Diary Of An Indie Filmmaker Part VIII

Chapter VIII: Thank you

I received $5,000.00 in the mail today for my movie. It came from my mother and stepfather.

And I never asked them for it. I am moved beyond expression.

Just as valuable was a letter of encouragment from my Stepfather telling me to go for it and that I can't forget to enjoy the adventure.

I won't.

And thank you. I love you both.

Comments

[Jack Marino]

Harry, you have great parents that believe in you and put it all on the line in the form of a check. That is putting their blood on the line with you. I remember back in 1983, when I told my Dad I was going to raise 50,000 to do a 35mm war film. I needed 1,000 per unit of investment. My Parents wrote that first check. I then had the confidence to start calling all my high school and college buddies and the checks came rolling in. I ended up raising a total of 75,500 to complete that film. I cost me 30,000 to get it in the can.

That film eneded up being one of the biggest hits of the 1985 AFM. After that two of my partners went on to make over 30 films for another company, I went on with my three films and my other x partner made 4 films.

That one thousand dollars my Dad gave me was the grand that launched four film companies and 37 films. So you never know what the future will bring.

[Jack Marino]

Harry, this is just the beginning of this 'splendid misery' you are about to embark on. I have a saying I always use when you are in one of those situations, like finding an attorney to work for you for free! Always say to yourself, 'you don't asked, you don't get!'

The filmmaking process is like this magical infection, you are the carrier, people meet you, they become infected by the magic, and they come back to help you and for more of the quicksilver

Remember as the film progresses, it begins to take on its own reality, it becomes this erotic mistress, she takes, you give, she takes, you give, you become her slave, where nothing matters in your life but to get her out in the marketplace and reap the rewards.

Your wife, your family, your friends will begin to see this change in you, this obsession to get your film out to the public. They will begin to fear for your health, you will stop bathing, shaving, you will only see your goal, your victory. You will ruin your credit, but you will laugh at all your detractors that live in that blue collar world of everyday living. They will never realize that you have now broken beyond the bounds of this existence of being a wage slave.

You will reach a higher state of existence that only a few people can understand. You will become a filmmaker, eating everything in your path, anyone with money, real estate, anything you need to feed this over-sex, overweight, erotic mistress that has her fingers in your soul. You will become like Odysseus trap on the island with Calypso.

At this point you are at a crossroad of ethics. You either go to the dark side of filmmaking which you become selfish and screw everyone that has helped you or you maintain your integrity no matter how bad things get. Even if your credit report states, "exterminate with extreme prejudice" you continue to keep your eye on the prize! Once you have a HIT, then you pay everyone off with a little interest and throw a few tips around too. Then you are a hero! You are the new messiah, they will all come to kneel to your artistic and business genius.

Then as you come down from this high and now you can't crash, you must control the fall so you land with both feet on the ground. You must not believe in anything that is said about you. The mistress Calypso is always there waiting to seduce you again and again and again. In the end you will give in to her again and again. Each time it gets wilder and wilder.

Filmmaking is a thirst you will never quenched.