Getting a job from a pre-visualization
I am going to be a writer/director. I have done neither professionally before, but I have previsualized the movie with my script. My question is what’s the next step? Can I just call the studio for a appointment to show them the pre-viz, or do I buy the Hollywood Creative Directory of Agents and Producers and send it to each one of them and maybe they will be impressed enough to show it around to get a deal?
–Geoff B
Nova Scotia, Canada
For readers who are unfamiliar with the term, a pre-visualization consists of artwork — often animated — which demonstrates the look and style of a film before it’s shot. It’s a technique often used for movies that involve elaborate set pieces (such as battle scenes) to help all the departments plan and budget for the work ahead. For instance, when prepping for CHARLIE’S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE, the helicopter stunt at the opening was extensively animated before a frame of film was shot. That way, the director could focus on getting exactly the pieces he needed, replacing the roughly-animated polygonal figures with real angels.
But that’s an expensive Hollywood movie. Why would Geoff want or need pre-visualization?
Well, if he’s trying to do a movie that has a very different visual style, it might help. For instance, the upcoming SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW has an incredibly stylized, retro-futuristic look, achieved by computer animation and actors shot against green screen. The only way the director could convince a studio (in this case, Paramount) to gamble on the project was to shoot an extensive pre-visualization that explained his vision.
If Geoff’s movie is a simple romantic comedy, or a cop drama, then pre-visualization isn’t necessary, and probably won’t help him get a deal. But if his movie is more unusual or elaborate, it just might.
Since it sounds like Geoff is starting out from scratch, without any contacts, his “shotgun” approach of going through the Hollywood Creative Directory might make sense. Whatever he sends out — a videotape, storyboards, artwork — should be absolutely professional, concise, and well-edited. I wouldn’t send out the script until people respond.
Articles
February 12th, 2006 at 10:37 pm
Hi John, I saw you at the WGA talk the other night, i was volunteering for your talk. Sorry, I was really flaky and said ‘did you sign in?’ and you said ‘I’m the speaker’….Well, anyway, i had to leave early for my screenwritng class at Film Independant, but I wanted to ask you about comic books and more about how you learn pre-visualization. I have been writing for so long, i need to express myself other ways, and i think that would help in pitch meetings -
Ariane
June 17th, 2006 at 12:39 am
Hi John , I wonder if you could ellaborate more in this section. It hits home for me. I am a visual person and a story/idea person. My ideas tend to be very character driven, like James Bond, Wonder Woman , Holly Golightly. I recently wrote my first screenplay and I have no hollywood connections. Yet, I’ve had this dream for years to write/direct and live action trilogy with a female protagonist and a 3d animated adventure. I’ve wondered how I could go about pitching theses ideas. Should I try filming them like with a 10 minute short and send that to festivals and execs or write a script and storyboard them? I’d hate the thought of sending out a spec to see them turned down ,although I could at least re-write it and try it again. However, if someone bought either idea and they landed in development hell, that would be horrifying. I really care about the characters and ideas a lot. They are my Luke Skywalkers so to speak. So I was wondering what your advice is for pitching such a character? Should I write the first script as a spec and send it around town? Incidently I want to make to make a comic using the female character. Maybe I am starting to answer my own question, but perhaps I should try and do that first and then push for the character to be optioned as a film through spec or pitch. I was just wondering what your advice was.
April 9th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
I’m really busting my hump to get my character designs noticed with the storyline proposals i have created and worked on for over 15 years. If any one is interested the website is (www.xdragunn.com) ive created the website, drawn the characters, rewrote the storylines in a little under 3 months for my art/education curriculum thesis. if any one goes to the website click “ANIME� and the page should come up with the designs as well as the storyline proposals. If anyone is interested email me!
good luck to everyone,
-Dustin