Great reply Rob,
This is exactly the wall I want to break. No longer business as usual. No longer someone out for themselves. No longer!
I don't have a big budget, but I have a God given gift of creativity (the sling shot) and I can't wait to use it. I can't put on Saul's armour (doing things the way the industry says it needs to be done). It doesn't fit and I haven't proved it.
My plan, and what I'm telling those who help me out. I will pay you a percentage of the total sale of each episode, and will base it upon the work. Anywhere between 1-7%, plus a bonus if its possible. Crews will be paid on a hourly wage (12-20/hr depending), but I can only pay them when it sells. Now, I can tell you know, people will like this series. Not because of the money thrown at it, but because you will see the passion God has placed in me for this cause. Now, I clearly tell them, if sales are low, payment will be low. But if they are involved, they have literally hundreds of friends that they can get to watch it. First episode is free. If they like it (and they will), it will spread like wildfire. The battle is not mine. It is the Lords. How dare this uncircumsized Philistine (the film industry) defy the armies of the living God!
A leader or person who is not passionately committed to the cause, will not draw much commitment from others. I'm running out to meet Goliath at the battle line. Who's coming with me?
From: Rod Kerns <rod_kerns@...>
To: ChristianFilmmaker@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, July 4, 2009 9:30:37 PM
Subject: Re: [Christian Movie Making Forum] Is there a unifying or coordination organization for Christian Filmmakers?
| Dear Brandan, I sat here for about ten minutes trying to formulate an answer for you that would provide some kind of direction. I am a Union Assistant Property Master, Lead Man and an on Set Dresser in L.A. I have been a Non-union Property Master, Art Director (Beauty and the Geek) Construction Coordinator an Actor,Stuntman and a Line Producer on smaller films. I toured with Lamb Players Theatre back in 1976 on one of the National Tours. As you can tell I am a little old. I tell you this because it has been my experience and this is not to be duragatory to film companies getting started or folks out there swinging for the fences getting product produced. However, most Christian productions are on a non-paying basis (my experience only and not to be seen as judgemental, ok?) and they are mostly shoe-string companies. Most are vids for UTUBE or contests. I belive this..."The Worker is worth his wages". If you can live with mom and dad and eat beans for a while, pay your own expences to and from where ever the film is being shot then by all means follow the dream because only God knows how to place you where you should be. I only know two "Christian Film Producers" and they hire the best crews for the money whether they are Christians or not. Film making is a business, very profitable if you can get the produced film into distribution. Kirk Cameron's film was a very low budget film in compairison to other projects, it was made with volunteers in many area's both actors and crews. I am sure the director was paid, camera crew and the Effects crew and possibly some of the other department heads. People need to make a living in their chosen field of film be it Christian or not and I am not a big fan of this type of experience. True, the film is often not made without this kind of volunteerism but I think its wrong and then the only time a person is called is when they want something for nothing. I have worked on a number of films in the 5 million range and when the Producer got the "big" budget film project he didn't hire that film crew which helped him get there. His excuse was that "those who have never done a big budget film wouldn't know how to handle the money, so I am going with people who have done them". This is how it is (again not to offend anyone) If you want to work in the industry go to college and lean to be a camera man, best paid, best food and they are very well taken care of. Or be a Director. I have been around this industry for many years as well as non-profit Christian theatre and rarely do people succeded in this arena without lots of money to produce the product and then pay for the distribution. ..that is just the nature of the film industry. Remember it is a business and even Christians deserve to make a profit on a business transaction. I love the Lord and I would give anything to be a part of a Christian Production company where I could work consistantly on films that glorify the Lord. I have worked on lots of low budget films and some of it has been slave labor just to get my chops in for better future work. But I would never do it again. If I work for nothing it is for my church to better someone's home, paint, cut the lawn, take them to town, be their friend, work with the youth. If you want to effect someone's life do what Jesue did. He feed them, healed them and shared with them what they must do to be saved. I hope youdo not see this as "sour grapes". It isn't. I just think people should be paid for their labor and if a producer doesn't have the money then the picture should not be made until the funds are there to pay everyone. But that's just me. May God Bless your Choice. Stay prayed up and He will guide you in the direction you should go. In Christ, Rod --- On Sat, 7/4/09, brandanhadlock <brandanhadlock@ yahoo.com> wrote:
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