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04/20/2006: "Meet me tonight in Atlantic City by Christopher Folino"

When I started this blog, I promised I’d be as honest as possible about the ups and downs of getting a movie made. Christ, it’s a hell of a thing making a movie and then trying to sell it without getting screwed.

Monday, we get word that The CineVegas Film Festival is passing on “Gamers” due to the fact they hate mockumentaries. Fair enough, they show 35 films and the main guy was kind enough to be one of the only film festivals to share feedback.
That makes him a decent human being among a bread of dickweed festival fucks.

It was a long shot to get into this festival, they really don’t premiere new movies and they kind of show off “The best of the best from film festivals” there.

Next, we got an email from an executive producer who is close to releasing a major film this year with some major stars and he’s honestly interested in reading our next project.
That was cool and it made life easier while the rejections came pouring in like a bunch of sailors at a bar after being out in sea for like a long time or something!
See, that’s witty writing, it’s got “Hollywood” lining up!

Spoke with MTV Films, which was pathetic. Get this they want an email with a synopsis sent first before they watch a screener copy. What the fuck kind of bullshit is that? The kind of bullshit you go through when you a make movie that doesn’t get into a major festival.

Erik Childress got the movie onto Rotten Tomatoes and he’s been so damn supportive of the film and his article is opening doors for us. However, the film is doing a fine job of closing the door once it’s in!

Another distribution company, which is probably the most reputable of the smaller ones, emailed me and they made an offer. However, they have low expectations for the movie and the offer is really low. How low? Lower than Gary Coleman’s career and height combined.
However, we will talk it out a bit more this week.

Then an indie film icon was kind enough to call me back and share his feedback of the film.
He really felt it would make a great short film like 10 minutes short.
Fair enough, I asked for the feedback!

Following right after, we got rejected by ThinkFilms however, the guy who watched the movie really enjoyed it and gave us two numbers to call for agents.

“Hi Chris,
Good talking with you yesterday.
As discussed, here are a few sales agents, who I think would be excellent at getting your film in front of the right people and making a distribution deal.
I thought your film was really funny and well made. I think you’ll do well with it. You just need the right agent to help you team with someone who will get it to its audience.
Best of luck”
And then today, we get news that Newmarket passes. Yes, my nuts are still In tack, thank you very much.

“Chris,

As a longtime gamer myself, I enjoyed the hell out of GAMERS. There's a fine line that must be walked when you're making jokes about material that's this esoteric, and I think GAMERS walks it well. Unfortunately, just as I was back in my 8th grade cafeteria, I am in the downcast minority here at Newmarket. The rest of the team didn't take to the picture as I did. It's my sad duty to pass on the film.

But thank you so much for letting me screen GAMERS, and please keep us in mind when you are out with your next project.”

We called one of the agents that “Think Films” recommended and he was luke warm, until after he hung –up and did a google search and came across Erik’s glowing review and then we got the okay to drop the film over to him. Got to love “Google!” It’s like talking to a chick first over the phone and then confirming with a friend to see if she’s hot, and once you get the nod, you call her back for drinks or distribution.

So what’s the thinking? What’s the gut feeling?

Regarding film festivals I don’t hold out much hope that “Gamers” will find love at a major film festival. It’s a fucking shame, because, with the rejections we got from distributors, I think these people could see how the audience reacts in a theater and I feel like they would of bought it.

However, nothing has been easy about “Gamers” expect making it.

The main goal is to get our investment back and to make another movie.

We feel the movie has a large audience and that it will be do well on DVD.
And unless we get somebody talking better numbers, we will do self-distribution.

I called early Direct TV and got prices for doing a TV spot on some of the male driven channels, like Spike TV and Comedy Central. Direct TV reaches 15 million people and serious for the price of what some of the distribution companies wanted to pay to get a trailer made, I’d rather spend that money ourselves on self distribution on Direct TV.

There is a lot to think about and more calls to make.
For some reason I’ve been playing the hell out of Bruce Springsteen’s song “Atlantic City”
The words that ring loud right now are.

"Down here it's just winners and losers and don't get caught on the wrong side of that line
Well I'm tired of comin' out on the losin' end
So honey last night I met this guy and I'm gonna do a little favor for him
Well I guess everything dies baby that's a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Put your hair up nice and set up pretty
and meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Meet me tonight in Atlantic City"

I think Bruce is telling me to take the movie to Atlantic City and double down on black Jack to win enough to do another film.

Replies: 2 Comments

Ok, I know it sucks that we're getting the door slammed in our faces at every turn... but look at it this way... your Blogs are getting funnier every day.

Scott aka "Mr. Potty-mouth" said @ 04/22/2006 12:35 AM PDT

Keep the faith man. Keep the faith. And if you self distro you should be able to keep more money for that new project.

Grogtard said @ 04/21/2006 03:10 PM PDT