My simple question may have NO good answers.
But it has to be asked.
I read a few good film marketing reports that showed that film having A List or even B List talent (unless it's Tom Cruise or Harrison Ford, etc) doesn't do any better than having NO name talent..
Yet marketers, distributors and even financiers mostly pan any project doesn't have known talent attached. Haven't they ever watched YouTube (the biggest audience and market in the WORLD) filled with NO name talent that are making their OWN name/brand for themselves.
So....
1: How do we break this cycle?
2: What distribution companies have wised up to this fact and WILL look at making projects from great scripts with no name talent? (since it is near IMPOSSIBLE to attach a star BEFORE getting funding and you can't attach a star unless you have funding first. Catch 22 for 99.9% of all small indy projects...
Mark
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Nowadays, people care less about names when consuming content and more about just watching good content. Rather than breaking the cycle, which is impossible - why not embrace it. It may open doors for many who would never get looked at.
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No big distribution companies care about your film.
Hollywood is all about who knows who.
The most promising avenue for No Name Film Guy could be to showcase your film in markets or big film festivals. These platforms provide exposure and attract industry professionals who could be potential distributors. This strategy can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed and securing a distribution deal.
Monkey Man, a big name, struggled to get distribution, so the producer approached Jordan Peele.
He got them into Universal for theatrical distribution around the Globe, and in return, he got 14% royalty and title credit as a producer without investing a penny.
You can follow in the same footsteps if your movies are too good.
Good luck.
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Alan and Stephen,
Thank you for the feedback.
But i guess i should have "clarified" my post.
I am in the same dead-end chaos-loop scenario that 99% of all independent producers are in.
Basically....
No Star attached = No Funding or Distribution to MAKE the movie in the first place.
No Distribution=No Funding to PAY a star to get attached = NO funding to make the film in the first place.
Etc, etc.etc...
There are a BILLION great scripts out there.
But a killer script = toilet paper if you have ZERO connection or funding in the current model.
So my question is....
Are there ANY well funded independent studios that DARE make a medium budget (ie 2-4 million) feature with NO star attached IF the script/story is good enough.
And if so...
How do you get an introduction if they too have layers and layers of gatekeepers.
That is basically what i am asking.
(And probably what EVERY screen writer is asking here in one way or another)
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Mark DePonte I understand your predicament. My thoughts, even if you had a 'name' you won't make your budget back, so there is no point in going down that path. The little guy cannot compete with studio level productions. Aim to make someone on a smaller, more attainable scale and don't worry about name talent. Films can be made for next to nothing today. Just got to get creative. Even self-financing micro-budget film vs asking people to fund a project when there is virtually no chance they'll make their money back is the way to go.
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Scriptwriter is a bad word in Hollywood unless you know a director.
I have read many scripts for production companies and famous online script companies.
Many are rubbish, but few are good. However, the production company chose a scriptwriter known to them and lost a few million.
So, a marketing script is vital.