Brilliant Ideas

I have lived all over the country and world and have had the pleasure to get to know many unique and immensely talented people. …Alas if it only depended upon talent and unique ideas… The biggest mistake I run across is the idea that “if you write it, they will come.” The problem is that many don”t understand the importance of show-BUSINESS. When it comes right down to it, your story is a product, and you have to have someone who will buy that product.

Let”s take this analogy to the manufacturing industry – you wouldn”t spend $5M on a fancy widget just because it was a good idea, would you? You have to do a competitive analysis, cost analysis, value analysis, define the market, define your marketing plan, etc.. This IS assuming that you are making films for a living. If you want to make art, then only do what is your vision and on your timetable. You might get lucky and become the next Warhol. For the rest of us that don”t want to bartend, we have to find our market. This is ultimately your business. But this doesn”t mean that you have to sell out and write commercial drivel.

Marketed Brilliant Ideas

There are a number of free tools in the marketplace that can help identify trends in the moviegoing market. It’s not hard to guess that Vampire films are doing well at the box office right now. But films normally take 1 to 2 years from pre-production to final product. You need to know where the market will be in the future.

One of my favorite tools is the Hollywood Stock Exchange (www.hsx.com). You can sign up for free and “trade” movie stocks. Beside being fun and seeing how much fake money you can build up, it is helpful in that you can see the trends via predicted and actual box office returns. Of course it is always a good idea to keep your eye on the trades too. Sources like IMDB Pro (pro.imdb.com), Variety (www.variety.com), Hollywood Reporter (www.hollywoodreporter.com), Real Screen (www.realscreen.com) and Screen International (www.screendaily.com) keep you up on the latest deals and upcoming projects. Even sources like Deadline Hollywood (www.deadline.com/hollywood) are places to gather valuable industry intel.

Smart Business

The smart filmmaker looks at the emerging market”s tastes and then looks at their compiled ideas. Select the best idea/script that you are passionate about and that fits your projected market. Like any business venture, it is risky, but if you do your homework, you will at least mitigate that risk. Then go out and start producing your film. Get it scheduled and budgeted and into the hands of investors. Your previous market research will pay off BIG time when they realize you have your business plan in order and are not just shooting blind.