Production questions (some adult language)

[Tard]

Heh, In Rocky's line of audio/musical work, this'll sound moronic, BUT, you seem to know and have met a couple names... And you're on the right side of the country, SO, would you have a chance to perhaps toss a script out there? Just a pitch?

Yeah, I put it on the back-burner for perhaps a few too-many years, but always been tinkering & adjusting the Post Apocalypse-Now story. Since the F.F.Coppola REDUX, that can only be considered a working-title now.

Said "moronic" above because know what viewers should see, but goes against everything "Hollywood". If anything happens, wish it to appear and end "grim", retro to the 70's, unhappy ending, and more than likely released direct-to-video, through an adult-video production company.

<font color="#339900" size="1">[ April 03, 2004 03:18 PM: Message edited by: reved ]</font>

[rocketmaster]

I'm sorry but I'm just not in that part of the biz. The only people I know that might read a script I handed them, would first ask me if it could be completed for less than 20 grand, in one location, over a weekend.

It's near impossible to get anyone of substance to read an unsolicited script. Even nice people who say they will read, tell you 6 months later they never got to it...and after you hear that 3 times over 18 months.... The problem is, EVERYONE in this town just happens to have a copy of their manuscript in their car, or has a GREAT idea for a TV series, or thinks their life should be made into a movie. The pros are inundated, and legally are not allowed to accept them because of liability. So you have to get yours to an agent who could pitch on your behalf. It's a full-time job getting your scripts looked at.

If you have an original horror movie script that doesn't borrow any body else's characters, and can be done on an extremely low budget, I have 3 aquaintances who make micro-budget films I could hand it to. You'd be LUCKY to be paid 5 grand for it though...I've heard of them paying as little as $500.

Have you ever taken a look at Craig's List? Occassionally I see people looking for material. Some mags and web zines use it to find writers to write reviews too. You're good at that, you should look into it!

In fact, here's one:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/wri/27752095.html

Here's the NY & LA writers links, but you should check the TV/film/video category also:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wri/

http://newyork.craigslist.org/wri/

[Tard]

Thanks. Heh, I thought it might be worth a shot, just to see what your reply would be (EVERYONE in Altman's THE PLAYER was pitching ideas, that movie actually sounds rather accurate). [img]tongue.gif[/img]

PS -

The only people I know that might read a script I handed them, would first ask me if it could be completed for less than 20 grand, in one location, over a weekend.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hmm, strike SFX & prosthetics, no more than minimal set decoration, find a dirt-poor garage band to add some music, and a super-tight shooting schedule... do these people make porn videos?... (sounds like my old phone calls to ZANE Entertainment in Canoga Park) I'm sure I could hammer-out a porn script in no time, but I've always had a big problem following the Cambria list. Would have to break at least a few of those 'rules'.

If you couldn't tell from my homepage, I've worked on co-writing & pyrotechnics for a couple indie/amateur porns before, but WISH to find a producer/crew who aspire to reinvigorate the 70's blue-cinema, when stories (however sloppily written) took precedence over how many double-penetration shots they could waste time on.

Hehee, start at the bottom of the barrel, then maybe in a decade could graduate to some hack job tweaking formula scripts for SCI-FI Channel 'Originals'...
[img]graemlins/angel.gif[/img]

<font color="#339900" size="1">[ April 02, 2004 12:19 PM: Message edited by: reved ]</font>

[Tard]

1st Stop - go thru my old stories for something which could be molded into a non-formula treatment... [img]graemlins/wonder.gif[/img]

Question - what budget do average adult videos use today? Or more precisely, what percentage of the budget goes to the 'stars'?

[rocketmaster]

I don't know anyone that does adult movies, reved. The people I was referring to do low budget horror.

[rocketmaster]

LOL! Glad you are having some fun!

How difficult is it to work in that industry? They troll for talent constantly, and the shady little businesses are like cockroaches everywhere. Whenever we get contacted by a really lame composer who claims to have "credits", it's always THAT.

If this is truly what you aspire to, I'm sure you would excell, as you assuredly have 10x the brain power of anyone in that biz. From what I hear, those who work in it (on the "creative" end) don't last very long because they can't stomach it very long. Thus, steady turnover.

I haven't read any of your stuff other than your posts and emails. You're an educated, funny, creative writer. It would be a shame not to put that talent to good use, in one form or another...

[Tard]

I've got the 8-page treatment for a comedy/sci-fi/porn I co-wrote in '94. Since I was the only person with knowledge of fireworks & explosive charges back then (even amateur experience), I was dubbed the "pyrotechnics expert". Basically just filling blanks & putting electronic squibs in the ground. It's always good to finish a shoot & be able to say you didn't blow off anyones fingers! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

But, it was only an off-campus college film project about 7 of us were working on between classes. We managed to scrape together about $15,000 from part-time jobs & a grant from a guy in local amateur videography. Another student who worked as an exotic dancer agreed to shoot the nudity & sex scenes. Since the budget was so tight, we shot the difficult material first, totally out of order & would combine it correctly in post. So, we started production, got the nude scenes & sex & pyrotechnics & puppeteering & heavy makeup shots in the can, so just had to work on lots of dialogue & talking heads.

Took an extended break because the seasons were changing & outdoor background wouldn't have matched in post (green trees in one shot, autumn colors in another, bare limbs in the next). Decided to finish shooting the next summer so the seasons would match (much of what we had to finish were outdoor scenes). BUT, o'course, the guy acting as Director decided to move down to Dallas & finish the shooting there. 4 other people moved down with him to finish the film, but they all had family in Texas, so it was easier for them. I was stuck in KC to complete college, but most of my material was already in the can, so it was unnecessary to move down there also. Lost contact with them after that, so no idea if it ever reached post, or if it did, if they left my name in the credits...?

<font color="#339900" size="1">[ April 03, 2004 02:41 PM: Message edited by: reved ]</font>

[Tard]

Shucks. I'm on a roll though, so will work on the story till I burn-out.

Wonder if Zane or Anabolic are still around...? Still got their numbers, so it's my call, whenever complete.

LOL, I haven't puttered with a porn script in about 6-years. It's refreshing to write without a deadline, and without a 'need' to pitch to rich retirees for backing. Heh, this way, can write whatever-the-heck I want & add 'alternate scenes' depending upon the budget available.

Starting-out with the most overused cliche' in horror-movie history: The Scary House entered because the auto wrecked. As a joke, working-title is "Last House At The Beginning Of The Street, Right After The Cul-De-Sac Off In That Other Direction". LOL! It'll take work just to type the initials!

Sure saves typing-time being able to simply put "SS" (for "sex-scene") in a porn script rather than describe every shot & 'actor' movement & camera-angle for the 15-minutes of screentime. [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

[Tard]

The only 'talent' searches I've run across are for horny teens to be in front of the camera, or seeking (like my case) wealthy backers to throw money to amateurs for their 'opus'.

The worst problem I've run across in the industry is The Cambria List. It's just a very vague list of acts & practices that you shouldn't do in an adult video, though after reading the list, believe it was actually written to describe only the tape chromes. But, it was supposedly written by a "lawyer" (with the equivalent of a 5th grade reading level), so every established company in the industry acts like it's their Holy Bible. Incredibly difficult to script anything creative or fresh with such rules governing ones creativity.

PS - for those unaware of the Cambria List, HERE YA GO.

<font color="#339900" size="1">[ April 03, 2004 03:31 PM: Message edited by: reved ]</font>

[rocketmaster]

Check your PMs. I'm sending you one for 300-500 word articles/essays.