L.A. Blog 2

(by Rishi Thaker)

Well well well, the second month out here comes to a close and what the hell have I been doing since the last blog? Behold:

I have continued ahead with finding a foreign sales rep to take on ‘Slaughter’. There are potential options to explore here but more work to be done here before anything is certain.

I also attended the American Film Market last week. That was a great experience. It’s rather like the market section of Cannes where you have hundreds of film production/distribution companies all trying to do business and buy the best films out there.

'Slaughter Is the Best Medicine'

I was there to raise financing for the next project (as well as ‘Slaughter’ into the foreign markets) and settled on two projects in Stickmen Pictures armoury. I then pitched these left, right and centre over the four days I was present. I spoke to well over a hundred individuals so the seed is definitely out there. Met some really interesting like-minded people here (I’d encourage you all to attend similar events that may occur in London from time to time).

However as nowadays we are living in a Buyers’ Market, it is the distributors who have the upper hand. There are so many films out there, that a Buyer can stipulate a niche request and then watch multiple producers fall over each other in a bid to supply. It’s cut throat but that’s the way the film industry world works. However with what we achieved so far there is a good foundation to try and break in. All we need now is a bit of luck.

So plenty of follow-up sessions in the coming weeks. I’m on the front foot so I will try to keep pressing.

Stickmen Pictures

I also managed to get myself a little work experience as well over the last month. I worked for a producer to learn a little bit about how it gets done in Hollywood. It certainly was an eye-opener. It’s amazing what defines ‘professional’ in different industries. I had built a picture of this with my 10 years in the corporate sector, but the rules change on a daily basis in Hollywood. It’s been interesting to observe and I can see how things come together on a larger scale. Now that I have seen it first-hand, I believe securing our first piece of investment will really enable Stickmen Pictures to play amongst all this. There is nothing to fear. If we can find someone to share our vision of providing quality entertainment then off we go! We certainly have the talent (cast & crew) to mix it with these boys and girls over here! We obviously still have much to learn but we definitely know enough to grow to be an outstanding competitor.

Another thing that leads me to feel an air of confidence is the reading I have done out here. I have read many scripts (and will continue to do so) that are currently in development (they have been backed and are going to be made) and noticed how varied they are in terms of quality. I have read really great scripts (watch out for the Elijah Wood film that opens end of 2013/early 2014) and some really awful scripts (with actors such as Gerard Butler attached to them). We have scripts in our arsenal to compete with these.

So if we can marry our imagination with what the buyers want then we could have a way in. Keeping positive!

If all this hasn’t kept me busy enough then I have been writing a couple of new scripts in conjunction with others (different genres to what I’m used to) and continuing with networking events (will be in Hollywood tonight actually! Sounds great but I believe some of you would get a greater kick out of all this than I. I’m just playing a game better appreciated by others!).

Devil's Grip

Also, well done to Dan and his team for making a short film called ‘Devils Grip’ – a good little horror flick. There’s always merit in making ‘something’ happen and that’s exactly what they did in a short space of time. I’m pleased at the desire that still exists in Derby and it supports the excitement of what Stickmen Pictures is trying to achieve. Wish Dan plus cast and crew all the best with the festival in London (the film is going to be shown in a competition for those of you who don’t know. If you fancy going with Dan and cronies to have a good night out in London give him a shout. He’ll give you the details). If you can’t go please view the film and feedback.

Finally, as the temperature finally cools a little here (similar to UK August weather but without the rain – actually nothing like UK Aug weather but what I’m trying to say is that it’s still warm – just not as warm…) and I reflect on progress so far I just want to say thanks to everyone who is supporting me through all this (even those that don’t really understand it). The pressure to do something out here is phenomenal but always offset knowing that I’ve got all of you right behind me. Thank you.

L.A. Blog 1

(by Rishi Thaker)

Well I have been in the good old US and A (a la Borat) for 3 weeks now and I guess I’m due to give you guys an update. In a nutshell there have been meetings and sessions in Universal City, Studio City, Century City, Burbank and even Malibu.  I have met with industry professionals on ‘Slaughter is the Best Medicine’, financing for the next project and general networking.

Dan and I are glad to announce that Circus Road Films will be Stickmen Pictures' official Sales Agent representing ‘Slaughter’ for distribution in North America. This means that Circus Road will now take over duties to get ‘Slaughter’ out into distribution in North America. They have a great reputation for doing so with their portfolio and we believe that they are the right group of individuals to take our film forward. This has also opened up opportunities to find an international agent and we will continue to work in securing more deals for ‘Slaughter’.

October will see me preparing for the American Film Market (in early Nov), make some decisions about work experience offers I have, and continue to build my relationship with the money men of this world as we finalise what our next project will be. It’s still early days and there is a lot to learn in this place. LA is a fascinating place and if you want to find a way in film this has got to be the place to do it. However it can also be unforgiving so you’ve got to have your wits about you otherwise you’ll get steam rolled by the juggernaut of people trying to get ahead in this place. Amazing.

Outside of our film making aspirations I have managed to find a team to play ‘soccer’ (urgh!) for. The footballers here are very technical (most are South Americans) but not as physical as at home. I’ve somehow ended up being the most physical player on our side??? Those of you who have played with me will know how backward a statement that is.

The weather here is boiling. Has not dipped below 30 degrees celsius since I’ve been here.  Strangely it has motivated me to eat a lot of burgers (have had about 9 so far, that is almost 3 a week!). 

Finally, I’d like to wish my beautiful fiancé a happy anniversary. It’s been 6 years ago today since we decided to get together and ‘see what happens init’. What did ‘happen’ was a roller coaster of half a dozen years that we seemed to have packed in a lifetimes worth of enjoyment. Being with Asch is like sprinting naked through London during rush hour. Pulsating, much to dodge, lots of sights to catch and everyone can see what’s going on even if they don’t totally understand it. What a great 6 years and can’t wait to see what the next 6 bring. Thanks for everything Amika, you are truly the best.

Stickmen Pictures at the 65th Cannes Film Festival

(by Rishi Thaker)

My first experience of Cannes has been a wholly unexpected one. Nothing in all my preparation catered for the juggernaut that is Cannes during festival time. The population of this place trebles and many of the locals scarper as the glitz, glamour, corporation, seediness and pretenders consume this small town on the French Riviera.

I will explain the 4 corners of Cannes as I experienced it:

Seediness – Rather unexpected but there are places in Cannes which should be avoided. Although Asch and I were never completely exposed to this side, there were times when Normanton felt like it would be a safer place.

Corporate – It’s amazing how corporately structured the art-form of filmmaking really is. The Marché (and Hotels) at Cannes, where I spent most of my time discussing ‘Slaughter’ with the many interested parties, is where the work gets done. Here you get distributors, sales agents, financers, producers (you name it and they’re there) all running around the booths scheduling meetings and trying to cut deals. But it is difficult enough breaking through here even if you represent yourself professionally so the wacky artistic types must beware here. The Marché represents a business environment (akin to that of something like Wall Street) and in a way I couldn’t really see it as a place for storytelling (however that’s just my opinion). However for the dreamers amongst us, there are plenty of places to capture people's imaginations, it’s just a case of being at the right place (party) at the right time.

Glitz and Glamour – So to name drop, up close we saw Naomi Watts, Jennifer Connelly, Ben Stiller, Sean Penn, Ewan McGregor, Josh Jackson, Diane Kruger, Gerard Butler, Michelle Rodriguez, Jean-Paul Gautier, David Schwimmer (or as I almost called him, ‘Ross’!), Jessica Chastain amongst a whole host of others. We happened to stumble unwittingly (but happily) at the Entrance d’Artists at the end of a hard day at the Marche and were rewarded with this unique opportunity. It was difficult to get a word in with any of these guys as there were so many people about and so we settled for a quick ‘hello’ from a few of them. At other times during the week from a distance we saw Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, Chris Tucker, Puff Daddy and so the list goes on. It’s all there if you want to fight 30,000 others to get to the heart of it.

Famous Cannes Parties – There are all sorts of parties cracking off in Cannes during festival season and Asch and I definitely burned the candles at both ends with early market starts followed by late night networking at some of these parties. We have met a whole host of producers and financers during these sessions (there were parties in the Chateau and in Mansions all of which showed a great opportunity to network as well as identify people who just come for the ride). However this was probably the only area we were under-prepped for but we have a great start for next time.

All in all Cannes was hard work and it goes without saying that preparation is key although an abundance of energy and enthusiasm (thanks a million Asch – you were awesome) will always be required as it is a tough place to be when you have such glitz and glamour distracting you from how much effort is required to get to the top. We did our part and we believe that we have a few months of careful consideration before any decisions are made on Slaughter! Bring on the next steps!

Music To Our Ears

(by Rishi Thaker)

So here we are with my final blog before the hotly anticipated Cannes experience. A number of things have happened since the last blog which include printing, packing, e-mailing, letter writing, phone calling, networking, amongst a host of other items necessary to push Stickmen Pictures ever further. However the most important thing has been the official completion of ‘Slaughter is the Best Medicine’. It has been a whirlwind of a ride and an exercise in utter focus to have got to this place and Dan & Baldy deserve a lot of credit in finishing off this film in time for Cannes. We are now equipped and ready thanks to these boys.

Slaughter is the Best Medicine

When I think of the excitement that accompanies my every thought in relation to ‘Slaughter’ I examine the various elements of what makes the movie different to everything else I have seen. I ask myself what is so good about this film? The camera work, the sound, the acting, the plot, the homage, the characters, the incidents, the special FX, the locations, the costumes or the music??? It is a combination of all of this and that’s why I think there has been high acclaim by most who have seen it.

Encypher

One thing I haven’t really touched on in previous blogs has been the music. We have been fortunate enough to have received the whole score by Jeff Seyler, a great friend of mine who I met at University (you were right Dad, it was worth going to Uni after all!). Jeff is one of the 8 people that makes up the Luxembourg population and has music rooted deep within his blood. He originates from a heavier side of rock evidenced in his history of band activities (previously ‘Fluyd’ the band ‘Evanescence’ could have been) and now the awesome ‘Encypher’ (check them out on www.myspace.com/encypherband, he’s the lead singer). Jeff has a wonderful talent for understanding an individual musically and then suggesting new music that they would 100% enjoy. I credit him with one of the main reasons why I drifted towards the heavy metal side of music in my youth. On ‘Slaughter’ Jeff put a lot of effort into understanding the themes of the film from which he created a masterpiece. He did this all from Luxembourg so we didn’t actually physically meet during this whole process which demonstrates how much talent that man actually has. I can’t wait for you all to see the film now, as I know you will all agree when you get a chance to sample!

Well there we have it. The next time I blog it will be after an event that we have all been working tirelessly towards. I am thankful to all of you who have contributed your time and energy in getting us here. I am sure I will have great news for you on the other side. See you all soon!

Rishi