Every Filmmaker Needs a Better BS Detector
Film attracts dreamers. Unfortunately, it also attracts people who make money exploiting those dreams.
Entertainment is an unusual business.
People desperately want in.
They want to act.
Direct.
Write.
Produce.
Get representation.
Find financing.
Get distributed.
That desire creates opportunity.
It also creates predators.
Someone promises access to an investor.
Someone says they can guarantee distribution.
Someone wants money before introducing you to a mysterious producer.
Someone claims connections that are impossible to verify.
Someone wants your screenplay immediately but won't tell you who they represent.
Someone wants you to work for free while assuring you the project is “about to be huge.”
Filmmakers need healthy skepticism.
Not cynicism.
Skepticism.
Ask questions.
Who have you worked with?
What company are you with?
What exactly are you offering?
What exactly does it cost?
Who controls the rights?
What happens after I pay?
Can I speak with somebody you've helped?
Is there an agreement?
Who receives the money?
What does success actually mean?
Legitimate professionals aren't offended by reasonable diligence.
They expect it.
The bigger the promise, the more verification you should require.
If somebody says they finance movies, ask what they've financed.
If they're a distributor, examine what they've distributed.
If they're a producer, examine their credits.
If it's a festival, look at its history.
If someone claims to represent a company, verify the relationship.
Your dream should never override your judgment.
And there's another side to this.
Be verifiable yourself.
Keep accurate credits.
Use professional contact information.
Honor agreements.
Pay people.
Respond.
Show up.
Communicate problems quickly.
Trust travels in both directions.
One of the things I want Film Faster to eventually improve is trust throughout the filmmaking ecosystem.
Not through meaningless verification badges.
Through history.
Who follows through?
Who responds?
Who pays?
Who hires?
Who produces?
Who actually creates opportunities?
Reputation should be earned.
Because filmmakers deserve better than trying to determine whether every opportunity is real.
Film Faster Question: Before saying yes to your next opportunity, what will you verify?
