Next Step for Documentary
by Jupjit Grewall
on
Nov 8, 2009 at 2:00:30 am
Hello all,
I have put together a sizzle reel for a film/show I am working on. This is my first time, so I won't say I am a season film maker.
Ideally, I'd like for it to be picked up (and funded) as a reality series for Bio, Nation Geographic, Spike, etc (many have suggested). However, being that I have no name in the industry and no experience, I know this possibility is far-fetched.
My second option would be to sell/distribute on DVD, with hopes of HBO or Showtime airing it sometime in the future.
I'm at the point where I need to find a home for this, whether TV or DVD. So, I'm wondering how do I get this into the laps of people who can make this happen?
I've thought about sponsors, but I'm afraid they will want their names/logos everywhere, making it a poster for them, and diluting the premise.
Either way, I needs funding for travel costs, production and misc. expenses. Is it reasonable for me to hope for funding to cover these costs AND supplement my income? What's my next step?
Re: Next Step for Documentary by Noah Kadner on Nov 8, 2009 at 7:25:18 pm
You own all of that footage and music? Some of that looks like it's from network broadcasts of those events- if so you'll want to get those rights first before pitching it to anyone. And is this doc shot and completed already or is this just the look of the doc you want to make? If it's the former you'll have a lot easier options than the latter.
Re: Next Step for Documentary by David Jones on Nov 9, 2009 at 7:30:55 pm
As someone who has produced and sold an unsolicited doc, let me echo what Noah has said:
1. No one will touch a finished program unless you've secured the rights to all the material that's in it.
2. They (those you want to sell it to) are going to want to see a finished product (or at least a finished rough cut). If you just want to sell the idea, do as much paperwork (treatment/sonopsis/budget/etc.) as possible and present it to the right people. The right people can very from place to place. But chances are, they're still going to want to see something.
Re: Next Step for Documentary by Shane Ross on Nov 10, 2009 at 12:04:00 am
SIZZLE REEL gentlemen. Something used to sell and IDEA for a show. So that you don't spend a lot of time and money and resources into something that someone will pass on because of the concept. This is done OFTEN. I have cut many many promos and sizzle reels using all sorts of footage and music. This is common practice.
I don't have advice on how to proceed, however...I am just a hired gun.
Re: Next Step for Documentary by Noah Kadner on Nov 10, 2009 at 4:02:04 am
I dunno- I've seen sizzle reel used to describe a compendium of found footage with zero owned as well as a reel cut from footage shot by the production... So depends what the poster really is asking here.
Re: Next Step for Documentary by Jupjit Grewall on Nov 10, 2009 at 4:17:21 am
Hi all. Thanks for your immediate response.
In a perfect world, I'd love to sell the idea and be contracted to direct and deliver it as a series. But I don't know how to do that.
With regard to the content of my reel, 95% of the footage is mine. The other 5% was provided by the fighters in the footage, which was given to them by the venue. When the time comes, I can get the rights to that footage.
The purpose of the reel is to (hopefully) sell the idea. I am aware of the legal stipulations so I would never use this reel commercially. Only as a selling tool to a select audience.
I have also been told to do a condensed :60, high-impact "commercial" for this. Thoughts?
Re: Next Step for Documentary by Noah Kadner on Nov 10, 2009 at 3:11:29 pm
Sure cut it six different ways- but if it were me I'd make it 100% my own footage if you really own that much of it. That will go a long way to making the deal happen.
