For the next few months on the blog we are going to focus on the process where a screenplay team is brought in to provide support to an author. Lorretta Segars came to the TABLE for help. We shared about the diligent process of traveling to the Italian theater on behalf of the author with a screenplay writing team last month.
What happens after the initial discovery process in understanding the dynamics of a true story begins with creative structure. So often, structure is created by the story writing itself, but this is not true. Without a proper beat outline where scene by scene you understand the plot lines, the character arcs and the road map for the screenplay, you will have trouble communicating your story. Years ago a former colleague of mine, Bill Ewing was working at SONY PICTURES on three films, SPIDERMAN, MEN IN BLACK and STUART LITTLE were all being shot in New York City at the same time. While at Columbia Tri Star after the merger, he had the studio responsibility of guiding the production from the studio as an executive. He would look at the production budgets and align the team by advising them if their structure was in tact and they were meeting their objectives. It's an expensive process to make a motion picture and when you have an expert who is analyzing and looking at every step of your book being made into film, the structure can be a positive or negative experience. This is why so much emphasis is placed into the real process of making a motion picture. In our small family of companies, we make movies. This is what makes us very different from every other "pitch group" on the planet. We are not interested in hearing movie presentations, but are more interested in making motion pictures. This is why we do not option rights or slow down the process of filmmaking. We are a company who WANTS TO MAKE FILMS. In other words, there are not a lot of "stops" along this journey. When you consider using the TABLE, there will be real expense up front when you get started, and this is where family, friends and internal believers in your project will play such an important role. However, you have to think of your stories as a real business you are putting together. Planning, research, audience understanding and the right film team is essential in making your book into a movie and this takes time. I was asked one day, is it a slow process? My answer was simply, "Do you like watching paint dry?" Yes, making motion pictures is slow, tedious and requires design and true methodology to ensure you have your "ducks in a row". There are many filmmaker's who do not have their own diagnostics, we do. We have strategic film partners who are veterans in this industry and are dedicated to making sure everything is done properly. Don't you want your book to be the best it can be? In a film, you have ninety minutes or one hundred and twenty minutes to tell a story that may be hundreds of pages, so every microcosm counts. At the end of the day, you will be thankful the details were worked out to ensure the bottom line was successful. Recently, one of our award winning documentaries, THROUGH THE VALLEY which won many film awards was made into a released feature movie last week, BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN. This is the true story of the genocide in Rwanda. It is a little film that carries a big story of forgiveness. Our prayer is that you will go see and support this movie for a number of reasons. We applaud independent filmmakers like Randy and Darla Spaulding Hartley who have worked so hard to make this dream a reality. Thank you for taking the leap of faith to begin your journey with our umbrella of small companies. We believe you will be very glad you did. See you on the set, Dr. Kevin McAfee
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The majority of our last month was spent in Italy working on a new author's book called SAND IN TUSCANY by Lorretta Segars which is undergoing the most important transition of all, the formulation of a new screenplay. What an amazing experience to now have an entire team of professionals working diligently to create a screenplay for the purpose of two things, making a feature documentary and also, a full length feature film. This happened because a family rallied, invested and knows the importance of an excellent story, well told.
This does not happen, unless an author believes they have a book which can be made into a film. After this, the TABLE adjudicates the process or the "pitch" to discern if this is a wise decision and why. If the "pitch" goes well and the process begins, the greatest investment is yet to be made. Each author or content creator has to step out and be willing to sacrifically fund and invest capital in making a screenplay happen. Some will work with groups to fund a documentary, but whatever the outcome, you must mitigate risks at every turn. This step is the MOST IMPORTANT step of all when in the Intellectual Properties world and we caution every author to go slow and be patient. It is germane to find screenwriters who have the experience to ensure the right stories are told with proficiency. These screenwriters need to be individuals with a proven track record, with lots of business experience and are the "final step" before making the book a movie. We are thankful for an amazing group of professionals who all have different skillsets for each story. The FILMMAKER'S ROUNDTABLE is for people who are very interested in taking their story and making this into a movie. Some people do not even have a book yet. They have a story and our team will review with "Content Creators" a story which has the potential to be made into a film. If the story is true, often a documentary can be a possible solution and first step before a full length feature film. Plus, we often encourage one of our publishing partners to come alongside the creator. Our partner, GRP FILMS is now engaged professionally in creating a complete film franchise with the Segars family and you could be next. We are thankful to have served authors and content creators who are serious about making films that matter. Finding films with a purpose, inspirational and motivating are the "heartbeat" great filmmaker's are drawn towards like our partners. Additionally, JP KNIGHTS MOVIE has now engaged Gary Lambert as a new Co-Executive Producer to work with the team in finding seed capital for their "screenwriting" goals. We want to especially send a "thank you" for authors, spouses, family members and friends who come alongside of the TABLE to make dreams a reality. We want you to know, filmmaking is expensive and it is not an easy art form. The process of manufacturing requires a lot of time, study, precision and budgeting. The key is to not get discouraged, be patient, work hard and realize the "end" is worth the process. Remember to contact our VP Stephanie Musser as she moves forward in working with a number of new films being made because of the FILMMAKER'S ROUNDTABLE. Congratulations are in order with so many who believe in using the visual language of film to entertain and inspire culture. Break a Leg, Dr. Kevin McAfee This month is a huge because thanks to the Filmmakers Roundtable an author has now moved into the world of motion pictures. Lorretta Segars scored well on her book, SAND IN TUSCANY and we have engaged a professional screenwriting team to cover the story.
What is most exciting is we are building a film franchise starting with a documentary feature followed by the screenplay. This all happened because a former English teacher had the courage to step out in faith and chronicle a WWII epic story of her mother from Italy falling in love with a young GI and getting married in the middle of WWII. Even more fascinating was the incredible interviews we filmed in Sand Mountain Alabama with Fred Camp, one of the last survivors of the "greatest generation" who shared as a 94 year old veteran what it was like to fall in love. His moving testimony coupled with Lorretta's excellent book started this train running. Maybe you have wondered if your story could ever be made into a movie. Most cannot and it is only the few who literally get this far, but this should not stop your dream from taking place and happening. The McAfee family of companies are here for you because stories are so essential to great films being made. In church this morning, Kevin Robison shared a quote from Irwin McManus that gripped my heart. Irwin said, "Whoever tells the best story shapes the culture". Isn't it amazing how the power of a great story can use the visual language of film to impact our culture for good? Without going too far on the "faith window", I do believe in Jesus Christ. He told stories and He did this with precision. In fact, his parables still live in the world today and help us shape our decision making, or not. I am thankful for amazing stories which truly do have the opportunity to make our world better aren't you? If you haven't contacted us yet, please consider writing to the Filmmaker's Roundtable and talking to our team of advisors. We are a professional team of adjudicators, reviewers and filmmakers who are looking for the next story to help change the world and maybe, just maybe...it is yours. Congratulations on the many wonderful stories we are gathering to help make the future come to life as books transition into movies. I am especially thankful for Jessica and Stephanie along with Mark who are working hard to make our TABLE more relevant every day. Let's make a movie together. Coach KMAC MY WHEREVER WORKOUT is now completed in its new filming in Hawaii! Author Jim Gromer has launched a newly created film series and our team was honored to join him in filming on the Big Island of Hawaii during the month of May. What an amazing experience to see over 150 exercises be completed for a workout, wherever you go. You can do these exercises sitting, standing or laying down, so they are for everyone too!
Every film starts with a dream. Sometimes it begins with a creative concept, then it may transition into a book and eventually, after a screenplay is written, a movie is on the horizon, or a series, just like MY WHEREVER WORKOUT. Professional Olympians, the NFL training experts and more were involved in this world class film shoot sponsored by "Special Operations" for the Navy and author, Jim Gromer. We congratulate Jim on getting all the funding together and launching one of the most aggressive and exciting projects we have seen in fitness for a long time. GRP Films and the VMFA were all brought in to capture amazing models both men and women from many races to help inspire people to work out, get healthy and make a real difference in life. Thank you Jim for inviting our team to participate and also to help those on the Big Island with "giving back" and sending contributions through the Hawaiian police department and civil defense experts. The Filmmaker's Roundtable congratules this amazing team for their efforts. SAND IN TUSCANY has now begun and is full on in a feature length screenplay development for a book set in Tuscany, Italy. This is an exciting project taking place in World War II in one of the most amazing love stories we have heard in decades. Lorretta Segars has written a book based on a true story about the love of her Italian born mother and a young man from Sand Mountain, Alabama. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as screenwriters have been professionally engaged by the Segars family and the "race is on"! Thank you all for being a part of this exciting project as we bring SAND IN TUSCANY to the big screen. Our Table is thrilled to be working with this amazing family. Have a great summer month in June! Coach KMAC Congratulations to Lorretta Segars for her new book SAND IN TUSCANY! Authors who bring their books to be professionally reviewed are many, but when you reach the highest level and are "accepted" into the final group of finalists for a film, it is exciting.
Lorretta and her husband Jimmy along with Kirk met with our film team, GRP FILMS last week in Huntsville, Alabama. This important meeting took place as a direct result of the positive scores for SAND IN TUSCANY. Believe it or not, this is a self published author who has created a beautiful historical fiction based in WWII in the military theater of Italy. When we met with this wonderful family, we knew there was something special about this story, but we were even more impressed with the family, their integrity and belief in excellence. A special thank you to Stephanie Musser who has done another fantastic job working on behalf of our FILMMAKER'S ROUNDTABLE. With her initiative, she connected with Lorretta and the rest is becoming history. Lorretta watched a movie we produced and directed entitled LAST OUNCE OF COURAGE and desired to reach out to us. She also had written Chuck Norris, who also endorsed our motion picture, thanks to our dear friend and amazing actor, Marshall Teague. We were honored to meet her husband Jimmy who is a Viet Nam veteran and is still shooting in the seventies playing golf! Congrats to the entire Segars family. If you are an author, playwright or screenwriter and you have not had your property professionally reviewed by THE FILMMAKERS ROUNDTABLE, you have been missing out. Also, a special thank you to another content creator, Josh Buchholtz who has created another half a dozen programs for our YOU TUBE SHOW. If you have not watched our new episodes, you just need to go on YOU TUBE and type in the words, THE FILMMAKERS ROUNDTABLE SHOW and you can see more new episodes which are now posted from 2018. Congratulations to the Segars family and we look forward to our future together. This love story shows all kinds of real promise. We are also honored to have Kirk Segars join our Executive Producing team for this amazing movie's screenplay. If you are from the great state of Alabama, let us know if you desire to make this dream a reality. Coach KMAC Three films are in production at different levels as a direct result of the hard work for authors the Filmmaker's Roundtable has been doing. It takes a real community coming together to make a movie and this all can begin with a book, a belief you have something worthy of sharing and considering the visual language.
We look forward to the coming days when we see many authors taking the steps of faith to make their dreams a reality. This all begins when an author agrees to begin with a movie presentation. Not many authors have the skills to get through the doors to a Cinematic Book Review. However, for those who have faith, work hard and hone their craft their diligence can be rewarded. The key is to never give up and keep writing. Don't allow the nay sayers to discourage you. Don't give in to the back seat drivers who are negative toward any thing related to cinema. Never in history has their been such an outpouring of new movies with inspirational messages and we congratulate our friends who made BLACK PANTHER, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE and THE APOSTLE PAUL. We believe many more films are on the horizon and hopefully one of those, will be yours. Thank you TABLE for doing an outstaning job and remember, you never know when you may be the very "vessel" to change the world with your story. Go ahead, take a leap of faith and make your dream a reality! This is a year of new beginnings so get on board and make it happen. Blessings, Kevin Coaching Men's basketball is a first love for me. Especially, coaching when it comes to character training is one of my favorite jobs I have served while under head coach Bob Hoffman. This means I have the opportunity once a year to take the men on our basketball team on a retreat with the coaching staff, talk about their goals, discuss their future and focus on one thing, character. These retreats pay off in the long run.
OUR SECRET SAUCE Character has always been the secret sauce for our teams. Our nation needs more character and this is why a couple weeks ago, Lou Holtz of Notre Dame is now joining forces by working with the Secretary of Urban and Housing Development Ben Carson in bringing character to the forefront of the world. When you coach character, you find how so many of us need character. Another winning team is on the rise. Dr. Bill Bright told me personally how he was the last person in the world to teach character and we argued it wasn't true. The reality was that I was the last person to teach this. Truly, nobody can teach character because all of us have light and dark within us. We choose who we will be and we can also change when we get off course, because this is the way it works. However, when you have a foundation in your belief system bigger than yourself, you can engage with character at the highest level. You just need God to help you understand there is something out there in the universe that calls to your soul and this is eternal. . CONGRATULATIONS BIG SCORE WINNER This is our writing focus this month and there is a new author who has been writing for many years we adjudicated and professionally reviewed her work, who received one of the highest ratings in our history. We congratulate Beth Lambert for her amazing review and also REDEMPTION PRESS on finding such an amazing author. Gary and Beth met us to join and discuss the future screenwriting transition and we could not be more excited for this team. I believe often when you step out in faith and believe, great things happen. This is definitely the case here and I just personally wanted to say "WAY TO GO" to these wonderful people. THE FANTASY ABOUT BOOK OPTIONS This week we have been meeting and speaking with some of the finest publishers in the world and what we found was sad. Unfortunately, many of them still believe in the fantasy of books being optioned. How many times we heard a publisher say, "We are hoping someone will option this book or maybe this one". May we share a truism? Every film company has so many ideas on their front doorstep, without a reasonable and true third party review, the ability to get "options" on books is almost completely over. You don't find book options except for best selling authors or there is some connection to a filmmaker who does beleive in your story. There are major film companies you would know their name, who literally buy up the intellectual properties off the market, to just "take it off the table". One company pays over 40 million per year, just to buy up the market with no intention to ever make the book into a film. BEWARE, this is happening everywhere. THE GOLDEN RULE Everything comes back to character, so what do you base your character upon? There is nobody who is perfect, but we have a responsibility to be people of character. Living your life by the "golden rule" is the only way to live. When you take the golden rule for what it truly means, this is not some philosophy, but has the power to change everything. Keep pressing, keep writing and keep working as perseverance wins the race in this entire game of intellectual properties. Always find good "teams" to align yourself with and see what happens. FINDING GOOD TEAM MEMBERS IN FILM This afternoon an author was sharing a story with us about a new film director who has their book. Uniquely, this is a director I know very well and I shared with them how very fortunate they were to already be aligned because I know this man. He is a good man and is upright, you can trust him. Character is always the basis for when you move from one area to the next. Sure, you will mess up, but pick yourself back up and work hard. Diligence and being a person of your word is everything. There will be people who will attack you, but don't pay attention to the lies. Be a man or woman of true love, compassion, kindness and live the Golden Rule! This is the key to changing everything. CONGRATULATIONS MERCER BEARS MENS BASKETBALL I close by sharing more good news our Mercer Bears in Macon, Georgia have won 8 games in a row after losing a starting guard a month ago. Isn't it amazing team how when one falls, another is there to pick the other team members up! Congrats to all who are continuing past overwhelming odds. Go Get Em, Coach KMAC This past month we had a wonderful experience beginning to film a new documentary feature with founders of a new ministry from one of our authors. A husband and wife team, Tom and Rene' Stewart have come together to form a portal to help others who are dealing with trauma and strife in their life.
How did this happen from the Filmmakers Roundtable? Faith. The founders of SECRET KNOTS decided to step out on faith as their family came together as a team in order to begin this journey. The life story of Tom Stewart is one that is filled with suspense, agony, sexual abuse, trauma and more. In fact, this is a story you normally might consider to just "write off", but not with this family. Rene' Stewart took the enormous leap to begin writing the story and capture what truly happened. Her faith and belief in her husband brought them together to have our TABLE review thier book. From this, it was clear after a CINEMATIC BOOK REVIEW they were heading to filming. From the Seattle, Washington arena, they all came to the Southwest to begin the filming and we are so thankful they did. The first step in their journey is finding Biblical Counselors who would bring solutions to the forefront for those who are hurting and the #metoo erupted with response. In the first week online for secret knots.net there were over 800 new users who were reading about FREEDOM FROM SHAME as the organization has first begun to recognize the importance of HOPE in their lives. GR PRODUCTIONS and VERITAS MISSION FILMS came together to meet with HIS TRUTH TRANSFORMS and these legendary counselors are bringing resources to help those in need. Helping others is a powerful opportunity and it all began with a book and is now being made into a feature documentary! Special thanks to our staff who work so very hard to ensure people have an opportunity to change the world with their projects. I am particularly thankful for the courage of the Stewart family to share their landmark case with the world. On behalf of the entire TABLE we congratulate the Stewarts for this brave step. Enjoying the Journey, Coach KMAC 2018 promises to be an exciting year for THE FILMMAKERS ROUNDTABLE for so many reasons. We are getting closer to having our FILM FUND and Executive Producers totally satisfied with a top slate of films, but this has come with real sacrifice on the part of our team. It's truly only the beginning and the time to get "on board" is here.
We have several teams you need to know about, so you can make an informed decision in looking ahead. There are some huge reasons why our TABLE is worth your while. So read these highlights carefully. OUR TEAM OF PROFESSIONAL REVIEWERS WGA screenwriters, former Studio film executives, award winning filmmakers and graduate level of professionals who have studied worldwide are on the front lines to read your "primary work". We are so thankful for our team of veterans and because of you, we have continued to grow! OUR EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM There are not a group of professionals who understand publishing and film more than our team of experts. This process begins with Vice President Stephanie Musser who has been diligently leading the AUTHOR RELATIONS weekly. Behind her, is the publisher Mark Mingle whose graduate studies led him into professional publishing on many levels for many years and is now head of DEVELOPMENT. You can also find Jessica Gambill who is now leading our MARKETING team and these are only a few of the stars we are thankful to be working with each of you. Their integrity and transparency is among the finest anywhere. OUR EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Never in the history of being in and around motion pictures for 43 years have I been more enthusiastic about our group of highly skilled EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS who are the financing team professionals who have come alongside of our vision. These multi-faceted team members come from all ove the country and they are completely committed to our film fund. SO WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR YOU MOVING FORWARD...
ITS YOUR MOVE..., FOR YOUR MOVIE This is never an easy job to take a step of faith, and it is "faith". The world of film is very competitive. It's going to be challenging and almost impossible if you are a starving writer who has no support, no success and no background. However, we believe that "All things are possible" so we encourage every person to move forward and step out if you believe what you have is unique and amazing. Let's make 2018 one of the best year's ever! We look forward to hearing from you. Coach KMAC PS Look for new YOU TUBE programs for THE FILMMAKERS ROUNDTABLE SHOW focusing on screenwriting and playwrights. Thanks to Josh and Becca for making this show a hit! |
AuthorDr. K is also called "Coach KMAC" and is a veteran filmmaker, speaker and author and coach who's been coaching hoops in the NCAA for 22 years with different University and leading schools with Bob Hoffman, Men's Basketball coach. His unique FILM COACH style is how this blog rolls. Archives
September 2021
CategoriesLet us gather now as friends on the red carpet premiere for your new film.
"Our team of film coaches are among the finest anywhere. You won't find a better group of people in the world!"
Team members come together to find ways to increase our table just for you.
Dr. Miller Bargeron and Jennifer Calvert are authors who are now filmmakers, so remember YOU COULD JOIN US!
In Franklin, Josh Buchholtz and Rebecca Sharp just got engaged and we celebrate and congratulate our team members who are in love!
Doug Davis has been a true success story with the great Warren Theater Chain in Moore, Oklahoma. A dear friend and thinker in our industry for films/dining!
You will find many pros working together to make movies and we are unified in the excellence of the art!
Christi Craddock is from the group HTT based in Oklahoma City and is a rising star in counseling. Her group has many books you will want to know about more.
Roundtable Team are gathering in Penn., Hawaii, Washington and Alabama on new projects!
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