Fix It In Prep
As our team makes more and more movies, our prep times have grown exponentially. We have learned throughout the years that the best way to ensure that your production is a success is proportionally by how much your project is spent in prep. PREP is the magical component to filmmaking success.
A film set is stressful and filled with factors that are beyond anyone’s anticipation or control. This is why prep is so important. Prep allows the team to essentially function on autopilot as much as possible so that when god forbid uncontrollable problems do arise during principal photography, you are able to take the time to solve these problems. Most sets that do not succeed do not prep so on set they waste precious filming time on answering questions that could have been answered prior to showing up on location. Questions such as: what are we shooting, where is lunch coming from, who is picking up what talent, and more. The more questions you do not have answered, the more you will need to answer on set when you do not have time. This alone makes for a disastrous production. Here is how you fix it in prep.
Transcript
Christine Chen 00:22
Oh, the news is we are going on our which what number of podcasts is this?
Adam Rani 00:30
Tell you in a second.
Christine Chen 00:35
Start another podcast we're on technically season three. And this is where we do our journey about taking an idea live and turning it into a feature. So, it's been a lot of trial trials and tribulations. So, let's just say that, yes, but you get to ask a lot of questions. And this is like for reals, what's happening. So, and I am deep in the getting people to commit their money to the project's phase. And it is so frustrating. But having talked to multiple people who've gone through this process, apparently, people waiting to the ultimate last moment for anything for commitment seems to be a very common thing. So, I'm learning to try to be as patient as possible, but it can. Man, there's some days where we just feel like it's never gonna happen. It's just really, really, really frustrating. So that's the news. Trying to make a feature film, doing it without any magic formula, except my own strong will and stubbornness and then the faith of other people.
Adam Rani 02:13
Ready?
Christine Chen 02:15
Ready when you are.
Adam Rani 02:17
Um, alright, let's all get ready here. All right, ladies and gentlemen, welcome. I am back. We are back to another episode of the get releases podcast. This is episode 42. Ladies and gentlemen, we're back at it. My name is Adam Rani.
Christine Chen 02:37
And I am at Christine Chen.
Adam Rani 02:39
Oh, wow, you guys. It's been two weeks. And I am sorry. I apologize. I unfortunately, I just want to get this out of the way so you know, we can get straight into Erzulie and you know, I can just shut the fuck up because nobody really cares. But I had COVID Two weeks ago, and I'm still going through it. I'm still kind of in that, you know, process of trying to recover. I don't have my taste or smell. Still. And yeah, it's you know, it's been trials and tribulations up and down. I wake up with many bodies ache pain, migraines. And today, today was a little better for sure. But nonetheless, yeah, still going through it. Anyways, we are now going into Erzulie Yeah, we are in Episode 42. Ladies and gentlemen, Christine. Sorry for no podcast last two weeks. I feel like I have let a lot of people down. But um, we're back. You know, we are here. Christine, how's everything? How's life? It's good.
Christine Chen 03:50
Just trying to make a feature film happen. It's still that it's 100 productions. Yeah, we've been heavy in pre-production. I've been heavy in pre-production for a good month already. Storyboarding. This past week has been back-to-back to back the moment I rapped on the other film I was on it's been 10-hour sessions since Tuesday, trying to get all our storyboards done. And I mean, look at this beauty. I have gorgeous, currently 92 pages of storyboards. 92 pages.
Adam Rani 04:32
Good stuff.
Christine Chen 04:33
Almost there. We're on scene 94. So, we're at the we're basically at the climax right now. A lot of time and energy and my storyboard artists chat classes. Amazing. It's fun. It's good. It's a good sign when your storyboard artist is laughing while they're drawing because it's like, oh, this frame is really funny or like you know, so That's a that's a good sign. But yeah, we've been since the snow bit, balls to the wall on pre-production and lining up sponsorships, we're going to launch a seeded spark campaign next week. late next week probably so everybody look seeded spark is really cool crowdfunding platform, it's like, um, it's very much like your typical Kickstarter or Indiegogo. But the biggest difference is that seeded Spark is dedicated to films. And you can go in and specify where your funds are being used, you know, so instead of just a blanket, write me Give me money, it's more of a hey, this amount of money is going to go buy toilet paper, or this amount of money is going to buy this stuff, you know, that kind of that kind of deal. So, I also brought on a new producer, and you'll be very excited. It's Payton.
Adam Rani 06:05
Friend of the podcast Payton.
Christine Chen 06:07
Yes
Adam Rani 06:09
A baller.
Christine Chen 06:17
Let's do really nice not do it alone. Mmm hmm. I mean, Candace has been very involved as well, more on the creative side, like on the day to day like Production Manager, coordinator UPM type thing. Peyton has been really there for me. We talk every single day. But what but our ever growing to do list, you know, we'll knock one thing off and then add five more things to do. So, but yeah, we've been heavy in prep, I made a giant spreadsheet, like giant of what our first week of Prep is going to look like, picked out the scenes, we're going to do rehearsals, coordinator, rehearsals, fittings, makeup tests, stunt stuff, and just massive prep on site prep. And while I'm doing that, I'm also doing meetings and getting our investors to you know, commit and send the money to the bag, all that stuff. So, it's been man, it's been a really stressful, let's just say that. I'm grateful to be in this position. But it's been a lot of, hey, can I talk to you about what your process looks like? Because you've had a successful film, and obviously, you raise money. And everybody says the same thing, which makes me feel better, because I'm like, Am I doing something wrong? It's that this process sucks.
Adam Rani 07:48
The process of pre-production,
Christine Chen 07:51
Process of raising money, it sucks.
Adam Rani 07:53
Raising money, right, right, right. Yeah.
Christine Chen 07:55
It sucks so much. It's, and I'll get questions all the time. Like, hey, how did you get funded? Or how do you get money and like, it's the same, it's you call buddy, you call somebody else? And then you tell them and ask for advice for other friends that might want to look at it you pass it to enough people that hopefully somebody sees it and takes interest in it.
Adam Rani 08:20
Right.
Christine Chen 08:21
And but it's frustrating because I'm, I add a lot and I add so many projects for filmmakers who have never, like shot anything or like this is their first project ever. And they've got like a $5 million budget and I'm like, how did you get that amount of money without knowing anything? Meanwhile, I am like done 15 short films one feature, ADed like 30 features produced like five other films and like us are more than that. Actually. I've produced like 37 films and I cannot somehow convince people that to believe to just commit to the project
Adam Rani 09:12
To the investment.
Christine Chen 09:13
Yeah, investment Yeah, it's
Adam Rani 09:17
Frustrating
Christine Chen 09:18
it's very frustrating so
Adam Rani 09:22
Have you learned something in that process?
Christine Chen 09:26
Finding investors is like dating they are
Adam Rani 09:30
We talked about these two episodes ago, we talked about
Christine Chen 09:33
It feels the same. It's still like dating it's like Yeah, everybody’s
Adam Rani 09:39
It feels like a tango, but it just it doesn't it, it involves it takes it takes two to make a thing go right, you know, but you know, it's it. It's also an investment like you're investing time, you're investing money, and it's a lot and you were talking about in that episode, in particular how there's, there's never ever going to be a shortage of people who are going to want to put in their two cents into your creative.
Christine Chen 10:13
Everybody wants to get their opinions they want to hear I can like help you, like, give you in whatever opinion you want and stuff, but like when it comes out, and there's plenty of people that like, yes, so cool. I'm so excited. Let's let me see how I can help you. And then like, you go in to be like, alright, this is how you can help me and then it's like, crickets. Or it's like, all right, like you were cool, but like, I'm not sure about a long-term relationship. You know, it's literally like date. And, and I'm already terrible at dating. So, like, I like to go.
Adam Rani 10:54
Alright, come on. I don't think that's necessarily true. I'm terrible at dating, too.
Christine Chen 11:00
So, it's, it's, um, I guess the part I'm learning is that if you can find somebody who is willing to do the work with you, it's much easier to do it. It's not as lonely when you can find a friend who's believes in you, like Peyton to come along for the ride. It's nice to be able to bounce ideas. It's nice to wake up and be like, Peyton, here's our to do list is so long or like, I'm so frustrated or just like airing out grievances and a now just
Adam Rani 11:44
Your free therapy.
Christine Chen 11:45
Yeah, free therapy, man, like just your co producers like your free therapist. But it's really, really frustrating. And then like me, well, you know, I've got amazing crew members who are like, putting their faith in me and be like, time is ticking on my You don't think I fucking know.
Adam Rani 12:06
That dummy.
Christine Chen 12:07
No, shit. Yeah. It's like, I don't know I'm dealing with on this end just like it's a seesaw. Like, I feel like Yeah, well,
Adam Rani 12:18
It feels like a tug of war more.
Christine Chen 12:19
It's the tug of war. I'm like, we're totally interested. We're committed, you're greenlit and then
Adam Rani 12:26
Never mind.
Christine Chen 12:27
Never mind my life this so I can't, or I'm not sure anymore, or like, I'm waiting for this person or my friend was sure. But then I'm not sure. But like, let me tell 10 Other people let me answer these questions. Alright, but everything's a step. Right? So, my, you send over a contract and so you're getting right, but then you get like 50 questions, you answer this question, you get to the next I feel like it's like, a video game. Hello. I haven't played video games in a while. But like, it's like, no.
Adam Rani 12:55
it's like a video game.
Christine Chen 12:57
And then like, you get to the next box. And then you get to the third boss. And you're like, when's the when's the level when I get to save the princess man?
Adam Rani 13:05
Yeah, yeah, I know. And it's like you still have 15 levels.
Christine Chen 13:10
Oh, Jesus. I really hope not. I hope I'm towards the last level. Yeah, I am, like so frustrated with.
Adam Rani 13:18
So would you say this is the hardest part in filmmaking.
Christine Chen 13:24
This is by far the hardest part of filmmaking. Because everything else. I feel like there's more of an element of control. You're not trying to like, impress and sell yourself, like, you just doing the work. Right. So, like you're on set, and as long as you know what you're doing as your department. It's really, like, not that bad. Yes, you're dealing with people you're dealing with. It's essentially customer service and like, making sure everybody's happy and, and whatnot. But like, you're not every day being like I have awesome guys believe in me, because I'm awesome. Like, that's why every single day when I'm doing talking to investors. Hey guys, I'm awesome. And this is why I'm awesome. Please give me $50,000 Yeah, like,
Adam Rani 14:15
You are selling your soul.
Christine Chen 14:17
Yeah, is the worst. Like, I hate this process so much. And I don't know how many times I've literally changed this hypothetical pitch deck, like, but you have to have one because, you know, and every filmmaker, I'm like, I just want to make the movie. And you know, I'm getting questions about like percentages, you know, like, Okay, well, if I get a 15% ROI, in how many years will you think it will break even and like? I don't know, on the average. Here's a comparable film, and another film They made their money in five years is kind of what it is. But it's all still imaginary. Yeah. Yeah. It's still like hypothetical. And so, and I've, I've changed, you know, fonts, I've changed wording. I've changed numbers. I've changed, like back and forth, back and forth. And it's just like, when will this and I'm so done with this process?
Adam Rani 15:23
Yeah. For the sake of a currency. Yeah. It's just, it's, it's strange. It's a weird world.
Christine Chen 15:31
It's weird, because I'm like, I know what I'm doing. Like, I have this giant track record, you know, I, I have these people with these giant track records, you know, but then I'm on the end. I hate to. I mean, it's statistically caught very true. But women just don't get funded as easily, as males do. Like, I hate to say that, but like, I mean, I can attest with just from personal experience a doing a million sets with people who are not qualified to direct at all. I don't know how they got money. I don't know and don't understand.
Adam Rani 16:20
But wait, did you say they were ADs, and they
Christine Chen 16:23
No, I aded them.
Adam Rani 16:26
Oh, with directors who are who just are not in the industry?
Christine Chen 16:30
Who were like, is your first film and he got $5 million? Like,
Adam Rani 16:34
oh, yeah, that's Well, I mean, even for anybody like I mean, that's I don't know there's I mean, there's always there's always two sides to every story, right? And I do I do believe that though. I believe you that you know, it's just and it's just it's a brutal world in the in the line of filmmaking in the line of trying to invest money, especially for female filmmakers now, I don't know that I'm.
Christine Chen 17:06
I feel like a chance like we're cool right now. Could you not see the Oscar nominations there? Finally, two females that are nominee No,
Adam Rani 17:15
I got one even better for you, Christine. I've only like, there's so many female filmmakers that I've been watching over the years, like in the span of like the last five years, I think I've saw more female filmmakers between Patty Jenkins and Chloe Xiao, and oh, gosh. Who's that creator of a Lovecraft country? Oh, it's gonna bother me. And she's amazing. She wrote a beautiful show. And she wrote every single episode. So, I just feel like, yeah, you would think the tides are turning. Right. But I guess it's still taboo, I guess.
Christine Chen 18:00
Punish you the face, I might.
Adam Rani 18:04
Well, no one's gonna punch you in the face. Kristen. Come on, like,
Christine Chen 18:08
I need a coach. I need to like Coach right now. Like you can do Oh, I kind of help on diet is like my life coach, she'll just come in and be like, it's gonna be great. The universe is going to bring you what you want. And I'm like, Jesus Christ.
Adam Rani 18:28
Jesus Christ. That's hilarious. What a contradiction, right.
Christine Chen 18:34
Like universe, what do you want? I know, my whole work. I'm doing my homework and paying my dues. I've been in this industry for this long, I've made so many films, they were good films like.
Adam Rani 18:49
But do you think but do you think the amount of work that you're putting in especially for Erzulie. I mean, I know you probably not think of it now. But possibly it could pay off?
Christine Chen 19:01
The work I'm putting in is great. Like, I don't? I don't. This is,
Adam Rani 19:07
I mean, it's just, I don't want you to get to a point where you're standing on the bridge, you know, I'm saying
Christine Chen 19:13
Its work that I have to do.
Adam Rani 19:15
Right because.
Christine Chen 19:18
I mean, it's not. It's not a matter like we'll never make we will make this it's just a matter of, right. Is it going to be Yeah, is going to be or is it going to be a little later? So, either way, like we're putting in the work though, is going to have to happen regardless. So that's the part that I can at least hold on to is doing things that are within my control to continue to move the project forward.
Adam Rani 19:45
That doesn't hinder the creative.
Christine Chen 19:48
Alright, I need a mermaid tail. Well, you know, I had to suck it up. We're putting the deposit mermaid tail take time. So, we're making you know, so mermaid tails being made, you know, and I'm doing the storyboards
Adam Rani 19:58
It took it a little It took two years for Robert Downey Jr. to fit into Iron Man. Yeah, two fucking years. Imagine that. Imagine you got money to do a superhero movie that you possibly don't know it's gonna do well, because there's not really much superhero movies before then. Right? So, Jon Favreau had to take uh, oh, by the way, on top of that, he barely had a script. He only had maybe 60 pages of a treatment. Yeah, like a where he wanted to go from point A to point B, but nothing like with dialogue and everything because 80% of it was improvised. But that's single handedly arguably the best superhero movie we've ever gotten. And it's the same thing for Patty Jenkins with Wonder Woman, right? No one No one was gonna expect Wonder Woman to be successful you fucking kidding me. And Wonder Woman to me is like Captain America, like that is a boss ass motherfucking movie, a boss as origin film two, nonetheless. And you got a character who, you know, has his socially and you know universally been through the ringer, you know, and a lot of people can relate to that a lot of people can relate to that hero and the process of making it was also kind of like a pie in the sky to people. Well, I'm not saying I'm not trying to compare Erzulie to a superhero movie, but I am saying with hard work and dedication, I think.
Christine Chen 21:34
The process is the same, it takes time and gonna happen is just maybe it's not.
Adam Rani 21:41
I hope I'm not I'm not being shitty on you. I'm not I'm not trying to be shit.
Christine Chen 21:47
No, it's not. It's, I've just airing out my frustrations because it's just.
Adam Rani 21:52
No and they're, they're valid because I'm, I don't know this process. So, I really, I'm just along for the ride. You know, and I feel I feel bad that I can't help you more. But it's also like, I believe in you because you're already here. You know, I mean,
Christine Chen 22:13
And I'm tenacious as fuck. So yeah. pick myself up back up a complaint a little. And I keep going.
Adam Rani 22:21
Ladies and gentlemen. Christina's is a no brake lady. There's no brakes. This it's all gas.
Christine Chen 22:30
It is really testing me, Adam. Testing my patience.
Adam Rani 22:35
Oh I am. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.
Christine Chen 22:39
No, you're not testing. I'm saying this process is testing.
Adam Rani 22:42
Oh, I see. Oh, yeah. But I mean, listen, filmmaking is our first love, like movies are our first love. And we're married to it for love or for hate. And it's a love hate relationship, especially, you know, anywhere from investing to writing to pre-production to principal photography to pre postproduction. Yeah, I know, I know, there's gonna be at some point I want to scream. Yeah. But I know along the way, and the final product the best, you know, it's gonna it's gonna be so worth it. Because I know this, this project, and I can't wait for people to see it. Because it's so cool. It's gonna be really cool. And the fact that I'm even part of it is fucking crazy. Like, it's absolutely nutting tonight, and I thank you for letting me tag along on this process and documentary for the podcast needs. So, you know.
Christine Chen 23:39
Hopefully, it'll be the next one will be a more exciting process, we get delve into the actual fun part of it. But this part that people need to hear though, because I know there's a lot of people
Adam Rani 23:52
because pre-production is also an arduous process.
Christine Chen 23:55
It is, this fix it in prep, right? Put the time, so that when you're right in the ground, it's muscle memory, you know, its muscle memory, it's not. You're not thinking of things right there and planning because when you don't have time, like you don't have to eat like when you have a short period of shooting time for it. In our case, it's going to be 10 days or try with today's pickup. You kind of need to operate it on autopilot. You cannot you don't have time to sit there and be like well let's think about it. What I like to shoot here like you can't do that.
Adam Rani 24:38
But you've worked with people like that as an AD.
Christine Chen 24:41
I know. And it's like one of my favorite memes is the AD. The caption is AD is watching us the DP and director argue while, I have been there so many times. I'm like I got you guys here. Sunset is happening. It's beautiful. You guys can't figure out what you want to shoot, I really, you know, so and I am gonna bulletproof myself when that doesn't happen to me. That's why I'm doing this. You know, that's why I've
Adam Rani 25:13
yet to have a little more streamlined. Yeah, I am
Christine Chen 25:17
thinking through every single thing that could possibly go wrong and thinking through, hey, if it does rain, which part of this film was affected? Can I keep shooting? I can't, I just
Adam Rani 25:28
Don't you think you already have one step forward, uh, you know, unlike the other people who you worked with you, nothing against them. But
Christine Chen 25:38
I very confident that the moment we get that money secured in the bank, it's going to go real fast.
Adam Rani 25:48
Because you know, there's gonna be problems, but you're trying to solve all the problems, and also, pre plan all the problems later in the future, that you think are gonna be problems.
Christine Chen 26:02
You I know you to follow through 100% that's
Adam Rani 26:02
Yeah. Yeah. So, I mean, I know, like, I'm so confident in this team. This is these are people that I've collected throughout the years, the best of the best, who we mesh well, both on a personality level or from a creative standpoint, like literally the best people that possibly can have stuck together on one single location, just making magic like I am, I'm a prepaholic. So, like, I, I am so confident this project, and I cannot they always say that the first project is the hardest. So, I'm Yes, I'm on another milestone, where is the first time I've ever had to ask for money of this amount. So, mark my words, like whoever jumps into this boat with me in terms of investment in terms of help. This is a film that I truly believe is going to, like jumpstart all of our, just like our careers, and so Big Ben, this is this is going to be the cult film that everybody wishes they should have just been by, just committed and should I just been on like, don't miss the train, I'm telling you, I, this is it. I'm very, very confident about it. So, and I don't just say shit. People who know me know that. Everything I've say, I 100% do my best to make those words, a reality. You know, there's people who just say and talk and say they're going to do something never do. I'm it's very rare. I don't pretty much if I say something's going to happen, it's going to happen.
Christine Chen 28:01
That is my that's my, my brand. I'm that's how I've been successful is my ability to literally follow through, like
Adam Rani 28:09
You always do that as an AD, anything
Christine Chen 28:13
Just the ability to follow through has just been my claim to fame.
Adam Rani 28:18
And that's been inspirational to me even beginning. You know, the mentor, mentee ship, you know, because I'm going all the way back to writer's block. You mean? Yeah. The amount of like work that you've done, and the amount of work and in your in your diligence, you know, you follow through with every single thing, even with every single department who have a problem or anything. You already have, like a mental checklist in your head of every single fucking thing to address. And that takes a lot from a human fucking being Christine, not a lot of people can do that. I mean, I've even worked with ADs, who were just like, oh, what was your thing again, Adam? Oh, yeah, yeah, whatever, you know, and I'm working art department. I'm like, it's kind of an important thing. But thank you for kind of sidelining me bitch. So, whatever. Yeah, but you have that ability to just make every single moment and every single person who you work with in that crew, more important than you. And you follow through with that too, which is, which I mean, you wouldn’t think that's asking a lot, but it is.
Christine Chen 29:37
You know what, for some reason, in this industry, it's actually harder for people to treat each other with respect and be nice. It's actually hard harder to find people like that. I find that the film industry brings some of the worst qualities of people due to stress. A lot of people don't deal stress well, at all. And I mean, in the end, I keep telling people, people are going to forget everything, but they'll never forget the way you made them feel like I can't stress that enough. And I mean, I don't know why we're sidetracking on that. But I
Adam Rani 30:19
I know where we're talking about. We were talking about investing and money and stuff. But you brought up an interesting point. And that is the I mean, yeah, it's that it's that struggle, of following through and making sure that we're, we're staying on task.
Christine Chen 30:37
Yeah, following through guys just following through. That's, I'm queen of following through. So, invest in that. That's what I'm saying.
Adam Rani 30:47
Yeah. And you were also you mentioned a really good point, right after that, where people remember that people remember those moments where, you know, someone yells at somebody. I mean, and, and it's so strange. No, it's not strange, because it's, it's, it's, it's the environment, it's the atmosphere, all it takes is one person to fuck it up. And you just ruin the entire atmosphere of the set. Yeah, no, and the in its, and also in fairness, it is only perpetuated by the director. So, the directors won't we've kind of set that standard in the first place or should at least set that standard in the first place. I mean, I you can tell me go fuck myself, Adam, you know, I'm wrong.
Christine Chen 31:36
Everything. Think of it. Somebody yells at somebody, that person feels like shit, they yell at somebody else that person feel like shit, then they go yell somebody else. It's literally a trickledown effect. So, it's, um, yeah, yeah, I was just on a set where I mean, it sucks. You know, the men don't listen to women, the women feel like shit. Women don't you know, like, it's just like.
Adam Rani 31:59
Which doesn't make sense. It doesn't make sense to me. But I know people like that. And it always confuses me. Because there's always a I don't know, like there's there. I don't understand stigmatism and I don't understand discrimination. And I also I mean, I do understand it. But why does it? Because it doesn't work.
Christine Chen 32:23
I know. But I feel like some people just don't realize it. You know, they don't know that they're doing that. Right. And it's like, short of like, here, let me put a recording when we put a hidden camera somewhere and then like, show you what you're doing. Like I don't know how
Adam Rani 32:39
There is some who probably don't understand. But then there's, you know, there's also some that I'm just they're just they're just hitting.
Christine Chen 32:48
Well, if you're on a set, please recognize everyone, not just men. Yeah. Everybody contributes to your film.
Adam Rani 32:57
Yes, yes. Because they're there for a reason. You know, I mean, like, everyone is hired for a reason.
Christine Chen 33:06
Right. Everybody is important from the PA locations to art to EP to every single element, is no small role. If you treat people like that, that they're all important. And just because they're background doesn't mean that you can put them in a corner and like, treat them. Like they're not important. Every single person's making the film, and it takes a village to make the film. So, against your sidetracked on those things that originally when I was talking to you about this podcast, I wanted to call it the weaning blonde. And the reason for that is because, like, so many times around these sets, and we literally feel as women on film sets, we oftentimes don't feel like we actually have a voice. We will voice our opinion, but it's like, we're not there. Like, like, people are responding. Like we're invisible type thing. And, I mean, and you can literally have the same request, but just put it in a male body and magically like things happen. I don't know why that happens, but it's we go around our sets for we're joking that we need a weenie wand. We're like, hey, hey, like if you aren't listening to us was pull a weenie wand on and magically, you'll hear us and we're there and you'll know that we have great ideas too. Um, so Man film sets, the dynamics of them are quite interesting. I think as I'm getting into bigger and bigger sets and deal with more and more people, I'm now really realizing the problems that people talk about on film sets when it comes to toxic masculinity and this lack of female representation. So maybe there are females honest it but like it doesn't help if they're honest that you don't listen to them. Like, that's not female representation, like just hiring them is just only the first step but like you got to hire them and then trust what they do. You know what, listen to what they do, you know,
Adam Rani 35:22
They are running a business.
Christine Chen 35:24
It's crazy.
Adam Rani 35:25
It's a business. And it's all a business and the fact that I mean, you know, that even it affects workplaces, not just the film industry.
Christine Chen 35:36
Yeah, if it gets toxic, toxic masculinity is contagious. You have one person that shows that it's okay to not listen to somebody else. Right. Then everybody else seems to be okay to do that. Like, it's. Hi savage. Yeah, it's just, it's crazy. film sets just bring the worst out of people, a lot of times, and for some reason, being nice and respectful, is actually hard. And it being able to bullshit and not as a not without any substance, it seems to be a lot easier than actually knowing your shit. And being very frank and honest with people about the realities of filmmaking, you know, apparently doesn't get you far when it comes to fundraising.
Adam Rani 36:44
Being honest?
Christine Chen 36:45
Oh, yeah, apparently, I had to, like just blow smoke up people's asses be like, yeah, filmmaking, like, you're gonna make so much money. It's gonna be great. And like, it's been the perfect investment Bobo, I'm honest. I'm like, hey, we're making this film with this. Here's our budget. This is how we're spending our money. I've done every single position, I'm hiring all these people, because this person did this, this person to this to this person to this, and like this process and take this long and blah, blah, blah. And I haven't, like all transparent. And people were like, nah, like, I can't invest in that. But it doesn't sound like it's better to believe the person was giving bullshit.
Adam Rani 37:25
That doesn't make us I'm sorry, Christina. Makes no sense to me. Like, like, not that what you're saying doesn't make any sense. But the fact that that that happens? Hey, like, so? I could come in with an honest story and say that I, I don't I wouldn't need much money, but there is passion in this project. But if I just bullshit my way through it and say this is gonna be the next biggest best fucking thing, even though that's not really true. I still take that and run with it.
Christine Chen 38:03
I just I'm very frustrated.
Adam Rani 38:06
Sorry we can move on to a different subject.
Christine Chen 38:10
It's just that no, there's just there just seems to be. People want to hear what they want to, I feel like people want to hear all the good stuff, right?
Adam Rani 38:22
Yeah. Yes. So, they don't want to hear.
Christine Chen 38:25
No one want to hear the reality. And I'm a very honest person, I feel like things need to be transparent. And if you're going to give me money, I'm going to be transparent and real with you about the realities of investment. And I'm gonna say, hey, I believe in myself, I believe in the team and everything. It's going to be a great film, but I cannot tell you, it's going to make $50 million. You know, I can't promise Yeah, over promise you should. But for some reason. People like the over promising and are more willing to invest in the guy or person that does nothing. Just because they probably told them isn't an incredible experience. Instead of giving them the realities of things and let them decide for themselves. I don't know. I'm just I'm rambling at this point.
Adam Rani 39:25
No, you’re not. I'm listening to you.
Christine Chen 39:27
I don't know if that makes any sense to you.
Adam Rani 39:29
It does make sense to me now. Yeah, it because I mean, yeah, sometimes you got to, people like to oversell it when it doesn't need to be oversold. We're not trying to what people don't realize when it comes to the creative process, and I feel like a lot of directors don't understand this, like especially big time, big motion picture directors. that not everything is about you and you're not trying to cure cancer. You're making a movie, relax. Take a deep breath, take a step back and realize that we're making pretend this is all going to be fun. Like, we're not all trying to make Joker here. You know? I mean, like, we're not we're not trying to you know, fucking crack the code. I just I don't know, like, I just I love storytelling. I love movies and in the satisfaction of storytelling, not so much. The fact is like, well, Johnny over there at Studio shithead is gonna make fucking 10 figures, Christine's gonna be a fucking wild, you know, like, I don't? I don't think that, you know, and I mean, that being said, I love superhero movies. So, what the fuck am I gonna say? But um, yeah, I just I feel like everything is a everything sort of works itself out in a way. But I do hear the frustration. And I do hear that like, yeah, why am I gonna? Why am I going to make an empty promise that I probably won't be able to follow through? And I'm gonna let somebody down in the end, because I don't want to let anybody fucking down. Are you kidding me? Tell them like, go this is gonna make millions. And then you know, I mean, like,
Christine Chen 41:22
I don't like to. And that's not great. Yeah, well.
Adam Rani 41:24
Because it shouldn't be that way. But if these investors are like, well, I don't want to hear that. I want to hear that it's gonna make it's gonna be its gonna break the fucking bank. I'm just like, well, is it though? Right? Are we trying to make transformers? Like, what are we doing? It doesn't make sense.
Christine Chen 41:45
And telling people how it is. There's no guarantees. But what you can be guaranteed on is making sure that the people who are on the team know what they're doing and are very good at what they do. And that's what you're betting on. You're betting on that you're betting on the creativity, the script, you're betting on the director, you're betting on that and like you betting on someone's track record, you know.
Adam Rani 42:14
You're also following your heart for the right too.
Christine Chen 42:16
Yeah, and I am 100,200 300% confident in this project in the people involved in everything. So, I'm not going to tell you, you're going to make $50 million. But I can tell you that I'm going to make sure that every penny of your money is being spent well.
Adam Rani 42:38
In making a great story.
Christine Chen 42:41
Yes, making a great story. And that I know that your hard-earned money is hard earned money, because I've been funding every single project that I've ever done by myself with hard earned money, you know, and so I'm not a person who is just taking money because it grows on trees and going to, you know, not do my ultimate best to fulfill what I promised. And that's why I don't like to have bloated promises, you know, I can promise I will make the best film I possibly can. And it will be finished on time will be finished in will has distribution. A hardest thing about getting a film made is the distribution part. And I already saw the hardest part.
Adam Rani 43:36
So, like, that's like that's half the battle.
Christine Chen 43:40
Yes, I have the hardest part, which is distribution, guaranteed effin distribution. So, it's a win, guys. So come on universe.
Adam Rani 43:55
Yeah, just make
Christine Chen 43:57
Let’s get through this.
Adam Rani 43:59
Now the cards on your table University.
Christine Chen 44:01
Let me make this freakin movie. What helped me help self-make this decision. You're making the right decision. Take a leap of faith with me.
Adam Rani 44:16
I feel like any project is sort of. Yeah, it's sort of a leap of faith, you know, in some way, shape or form. You know, I know, I know, there's so many movies that are very much corporate, you know, in a way that is just like, oh, they're just sort of like a like a paper mill when it comes to movies. And they're just, like, constantly cycling through movies like Lifetime movies and stuff like that. You know, nothing gets Lifetime movies. I love Lifetime movies don't come fucking, they're great. They're great. They're amazing. They're wonderful. They should win Oscars every fucking year whatever. That being said, I do think that like any process in making a film is going to be it's always going to be a hair right, you know? And um yeah, I don't know like, I mean, I don't know shit from shit. That's why I'm doing this podcast with somebody who is way more talented than I am, da.
Christine Chen 45:15
I keep telling myself, this is part of the process.
Adam Rani 45:18
It's part of the process. Yeah.
Christine Chen 45:19
I love filmmaking. So, I should be. I'm, I'm grateful that I'm even in this part of the process. So, I appreciate the have gotten this far to be in this process. And I appreciate all the people who have allowed me to come to this process. I appreciate the crew that is busting their ass doing prepped, despite us still figuring out the remainder part of this funding process. I appreciate that I have an amazing script because Camille and I wrote something freakin awesome. I appreciate all the people who have given me opportunities so that I can have made that made films and I've been on I mean, I I've been on like, nine features since the pandemic nine you know, Ading, you know, I've
Adam Rani 46:28
But Adan Rani got outside once and got COVID
Christine Chen 46:34
I appreciate all this so much. So, the fact that I'm even here this process on the last leg of it. I'm grateful. So yes, maybe frustrated and tired. And
Adam Rani 46:52
That is all part of the process.
Christine Chen 46:53
Not all of it but it's part of the process. And yes, I'm betting that's why I'm doing freakin betting on myself. And I'm ready for this. Like, so. So ready to make this film.
Adam Rani 47:13
I'm ready to work on it with you, dude. I mean, I'm ready to join you and not be in people's way and shit. You know? So yeah, no, I'm very excited.
Christine Chen 47:24
Here universe, or two people who care to listen. If you know anybody who.
Adam Rani 47:31
two people, there's like five people watching on Facebook. How dare you,
Christine Chen 47:35
You know, anybody who might be interested in looking at a pitch may not be the right fit as an investor but wouldn't mind maybe passing it along to other people who might be able to invest.
Adam Rani 47:51
And this is also recorded. So, this is out there in the universe recording. So, if you're if you're out there watching this
Christine Chen 47:57
Exactly, please DM me slide into my DMs. messaged me, email me.
Adam Rani 48:03
Not that kind of slide in your DMs. But yes, yes.
Christine Chen 48:08
Hey, I can't do it alone. And I really, really want to make this dream come true. So, anybody out there it's only we're only trying to raise 250,000 It's not even $5 million. So just guys
Adam Rani 48:36
Yeah. And, you know, having that out there, I'm sure. I'm sure there's going to be just like Diana said, You’re the universe will cater to you. It will. It will happen
Christine Chen 48:47
It very much.
Adam Rani 48:55
Are you checked out? You ready to sign off?
Christine Chen 48:58
No. I think Oh, well. We've been all right.
Adam Rani 49:02
It's almost it's 55 minutes.
Christine Chen 49:04
You know, what's gonna be cool? Is when we look back on this podcast three years from now.
Adam Rani 49:12
And you are going gonna be like, what a bunch of whiny little bitches
Christine Chen 49:17
Number one hate cult classic film of this, you know, the summer or whatever. We're gonna laugh. And we're gonna cry. We're gonna be like, look at us whining and bitching, and it was all part of the plan and we just didn't know when it's going to happen. I just think that's that will be cool. We're recording a moment in our process. And right now, the processes but hopefully it'll come back up.
Adam Rani 49:52
And more importantly, this is a process in our journey, you know, in the in the in this wonderful season that we love to call Erzulie. Yeah, it's, it's all it's all going to be a journey. And just like we said in the beginning of the season, we want you guys to join in with us, you know, even though I know, you know, COVID and everything, money is just a little tight, a little tight on all of us. We're all trying to make things better and stuff, but I'm putting in that time putting in that small little investment, you're putting in a little piece of putting in a little piece of history, you know, =.
Christine Chen 50:26
Remember, if you can't invest or whatever, we are releasing seeded spark campaign next week. So, for all those who want to be involved, but in a smaller way, or whatnot, pass the please pass the campaign along to friends, you know, please donate to it. Every little bit helps. You can be along for the ride. Please come join us.
Adam Rani 50:55
You got it. You got to tag along because it's gonna be it's gonna be a journey.
Christine Chen 50:59
It's gonna be great. And we're making history. It's gonna happen.
Adam Rani 51:03
You're making history. Yes. And I'm looking forward to the shoot. I'm looking forward to the next podcast. Yeah, I mean,
Christine Chen 51:15
By next podcast, we're gonna be like we're fully funded. That's what we're gonna channel.
Adam Rani 51:19
Yes, exactly. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, you got you guys actually exceeded your goal and stuff.
Christine Chen 51:24
Oh, it'd be great. That's what we're that's what we're channeling right now.
Adam Rani 51:30
Yeah, I mean, we covered everything on my notes. Was there anything from you Christine, before we before we sign up?
Christine Chen 51:36
No, just be on the lookout for our seeded spark go share Erzuliefilm.com. And if you know anybody who's interested in getting your film business has a lot of money and just wants to have a good experience pass it along to them. I've we've got pitch decks galore to send out that's the most helpful that you guys can be I get that. Not everybody has means to give money or whatever. Especially during these times. Just the fact of passing along word of mouth telling people about it goes a long way and I never forget that. I never forget all the people who tagged me for recommending for jobs who send an email say hey, this person's looking for this. Like, you guys are all like part of the team.
Adam Rani 52:33
it's a giant, a film family.
Christine Chen 52:38
Family Film family village.
Adam Rani 52:41
Um, yeah, ladies and gentlemen, as always, we have these episodes come out every single week. I know the last two weeks has been fucking brutal because CO host basically fucking died. So um, go ahead and getreelism.com pick up your book, get on that, uh, get on that early hype and invest if you can, you know. Check back in with us next week. Okay, that has been the Get Reelisms podcast ladies and gentlemen. We're signing out.