16 January 2007
Movement, there's been a bifurcation in the Force.
For various reasons, it has become obvious that it's time to make a move on distribution and funding for the film. I've been getting over my natural aversion to the telephone and making appointments, dropping in the local newpaper to make a bit of a splash, and generally acting like a producer.
Meanwhile, chapter 7 of Demoniac Dance is finished. The writing continues. I've got into a 'day job' situation that leaves 5 mornings a week free if I'm not travelling on the weekend, and that's my writing time. Progress is being made on all fronts.
There is one piece of sad news. Lucky the cat was struck by a car and killed on Christmas Eve. Not only is the family in mourning, but I've lost a key actor. I will have to find a ginger cat who will leap and attack on command as Lucky did. We will add a memorium to the credits for him.
Meanwhile, there is much to do. And rumour has it that Dance of the Goblins is up for book of the month on three Yahoo reading groups. The word is spreading...
11 December 2006
Great news, the book is finally available at Amazon.com!
It only took over a year to reach the USA. Meanwhile, progress towards the film continues. I'm busily stalking a couple more actors and have investment information up on the film site now, at www.goblinfilmsltd.com
It's amazing how long it takes to put everything together, but part of the reason for that is waiting to hear back from people. Top names don't come easy, and they tend to be busy. But I persevere. Much of my time is dedicated to raising the funding now. A lot of people have promised donations, a few have come through. Amazing how much those fivers can add up if everyone contributes. But of course the larger investors are needed. I'm giving a pretty good deal really, especially for mixing small business advertising with investment.
We have a director now, David Heinemann. You'll find him on IMDB. And an animator. And I've recently made contact with someone who has done puppet work for Henson Co. Could have interesting possibilities.
A few potentially interesting contacts have come my way recently as well so there is some possibility of a co-production deal forming that could help add experience to the project. We shall see. On the bottom line, I'm still primarily a writer and am only producing myself to see that it gets done. I would like to write screenplays for other production companies as well. I've proven I can do it well, and I really enjoy the medium. Plus I can think of far more ideas for films than I will ever be able to produce myself.
Hopefully soon after Christmas I'll have established which actors I can get or not and can put principle cast into place. And get the funding projects to pay off. Got any spare change? ;)
7 September 2006
Well, Kevin and other important people are off in L.A. finishing up Pirates of the Caribbean 3 while I'm actively working for funding for the film back here in the UK. It's a bit of a scramble to get things moving, but that's half the fun. Apart from the traditional sources of income, I'm trying a few innovations. One of these is an internet campaign to solicit donations and investors. In return people get credits and possibly a return.
I'm hoping the people who receive the internet meme won't misinterpret it as spam. I've personalised it as much as possible so that those who know my name at least will see that it is indeed a meme, a magical act of spreading the word around that this film is happening and that ordinary people can get involved and get their name on screen without large investements. Those odd fivers add up!
And of course those who can afford to invest a bit get returns and even potentially substantial profits for their trouble. And still get the screen credit. The message I'm asking people to spread round as is follows;
Hello, I'm Jaq D Hawkins, a known author with an established website at http://www.jaqdhawkins.co.uk I am also a new filmmaker, currently seeking funding for my first project, 'Dance of the Goblins' starring Kevin McNally (Mr Gibbs from POTC) and possibly other well-known stars, currently in negotiation.
I am sending this message out as a unique approach to film funding, with the intent to appeal to those who are tired of the current Hollywood trend towards stale sequels and inane re-makes, and want to see quality entertainment in the cinema, or even to become directly involved.
This is being done through a system of donations, Associate Producer credits, and personal investment. For as little as $5 or £5, less than the price of a cinema ticket, you can contribute to the future of quality entertainment. And every donation will be acknowledged in the credits of the film, saved for posterity to remember that YOU helped to make it possible.
Larger donations, £100 or more, will receive an Associate Producer credit. £1000 or more is investment capital, and contributors can expect to receive a return on the investment on a sliding scale of percentage profit. For more information on donations or investing in the project, see the film site at http://www.goblinfilmsltd.com/funding.php or contact goblinfilmsltd@gmail.com for details.
Goblin Films Ltd are focusing on quality scriptwriting and top talent acting for the best entertainment experience we can create for you.
We're not just making a movie.
We're making a statement.
Thank you ~ Jaq
http://www.goblinfilmsltd.com/funding.php
Well there you are. A lot of people are posting the message on their personal pages, although it travels farther with actual email posting and group spamming. Oops! Did I say spam? Well it's not really. As I said, this one is a meme. And everyone stands to gain by it.
And if nothing else, it will make a great story later...
23 July 2006
Ok, yes, the updates are few and far between now. But things happen both quickly and slowly.
Changes:We are changing director, Si has one of his own projects blossoming and the genre' for DOTG is quite different to what he normally does, so although he is still involved with the project, he will not be directing. I've approached a known director who is perfect for the project, let us hope that he agrees. ith at least one name actor on board, we stand a better chance.
Oh, didn't I say? Success! Kevin McNally, most recently known as Mr Gibbs in Pirates of the Caribbean, has agreed to play Haghuf, the lead goblin (Happy Dance!) This is of course wonderful beyond belief. But being greedy, I'm still stalking another name star for the lead human, Count Anton. I hope to know if we're successful on that by the end of September.
In the meantime, I'm working on raising finance to pay these famous people. One innovation for this is a combination donation/investment plan, which is explained at http://www.goblinfilmsltd.com/funding.php. We are also pursuing advertising money through product placement and sponsorship, so if you want in as an individual or a business, contact us at goblinfilmsltd@gmail.com and ask for details.
18 April 2006
Talk about an overdue update!
The good news is that the fact that I haven't had time to update the news page means that I've been productive.
At present I have very positive feedback from the star that I want to play the main goblin role, Haghuf. I should be talking to him directly very soon. And then I will find out what happened with the script sent for the other star that I'm hoping to recruit. Follow-up letters are being sent to other 'names' that I've been working on recruiting in some capacity this week. To date, nobody hs actually said 'no' to me. Hopefully these letters will bring a response one way or the other, but hopefully positive news.
I'm deleting some of the older posts to this page as so much has changed. At present I am receiving help and advice from a more experienced producer in London who took an interest in the project. His generous contributions are of inestimable value, so don't be surprised if a future update sees him in a more directly involved role. I have a great director, Si Fantauzzo. Technically I am co-director, but it is Si's technical knowledge of filmmaking that I needed most on this project. Through these two, I have contacts to many talented and experienced crew people, and that is a very important aspect of filmmaking.
Ideas for pursuing funding have been formulating steadily, and are about to be put in motion. Details of this will have to wait for the DVD extras I'm afraid, I'm not going to post all my brilliant ideas on the internet. But apart from the usual sources of revenue towards UK filmmaking, I've been thinking outside the box a bit and will hopefully be able to tap some sources not already being tapped by every other independent filmmaker in the country.
The book itself is STILL not on Amazon.com! But overseas orders have been getting dependably filled from Kulture Shock, UK. The fact that they are in the same city as the publisher means they can re-stock very quickly, and can even get me to drop in and autograph copies much of the time. If you don't find it on search, ask. They can and will get them. Other than that Amazon, UK is still dependable.
With all of the film related work that I need to chase up, I seem to have no time whatsoever. Something has to give. So, I'm giving up public speaking for the immediate future. I've never really been a performer anyway. My last talk will be at Awakenings at Preston this coming weekend, and then my full attention can be on the film and my writing.
Waiting for responses from talent has drawn out the process of putting everything together for the film, but steady progress continues. As soon as I get a letter of intent from my star, I can go to the distributors with something to get their interest. Then everything happens at once.
I will try to update more regularly as the beautiful chaos falls into place!
16 January 2006
Loads of news on the film front.
Things have been falling into place on many fronts. Most recent and very significant is that a well-known actor has been approached for the project and the initial response is enthusiastic. Some of my thoughts on who might fill which roles are being re-evaluated as a result, as this one would be a real treasure for the lead goblin. I did have someone in mind for that role, but sometimes it just suddenly hits you, this is a better idea. And it would keep me from having to lose the character in the second book, as he has expressed interest in sequels. Suddenly it just feels right.
Key crew members have been falling into place as well. I've got a Production Manager who knows his stuff, and an Assistant Director in London who has been sorting camera and lighting crew etc. Script editor, sound engineer and other important positions have been chosen. Film editor is next. Music is being sorted as we speak.
Meanwhile, I keep getting requests for the first sequel, which I'm dying to get back to work on. Mornings will see me back in my goblin world soon. The afternoons are good enough for planning and costing sheets, and all the admin and personal contact work that needs doing.
Distribution outside the UK for the original book has not been forgotten. I keep telling the publisher to get it on Amazon.com no matter how many times it has to be submitted before they get it right. He has promised to follow-up. Meanwhile, it is easily available on Amazon.co.uk and for fast service, the actual publisher has listed in the marketplace section.
I expect more exciting news will follow soon.
30 September 2005
Goblin Films Limited is born.
After juggling the relative merits of selling a screenplay to a production company or producing it myself with some professional help, plus looking into what would be required, I made the decision that I couldn't give up artistic control. I looked at what a producer has to do and decided, 'I can do this...'
So, now all those years of admin work and organising things, plus growing up in media, fall into place. Only I can't do things by halves, the company doesn't just exist to produce films of my own books. As a matter of fact, I may have the second project grinding into motion even now. And there are others on my list. Screenplay writing suits me so well that I had three others in mind by the time I finished the first, apart from the goblin sequels.
And by Wednesday www.goblinfilmsltd.com will be on-line. I'm amazed that there aren't more woman producers actually, it requires a lot of multi-tasking. But doing impossible things is a bit of a hobby of mine.
