IFP Narrative Feature Lab Blog Post
Check out the link
independentfilmmakerproject.blogspot.com
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KINYARWANDA selected for 2010 IFP Narrative Lab
We are honored to be one of the 10 films selected each year to participate. Read More…
http://www.ifp.org/ifp-announces-narrative-line-up-for-its-6th-annual-independent-filmmaker-labs/
We are truly in good company. Please look out for the other films and filmmakers in the program.
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Something about JUST WRIGHT is JUST WRONG! by Deatra L. Harris
In 2006, I attended the Filmmaker Workshop at American Black Film Festival (ABFF) sponsored by Fox Searchlight. They had a “Pitch Contest” with Zola Mashariki (Executive from Fox Searchlight) and Deborah Martin Chase (Producer) as judges. I pitched my feature film idea and won the contest. Fast forward four years later and now they have “Just Wright” a story so closely similar to my story, I must admit, it made me cringe when I first heard about it. Well okay, I was pissed. Many people who took the workshop with me that year called me after seeing the trailer and finding out who was involved with the film – the same two people I pitched my idea to. They said they knew that was the story I pitched at the workshop. The story I pitched was about a super star athlete ready to settle down but was tired of dating groupies, etc. His teammate met his wife on the Internet so he decided to give it a try. He met and fell in love with girl online who turned out to be his good friend who doesn’t fit the typical look of a ball player’s girlfriend. All of those elements are present in Just Wright except for them meeting on the Internet. Yes, I did pay $10 to see the movie but I won’t comment on the movie itself. I respect the filmmakers and actors for making the film because making any film is a huge and difficult endeavor. I want to stay focused here because the point of this isn’t to critic their work.
I struggled with whether I should vent about this and believe me it was a struggle. I didn’t want to say anything because I didn’t want people to think I was talking badly about another filmmaker and I didn’t want it to appear I wanted the film to fail. I also didn’t want to burn any bridges so to speak. But, after praying about it and thinking more broadly about the circumstance, I think it’s time to say something. Is there a lesson here that more people can benefit from? I think so.
After reflecting back on this, I look back on what I could have done differently. As artists, we naturally want to share our work. If we could scream it from the rooftops we would because we believe our ideas are just that brilliant. So is the lesson to be more protective of our work? How? How do we do that and get financing and distribution? We have to talk about our ideas. This type of thing happens all the time in Hollywood but does it make it right? As writers, we invest a lot of time in developing our stories so much so they truly become precious to us. We sacrifice time with family and loved ones to sit and write so it’s personal. The arrogance and audacity of someone to take it from us is beyond measure.
So what is the lesson? After talking to Alrick, I realized the lesson here is Hollywood steals! That’s it. It sucks, yes but it happens everyday. Look at the lawsuit over the Matrix. They steal and they make millions upon billions of dollars for doing it. My natural reaction is to protect my ideas like I protect my purse. I work hard for every dime in my purse and I work hard for every word, every letter in any idea that I have. I just don’t know how to do that and move my projects forward. I guess in Hollywood it’s a compliment if your idea is stolen, so on that note, thank you Zola and Deborah. I’m flattered.alrick’s advice:
1. “If they want to steal it they will and they have the lawyers to back them up.” Producer Bob Nixon told us this my 1st year of film school during my 1st day in producing class.2. Pitch things that people want to steal. Consider it flattery if they do.
3. WGA and/or Copyright registration. It gives some protection but remember point #1.
4. This is how you begin to weed out those with integrity and those without. It’s a BRONX TALE lesson. For the price of a script you know 2 more people in Hollywood you may not want to work with. Tall price, yes.
5. They will argue that ideas are fair game (even in a public pitch session) so that’s when it becomes a question of wright vs. wrong. You must seek out people, collaborators, producers, and companies with integrity. I didn’t say they are easy to find but they are out there. Right?
6. Festivals and contests should put more precautions in place for this type of intellectual prop theft.  They should look out for filmmakers more in general. Festivals are built on the backs of the thousands who come with a dream not the few who come to sell a film, but that’s another story.
7. Have a lawyer in your camp. Spike Lee married one. Smart man.
8. And FINALLY: “If they want to steal it they will and they have the lawyers to back them up.” It’s Hollywood and Hollywood steals…Just knowing the rules of the game make you a better competitor.
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Haile Garima speaks on NPR…
For filmmakers who think its all better now…LISTEN.
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Ted Hope: 38 ways the film industry is failing
There must be a revolution in film and it might start with the following points posed by Ted Hope who helped us out on Kinyarwanda. Check out the link:
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Lower your budgets! Strengthen your Scripts!
We have to keep our budgets lower and make our products, stories better. Check out link.
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NEW logo for our production company is up. Full site will be up soon. Let us know what you think…
Check it out:Â Â www.visigothpictures.com
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“Kinyarwanda” Post-Production Update
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We shipped a Rough Cut of the film to Rwanda this week.  Ishmael (Executive Producer) is organizing a very private screening with Rwandan officials and the EC.  Thanks everyone for helping us make this deadline.
TUNE IN!!!
Check out the Double Down Film Show. Â Guess who is going to be on it? Â Â More info here.
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I will be on Double Down Film Show Episode 46: Indie Directors Share the Wealth
Pete says, “Tune in tomorrow night for the Double Down Film Show’s double header with writer/directors Hue Rhodes and Alrick Brown. They’re making moves in the industry and have great features for you to check out. Learn how they did it! 9pm EST Wed 4/21.
~ Pete”.
Event: Double Down Film Show Episode 46: Indie Directors Share the Wealth
What: Class
Start Time: Tomorrow, April 21 at 9:00pm
End Time: Tomorrow, April 21 at 10:00pm
Where: www.blogtalkradio.com/doubledownfilmshowTo see more details and RSVP, click here.
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