Slow and Steady

When we began shooting "Ranchero" I was concerned about the many difficulties of production. There were many (an entry for another time) but all things considered we got through virtually unscathed. Due to our lack of resources, I knew that post would be a long and arduous process. It was and is. We are still doing sound tweeks. But the one aspect that ignorantly worried me least was distribution. Make a good movie and the rest will take care of itself. I don't think that could be further from the truth.

From getting into festivals to gaining the interest of producer's reps, I liken the marketing of a film to doing a Rubix cube blindfolded. Not that guidance doesn't exist. There is a great book out there by Laura Kim, once of Warner Independent, titled "Waking Up Screening." It is chalk full of strategies on what to do with your film once you've completed it. But regardless of how accurate or inciteful the information, your project will always be at the mercy of business concerns, timing, and personal taste. Conventional wisdom dictates that you must have two bankable names to sell an independent movie. But I could go on for days listing successful films that don't. I have been told several times by people of note in the independent world that "Ranchero" would have sold great five years ago. Huh? Anyone with a time machine? And finally there is the subjective element. "Ranchero" has been received positively by nearly all that have viewed it. However, we have failed to make any of the top notch festivals. Who knows? I certainly don't.

Since my last post we were rejected by the festival in North Carolina, but still awaiting word from those in Texas and New York. Also, a fine article about me and the movie appears in the October issue of 944 magazine. You can view it online, page 70 of the Orange County edition.

That's it for now. I'll be back.

Brian

Wow. It's been awhile.

Having just attended the excellent Film Independent Filmmaker's Forum this weekend it is time to turn over a new leaf. That leaf is... the internet. Heard of it? Yeah, us technologically challenged folk have long fought the idea of sitting in front of the computer and developing carpal tunnel. (But I'm a writer, so the logic doesn't follow) In any case, it is time to "consistently" add my two cents, (is it worth that anymore?) to the global discussion. It's going to take me a minute to get the hang of this, but I'm going to give it a try. I guess I'll start where I left off many months ago... updates on "Ranchero."

If you don't know about "Ranchero," please check out the official website at www.rancherothemovie.com. The logline: a Mexican-American rancher moves to Los Angeles where he finds love, danger, and ultimately himself. It is a film about identity and finding our self worth. 

Back in March we premiered at the Sacramento International Film Festival. There we were nominated for the top prize of "Best Norcal Film." In August we found ourselves screening at Indie Fest USA in Downtown Disney. Though flustered with the inability to screen HD, seeing the movie at the AMC 12 was amazing. Turn out was low and industry representation non-existent, but we had a good time. Our efforts garnered nominations for director Richard Kaponas, cinematographer Michael Bratowski, and editor Don Burton. The film itself won the top prize "Best of Festival."

Right now, we are awaiting response from festivals in North Carolina, Texas, and New York. I'll be back with updates on these as info rolls in. 

Well, that's it. Not great, but it's a start. I'll be back very soon. I promise.

Brian