Reading time: 5 – 8 minutes

I’m currently spending the weekend in Los Angeles attending Stacy Park’s Going Global Bootcamp hosted by Film Specific. Yesterday was my first day and was quite productive in the subject matters that were covered and what I’ve got to do.

It’s been a while since there has been an update on the progress of this documentary that I started a couple years ago. Currently the status of the film is that its on pause in the middle of post-production.

Updates I’ve Made Since:

If you go to the Tufaan website, you’ll notice there is a space to enter your name and email address to keep abreast on on the project itself.

Issues I’m Dealing With Currently:

I have release forms from some, and not from others who were in the film.

-

A movie that does not have release form filled out by the people that are in it, then no distributor will want to touch it. Its a liability on sales agent and on the distributor as well as the company that is producing the film.

My only real course of action is to go back, trace my steps and get the release forms from the individuals who were on screen and interviewed. Anyone who does not sign the release, simply will have to be cut from the film.

- — -

I’m not clear on what channels of distribution would be best suited for this film. Should I aim to distribute it online – fee or free? Via community screenings throughout North America? Sell it on DVD? Would the lack of release forms for all the people limit me from where I can distribute it?

-

This is something that can be resolved with doing a 3×10 idea generation campaign. I’ll start this Monday night.

Some of the things that were suggested to me was to hit up “Muslim advocacy groups” to sponsor/support the film as a means of using it to educate people on Islam and Musims. The words that one of the producers gave me was “The movie website can be the premiere resource for Islam and Muslims”

Question is, who are the “Muslim advocacy groups” that we can know of. Some that come to mind are:

• CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations)
• IRW (Islamic Releif Worldwide)

What are some others that come to mind?

- — -

This film in a way is a “side” project. To make this film I’m spending out of the company’s pocket while the client projects Leechon services is putting money into the company’s pocket. Its only natural that time and priority be given to that which generates revenue than to that which doesn’t.

In the mastermind session that took place yesterday, I simply need to find an editor to complete this film, and in all honesty will probably be on deffered pay – considering that it’s not in the budget currently. If an editor isn’t brought on board, then in all truth, I don’t see this film completing anytime soon.

Ideally, I’d probably be looking toward assistant editors who want to put their name as a credit on a project so that they may move up the ladder in their career. Some places that were recommended to me to seek out editors are as follows:

• ShootingPeople.com
• Mandy.com
• FinalCutUser.com
• FlashPointAcademy.com
• Local Film Schools

I have a choice of either experienced editors or un-experienced editors. As you can guess, experienced editors can cost anywhere between $1,500 – $2,500 a week which in truth isn’t in the budget, but perhaps the funds can be raised to have it be taken care.

One of the points that was made clear to me was the fact that we’re currently in a recession. People are looking for work and want to work. They’ll take a job that would pay less if it gets them a job. One of the people mentioned that putting together $5,000 would be a fair amount for the current times.

- — -

I’m not clear what the final product of Tufaan would ultimately be.

-

To start off, I need to get the releases down solid and cut those people who I cannot get a release from.

Once that’s taken care of, I’ll need to get my clutter organized as well. The footage isn’t all well organized to the point were another editor can come in and take off without much delay.

From that point forward, many international opportunities lay ahead. There are many TV opportunities that can be approached as well. Internationally, TV stations love multi-part series. On top of that, there are also many Muslim centered starving TV channels that can use the content as well.

Ultimately the goals of this film are:

• To establish my name as a producer within the North American Muslim community
• Get my name out on IMDB
• Build a database of 20,000 email addresses.
• Recoup my costs of making the film – Currently it’s $5,000.

A few questions that still remain unanswered for me – and will remain unanswered until the release forms are done are:

• What’s the likelihood this film getting into any of the Tier-One film festivals?
• What sort of cost am I looking at when it comes to running the festival circuit?
• Which festivals should I be aiming for on the different tiers.

- — -

It’ll be great to get your feedback and thoughts on this.