Hi guys I have noticed a lot of new producers who want to come into the Film/TV industry with new stuff. While I commend your enthusiasm I have some word of advice for u collected from my personal experiences on the field as an actor, screenwriter, production manager and an aspiring producer.
1. Make sure that the film u are producing shouldn't be expensive. Start with the script. Forget the fancy cars and houses and trim down your cast to less than 10. Do same for locations. I understand how this can restrict your creativity as I am doing a rewrite of a script to fit into the financial realities but as a starter u got to be careful of spending too much money.
2. Forget about using a star name because they can consume your budget especially with prima donna wants not included in the artiste fee. I know that everybody thinks u need a star name to make it in the industry but I would advice that u use good unknown actors and focus on the story and it's flow.
3.About the rush for cinemas, let me give u a reality check. Forget those turnover figures the producer only gets at most 20-30 percent of the gate takings as the cinemas take the majority(Silver bird takes 60% while the distributor which all cinemas insist that they go through take 10% and the state takes a 10% tax) so look back at number 1 above and follow it. In the marketing side I am not advocating for the alaba marketers so try and find a way that u can screen your movies yourself as that is what most producers do now.
4. The foreign cinema markets look like a good option but before a British based cinema distributor will take your work u must have sold at least 15 million in the Nigerian box office. Also most Nigerian films are shown after 10pm in Britain(That's what I heard If u are in the UK can u confirm or deny this?) and they hardly make money as the hollywood marketing machine is given preference so if u gotta go abroad have a plan B just in case as most films hardly make money there.

For TV producers focus on paring down your cast and locations. Forget the hype some advertisers say about getting stars to act in it, it doesn't work most times. Do a lot of work on the script and try to share the writing workload as this can enhance creativity. Most of the stupid series on Nigerian TV that I see(about 95%)are one man script written. Though many advertisers like soap operas go for serials with stand alone episodes. There you can really pare down on locations and cast. Look at getting it on MNET, Startimes or any foreign station as the cutthroats called TV stations here are only interested in selling airtime which can go as much as 400000 per 30 min episode and you have to pay for 13 episodes at a stretch. Hope this advice helps anyone there. Feel free to make your comments so that we can learn from each other

Nice one,you really made a lot of sense here. are you on bbm? Add me-230235BF. I ve got things to learn from you.

I am currently trying to do an experimental avante garde film and all the advice you just mentioned... So on point.

I have one or two friends on NL who have very nice movie tastes and I am not ever showing them the movies when they are made, loooooooool. It's just a way for me to acquire some experience and try out some weird form of (film) story telling.

Jayboy124: I am currently trying to do an experimental avante garde film and all the advice you just mentioned... So on point.

I have one or two friends on NL who have very nice movie tastes and I am not ever showing them the movies when they are made, loooooooool. It's just a way for me to acquire some experience and try out some weird form of (film) story telling.

Jayboy you berra show us your movie or else... lol. How bodi now?

VillageBoi:

Jayboy you berra show us your movie or else... lol. How bodi now?

Trust me, I am not bringing it anywhere here oh. I have seen lotta discussions here to know the kinda stuff to bring here, loooooool. Hopefully after 4 movies, I'll make one I'll be proud to show everyone.

I'm doing great. Hope you are good too?

Well down

Jayboy124:

Trust me, I am not bringing it anywhere here oh. I have seen lotta discussions here to know the kinda stuff to bring here, loooooool. Hopefully after 4 movies, I'll make one I'll be proud to show everyone.

I'm doing great. Hope you are good too?

Hey Jay, I'm good. Glad to hear you're ok too. Lol, ok what kinda stuff does one have to 'show' here? Anything goes really, some of my stuff isn't good, I still post it and keep on learning. Ok send me a vimeo or YouTube link if you are too shy to post here on NL.

Thanks for the observation guys. Like I said before we're all learning from each other so if u have something that u wanna share with the house let's know. Jayboy don't be afraid of showing your early works.(You should see my early attempts at screenwriting lol)The feedback can help you become a better person as you make more works. At dollyangel am not on BB but if u want us to rub minds u can get me at jovikool@yahoo.com. At village boi saw your short film nice though I couldn't finish it due to internet issues here in 9ja.

lynx200: Thanks for the observation guys. Like I said before we're all learning from each other so if u have something that u wanna share with the house let's know. Jayboy don't be afraid of showing your early works.(You should see my early attempts at screenwriting lol)The feedback can help you become a better person as you make more works. At dollyangel am not on BB but if u want us to rub minds u can get me at jovikool@yahoo.com. At village boi saw your short film nice though I couldn't finish it due to internet issues here in 9ja.

Haven't seen Villageboi's video too. Internet issues as well. I think youtube works better here with the kinda network we got.

Well, whenever it's ready, will always try and post something and share the link here.

@Villageboi try and put one up on youtube too.

VillageBoi:

Hey Jay, I'm good. Glad to hear you're ok too. Lol, ok what kinda stuff does one have to 'show' here? Anything goes really, some of my stuff isn't good, I still post it and keep on learning. Ok send me a vimeo or YouTube link if you are too shy to post here on NL.

I think I'll post some of it whenever it's ready.

Hi people. @ Lynx I really enjoyed your 'Time For A New Type Of Cinema Model In Nigeria?' thread. It's a very good idea and I hope it all happens!

One of the producers posted 'Sweet Sixteen' on his YouTube page so you can see it here. I hope you all enjoy it - (EDIT - Now on my page)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh8yGYeN6Ls

Well

Nice work!

Lisa1: Nice work!

Thanks a lot Lisa, glad you liked it.

VillageBoi: Hi people. @ Lynx I really enjoyed your 'Time For A New Type Of Cinema Model In Nigeria?' thread. It's a very good idea and I hope it all happens!

One of the producers posted 'Sweet Sixteen' on his YouTube page so you can see it here. I hope you all enjoy it -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjEGokNYO-A&list=UUcpbx8LOmmzONDbUk63ibrw&index=1&feature=plcp

Just checked out the video. Couldn't finish it though due to our crazy network here. But I love the dialogue, how it's developing and all. Especially the butterfly bit. I also think I like the female actress very much.

Jayboy124:

Just checked out the video. Couldn't finish it though due to our crazy network here. But I love the dialogue, how it's developing and all. Especially the butterfly bit. I also think I like the female actress very much.

Hi Jayboy, hopefully the network gets better so you watch it all. The girl was good, it was her first time acting... rehearsed with her for 4 days and she got it on the final day before the shoot. Glad you like the butterfly 'thingy'.

@Villageboi. I have just finished watching sweet sixteen. I love the way you twisted the story most especially the ending bit. I wasn't expecting that. I like the way the discussion flowed naturally to the main point. Can't wait to see your first feature film. It's producers like u that we need here instead of the soft porn makers that are taking the stage. Whenever u are in Nigeria let's hook up man. My email is in one of my earlier posts. Nice work man.

VillageBoi: Hi people. @ Lynx I really enjoyed your 'Time For A New Type Of Cinema Model In Nigeria?' thread. It's a very good idea and I hope it all happens!

One of the producers posted 'Sweet Sixteen' on his YouTube page so you can see it here. I hope you all enjoy it -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjEGokNYO-A&list=UUcpbx8LOmmzONDbUk63ibrw&index=1&feature=plcp

lynx200: @Villageboi. I have just finished watching sweet sixteen. I love the way you twisted the story most especially the ending bit. I wasn't expecting that. I like the way the discussion flowed naturally to the main point. Can't wait to see your first feature film. It's producers like u that we need here instead of the soft porn makers that are taking the stage. Whenever u are in Nigeria let's hook up man. My email is in one of my earlier posts. Nice work man.

Hi Lynx I'm happy you enjoyed it. We're quite happy we're getting positive reviews especially from Nigerians that are so hard to please. I do want to step up to making features and I have some stuff written... I'm still learning and working on my craft though. I really like toying with the audience and making things as unpredictable as I can. Definitely will hook up with you when next I'm in Nigeria gonna find your email address and fire one off to you.

Hi Lynx, love ur writeup on advice to newbie movie and TV producers, So on point. Well am a young movie producer and I really love what u are doing. I jst shot a short film and its actually my first. I look forward to making more classic. Here is my num: 08082252902. Holla @me together we can achieve more.

@villageboi, talk2xp, jayboy124 and others,it's great to see that there are so many producers interested in doing something different. Just to let everybody here who has shot a short film/music video know, I'm an agent for an IT company which has just built a platform for viewing movie trailers and short films(not more than 10 mins) on mobile phones. In fact we have an agreement with a telco company and we will be goimg live very soon. This could be a platform to monetize your short films, movie trailers and music videos. If interested send me an email jovikool@yahoo.com

lynx200: @villageboi, talk2xp, jayboy124 and others,it's great to see that there are so many producers interested in doing something different. Just to let everybody here who has shot a short film/music video know, I'm an agent for an IT company which has just built a platform for viewing movie trailers and short films(not more than 10 mins) on mobile phones. In fact we have an agreement with a telco company and we will be goimg live very soon. This could be a platform to monetize your short films, movie trailers and music videos. If interested send me an email jovikool@yahoo.com

Sent you an email. Hope you got it?

Jayboy124:

Sent you an email. Hope you got it?

Yes I have seen it and sent u a reply. I will email you the release forms soon

Great thread! @vilageboi, i admire ur production zeal. Keep it up

melojames: Great thread! @vilageboi, i admire ur production zeal. Keep it up

Thanks a lot MeloJames; welcome to the thread!

Hey guys the nollywood upgrade project will be having a free training class in lagos from Dec 3th to the 7th(9am -5pm daily).They will be covering the major areas of filmmaking ie scriptwriting, directing, sound, cinematography, distribution, acting , editing and the business of film. All you have to do is register before the 15th of November at www.nollywoodworkshops.org to have a chance of undertaking the training. See ya there.

There's also a screenplasy festival for shortfilms 'Screenplayfest Philadelphia' for short films. Register for free at screenplayfest.com. Good luck guys

Hey guys just got this word of advice from an experienced filmmaker who makes his film for under 500 pounds. Yes u read right 500 pounds. Check out the website here http://www.chrisjonesblog.com/2012/05/top-ten-microbudget-tips-with-a-crew-of-2-and-budget-of-500-what-can-be-achieved-jaw-dropping-work.html. Could prove useful to anyone reading this.

Hey Lynxx, how's it going? You made really interesting points about the politics involved in the profit sharing between the cinema,producer,distributo and the state. A lot of people tend to get carried away by the glamour and glitz the cinema provides, they think it automatically equals a truckload of cash for the producer,director et al. The rip-offs at alaba are never an option for me either. Self-distribution is what I would suggest to anyone who really wants to earn the fruits of their sweat in the film industry. It won't be easy, but it'll ensure you call the shots as far as your film is concerned and you don't get ripped off by anybody.

Nice one Lynx. Just incase people click the other link and get a '404 error' page, hopefully this link takes them direct to the story -

http://www.chrisjonesblog.com/2012/05/top-ten-microbudget-tips-with-a-crew-of-2-and-budget-of-500-what-can-be-achieved-jaw-dropping-work.html

Looks the same, no idea why it did that.

@Op....so on point with tips. Am just adding to the point that a big name star is not necessary. Spike Lee started off by using no name people who eventually became famois. Samuel Jackson played a bit role in Spike Lee's first movie and a prominent role in the more popular Jungle Fever after which Hollywood snatched him. Halle Berry ...then also a no name....played the wife in Jungle Fever after whixj Hollywood snatched her too. Just need good actors.

Thanks for the comments guys. Nice one but I want to ask if any of you know anything about www.distrify.com a platform for distributing films on the net. If anybody has any experience on it can you share it with the house?

For those who want to put their short films on the international circuit here's a list of distributors and Broadcasters who purchase short films and their contacts.http://www.raindance.org/site/picture/upload/image/members/list_of_short_film_distributors_and_broadcasters.pdf?goback=.gmp_1151907.gde_1151907_member_199463172