Viability

     I just read an article by William Gazecki posted on DVFormat.com. The article can be seen here. In this article Mr. Gazecki claims that documentaries don’t make money. But, they are a good way for filmmakers to practice and stay active.

     I couldn’t disagree more. Even if you discount the vast number of pure documentaries that turn a profit and can be found on sites like The Documentary Blog, there are still the “common” documentaries.

     By “common” I am referring to the made for television documentaries that can be found on The Discovery Channel or the BBC. These productions are absolutely required to turn a profit, or they do not get made at all.

     Going a step further we can even include Reality Television. While it may be abhorred by the artistic elements of the industry the fact remains that Reality Television is, in it’s essence, a form of documentary production. And, more importantly, it makes a lot of money while turning its subjects into celebrities.

     Mr. Gazecki made his error in reducing the entire medium into a single concept. The truth of his statement would only exist if it were rephrased, “Documentaries don’t make money unless they are entertaining”.

     This is the case with my current production. This documentary is founded on the idea of entertainment, and will be completed for the purpose of profit.

     If you can give the audience something they want to watch then you will have no problem turning a profit.

Fear

The hardest thing about production work is that the 10% of the population who want to be in front of a camera are the few people that you don't want anywhere near your production. The other 90% of the people who would make for an amazing production are terrified of having a camera aimed at them.
That's what directors are for, and why they get paid so much. A directors' main job is to help get talented people past their fear of the camera lens so that they can put forth a quality performance.
The biggest challenge for the producer is trying to get those people in front of the camera in the first place so that the director can do his job.
That is now the biggest challenge facing this documentary. Trying to get people to set foot in front of a camera. It seems most people would rather deal with hand to hand combat rather than face the small piece of glass we call a lens.
But, as all things, this too shall be overcome. That is what a production is all about. Defying the odds, and making things happen.

Working Title

A working title is what you call your project until you have secured every possible form of legal ownership over the final title. The working title for this documentary is "Attitude not Required".
The purpose is to focus on the people and culture of modern scooter clubs in America such as Three Mile Island Scooter Club, Rabble Rouser Scooter Club, and the Harrisburg Hooligans.
With the expanding popularity of scooters it seems a timely project with a rapidly growing audience among those who are just beginning to ride.

Money

When you go looking for investors for your production you should always have a comprehensive budget prepared in advance, as well as a complete production book that will explain to potential investors exactly what kind of product you intend to sell.
That being said...
I have an impromptu meeting with a potential investor lined up on short notice. And, I have nothing prepared to show them. This is going to be me flying by the seat of my pants. I'm not expecting much, but it should be interesting to see how far I can go with nothing more than a verbal description of my initial concept.