Post: #101

(06-22-2013 09:41 AM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  @teedub I read that you screenwrite too. Maybe we can help each other out. I can send you a copy of the script once I copyright it.

I've had stuff go several stages into consideration with the BBC before, so I'm getting there! I'd love to have a look at your work, PM me when you want my email address and so on.

I use Celtx for writing, it's free and perfectly capable. However, I am aware Final Draft is the industry standard, so I may look into it.

Post: #102

(06-22-2013 10:51 AM)Technics Wrote:  Where are you living in LA now Neil?

I'm in Brooklyn, New York at the moment. will move to LA on Tuesday where I will stay in Hollywood at first.

Post: #103

(06-22-2013 11:04 AM)Don Juan Tenorio Wrote:  Break a leg man. Have you thought self-making the movie? Otherwise you'll have to face all the censorship, pc and lost of creative control of your movie under the dictate of those who pay for it.

Maybe crowdfunding, something like they did in this movie:

http://en.cosmonautexperience.com/

You need a studio to make a movie so much as you need a publishing house to distribute a book nowadays.

Can't go low budget with a movie like this.

If the script gets bought and made (that's not always a given) then yes, a lot will probably change from the original spec script. Can go both ways though. Either improvement of changes for the negative.

Post: #104

Neil, your in Brooklyn?? How are you liking my hometown??

Hit up the mermaid parade today at coney island...

Post: #105

(06-22-2013 11:07 AM)wrangler Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 09:48 AM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  It's my one shot chance to do something big in life so of course i'm going for it..

Err, wrong! Taking a "shot" would imply that you know what you are doing. But you don't. You are just another clueless guy who is hurting himself by spinning his own hamster of conviction pursuing the hail-mary strategy based on nothing but empty hope.

Firstly, you have to face it that you are an overseas eurotrash nobody in a town full of international nobodies, dreamers, hustlers, and swindlers. Millions of idiots like you had your exact same plan. So the sheer numbers are against you.

Secondly, even if you had a great idea that may miraculously be interesting to someone, and you don't, if you are eurotrash nobody the studios will steal it from you by simply masking the story, rearranging the plot, changing characters... That town is built on power and there is no reason for them to court the unknown eurotrash when their hired guns can take your work and do over what you did a million times better than you.

Thirdly, you are making a classic mistake by going to Hollywood (what are you 12?), instead of having Hollywood come to you. You don't go there to beg, plead, and sell, your unproven script among the millions scripts already floating. What you do is do the work in your country and make it successful in your local, national or regional market, and then you seek opportunities in other markets. Or rather, they find you.

Thanks for all your encouraging and inspirational words.

Post: #106

What's your cut-off time for staying in Hollywood until you go back to Holland? 3 months?

Post: #107

(06-22-2013 01:58 PM)TheCaptainPower Wrote:  Neil, your in Brooklyn?? How are you liking my hometown??

Hit up the mermaid parade today at coney island...

Liking it a lot here. Right up my alley.

I went to coney to see the Ferris wheel a few days ago. Saw it first in the movie The Warriors and it got stuck in my mind). I must say that Coney is pretty beat up.

I keep hearing about this mermaid thing. What time does it start and end? and what's it about?

Cheers

Post: #108

Its like a hipster parade where everyone gets drunk and wears Mermaid costumes...

Its at coney today, started at 1pm I think. Its right in front of the Ferris Wheel, you cant miss it.

Ive been to it 5-6 times so I skipped it this year.

Post: #109

(06-22-2013 02:02 PM)Technics Wrote:  What's your cut-off time for staying in Hollywood until you go back to Holland? 3 months?

I allowed 90 days in the country. I have no return ticket but they made me buy a ticket out of the US at the airport. I tried to convince them that I wanted to go to Mexico by land border but they wouldn't even check me in if I didn't have a ticket out of the country. I had to run around the airport to find internet. I paid 15 dollar for 45 minutes of internet and bought a ticket to Mexico city. Cost me about 160 dollar. I was quite bummed about that.

I can use this as extra motivation to work hard. If i have any progress in selling or optioning the script then I can use this ticket for a visa run. If not the money is lost and I have to bite the bullet and buy a single ticket back to Holland. Will probably cost me an arm and leg but that's what credit cards are for. I will have to pay it off back in Holland.

I'm wondering if I'm able to stay in LA that long anyway. Money is flying out of my pockets at the moment. I might have to go ultra budget the last month and live in the ghetto. But let's not worry about that yet. I still have a script to finish.

Post: #110

(06-22-2013 02:14 PM)TheCaptainPower Wrote:  Its like a hipster parade where everyone gets drunk and wears Mermaid costumes...

Its at coney today, started at 1pm I think. Its right in front of the Ferris Wheel, you cant miss it.

Ive been to it 5-6 times so I skipped it this year.

Ah, I skip it then. It's already 15:15 and before i'm ready to go and there it will be five o'clock.
Did you have any success there?

Post: #111

You can't really pick up there, its just a day of drinking....A couple girls do the parade topless, but besides that there isn't much.

Post: #112

(06-22-2013 01:56 PM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 11:04 AM)Don Juan Tenorio Wrote:  Break a leg man. Have you thought self-making the movie? Otherwise you'll have to face all the censorship, pc and lost of creative control of your movie under the dictate of those who pay for it.

Maybe crowdfunding, something like they did in this movie:

http://en.cosmonautexperience.com/

You need a studio to make a movie so much as you need a publishing house to distribute a book nowadays.

Can't go low budget with a movie like this.

If the script gets bought and made (that's not always a given) then yes, a lot will probably change from the original spec script. Can go both ways though. Either improvement of changes for the negative.

How high would your budget be? This movie I mentioned rised circa 300.000 $ mainly among hipsters from Europe and Latin America and 700.000 $ extra $ from other private and public sources. Just imagine what you could do with the PUA audience and the manosphere alone.

Post: #113

Hi Neil! one question .

which has been your total cost of your 3 years of adventure abroad?

Post: #114

(06-22-2013 03:27 PM)Don Juan Tenorio Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 01:56 PM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 11:04 AM)Don Juan Tenorio Wrote:  Break a leg man. Have you thought self-making the movie? Otherwise you'll have to face all the censorship, pc and lost of creative control of your movie under the dictate of those who pay for it.

Maybe crowdfunding, something like they did in this movie:

http://en.cosmonautexperience.com/

You need a studio to make a movie so much as you need a publishing house to distribute a book nowadays.

Can't go low budget with a movie like this.

If the script gets bought and made (that's not always a given) then yes, a lot will probably change from the original spec script. Can go both ways though. Either improvement of changes for the negative.

How high would your budget be? This movie I mentioned rised circa 300.000 $ mainly among hipsters from Europe and Latin America and 700.000 $ extra $ from other private and public sources. Just imagine what you could do with the PUA audience and the manosphere alone.

300000 ? That would make a nice first couple of scenes

Sorry, I appreciate your enthusiasm but low budget isn't possible with this one.

Post: #115

(06-22-2013 03:30 PM)Kristian Wrote:  Hi Neil! one question .

which has been your total cost of your 3 years of adventure abroad?

It was a few month short of 3 years.

I had different streams of income so it's hard to be precise but I guestimate around 40 $

Post: #116

(06-22-2013 03:27 PM)Don Juan Tenorio Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 01:56 PM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 11:04 AM)Don Juan Tenorio Wrote:  Break a leg man. Have you thought self-making the movie? Otherwise you'll have to face all the censorship, pc and lost of creative control of your movie under the dictate of those who pay for it.

Maybe crowdfunding, something like they did in this movie:

http://en.cosmonautexperience.com/

You need a studio to make a movie so much as you need a publishing house to distribute a book nowadays.

Can't go low budget with a movie like this.

If the script gets bought and made (that's not always a given) then yes, a lot will probably change from the original spec script. Can go both ways though. Either improvement of changes for the negative.

How high would your budget be? This movie I mentioned rised circa 300.000 $ mainly among hipsters from Europe and Latin America and 700.000 $ extra $ from other private and public sources. Just imagine what you could do with the PUA audience and the manosphere alone.

Raising $300K through crowdfunding will be next to impossible for this project. This project isn't something that enhances lives for others. Nor is it a "feel-good" project like helping some kid with cancer.

Take a look at the statistics on Kickstarter, the largest crowdfunding organization. You'll see that $300K is way over what most people are getting. $300K isn't nearly enough to make this movie correctly so that means you need to raise even more money. A studio may help if they love the project but I'm not sure they will. Not saying it's a bad project but there are literally thousands of scripts received every day. The chance of your script being seen and read is relatively low. Studios tend to stick with guys they know which lowers your chances even more.

I said before that it would be difficult to get this made and it's definitely a long shot. Not saying it can't be done but I would view it as a marathon, not a sprint. If you're extremely lucky, the script may get sold. If you're even more lucky you might hit the jackpot. I could be wrong but I think you'd be well-served to have an agent assist you. In the end, if you make $50K-$100K I would be overjoyed.

What I believe is this:

1) You probably do not need to go to Hollywood to get the script sold. If anything you might want to try and get an agent to sell it for you.

2) Okay, you're already going to Hollywood - think of it as a long-term mining expedition. At the very least you should get a couple of hundred business cards and make network, network, network. Hopefully you'll make sure you have plenty of business cards.

3) Even if you sell the script, this doesn't mean it will be made into a movie. If by chance it is made into a movie, there's probably not a chance in hell Neil Skywalker will be the main character. Think about it, what studio is going to let someone who has never acted before to be their star? From a business standpoint, it's highly unlikely. Stallone did it but I don't see it happening unless you retain complete control. Again, this seems highly unlikely.

4) I would suggest contacting some Indie filmmakers as opposed to studios. While they may not have the budget to make a 20 million dollar movie, the successful ones know how to get movies made with far less.

5) Also, have you thought about contacting the film festivals around the world? Some give grants for films. There are various film making organizations that give grants too.

One other thing...if nobody picks it up and says, "we'll make the film," raise as much money as you can and do the film in stages. That is, get half of it filmed. Raise more money, get the other half filmed. Raise more money and then get the post-production completed. Finally, get in with a distribution company or raise money to market the film yourself.

As I said, a friend of mine makes documentaries for a living. I was in one of his films that wasn't a documentary and saw how he he did everything. It was low budget (maybe $400K) but he managed to sell it in various markets and make his money back. We all ended up in Cannes promoting it, which was a lot of fun. He had fun but of course, he was stressed out as quite a bit of the money was his own.

One of the guys in the flick was in the movie Bad Boys (he got killed) and the main chick was in some big budget movies, one was with Arnold. The filmographer (or whatever they're called) is now married to Julia Roberts. The distribution team sent Mischa Barton to France to help. At the time she was young, guarded by Mom, but looking good. So it was a big deal for me and a huge eye opener. And this was pretty small-time.

I'm sure you'll learn a lot by being in Hollywood and I think it's great you're going for it but even selling the script should be considered a success IMO.

Post: #117

I think you're replying to Don Juan but for the record. I'm only interested in selling the script not in playing the lead. I did write my self a one minute cameo in the script just because I think it would be cool to have the actual guy who the movie about in the movie. Gives people something to talk about.

Post: #118

I didn't read the americaninBangkoks post thoroughly since I was in a hurry. My Saturday night adventure ended quickly though after the entrance tickets at the clubs counter were sold for 40 dollar.

Fuck that, I had 60 dollar in my pocket and was not planning on spending that. 40 dollar just to get in is ridiculous. The two guys I was with dropped the money easily but yeah they're London bankers on a short holiday. Sure it hurt my ego but not my wallet.

To answer your post:

1) Just every book I read advised to actually come to Hollywood and try to sell the script there. Ideally if I had more time I would have send out emails beforehand but elas I don't have that time anymore.

2) This I can do.

3) I answered this above. Stallone did some minor acting before his Rocky breakthrough btw.

4) Good idea

5) I can do that when my Hollywood mission fails

If I don't sell or option the script I will put this project on the backburner and see what I can do from back home.

Post: #119

You should of gone to Bollywood instead Neil. You would need to tweak the script a little a make it about a poor Indian guy ( Rahul Skywalker ) touring the world for white pussy. Can you write some songs for the movie and learn to dance? I have contacts there who will buy your new script for 300 Rupees. PM if interested.

Post: #120

(06-22-2013 06:47 PM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 03:30 PM)Kristian Wrote:  Hi Neil! one question .

which has been your total cost of your 3 years of adventure abroad?

It was a few month short of 3 years.

I had different streams of income so it's hard to be precise but I guestimate around 40 $

40 dollars? I don't understand xD

Post: #121

(06-23-2013 06:01 AM)Kristian Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 06:47 PM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 03:30 PM)Kristian Wrote:  Hi Neil! one question .

which has been your total cost of your 3 years of adventure abroad?

It was a few month short of 3 years.

I had different streams of income so it's hard to be precise but I guestimate around 40 $

40 dollars? I don't understand xD

He was living large for a dutch guy

Post: #122

(06-23-2013 06:01 AM)Kristian Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 06:47 PM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 03:30 PM)Kristian Wrote:  Hi Neil! one question .

which has been your total cost of your 3 years of adventure abroad?

It was a few month short of 3 years.

I had different streams of income so it's hard to be precise but I guestimate around 40 $

40 dollars? I don't understand xD

Yeah, that would be cheap. I meant 40K $

Post: #123

Good luck on this venture Neil.

I know some guys have been hard on you and told you that you've gone about things wrong or your chance of success is small but they are missing the point. The point is not really if you get a film made or not IMO, the point is you're having a great adventure which will result in a great story one day regardless of the outcome. How many people can say they've written a script and moved to Hollywood from Europe to sell it? I think it will be a cracking adventure that you will be able to write a book about in the future no doubt. That's what I don't get about you; on the one hand you come across as a hippy layabout but you're managing to do things that take immense self discipline ie writing a book and then a script and then managing to save up for this Hollywood adventure. I doff my hat to you.

Post: #124

Yeah I think its cool what youre doing. Personally I think your chances of success are low but then again WTF do I know? I have not the slightest clue about the movie biz. And it sure beats sitting in a stupid office for 40 hours a week.

Post: #125

(06-23-2013 03:41 PM)Vorkuta Wrote:  Good luck on this venture Neil.

I know some guys have been hard on you and told you that you've gone about things wrong or your chance of success is small but they are missing the point. The point is not really if you get a film made or not IMO, the point is you're having a great adventure which will result in a great story one day regardless of the outcome. How many people can say they've written a script and moved to Hollywood from Europe to sell it? I think it will be a cracking adventure that you will be able to write a book about in the future no doubt. That's what I don't get about you; on the one hand you come across as a hippy layabout but you're managing to do things that take immense self discipline ie writing a book and then a script and then managing to save up for this Hollywood adventure. I doff my hat to you.

This.

I have plans to write a second book but it depends a bit on how stuff goes down in Hollywood. If lots of write worthy things happen then I might write a short follow up book.

It would also be interesting to see how Hollywood works and how to break in there. I have an idea for another script which is totally different but again based on something in my own life. That one would be more in the category of Project X or similar movies. It woill be harder to write but cheaper to make.

Whatever happens I will always have an interesting story to tell about that time I lived in Hollywood.