in,because Producers see if it's following same age old lines and not doing too many things and ruin his/her basic profit making potential by too risky approach of a creator's script/story, they never fund then

For the artist /writer/any form who create brilliant piece of work, the response of the audience is only after the release. And for artist we always live to believe that "MY work is best and obviously many will show up and pay to watch". But this happens rarely.

So is why there is so illegal way to produce movies in many countries, in which big politicians or underworld involve to fund to transform their blackmoney to the circulation's money. Because this risk not everyone can take.

But there are so less producers in the market who truly understand the brilliance of say director/writer. So is why there are so many writers/ directors in here looking for producers, and real good producers not easy to get , because they all already hooked to few film makers, and finding new film makers who truly bring in some new ideas, possible profit is like finding needle in a haystack. So is why they become so hard to approach or reach.

Claude Gagne When I used to work with startups right. It was kind of similar too. When I used to design any product for my company back then. I used to meet so many software geeks who are working on many products. And if you talk to each of them, everyone will say, "Our product is unique, best and it's going to make huge profit and will be sold like hot cakes". Even say some built the product, few run for few months, but many like 98% fail in startups and not able to understand what they have done mistake. Now even in those 2% who get funded by any investor, they too will be reeling to see how to make profit. And out of that 1% reach the stage of unicorn.

Writers , these geeks , novelists, artists are just alike. And these investors, producers too are as such too. Our writer's/artist's brain is different to analyze things than Investor's/ Producer's Mindset. There is a concept called Diffusion of Innovation. So for Investor or producers, they see a pattern of model or films or product lines which they judge who much if they are going to invest for so and so idea driven novel/prototype/film, and how much they can get profit out of it. Their way to look at things are completely different than writers.

Now whenever I used to meet other startups and listen to their ideas or prototype they are building isn't, I kind of have this gutfeeling or sense of understanding that whether this product these brilliant people working on, is going to work or not, and will the investors going to fund them or not. And when I say this straight to their face, many would get angry and pissed, because they feel "How can they disapprove this idea/prototype I made. What do he/she producer/investor knows. I worked so hard on this". But thing is, producers kind of are intermediaries for audience and lifeline understand of a product/novel/film's weight-age. So they kind of have that mental conditioning to decipher or know what works or what doesn't work and when to make certain product/film as such. It's very hard for them to explain how it works in their mind.

For example, I predicted "Parasite" movie is going to win Oscars. Many disapproved my predication . Same way I predicted "Green Book" is going to win Oscars too and it did, even though my personal favorite films in both the times was different, but I know, somehow understood what's going to work and which movie is going to win Oscars or say Cannes. It's a kind unknown understanding which even producers , jury have. Directors/writers have a different strong visualization imaginary mind which surely will work but may not be at that time line. So is the reason, like American films follow mostly formulaic and even french revolution came in or many film makers from around the world is brought in to make new films which are unique and they kind of understand if it's going to win them their returns. There is a book, which right now I can't remember, in which they talk about how engineers or artists think and work, how a CEO, Director thinks, how a producer/investor thinks. So it's kind of that.

Just like when some of us when we are writing any novel, we think of archetypes. It's is similar. Archetype of Producer is different than the writer/director.

So, if this is the case, why do we write screenplays? Maybe, I should just write as a hobby, register it with WGA and not hope, just fantasize of maybe someday relishing caviar dreams and champagne something!

Claude Gagne It's because psychology of a creative brain is different from psychology of a mathematical or say money making brain. For example, biologically speaking our left brain actually works on calculations, mathematics, analytics, metrics so on. It's a logical part of our brain which works differently. While our right brain works on a creative aspect like painting, photography, novel writing etc. Both is required for humans to survive, it's biological we can't do much on this.

But each brain's usage depends on what an individual person is good at, get skilled and will often always will feel, their work is and should be the highest valued. It has always been like that while we are just fiddling with different brain thinking people without actually seeing their skills as a boon too.

For example, Doctors, Engineers, Big corporates their left brain is sharper and in current situation doctors will be trying to find a cure, Engineers are thinking how to make a drug faster to reach many people and Corporates to see it comes to less cost and reaches all. So their thinking pattern is coming from left brain and it's totally different. But as artists, their right brain won't help to find the cure for this virus situation we have. We on the other hand can design say cities, countries to be better way deal the situation. We can share the content of how to safe guard more people with right meaningful information. So on. Both are equally important and it's how life is.

If you want to test this out practically. I'm sure you have a bicycle. Ride this with your left hand on right handle bar, and right hand on left handle bar, like crisscross. And see if you can peddle and balance the cycle. You will get it's hard to do so. Reason is, your right brain is trying to understand how to balance it out, but your left brain which is used to the mechanism of balancing instantly gets a jolt of change of pattern of thinking.

So coming to answer your question. We writers, Artists, Directors ought to keep writing and find a good producer or someone who understand and value our work and you see that's what I'm and many are doing too.. What we can do is hope that we meet the right person and not someone who just exploits our work.

Thanks for that ... You sure have a way of explaining that to me and whoever wants to get in on it. Funny, how you mention your left brain does the mechanical stuff, whatever a person does in calculations and stuff like architects, electricians, plumbers, welders, etc... Welders!!!! I was a welder for almost 30 years. What will explain my right brain clicking on after my left brain work? Would retirement have something to do with it? Are you sure, you're not in the wrong profession? LOL

Depends on the script, the locations, budget range. I want to look for someone that's suited to what I'm doing and has experience with that kind of film, budget and has worked with cast and directors that I admire and perhaps want to reach out to. So my comps and the credit list on my comparable films would point me in the right direction.

I look at those and make a list of people I'd want to hit up once I raised the money. From there I'd have my attorney reach out with a one sheet or script and see if any of those producers are interested and available when we want to film.

Even when I was young I used to paint, draw, infact I won 3D drawing competition on national level that too during school days which happened for highschoolers. So I used to love drawing painting too. So I'm kind of creative person as well. But you see I studied engineering, biology and even been in mechanical engineer lab, done welding too. And my welding skills were far better than many of my friends there, even was better than Mechanical engineers back then. Not self boasting but it's just I was good at it, and all kind of art forms that's all. Some or good in other things.

I used to be voracious reader so read about science, psychology, novels whatever I get my hands on back then. Now pretty less time to read,but the left and right brain concept I read long time ago. I think there is a guy called "Harry Lorayne" who explained that in his book. Many scientists have proved that as well. Infact that bicycle trick I once tried it on my friend while coming back from college. One of my friend tried to disagree with my understanding and tried to argue up on while riding our bicycle, egoistically. We all fell together because of him unable to balance his handle. It was funny fall and it's good example to explain others. So thought to share with you. Welding skills is an artistic work(right brain), but after you learn it it becomes part of muscle memory because of your left brain.

Many people chose many different profession.Hobby , passion are though different for so many. So is why Im back to my artistic side and do know how to do this :-D

M L. That's a real good insight of your approach. I am keeping my first film on extreme low budget like one room shoot and may be 1 or 2 characters. But I need to raise money for a good camera and few more for in case good actors to be paid. Somewhere around $200 is my understanding in worse case scenario. So later on might shoot up from $1000 to more. But over all bringing in producers is so tough as I understand now. Kudos to you though

Damian Lloyd I think you often went divergent on views to make a point leading to logical fallacy.

It's like someone asks, "What's your name", and the person replies, "If you know your name, than you will know mine". It's funny and getting tangled to one's own logic.

My post is "Looking for Producers" and my question is : "How many here are looking for producers? And what's your approach and response so far?"

So I am saying I'm basically looking for producers, and I wanted to know how many here are looking for producers and what has been their approach and response they got so far.

It's just that simple.

Now what's happening is that you're rebounding the question back to the questionnaire itself and being divergent on view points, which kind of doesn't make any sense to me.

Now I clearly mentioned about the situation of mine.

1) I'm looking for a producer, and when I say producer, it falls under the verticals where both "Crowdfunding" as well as "Investment" exists. A Producer can help to bring investment by any means or he/she can invest or even help with bringing a strategy for crowdfunding. Now both are different terms and actions which Producers perform. And when someone says I am looking for producer, they mean either of it or both Now I have my own reasons for looking for producers who can bring crowdfunding or even well connected to bring investment.

2) Now each producers have many different reasons to invest in a person's film, skill or anything. It's the producer's reasons which should interconnect with a writer/director's vision. So, when I talk to producer I will share them the story/concept/team's potential my vision for the studio and explain why they should either invest or help with any kind of crowdfunding campaign.

Now when you are saying why should anyone fund or any thing on these lines it's the producer who should be having that question and I can share the answers based on what they are looking for too. Why where is the confusion here? Now when I'm making say crowdfunding campaign too, like Beth shared an article there are many different strategies which people use to raise funds which includes different reasons too.

What basically I'm looking for are people who are always in similar situation and what have been their experience, how did they approach and response they got so far. It's that simple. So don't get confused by getting divergent and later get tangled on one's own personal viewpoints.

Damian Lloyd I'm here to "discuss" about producing my film, not debate with a preconceived notions that this is the only way how it works and push people into one's own logical fallacy and when I point it out i get a response that, "You don't know what logical fallacy is".. I'm asking for insights as a film making and producing, not debate where there is no information share from the other end. . So technically it seems to me you are not here to contribute or share any info but just want to debate with people to feel whatever you know is the right approach of film making. And I'm sorry I don't think anyone would be interested for such kind of debates here. But it's a discussion forum and there is difference between debate and discussion. I prefer discussing rather than other and I notice you are more interested to debate which isn't helping me in anyway. So I will end my argument on that.

Damian Lloyd Everyone are different I feel . Are you really ok Damian. Because I feel you are more looking for people to talk rather than discuss on something important stuff related to their work. Because there are different social media platforms for any casual debates like facebook, reddit, 7cups and others. Do check a platform called 7cups. One can pick topics there and talk to a person live chat. Just a suggestion. It's a good platform for those kind of debates there. Because what I have noticed so far from you is that, you constantly get distracted, deflect a topic discussion and keep circling around something which isn't there in the discussion at first place. And if you notice, not a single time you shared anything important thought provoking information to me in here or other debates, but mostly pushed people away like you did to Dan MaxXx on few occasions . If you share information or any knowledge than surely one can discuss. A vague argument or input doesn't lead to any sort of thoughtful conversation to my understanding. Do check 7cups, its' great platform actually. Best of luck for your endeavors.

Rohit, you'll find many people like Damian Lloyd online. You do not have to respond to them. And although his name calling can quickly be interpreted as something offensive, in this field, it's a compliment. I think what he was trying to say is that you may find more success producing something on your own. I'll attest to that, having EP'd, written, produced and directed my first feature. I'll add that as a producer, it's easier to invest six figures in a feature that can be sold (internationally even) than five figures in a short. So, unless you're doing what I did and disguising your shorts as music videos (and selling those to artists), it may take a while to get someone interested in putting money up. It doesn't mean it is impossible though. If your approach and pitch are unique (or strange as D. Lloyd may say) enough, I'm sure you can find someone interested. If, however, you start to feel like it's taking too long, invest in an old iphone, download some free editing software, find some friends and make it happen! Good luck with your endeavors.

Jae Sinclair Thanks for the tip. I have clear cut goals of what I have to do and why, and I like to discuss things with brilliant people here who got clarity in things and willing to share, help each other out rather than beat around bushes on vague word salad making people have a delusional idea of concepts. I'm fine with Damian or anyone here. Thanks for tip. But I got series of work for what I'm going after. So sometimes distraction like this is also good . lol

Lauran Childs If you really want to get your name on the board, it may be best to find some students or new companies looking to make stuff for next to nothing and offer them a short that can be made for pennies.

Okay, you won't get paid, but you'll get a credit - something to work from - and you'll make connections.

Normally, it's the connections that pay the dividends.

In Russia, even if you find producers, they may forbid you to go on rent, my film Prazdnik was blocked twice on YouTube. So it’s not only a problem in money))

Aleksey Krasovskiy You can try to upload on Vimeo for a prize in that case. Vimeo is far better platform for movie uploading I feel. Youtube got it's own sort of rules I guess.