Is it possible to pay to have covid tests done faster for a movie project?

[ironpony]

Just now, Happy Lemming said:

Are these on youtube??

Not right now they aren't.  I can try to make a better short film but I need to pay for better actors and a better DP.  Would it be better if I went to a different city to make it where I have more options, or if I flew them here?  But that is tricky with covid now.

[Happy Lemming]

4 minutes ago, ironpony said:

Not right now they aren't.

Why not??  I understand you can make a little money on youtube with the ad revenue...

And who knows... maybe just maybe one of them will go viral??

[ironpony]

Oh okay.  How many short films do you think I should make then?  Not sure why not, it's just a lot of the housing where I live is 300K, but I am talking 300K Canadian though, sorry.  And when I said that the filmmakers I helped out on their movie that got distribution, I was talking Canadian, when I mentioned their budget.

[Happy Lemming]

22 hours ago, ironpony said:

How many short films do you think I should make then?

None... not until you have secured your basic needs of Food, Clothing and Shelter (independent of your parents).

 

Edited December 28, 2020 by a LoveShack.org Moderator
edited to remove off topic conversation

[ShyViolet]

Even IF you were going to make a film, which I think is a questionable plan.... it would make absolutely no sense to do it during Covid when you'd have to worry about covid testing of everyone involved.  Wait until the vaccine is widely available, and in the meantime you need to work on other aspects of your life, like getting your own place.

[ironpony]

Oh okay, I can do that.  I didn't think I would have enough money to make the film if I bought my own place now, and thought it was best to make the film first.  But I can still put down a down payment I suppose and then keep some for the movie later perhaps as a compromise.

[Elissa]

Hi all

After review, this thread has been split in two, with another topic discussing buying a house, which can be found in the Water Cooler section 

Please keep the conversation in this thread focused on paying to have covid tests done faster for a movie project.

Thank you!

[Taramere]

On 12/26/2020 at 6:35 PM, ironpony said:

I hope to market the movie to film festivals as a means to break into the business more and get noticed.  Distribution would be nice too, but if not, at least I have a feature film on my resume.

 

 Are you already working in this industry?  

Ok, I looked at more of the thread and that answered my question for me.  I would have thought before you even think of investing the huge amounts of cash it would take to put together even a very low budget movie, you would need to be getting experience of working in this industry and forming important contacts in it.  If you're not in there, forming those contacts and getting experience, it's hard to imagine any serious players even watching anything you produce.  So I guess you'd have to try to market it yourself using youtube, blogs, social media etc.  Good luck with that.

Edited December 28, 2020 by Taramere

[ironpony]

3 hours ago, Taramere said:

 Are you already working in this industry?  

Ok, I looked at more of the thread and that answered my question for me.  I would have thought before you even think of investing the huge amounts of cash it would take to put together even a very low budget movie, you would need to be getting experience of working in this industry and forming important contacts in it.  If you're not in there, forming those contacts and getting experience, it's hard to imagine any serious players even watching anything you produce.  So I guess you'd have to try to market it yourself using youtube, blogs, social media etc.  Good luck with that.

I've recorded audio on people's feature films here so far mostly.  One of them got distributon.  I also did some acting roles in some of theres as well, and some editing so far.  I have contacts in the industry around where I live.

[Taramere]

23 minutes ago, ironpony said:

I've recorded audio on people's feature films here so far mostly.  One of them got distributon.  I also did some acting roles in some of theres as well, and some editing so far.  I have contacts in the industry around where I live.

Have you asked any of your contacts for advice about getting faster covid testing for a movie project?   Here's a general article about covid testing in the movie industry, but the solutions suggested within it sound expensive (sourcing test kits, then sourcing a lab for fast test results - and hiring a nurse to administer the tests).  

https://www.indiewire.com/2020/07/covid-19-testing-film-tv-production-1234577204/

[ironpony]

My contacts seem as baffled as how to get testing down as I am. One production I worked on a few weeks ago had everyone get tested once before everyone started, but I don't know if that is good enough for the law, and if you should do it more often than just once at the start.  I am reading the article, thanks.

Edited December 29, 2020 by ironpony

[Happy Lemming]

51 minutes ago, ironpony said:

One production I worked on a few weeks ago had everyone get tested once before everyone started...

It is possible that their "General Liability" insurance company made that a requirement to insure production of the film.  There may even be an "insurance rider" (on this film) to protect the production company, if work has to be stopped on the film due to Covid-19.

 

 

 

[ironpony]

Yeah maybe.  But if everyone only has to get tested once then that can be do-able, compared to everyday, where the medical system is not able to test people everyday.

[Happy Lemming]

21 minutes ago, ironpony said:

Yeah maybe.  But if everyone only has to get tested once then that can be do-able, compared to everyday, where the medical system is not able to test people everyday.

If this was an insurance requirement, the insurance company would ask for one test to mitigate (but not eliminate) the possibility of a Covid-19 break out. 

The insurance company will attempt to gauge its exposure to a potential claim. 

Like if you drive 5 miles to work vs. 100 miles to work each day.  The insurance company will have higher rates for the long commuter vs. the short commuter.  The short commuter will have less chance of having an accident (less exposure) as the miles they drive are 1/20th of the longer commuter.

In conclusion, I really don't think there is a 100% way to completely guarantee that Covid-19 will not infect any of the cast or crew.  You can reduce the odds with a primary test, but this virus does have an incubation period where you could test negative and actually be carrying the virus. The insurance company will attempt to do its best to mitigate their exposure towards a possible claim, though.

Edited December 29, 2020 by Happy Lemming
spelling

[ironpony]

Well I heart that two other filmmakers I know from film school made their first feature films as well.  So if everyone is doing this and it's seen as normal, is it really so bad if I do it too, especially if everyone else is?  Maybe I shouldn't worry so much and just do it?

[basil67]

Did both of these films earn enough money to at least cover costs?   What was the final cost of the film and what did they earn?

Edited December 31, 2020 by basil67

[ironpony]

Both films wrapped up shooting earlier this year so not sure if the pandemic was as bad then, but I don't like asking the filmmakers all these details because I don't think they like sharing those things.  I don't know if it's my place to ask.  All I know is they chose to make them.

[Happy Lemming]

8 hours ago, ironpony said:

... but I don't like asking the filmmakers all these details because I don't think they like sharing those things.  I don't know if it's my place to ask. 

Before I spent any of my life savings, I think I would ask these "filmmakers" all of the financial details (regarding their films).  You can be polite about it, but have a list of the pertinent questions and explain your situation. If they refuse to tell you, so be it... at least you asked.

Do you know if these other "filmmakers" have secured their own basic needs of Food, Clothing and Shelter??

I'm a bit curious... how long have you had this idea to make a film?? How long have you been playing around with this script?? And how long since you graduated from film school??

 

[Wiseman2]

A new CDC report finds that 1 in 5 people with symptoms and confirmed COVID-19 had a negative rapid antigen test for COVID-19. These findings highlight the importance of RT-PCR testing to confirm negative results from rapid tests in people with symptoms. 

[ironpony]

Well I asked a couple, and they used investors money.  But they said if I can spend my own money then do it because having to deal with investors was a nightmare they said.  For example one of the filmmakers I helped out, the investor wanted them to work with certain actors and one of them was really difficult to work with, instead of being able to pick someone easier going, if it was her own money.  That's just one example, but do they have a point, that the advantage of working with my own money is not having to deal with investor drama?

She lives in apartment she rents.  I am not about the other filmmakers living conditions.  One lives an a house but not sure if he owns or rents.  He spend his own money on his features so far that I helped out with.

I've had the idea to make a movie for about 15 years now and kept practicing.  I've had the script for about five years, and went to film school almost four years ago.

Edited December 31, 2020 by ironpony

[Happy Lemming]

17 minutes ago, ironpony said:

 I've had the script for about five years...

Five years you've been playing around with this script... and no movie.

It's time to move onto a new goal that is actually attainable.

[ironpony]

But I thought that was good because I was saving money and practicing my skill, as well as making contacts.  Should I have made it earlier before film school for example?  I thought filmmaking and script writing took practice, or should I have just jumped in with no practice or making contacts and just made it right away?  Like for example I have a friend who is a guitar player, but he just didn't jump right into doing big shows right away.

Edited December 31, 2020 by ironpony

[Happy Lemming]

Five years is way too long... you are not serious about this film.

Every time I hear someone say they are "gonna" do this or "gonna" do that, my first thought is skepticism.   Now that I know you've been playing around with this script for FIVE years, I'm convinced nothing will happen with this film.

I repeat my earlier suggestion, set your sights on a more attainable goal.  A job earning a living wage, decent housing (of some type) and an independent life.

[NuevoYorko]

Do you have solid knowledge about the steps required to present your proposal to potential funders for a feature length film?  Can you outline them here?

You must have quite a tremendous pile of savings if you are prepared to fund and distribute a movie on your own.  Is that the case?

You've shared that you not only live at your parents' home, but that you have yet to take on the basic responsibilities of adult life; for example, you don't open your own mail, shop for and prepare food for yourself, have credit, or the ability to hold onto employment.    Until you are prepared to handle these primary life skills, it seems that making a movie is more of a dream for your future rather than a potential reality.  

Hold on to your dream, but get the basics of everyday life in place.  I think you are avoiding doing that by fantasizing about making this movie, but you have to start at the basics. 

[ironpony]

Oh I have books on how to attract funders and can follow those steps.  But have my own money in case that doesn't work.  Who says I don't buy my own food or cook it.  Who says I can't hold up a job?  I had a job for 9 years once, isn't that being able to hold onto a job?  I just don't know where things like that are coming from.  I can open my own mail, it's just my parents get to it first while I am working.

And I can make the movie sooner, I just thought that I needed practice first.  I also needed to save more money.  But when covid has lessened, then I can make it then, if making it soon is best.  But if five years is too long, have I been doing something wrong when it comes to saving money?  Should I be saving it up a lot sooner, and making a lot more money to make movies with, if years of savings is too long?

Edited December 31, 2020 by ironpony