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White Lie - A Prelude To A Revolution In Tampa Indie Film - Preparing For Revolution. Writing Scripts For Dream Nine Studios Short Films
Saturday, March 19, 2011 - 5:00 PM - Tampa Indie Film Log for Filmmaker C. A. Passinault
Preparing For The 2012 Tampa Film Scene Online
I’ve built up the index
of the Tampa Film Blog enough since the content was organized on the here.
It’s time to begin organizing the content here by archiving old
blog posts as new ones are added. I’m also going to start referencing
and linking to specific blog posts from my other sites. The content is
going to get indexed.
Oh, and some of the sections on the Tampa Film Blog also need work, but
there is no hurry there.
Although Tampa Bay Film moved to its own domain name and the Tampa Bay
Film sites were all up and running as stand-alone sites by late 2009,
content additions were slow in 2010 (when this happened, too, the main
Tampa Bay Film site actually LOST content, as some of the content was
cannibalized to put together the new sites. Like the rib from Adam, the
main site made a sacrifice. Tampa Bay Film now not only needs content
replaced, but a lot more needs to be added). Most of the content added
was to this Tampa Film Blog, and of the content added, it was not organized
well. One of the Tampa Bay Film sites which HAD to be organized well,
because of what it was, was the online film festival. Today, the Tampa
Bay Film Online Film Festival is an indicator of what is coming. It does
better in the search engines than all of the other Tampa Bay Film sites,
and to see this for yourself, all that you have to do is put the name
of any film which is playing on the online film festival in any search
engine. The top results for those films are the online film festival,
which means that it is one of the best marketing and promotional platforms
for films anywhere. The filmmakers are realizing this, too (which reminds
me.... I have quite the backlog of film submissions to add. I will have
to take a day one of these weekends to work on it).
Starting this year, there will be less content added to the Tampa Film
Blog and more added to the other Tampa Bay Film sites (trust me; there
is more than enough content on this blog right now. It just needs to be
properly indexed, and it’s only a matter of time. This will be facilitated
with the other Tampa Bay Film site referencing content and posts here
on the blog. Also, there are entire sections here on the Tampa Film Blog
site which need content and organization, and those sections will receive
more attention this year than the blog itself). Although information is
restricted on some of the Tampa Bay Film sites for security reasons (I’d
rather not tip my hand and reveal details of my plans until I am ready
to implement things. There are some local so-called “filmmakers”
who steal and plagiarize, you know. After plagiarizing, they then accuse
the source of the idea of stealing from them, which adds insult to injury.
The last thing that I want is to finally roll something out, and to go
up against someone using my ideas, stolen from me, and claim that the
ideas were theirs to begin with, which makes me look like the thief; although,
in reality, it is doubtful that they could implement the idea better than
I could, as you cannot get the most out of a stolen idea when you do not
comprehend the mechanics behind it. This has already happened, and it
is very unpleasant. Rest assured that the ideas and concepts that I am
using/ will be using are my own, and when they are not, I will be ethical
and professional about it, giving credit where it is due. At any rate,
this is one reason why I am working hard to make Tampa Bay Film the dominant
voice in Tampa indie film, which it already is, and why we are working
on so many film festivals and independent film support events. It will
deter the plagiarism and the credibility attacks that certain bastards
have hit me with over the years; I have checks and balances in place to
defend against this kind of B.S., not just for my use, but for all filmmakers.
This will help to establish a real Tampa indie film community, and help
it grow. This will help make the Tampa indie film community a worldwide
leader in independent film in the next few years!), there is no reason
why support information cannot be added. It will be needed eventually,
anyway.
So, by starting regular updates to all of the sites soon, this year, the
sites will be where they need to be when they are really needed, which
is 2012.
Also, in retrospect, I’d rather publish the most controversial content,
such as the reviews, sooner, rather than later. The reason is that this
information needs to be accepted, and there needs to be time for certain
people to cool off. I’ll be making publicized public appearances
starting in late 2012, and I’d rather not be greeted by lynch mobs.
Speaking of reviews, which will be published on the Tampa Film Review
Tampa Bay Film site, I’ll be working on a segmented format. One
thing which is slowing me down is that I tend to write huge reviews. The
reviews are so large, that I’ll stop writing in the middle and get
sidetracked by something else. As a result, I have several large, excellent
reviews which have yet to be published. With the reviews, I will now concentrate
on writing, publishing, and establishing short reviews of about a page
in length. I will then add expanded reviews and reference related content.
This will help me a get a variety of easy to read, effective reviews done.
The larger expanded reviews and supporting content will be organized over
several pages, and referenced.
Tampa Bay Film itself is due for a lot of content to be added, as well
as at least one major site overhaul this year. We will be adding an indie
film reference system of sorts, where investors can see our opinion about
Tampa filmmakers, and reference reviews, blog posts, and other information
about them; all from one convenient resource. This will help them to make
an informed decision as to whether they should get involved with the filmmaker
or not.
Also, please note that it’s nothing personal. If it were, my opinions
would not have a lot of credibility. It’s true that if I don’t
like someone, and it really warrants it, that I will have fun ripping
them apart when I write about them. My feelings are never the motivation
behind my opinion, however. Take Paul Guzzo, for example. While it is
true that I don’t like Paul Guzzo, and we do not see eye to eye,
would I be sincere if I stated that I did not think that he was a good
filmmaker or writer? Seriously, Paul Guzzo is a good filmmaker, and a
good writer, in my opinion (although I have issues with his film 99, as
well as him putting in low-rent Godfather elements in all of his films).
Despite my good review on him in these areas, I don’t see us ever
working together or becoming friends, and that’s fine with me.
Joe Davison and I don’t get along, either, but it gives me great
satisfaction knowing that I am being sincere when I share my opinion that
he is not a good actor, writer, or filmmaker. I don’t think that
he is, and the fact that we do not get along is only icing on the cake
with me. If Joe Davison actually did good work, and deserved a good review,
I’d be the first one to admit it. Fortunately, I don’t have
to do that. At the very least, however, Mr. Davison should be happy that
I recognize him as a Tampa filmmaker. If I did not, it would be worse.
Everyone needs to realize that, regardless of how I feel about people
in the Tampa indie film scene, that I’m going to tell it how I see
it, and people need to take my opinions for what they are worth. The sad
truth, though, is that the majority of current Tampa independent films
are not good films, and if it seems that I am slamming everything, well,
it just seems that way. I’d be much more positive if there were
some good films coming from the Tampa indie film scene. This should change
in the next few years, as a new generation of Tampa filmmakers will enter
the scene. These new filmmakers, armed with what my people and I will
be bringing to the market, will displace the old filmmakers, and become
dominant.
It is inevitable. At the very least, the math of simple attrition cannot
be denied.
At this point, I would like to point out one of my failings. This is all
taking longer than I planned. Although it is one of the few criticisms
from my opponents which actually has any weight (if not the only one),
I will admit that some of my plans are taking a lot longer than I planned.
That’s hardly a failure, though, especially with the economy the
way that it is right now.
Sure, some people out there make assumptions about me not based upon fact,
or they listen to the wrong people, and believe what is said about me.
With the assumptions on more positive matters, they build me up to unrealistic
proportions in their minds, and when they find out that I’m not
want they expected, they feel that I’ve lied to them or misled them
in some way. In such a situation, you are set up so that you cannot possibly
win, as no one can control what someone thinks (Well...............).
Whatever. That’s their problem. It doesn’t have to be mine,
especially when I haven’t done anything wrong.
Case in point: People whom think that I am super successful, with a huge,
nice house, and an office in a skyscraper somewhere. Some people assume
that I’m rich. I’ve never stated, or implied, any of this,
because if I did, I’d be lying. Most of the money that I make is
reinvested into my business resources, and I live a very basic lifestyle.
Sure, my living arrangements are rather basic, but what I’ve been
able to do with those arrangements is pretty impressive. This is why I
didn’t hide anything, and why I felt perfectly comfortable with
a television news crew visiting my humble abode one day for an interview.
It’s obvious when you see my place that it was specifically built
to support my endeavors in art, entertainment, and in business. It’s
also obvious that, despite the lack of anything fancy, that I’m
going places. It’s obvious that I’ve dedicated my life to
the advancement of art and entertainment. It’s also obvious that
I live a cool lifestyle, and I that I am not like most people. Say what
you will, but love me or hate me, I am certainly not boring (my brother
does not entirely understand what I do, but he even said that I’m
not boring.) Anyone who discounts me at first glance certainly sells themselves
short. They only hurt themselves. I believe in what I am doing, and the
reason that I am friends with so many talented people is that they believe
in what I am doing, as well. They also believe in me.
I had dinner at my parents house yesterday, and lamented to them that
I’d be making films right now if I had not bought the expensive
car that I did in late 2006. Between 2006 and mid 2008 I made good money,
and I could afford such things. When the economy tanked in late 2008,
however, I started having trouble. In 2009, I saw my problems with cash
flow compound themselves. My bills actually increased, and my pay dropped
by a third.
So, in 2009 and 2010, I hung in there, but progress on a lot of things
was deadlocked (I’ve told Chris Woods about what was going on, too).
It’s really not that bad, though, because if I had been able to
do some of these things, the economy would have made them far less cost-effective.
Regarding my film festivals, my events, and my career as filmmaker, it
all hinges on my ability to make films. While I am a highly trained and
experienced filmmaker, it’s kind of hard to make films if you do
not have any equipment.
So, forget anyone else being frustrated with me, and them pointing fingers
at me claiming that I’m all talk and no action. It’s been
frustrating for me because making films is something that I really want
to do. I was meant to make films. I’ve also invested enough time
over the years working on independent films, which I’ve been doing
since 1993, to know what I’m doing.
Paul Guzzo once said that I’m not a filmmaker. He also said that
I’m irrelevant. Joe Davison once said that I have no right to say
anything about Tampa film, as I’m not a part of the film scene.
Well, I completely disagree with both of them. I have a right to voice
my opinion, especially when I make a lot of valid points. If the tables
were reversed, I would certainly never say that they had no right to voice
anything about independent films in Tampa Bay. We all have the right to
voice our opinions, and to contribute, regardless of how any of us feels
about the other. Simply put, what they said about me not having any rights,
especially after all of the help that I’ve given to filmmakers,
and with me getting involved and contributing, was uncalled for, and rude.
You NEVER discourage and attack anyone as payment for their support! I
consider their comments to be highly unprofessional, and I won’t
forget what they said.
I’m not making any sort of threat, either. Hey, if they are right,
and I’m not able to do much for Tampa indie film, and I really am
irrelevant, then life goes on. They simply can keep on doing what they
try to do.
But what if they were wrong? What happens, then?
I’ll tell you what will happen, and, in my opinion, what is going
to happen. They pay the ultimate penalty when I remember how I was treated,
and I don’t help them. There will come a time when I will be considered
to be one of the top filmmakers in Florida, and all of my investments
into the future of Tampa indie film, and filmmaking, pays off. At that
time, Paul Guzzo and Joe Davison will reap what they sow, when they plead
for my help, and I don’t give it to them.
Petty? You can think so if you wish. As for me, I’m only going to
help filmmakers who deserve my help.
So, I’m moving on. The plan is to reboot the Tampa indie film scene,
and to populate it with, and support, new filmmakers.
There is another scenario which I am evaluating. This scenario covers
a situation which is probable. What would happen is that, after my efforts
are successful and the perception is that progress is being made, that
my opponents will band together, organize, and compete against what we
are doing.
That would be a good thing. A good thing? Yes, of course, it would be
a good thing. Monopolies in any market are never good for the market.
Competition drives innovation, and makes everyone work harder. The market
benefits when there is competition, and so does everyone in the market.
I would never presume that the fate of an entire market would rest in
my hands, and I would never want that kind of responsibility. I have no
desire to control the Tampa independent film scene! At any rate, to inspire
competition, and to get people to do things to improve the Tampa film
scene, would be a good thing!
I expect competition. I want competition, and to see it happen would be
the ultimate indication of my success in my endeavors. I don’t mind
competition, as long as it is ethical. I do, however, wish those whom
aspire to compete with me a lot of luck. They are going to need it.
You see, no one has invested the time and the resources into this like
I have. This strong foundation will give anything that I do a massive
advantage, and it will be hard to compete against anything that I do.
For example, consider the extremely successful Tampa Bay Film Online Film
Festival (OFF), which launched as a part of Tampa Bay Film in January
2007, and then became a stand-alone web site in late 2008. Currently,
it is the top marketing and promotional platform, online or offline, for
independent films. It offers more exposure than all of the Tampa and Florida
film festivals combined. It’s free, too.
Spending years investing in the online film festival and building it up
to be the top platform not only benefits indie filmmakers who wish to
utilize it, but myself, as well.
Consider this:
When I start making films, would you think that I’d have an advantage
in the filmmaking business when I own the top support resources for those
endeavors? I will certainly take advantage of resources which I had the
foresight to develop before I actually needed them.
And here everyone thought that I was wasting time building infrastructure,
and investing in the future. My long term plans will give me an advantage.
Although I tend to take the long way around to a goal, and avoid taking
shortcuts, which makes progress slow in the perception of the ignorant,
by the time that I reach that goal, I win.
Just because it takes me a while to do something does not mean that I
will not do it. I’m not all talk and no action. I’m talk,
work, and detailed action. I’m short term blitz and long term success.
I know where I’ve been, where I am, and certainly, where I am going.
How many others have a plan, and have the experience to recognize what
they need, and how to make it happen? How many have the patience that
I have when it takes what seems like forever to accomplish something?
Going back to competition, especially from my opponents, well, most of
them have already tried, given up, and ultimately failed. After being
inspired by my efforts, they are not going to be able to keep doing what
has been done and be able to compete. I don’t see them competing
at all without the use of ideas and concepts which we have brought, and
introduced, to the market. That’s perfectly fine, as long as credit
is given where it is due, but keep in mind that most people will prefer
the source, and the original thing, rather than a third-rate knock-off.
Well, instead of my deal VS my opponents, I do believe that the more,
the merrier. More than two competitors would be better for the Tampa indie
film market; at least they would be forced to improve whatever they do.
Ideally, there would be several competing groups, and that should keep
me on my toes.
As I do not expect to remain unopposed, it is more probable that my strongest
competition would be a group of people who are unknown to me at this time.
The situation could be one which is less like competition, and more like
open warfare in the market. Bring it on. To some, I am some sort of villain,
so it will be interesting to see what eventually develops.
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