Tactical Recap From Tonight's Q&A! · One Grand Film Skool

Aj Rome

Aug 8 • 🙋 Q&A 🙋‍♀️

Tactical Recap From Tonight's Q&A!

Stop Relying on the “Lottery System”

Screenplay competitions, agents, and cold submissions are almost never a reliable path in.
Even major comp winners often don’t get produced or staffed.
Many competitions are shutting down (Coverfly/Screencraft consolidations, Stage 32 issues) because there’s no consistent pipeline from “script” to “produced.”
Most successful writers produce their own work first, build proof of execution, and ladder up.

Make Your First Film Small – and Actually Finish It

Avoid paying everyone on your first project just to “look professional.”
First-timers often blow $50K–$200K on films that never launch careers.
Learn the process end-to-end before raising serious money.
The only four essentials: Picture (camera), Sound (dialogue recording), Story, Performance.
Everything else is “fluff” you can earn later.
A finished, compelling feature – even ultra-low budget – is your proof for the next raise.

Leverage What You Already Have

Build projects around available locations, collaborators, and gear.
Examples from the call: $1,000 SAG feature in 4 locations; $1,600–$2,000 feature in progress; Sean Baker shot Tangerine on iPhones with selfie sticks.

Building Traction with Existing IP (Books, Stories, Novels)

Skip AI “movie” versions if your goal is live-action.
Build a fan base for the book through targeted podcast appearances.
Use a “podcast lead list scraper” to find relevant shows and pitch yourself.
Direct all listeners to your book (Amazon link).
Drive downloads, purchases, and reviews to create leverage for film conversations.
Producers buy fan bases and proof more than raw ideas.

Vetting People Before You Work with Them

Use IMDb Pro: check StarMeter, review credits, see who reps them.
Red flag: direct contact info with no gatekeeper can mean low demand.
Cross-reference reputations before committing.

Clarifying Career Goals to Avoid Creative Overload

Define your “lead domino” – the one project that, if completed, makes the others easier.
Build something that showcases your brand and voice clearly.
Strawberry Mansion is a good example – launched directors into multi-million dollar work off a $100K surreal comedy.
Agents and producers invest in creators, not just ideas.

Pitch Deck Insights

Have two versions:
Visual cohesion and consistent tone are key.
AI-assisted tools can build decks from your script in hours, but still customize to your voice.

Casting High-Quality Talent on a Budget

BreakdownExpress.com (backend to Actors Access) gives access to SAG and top non-union actors nationwide.
SAG micro-budget agreement: under $20K total, no daily minimum.
SAG ultra-low budget: $249/day (about $310 with fringes).
Collaborators may work for less or free if offered creative opportunity and proof of work.

Producer Relationships and Budget Negotiations

If a producer optioned your script but stalled:
Benefits: their name and connections help with festivals and distribution.

Reverse Engineer Your Budget

Don’t ask “What will this cost?” without context.
Give your target budget and have a line producer work backwards.
In the Proof Project model, scripts are designed around what’s already free or cheap.

Bottom line: The fastest way forward isn’t waiting for permission – it’s making the smallest possible finished feature that proves you can execute. That proof is your currency for every bigger project to come.

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