any aspiring filmmakers?

[Mofo Rising]

JD-Cashflow wrote:
>
> If I was to make movies, how could I begin to get
> sponsors for $$$ and other necessities?

You could always take the AMERICAN MOVIE approach and sponge off a rich crazy relative.  That'll get you a movie AND a cameo in a Jet Li movie, not to mention a ready-to-go voice actor for your film.

Seriously, if you want to get money, find anybody with a lot to spare and sell 'em, sell 'em, sell 'em on your movie.  If you have samples ready to show, show 'em.  People want to know that they will make their money back, that's the main thing.  It may be a low-budget horror movie, but if you can convince them you have the goods to make it in the video market, they may very well give you the money.  And don't be afraid to get money from people who can only give a couple of hundred, you can thank them in the credits and they'll be part of "the movies".  Also, you probably won't get big corporate sponsors, but check local businesses.  They may have some bucks to spend on "advertising".  In short, become a prostitute to anybody with money.  Nobody's going to just give you all the money you need to shoot a film.  You must become the master of guerilla filmmaking and fundraising.  And don't expect to have a life.

Find actors to work for scale.  Better find no-name actors to work for nothing.  Sell them on the "love of film" angle.  Be an utter ruthless bastard, but make everybody happy.  Don't be afraid to be an a***ole, but for God's sake don't alienate the investors.  Play them all for chumps and get the movie you want made.  It ain't pretty, but there it is.

Or you could take THE PRODUCERS route and get investors for a film you will know will fail and then rake in the dough.  Of course, that could backfire.

[mugwump]

i'm not an expert on this topic, but recently film festivals seem to be the easiest way to get your foot in the door. if some producer likes your movie at say, Sundance, he might write you a check the same night it's screened. Steven Soderbergh said success is "Talent+Perseverence=Luck."

[Scott]

I loved Mofo's post, phew..... I also seen AMERICAN MOVIE and I loved it. So for me I've read Roger Cormans autobiography, watched THE PRODUCERS, AMERICAN MOVIE,  ED WOOD and two or three documentaries on Ed Wood.

Everyone know they want their B-Movie TV. A 24 hour B-Movie Channel would be great. The channel would somehow get the rights to all films ever made. Now, how would this be done?