Wheels keep a turning ...

We're pleased to announce that MEGABALL$ has now listed on Slated.com, an industry-based web site where pre-vetted contacts can view projects. They include executive producers, producers, distributors, sales reps and...investors!  Slated has been building a lot of buzz as it established itself as the go-to site for independent films budgeted over $500k and below $15mil, and their success rate is growing.

On Monday we met with Ted Hartley, President and CEO of RKO Pictures, that grand historic film company. Ted's a very friendly guy and into many things, including producing some theater musicals. He made it clear he'd like to talk about distribution when the time is right.

Later this month we'll be attending the GI Film Festival in Washington DC, and after that there may be some trips to LA.
 

Slamdance Screenplay Competition, one of the most respected in the industry, has responded on MEGABALL$ stating, "The premise is a lot of fun and keeps the reader engaged, making for a very marketable story. ...Straight-forward and well-executed plot line in place....similar tone to AMERICAN HUSTLE."

We feel the film is more like Tony Soprano meets the BIG BANG THEORY ... or GOODFELLAS meets THE OFFICE.
 

Stay tuned for more! If you haven't visited our web site, or followed us on Twitter @Oroloro, please do! And check out our video teaser which has more than 21,000 views!

Maybe even consider buying some logo merchandise available through our web site. Those sales help to underwrite some of the development costs.

Social Harvesting

Research has shown that people who follow the development of a film project are most likely people who will see the film, ergo an indie film mantra, "build your audience." Using accounts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Google+, Vimeo, Vine, et. al. are great free ways to build that audience.

Case in point.

A few days ago I went to see THE GRAND BUDPEST HOTEL at my local theater. I don't often pay to see films because I belong to a film society where we see soooooooo many .... but, occasionally, there's a film that gets my interest that is not made available to our film society. I sat in this 'civilian' theater and the pre-movie barrage began, but there was no image - only sound. After ten minutes I alerted staff. Another ten minutes passed and still no image. I pulled out my smartphone, launched Twitter and searched for the theater company name, found them and tweeted the alert. Ten more minutes and the image came on (fortunately before the main feature). Later in the day I received a follow-up tweet from the theater company apologizing and thanking me for the alert. The (and here's the point) they began following me on Twitter. I tweeted about our film. Whoever handles their Twitter account visited our web site, watched our teaser, then Tweeted back that they liked it. So now we have a real follower!

 

And that's an important point. Don't buy followers as some do, earn them, communicate with them, and really build your audience.

 

Another case in point.

 

We decided to add a Vine campaign to our pre-marketing strategy. The items we want to make would require having a way to stabilize a cellphone while shooting. On eBay I purchased  a tripod mount. I received it quickly but it has a design flaw whereas the mount partially blocks the phone's camera. The seller was willing to accept a return, but I did a little work and fixed the problem by using rubber bands instead of the provided clamps, allowing me to shift the camera above the obstruction. I then reached out to the manufacturer alerting them of the issue. Thirty minutes later I got an email from the company offering to exchange the mount for a different one (even though I did not purchase the unit from them). Apparently the one I bought on eBay was for a different use. I explained our plan was, then the company owner visited our web site, watched our teaser video, and followed us on Twitter. Again, it's a real connection. 

 

By the way, if you're looking for a mount for cell phones, tablets, GPS units or small cameras, check out Arkon. Their catalog is impressive, the products are well priced, and the commitment to customer service is well proven.

 

And a third case in point.

 

Richard Lustig is a multi-time lottery winner. At one point we reached out to his blog simply to introduce MegaBall$, our comedy about geeks, the lotto and the Mob. Richard was intrigued and even inquired about perhaps making a cameo on the film. We connected on Twitter and Richard also signed up to our MailChimp account for email progress reports. Yesterday Richard emailed stating he hadn't heard from us in a while, so we sent him an update.

 

Each one of these followers is not only likely to become a paying audience, but also likely to help spread the word to their friends and followers.

 

While you're doing all your creative stuff, and legal stuff, and financial stuff, don't forget to build your audience.

Tarry On ...

As we come out of the long and cold winter, recovering from health issues and tragic fires, we turn our attention back to MEGABALL$.

It has always been part of our strategy to build our audience before we make the film. We have been building a following on our web site, on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Google+  and Pinterest, and by posting piece about the film in a few online film sites - which has led to the project getting a listing on IMDBPro. We are active on several film industry sites such as Slated, Stage32, Funny or Die and The Black List. We have set up a MailChimp list where people may sign-up for email updates. We also sell logo merchandise on our web site and fans who have purchased T-shirts, cups, posters, etc., have posted photos of them with their items. (Proceeds from those sales help to underwrite the growing development costs.) We frequently put time in on social media to help build that following, which reaches all over the world.  We'll continue that strategy while we film by posting stills from the set and even behind-the-scene videos.

Another element that will help the marketing and audience building is our planned mobile APP, which will be functional and promotional in nature, and be released early into production. Not only will it have useful lotto elements, such as a number picker that plays lines from the script, users would be able to get production notes, buy merchandise, and even buy downloads of the completed film.

 

We are now examining the possibility of combining our financing effort with one or two other projects by other producers. In doing so the financiers could improve their chances of profit margins because the money would not be in one project but spread over several of different genres.

Soon we'll begin shooting some Vine videos - comic short items about the lotto.

We sued our winter down-time by working on all of our materials based on feedback from Molly Mayeaux. Molly is a veteran producer with over 30 films to her credit, and spent a week reviewing all our work, making recommendations on changes to the screenplay, the business plan, and more. Her insight and objectivity was very helpful, and her input much appreciated. Molly thought the title sounded a like a low-ball or raunchy comedy and is not fitting to our high-concept smart comedy. However, for the moment, we're sticking to our title which evolved by combining the two most popular lotto games - MegaMillions and Powerball. The reaction we get from everybody when they hear the title is that it's about the lotto and it's a comedy.

Visit our web site for more information on the project!

Oy, those gremlins

The ending of 2013 and the beginning of 2014 has been plagued with gremlins.

Just before the holidays I came down with a bad sinus infection causing migraine-like headaches. I spent the holidays resting in the dark.

Then...a few days later ....

On the first Saturday of 2014 I narrowly escaped serious injury during a road rage incident in NJ. 5 State troopers came to our rescue, and I managed to only get a few bruises and strains.

Then, a few days later ....

Oroloro partner Joe Cirllo's home had an extensive fire caused by a clothing dryer failure. Fortunately, no one was injured. The 3-month old dryer was the firestarter, and the fire/smoke/water damages are heavy. Joe will be living in a hotel, and watching over the home recovery, for 4-5 months.

Then, a few days alter...

After being on medication for the sinus infection for less than one day, I awoke with a tingling sensation in the right side of my face, which worsened through the day.. My doctor advised me seek urgent care. By the evening the right side of my face had been paralyzed. apparently, the infection hit a nerve.. CT Scans, MRI and blood tests were clear, new meds, and - at this time - I am still slowly recovering, wearing an eye patch and hoping for a full recovery over time.

Then, a few days later....

My custom built high-end computer crashed. It's a fairly large and heavy unit, but very powerful. I use it for our film efforts, designing documents, web sites and video editing. I needed to find a technician to come to the home.for the repair (which was beyond my ability). Finally, 10 days later I'm told it's been repaired, but I don't know the financial damages. We're now waiting to find a day when the computer can be brought back home. Fortunately, I have a small travel laptop and tablet allowing me to minimally keep up on some emails.

Joe and I are regrouping, licking our wounds and looking forward to focusing our energies on the financing of MEGABALL$.  We are grateful for all the support and well wishes received from family and friends. I'm also looking forward to being able to travel so I may see my grandson Carter, born Dec 6th. And, we deserve a vacation!

On a positive note, we were tickled to learn that TV veteran and funnyman, Chuck McCann, is following us on Twittwer and Facebook!

Its' big business!

According to a recent report of the MPAA, film and TV is big business and has a massive impact the US economy. It's surprising there isn't more support of the industry, especially for the independents.

According to the report:

• there are 240,000 jobs in the core business or producing, marketing and manufacturing of movies and TV shows.
• there are 365,000 jobs in related businesses that distribute movies and TV to customers.
• The industry is a major private sector employer supporting 1.9 million jobs and $104 billion in total wages (2011)
• the industry increases the tax base by $16.7 billion

And from the MPAA theatrical statistics report:

• Global box office for all films reached $34.7 billion in 2012, up 6% of 2011. US/Canada sales were $10.8 billion, also up 6% over 2011.
• 2/3 of the world's nearly 130,000 cinemas are now digital.
• Movie admissions for US/Canada hit 1.36 billion, up 6% from 2011.
• The 5 top states by numbers of moviegoers (in order) are CA, TX, NY, FL, IL
• Of the top 25 grossing films of 2012, 19 were PG and PG-13 (our film, MegaBall$, would be a PG-13 rating).

Wow, that's a lotta ziti!

More Coverage ...

We've gotten another piece written about our comedy film, MegaBall$, on IndieSonar.

We've also gotten preliminary feedback from the Slamdance Screenplay competition. They allow one reader to send comments (additional feedback is available for additional fees). The reader called the script "Interesting, ambitious and commercial." We also took to heart other feedback when reviewing and editing the script - now it's even more focused and well-paced,

What are the odds?

The Florida Powerball $590 winner was on a quick-pick ticket. Sounds like MegaBall$ !!

The SlamDance screenplay competition called the script "ambitious and commercial" ...

The Tribeca Film Institute called the script "a strong contender" ....

...and we make it better every single day!

www.MegaBallsMovie.com