A Series of Subscriber Articles
1) “HOW I SCREWED UP THE RICHEST PITCH IN THE WORLD”
On the way from Banff to Toronto June, 2002
Banff, Canada. International TV Festival. This year John Cleese
from Monty Python’s Flying Circus, David Suzuki from Discovery
Channel, and A& E Network (USA) received a special recognition
award. The reason I say all this is to let you know that this was
not a Mickey Mouse operation. Before I get to my 10 minutes of
fame at Banff, let’s get overview of the richest pitch in the
world.
April 29, 2002 was the deadline for submitting ideas to the
festival. The beauty of this festival is that you are in based on
one page synopsis, that’s all. No names of your parents and shoe
sizes, multiple copies of this and that. Once you are in it’s
fast 10 minutes and you can walk with $50,000 (first prize).
Literally hundreds of thousands of dollars are given away during
this event. I was one of six finalists to present my idea at CTV
Documart. You present your pitch in front of 30 to 35
commissioning editors form TV stations around the world (people
who will sign the cheque). This year the decision makers were
from Canada, USA, Australia, UK, Germany and France. Behind you
have hundreds of audience members watching you getting fried on
two large screens.
So there I was ready to make my big pitch. When I initially got
the email that I was going to be one of the finalists I decided
to put my whole 3-minute pitch on video, so just in case I passed
out or throw up from nerves I’ll be able to put myself together
and be ready for Q&A session. I have used stock footage with
music and VO of actor reading former spy’s diary why he escaped
communist Poland. Then I had storyboard trailer with music and
actor doing 10 voices with accents, which explains how Richard
becomes Canadian spy. My conclusion was that I really made the
wrong call on using video footage. I thought that I’d impress
them with variety of video clips. It was all too cluttered and
confusing. What they were waiting for was a story and as much
details you can squeeze in 3 minutes. One person asked, “sorry I
don’t follow the story, can you highlight it again.” So I’m
starting again, but it’s too late, the first impression is gone,
no second chance.
Of the three winners two did not even use audio-visual material.
It all came down to who had the most interesting story to tell.
No matter how much flash you have it will always come down to
story. After the presentation I did have complements from
audience on how great the story was, but one major opinion was
that the story is too risky and too political for Networks to do.
Well you be the judge of that, go to http://www.forgottenspy.com
If I could turn the clock back I wouldn’t use video at all. I
would simply tell them that “Forgotten Spy” is a true story
about former Polish spy, trained by KGB, who escape communism by
hijacking a plane. He offers his skills to Canadian Secret
Service and then…Did I get your attention – maybe a little?
All and all I don’t regret coming back empty handed… Disappointed yes, but no regrets. Another credit carddead for the cause, but at least I will not wonder to the rest ofmy life what would happen if I didn’t go. It is all a part oflife one moment you are up one down, but if you are not willingto take a chance nothing is going to happen. You cannot expect
different outcome if you are doing same thing every day.
P.S. Anybody can enter. Outside Canada – make sure you have
Canadian co-producer attached to your project. 2002 third prize
winner Australian – Canadian team – $20,000.
——-
Article written by Mike Slawomir Cecotka – Polish-Canadian Filmmaker.
You can contact him directly at 416-880-6878,
Email: mailto:mike@101filmmaking.com,
http://www.forgottenspy.com
———
2) “MOVIES IN BLACK AND WHITE”
Imagine “You’ve Got Mail” with Meg Ryan falling in love with a
black guy. Or that Bridget Jones was actually black, falling for
Hugh Grant and Colin Firth. Or better yet – that Hugh Grant and
Colin Firth WERE black (Did you hear that Hugh?). Would it work?
Guess not, ’cause we would already be seeing it on screen.
Sure, once in a blue moon we have a flick like “Jungle Fever”
(What year was that?). And of course, the director was Spike Lee!
Or “The Pelican Brief”, where Julia Roberts plays opposite Denzel
Washington. But do they fall in love? Not even a peck! But the
majority of times the leading roles are played by – you guessed
it – white actors.
Forgive me, but last time I checked, a certain percentage of our
society was – – – black. Or Asian… Well then, why isn’t there
adequate representation in the movies? We would have to dig deep
into our social conscience to fish the answer.
The question is: Do the lead actors have to always be white? Is
there room for “mixed” couples? The answer is – Have you ever
seen “mixed” couples in reality?
And consider television. We either have all-white sitcoms or
all-black sitcoms (by the way – where are the all-Asian
sitcoms?). Why can’t there be a black character in Friends or in
Sex and the City? Sometimes, as if on purpose, a minor role, such
as a judge or a sales girl, is given to a black actor.
I’m not black or Asian, but next time I write a script, I’m going
to have colorful cast – one of each nation. Just like Benetton!
Maia Shani July 12 2002
———-
3) “EMOTIONS VERSUS HUMOURS”
Once again I am here with new views and ideas for making best
films. But making good films does not make any sense, it should
have good script and most importantly the direction. Because the
director is just like the interpreter who translates the dialogues into expressions, that’s where viewers, audiences have to understand what a director wants to say through his casting character. Well, that was all about the basics regarding the film direction.
Next, in today’s world our viewers want something new which makes
them first cry and suddenly the next moment laughing with tears
in their eyes. Yes, the title related to it should be something
like “Emotions versus Humours”, how’s that. Hope you like that
title which I think suits it. Nowadays people got bored seeing
horrors, action movies with special effects, but my dear friends,
please look at the other side of the coin, you will find
something natural that you suppose to contribute among others
like me.
At present I am working on the same title with good script
written by me and of course direction is also from my side. The
whole story revolves around a big house situated somewhere in the
metropolitan city where every caste of people are living,
speaking different languages which is understood by some selected
characters who then translates them.
in their own way, which is very comedy along with some emotions
hanging around. That’s some general idea about the plot of the
film “Emotions versus Humours”. Any suggestions please feel free
to contact me, thanks
Regards,
Manjit Singh Bhui
mailto:pcp@vsnl.com
Copyright (c) 2002 Peter D. Marshall / All Rights Reserved
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