Is financing filmmaking 10% filmmaking and 90% hustling?

In these modern days people both expect and take great pleasure in indulging in complex forms of production be it a photograph that stirs even the most dormant of emotions and imagination to a full scale movie production with a full cast of vivid characters. But do they really appreciate what it takes to deliver it? Do they ever stop and ask how the all important financing was raised? Most often not. Rather the discussions are usually based on the final aesthetics and or plot or ending leaving the true hero... or hustler unsung.

That stops right here and now. Today, we're going to pull back the curtain and look at a young intrepid filmmaker's ongoing flirtation with a different sort of protagonistic character, financing. The behind-the-scenes creative scramble.

You start off with Spielberg-production-like ambition but find only crumbs in your pocket? Family and friends are suddenly busy... and broke? So just how does one pull it off? Well, we asked that question to young Writer/Director Alaric Rocha of Blue Bassoon Pictures.

"Orson Welles said something like filmmaking is 10% filmmaking and 90% hustling. I hate hustling. I want to pay people to work on my films, I did on my last one, 'The Recipe.' I know how frustrating it is going on message-boards and finding nothing but, 'we pay food and a copy of the film for your reel,' or just naive pretentious ones who say, 'this film is going to Sundance!' I’m calling in favors on this one and I encourage people to only work on it if it sounds fun. Well, I’m proud to say I’ve found 20 people who think it’ll be fun. So we save money that way."

In addition to putting the right crew/cast together our resourceful Alaric also said that he found local restaurants and grocery stores willing to donate food so that they could feed the cast and crew. The real challenge is raising cash to pay for things that can’t be given. Film, film developing & transfer, costumes and props are but some of the expenses. In order boost his coiffures, he's digging into his own credit cards and attempting a fundraiser.

"I have tried fundraisers before but it always ends up being just your friends. We need to reach out to more people, so we have attempted to make this event a mixer as well." He is encouraging artists, filmmakers, actors and more to come and support the project as well as meet other artists.

"In addition to the fundraiser I am applying for a CAAP grant for independent artists. The application is due at the end of January. If we get the grant it would be a nice reimbursement. At this point if we fall short it would simply mean waiting to develop the film and/or waiting to get it transferred till we can raise more money. I always like to quote Terry Gilliam though who said, 'I often think my dreams and imagination are mediocre until reality intrudes and improves them.' The most well known example of that being the coconuts in Monty Python’s The Holy Grail. That famous skit would not exist if it weren’t for that fact that they didn’t have enough money to rent horses. So, lack of money is always bad."

For you ever struggling filmmakers, there is hope. There are multiple resources on line - apply early and accurately for best results. As well, remember that you can hustle up additional creative financing like that Alaric did. Get out and talk, see what people are willing to help with. Roll them a credit and you'll be amazed how much help is really out there.

Alaric is currently in production with a film called 'Winter in Louisiana' about a prisoner
escaping a chain gang with the help of Santa. http://www.bluebassoon.net/special1.html
We all look forward to seeing the final cut.

Remember if you want to see results, support your local hero/hustler.
Movie Fundraiser & Artist Mingle Event:
Saturday, January 16th, 8-11PM at Transistor, 5045 N Clark St, Chicago

If you have comments on this story, an up-coming production that you think interesting or a production idea that you'd like explored write to Ciddy: Ciddyn@gmail.com