[Reported on February 20, 1998 by Jerry Witt]
Here is a short document we are developing to help explain who we are and what we are doing. It's a combination of a marketing plan and a pitch for financing.
Plan Overview
Producing a feature film is an undeniably rigorous task. It involves creativity, tenacity and money. It also requires a strong story and an inspired production team. Motion City Films is developing Double Down, a project that satisfies these requirements in many ways.
Double Down is a 35mm feature film designed to be shot for under $500,000. It includes a five week shooting schedule with five day weeks that can be expanded to a sixth day if needed. We intend to use SAG talent with two or three of the lead roles being filled by internationally recognizable actors.
Double Down:
Is marketable as both an indie art-house film and a low-budget thriller.
Has a strong three-act story structure with compelling characters who grow and change over the course of the film.
Is designed to be produced on a budget of less than $500,000. This qualifies us for the SAG modified low budget rate, allowing us to use top quality performers while keeping initial costs in check. The crew will be a small, well-chosen group of professionals and the number of locations is manageable.
Has a striking visual style akin to "Blood Simple" and "Bound." Independent films that were critical and commercial successes in part because of their noteworthy look. Motion City Films:
Has a proven track record. We have been a profitable company since 1987. This is in no small part due to the fact that we never miss a deadline nor go over budget.
Has an experienced production team. Producer Jerry Witt and Writer/Director David Beedon have produced, directed, animated, and/or edited hundreds of projects. These include commercials, industrials, and music videos.
Possesses and is skilled in the latest technological tools. We have two non-linear edit systems with over 70 gigs of storage. We can do the digital effects shots in-house, inexpensively. Audio mixing and scoring will be done at Motion City, thanks to our long-standing relationship with in-house composer/audio engineer Marty Blasick.
Has long standing, favorable relations with many vendors. We will get discounts on equipment, transfers, extras, crew and locations.
Is an existing film production company with office space, phones, fax, computers, and e-mail already in place.
Through our affiliated company, Motion City Records, we have access to several new contemporary music acts and conversely the record label will releaser the soundtrack.
Will promote the film using new media. As opposed to creating a web site after production is complete, we will be keeping an on-line journal of our exploits as the film develops. We will include live video and audio feeds from the set. You can see this in it's present form at: www.motioncity.com/feature.
Currently we have 20% of the budget in cash and deferrals in place. We are looking to raise the remainder through a combination of overseas pre-sales and a domestic equity partner, ideally an experienced (and honest) distributor.
The project is a perfect match for a domestic distributor who has traditionally released moderately budgeted films and desires to expand into the potentially more lucrative area of art house releases (i.e. Sling blade, Swingers, Reservoir Dogs, El Mariachi). Because Double Down has the elements of a traditional action picture, it could easily take on a second life as a video release. Of course, our goal is to make it a successful "festival darling" first.
Double Down is scheduled to go into production in July of 1998.For more information contact:
Jerry Witt, Producer
Motion City Films
1847 Centinela Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90404Phone: 310/264-4870
Fax: 310/264-4871
e-mail: witt@motioncity.com