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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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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