Kickstarter

Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter

Hello all Anchor Baby fans and prospective backers!

As excited as I am to get into production, this is the section where Kickstarter would like to share with my perspective financial backers my risks and vulnerabilities as a film maker. Given the rather prudent funding goal of $15,000.00, (waste not want not?) -what with the economy and all and please keep in mind that some projects exceed their funding goals by 2-3 times the initial goal for better production value, I would like to share the subtext.

Time to confess.

As much fun and fulfillment that I get from the film making process, there are many potential pitfalls and risks for a project like this, similar to making my last low budget feature film, Cash Cowboy.

In Anchor Baby, we have a cast of 30+, with a shooting schedule of only 14 days. The work schedule as writer/director/producer/actor is very hectic. As the day is long, going on as long as 20 hour days, all while having to communicate with dozens of people who all need something from me. Luckily I am a "giver."

There is also an abundance of details a director has to approve. I have to solve the logistical issues as producer, deal with my acting performance, rehearse, direct, and shoot all of the other actors' scenes, plus I handle the the on set rewrites. Crazy making for sure, but fun. Having done this before, the feeling of the thrill is just a few hairs higher than the pitfalls, so I keep telling myself... J/K

The risk is that when one wears so many hats all in one day there is a danger of forgetting, even for a short while, which hat is on. The danger is that the integrity of the film can suffer.

Even though I have great co-stars and a supportive consulting producer, I know that I am taking on a film that explores Chinese-American assimilation and immigration issues. There are little mainstream movie offerings involving this genre, other than martial arts movies. I believe, however, that there is a huge film market for this project (see ShamusEntertainment.com website link LOI for domestic distribution.)

This is a comedy I can relate to since my grandmother was Chinese. However, I run the risk of making fun of Chinese culture which is definitely not my intent. I have taken loose liberties in making fun of the taboos, hopefully the audience will happily cringe like I did writing it, when they watch the movie!

The risk in running a low budget production is that there is a chronic shortage of resources, although some are not critical. The $15k proposed budget sustains only basic film making life-support systems and there are issues like lack of security. For example, when some angry bum wanders onto the set and causes a disruption. Then there is the typical "shakedown scenario" when the owner of the location knows you are making a movie, thinks you are rich/famous and can renegotiate the deal. I typically have a back up shooting schedule, but that scenario is never preferable to Plan A.

In Anchor Baby, we will be doing a lot of downtown/beach shooting and we do not have permits for this as of yet. Permits cost extra money, especially in Santa Barbara. It would be great to raise more than the current minimal budget, so that we don't have to be afraid of cops busting down our set because we don't have paperwork. There are ways to shoot legitimately without permits (not using a tripod, no dolley(s), etc.) using a small HD cameras and small 3-4 person crew, etc.

Also, given we are planning to use SAG Ultra Low Budget Contracts this time (all lead actors thus far including myself are SAG, $100 a day rate which is like 10% of scale day player on bigger film) we currently are not budgeted for trailers for the actors to prepare, etc. We also will not have redundant or secondary back-up equipment. This is okay so long as it doesn't rain or there are no "oops(s)". I have great respect for my talent and crew and I worry when they are uncomfortable and cannot perform to top standards.

I also will be incorporating martial arts in fighting scenes and Chinese language skills in some acting scenes. I have no experience in either. Maya is skilled in both and I am confident it will be fine. I am keenly aware after my last production that it pays to have people on board who know their craft and can advise so that the performers can focus on their roles.

While I am constantly working to overcome limitations of a low budget with creative solutions, there is a delicate balance between making sure the script is tops by getting enough feedback/incorporating appropriate changes, etc., getting the right actors, (clout or no clout game?), getting the money, creative packaging, how much money is enough to get it done... I don't know what too much is yet?

Boy, wouldn't that be something to worry about?:)

Thank you for your review and support!

Shamus Murphy