On collaborations: How to approach other filmmakers.

I've approached many filmmakers for collaborations in the past couple of years. Some have said yes and some have said no and some have completely ignored me. It's part of the process. But I wanted to give a few tips on how to approach other filmmakers for collaborations (usually via email).

I'm no expert. These are tips I've amassed based on what has worked for me. Some of them seem obvious, but you'd be shocked at the emails I get in my inbox. With that said, here are a few things to keep in mind when emailing another filmmaker about a potential collaboration. Are you ready? Let's go!

1. OTHER FILMMAKERS OWE YOU NOTHING. YO ACHTE KREDI NAN MEN'W?

This is some tough love for you. I approached a world renowned Haitian filmmaker about a project once and the person never responded. What did I do? I MOVED ON. I didn't assume that just because we're both Haitian, this person HAS to work with me. It doesn't work that way. There may be a variety of reasons why this person said no, but I refuse to speculate because frankly, it doesn't matter. Other filmmakers owe you nothing so continue in your path and blaze your own trail!

2. INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

Don't assume other filmmakers know who you are. Who are you? What have you done? Movies, TV, Webisodes? Even if your name is in lights everywhere, tell this person who you are and what you do. 

3. ATTACH LINKS.

If emailing, be sure to attach a link to your website or to your work on Vimeo or YouTube. Perhaps a link to press you've gotten for your projects. Anything that can give more information about your magnificence helps!

4. SA'W BEZWEN? BE SPECIFIC.

What do you want? Ask for it! Example: "Hi: I wrote a script about XYZ and I'd like you to come on board as a producer" or "You would be ideal for the role of ABC in my new script XYZ." Is funding already in place? What would this person contribute to your project? DO NOT send generic emails only saying you want to work with that person. That's great and all but you'll rarely get a response. Be clear about what you want and you'll yield greater results.

5. WHAT'S IN IT FOR THEM?

When approaching another filmmaker, let them know what's in it for them. What is the benefit to them? IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE MONEY. Is there exposure to a different market? Is there an actress that you think this person would love to work with? Is the subject matter of particular interest to that filmmaker? Why would this filmmaker want to collaborate with you besides your awesomeness? Maybe you're so dope that one look at your projects and this person will leap at the chance to work with you. Whatever your angle, WORK IT!

6. BE BRIEF. 

Get to the point. No need to write your entire bio in the email. A couple of sentences will suffice. Be concise and to the point. 

7. DON'T SEND SCRIPT UNLESS ...
Don't send a script unless the person responds and asks. Just don't. In your first email, you may offer to send a script. And if and when you do, make sure it has the extra layer of either copyright or WGA protection. 

8. DON'T BE DESPERATE.

You're awesome. You're amazing. You're creative. There is no need to sound desperate or to beg. Ki mele'w moun nan se sipesta! He/she is human just like you! Be polite and professional but never beg or come off as desperate.

9. IT' NOT PERSONAL.

Obvious, right? Most of us are in the same boat, trying to make our movies, struggling to get traction. Even the celebrities struggle sometimes. All is not what it seems in Tinseltown. So if you approach a filmmaker and get a negative response or no answer at all, move on. Don't assume that it's personal because 9 times out of 10, it isn't. 

10. Come again?

This one will seem awkward at first but don't hesitate to contact that person again, even if they did not respond or said no the first time. The successful people in the entertainment business are persistent. Sa ki pa touye'w, li angrese'w. Of course, being persistent does not mean being overbearing or harassing and bullying someone. Again, always be polite and professional. Perhaps this time you have a project that would be of interest. Don't let your pride get in the way. You've get nothing to lose. Go for it!

DREAMERS: Trailer is here!

Here is a project we mentioned on this site a few months ago. The trailer for the feature film "Dreamers" has been released! Directed by Jean Calixte, the film tells the tale of Monika, an undocumented Haitian immigrant in Philly who falls prey to a handsome lawyer. Monika is held captive and subjected to unspeakable acts and must find the strength to break free. 

The filmmakers aim high. One of their goals is to expose the abuse that many nameless, faceless immigrants suffer on a daily basis. How often do we hear stories of victimized immigrants who refuse to seek help for fear of deportation? I'm happy to see filmmakers tackling serious issues that affect our Haitian community. Looking forward to watching this film. Watch the trailer below!

Festival season is here!

Festival season is here! The year kicks off with projects from Jimmy Jean-Louis, Garcelle Beauvais, Numa Perrier, Krystel Roche and Reginad Chevalier to name a few.

First up is the San Diego Black Film Festival where a couple of Haitian themed or Haitian authored projects will be screened. Writer/Director Lortir Pierre-Louis' beautifully shot film "Fast Track" is an official selection of the festival and will screen on January 31st. The short film follows performers on the 'fast track' to success.

 So too is "Lakay", a documentary we've previously featured here. It first premiered at the Harlem International Film Festival to rave reviews. It has since screened in several other places, including Los Angeles. Now it is headed to the San Diego Black Film Festival. Directed by Tirf Alexius, the film follows two brothers as they head back to Haiti in search of loved ones after the devastating earthquake of 2010.

A week after the San Diego Film Festival, the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) kicks off in Los Angeles.

Veteran actor Jimmy Jean-Louis' mocumentary 'Jimmy goes to Nollywood 2' will have its world premiere on February 6th. Jimmy is one of those actors who is genuinely enthusiastic about his work and shows up at screenings to surprise the audience and answer fan questions post screening. So I wouldn't be surprised if he were present.

Also of note, Rachelle Salnave's documentary "La Belle Vie" will screen on February 11th. The film "takes a look into a filmmaker's journey to discover her Haitian roots by examining the complexities of the Haitian society but also chronicles her voyage to find hope in this nation on the brink of a new Haiti." I have yet to see the film but look forward to screening it at PAFF.

Garcelle Beauvais' film "Girlfriends' Getaway" will screen on February 7th.  'Girlfriends' Getaway' aired on TVOne last year as a network original. It is a comedy about three women at a crossroads who go on vacation in Trinida. Naturally, hilarity ensues.

Also, be sure to catch a film titled "The Boy" starring the phenomenally talented Haitian-American actress Krystel Roche (Purgatorio). The film also stars veteran actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim.The short film has its first screening on February 15th 8th with several other screenings after that.

"In The Morning" a film with rising star Numa Perrier screens on February 6th. The film is described as "the emotional anatomy of the lives, loves, infidelities, and enduring friendships of a group of inter-connected New Yorkers is charted over the course of one day."

'San Zanset Yo' premieres on Feb. 11th. This short film's synopsis is as follows: "An immigrant Haitian grandmother in Boston helps her granddaughter discover Haiti’s history against the will of a religious reactionary in their family"

 

'Rasin Mwen', a feature film written and directed by Robinson Vil will screen on February 8th. Starring Reginald Chevalier and Daniel Charlier, 'Rasin Mwen' is about an up and coming "soccer star and ladies man deep in debt to a local loan shark. When his American cousin arrives in Haiti for a visit, both are kidnapped and held for ransom. But when their American relative is slow to pay, they must use their wits and courage to stay alive." 

Last but most certainly not least, heartthrob actor Jean-Pierre Vertus stars in "Roubabo", the story of a teenager and his tense relationship with his mother's new beau.

Looks like PAFF will be all about Haiti and Haitians this year. I'm looking forward to screening these films at PAFF! Check out the links to the festivals for more information and screening dates/times.

Update: Sarodj Bertin's film "The Heartbreaker's Revenge" will also screen at the San Diego Black Film Festival. 

SAN DIEGO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL: http://www.sdbff.com/films-descriptions/
PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL: http://www.paff.org/films/?filter_letter=all

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Coming in 2015!

We just got a word of a project with Jummy Jean-Louis heading to the Pan African Film Festival in 2015.  Realise par Jimmy Jean-Louis et Rachid Dhibou, it is categorized as a documentary and described as follows:

"Connaissez-vous Nollywood ? Peu connu du grand public, Nollywood (« N » pour Nigeria), est l’un des plus grands producteurs du 7ème art devant les Etats-Unis d’Hollywood et juste derrière l'Inde de Bollywood : le Nigeria produit effectivement chaque année 2000 films. Se servant de la cérémonie des Africa Movie Academy Awards comme fil conducteur, Jimmy Jean-Louis (acteur de la série « Heroes ») va donc nous conduire dans ce panorama riche en couleurs afin de nous plonger directement au cœur du « cinémarevisité » d'une Afrique décomplexée."


Na'p tann proje sa!! Check out the trailer for "Jimmy Jean-Louis goes to Nollywood" below!
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Dubai International Film Festival: Key Takeaways

Apre preske diznev e nan avyon, I'm back from the Dubai International Film Festival where I accompanied a group of 15 South African filmmakers who were there seeking to get a better understanding of the region. There are some key takeaways from my trip which I've outlined below.

(1) The festival and market are heavily regional focused. Sa vle di li difisil pou peyi ki pa nan Middle East ou byen ki pa Arab penetre marche sa. Preske tout moun nan United Arab Emirates (UAE) pale Angle but few speak French. With the majority of Haitian films being in either English, Creole or French, it is nearly impossible to sell to that market, unless your film has subtitles. The problem is that subtitles tend to limit your reach. Some movie enthusiasts prefer not having to read subtitles while watching a film. So it's not impossible, it's just a little more difficult. Many market attendees were from the Arab world with filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon etc. It's important to note that these filmmakers tackle some of the same issues as us, including how to make films that will satisfy their audience and still sell overseas. During my stay, I noticed many American films on television. 'Green Hornet' and "Analyze This' aired repeatedly. But there were also ads for 'Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins', a comedy starring Martin Lawrence. There were ads for Denzel Washington's 'Antwone Fisher.' Also, keep in mind that the region tends to be socially conservative.

Opening night at the 2014 Dubai International Film Festival.

2.Nevertheless, they are open to new content, primarily because they have a diverse population. Mwen te sezi le mwen we jan gen packet moun diferan ki ap viv Dubai. It's much more diverse than I expected. The UAE is home to people from numerous countries including Indians, Pakistanis, Nigerians and Camerounians.There is small community of Haitians living there as well.Keep in mind that i am speaking only of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, two of the 7 cities in the UAE. They are the most eclectic and liberal cities in the UAE.

3. If you have a project/script which you think would be well suited for the region, it's not too difficult to find private equity in the UAE. Wealthy private investors are willing to back those projects that would do well in the region and in other countries.

4. I had the distinct honor of meeting Hrn Chief Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela, grandson of the late Nelson Mandela. We discussed how Haiti and South Africa can work together, especially when it comes to filmmaking. Li di mwen li pare pou fe tout sa li kapab pou ke genyen yon koperasyon ant Haiti ak Afrik di Sid. Li di nenpot ki propozisyon mwen genyen sou sa, fe li konnen epi nou ka pale. While I would love to see a co-production agreement between Haiti and South Africa, those agreements generally are mutually beneficial and typically there are government funds available to the filmmakers. Gouvenman Ayiti pa mete kob nan prodiksyon fim, kidonk pa ka genyen Ako Co-Prodiksyon ak okenn lot peyi. We're not unique in that regard, the U.S. does not have offer government funds for filmmaking either, so it does not have co-production agreements with any countries. This does not mean that individual filmmakers can't work together, just that government sanctioned co-productions that come with funds, rebates and incentives do not exist. I have a few more ideas to iron out and I will reach out to Haitian filmmakers (PLEASE, PLEASE feel free to reach out to me too!!!) as ideas become more concrete.

Hrn Chief Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela, grandson of the late Nelson Mandela

"Murder" heads to Berlin

Actress Lovely Kermonde and actor Thibault Vinçon in "Meurtre a Pacot".

Fresh off its screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, Raoul Peck's "Meurtre a Pacot" ("Murder in Pacot") will screen in the Panorama Program of the 2015 Berlin International Film Festival.

A drama of shakespearean proportions, "Meurtre a Pacot" utilizes one location to tell the story of a wealthy couple patching the crumbling pieces of their lies back together after the 2010 earthquake. I was there to screen the film in Toronto and can tell you the film was much anticipated and the lines for the Toronto screening snaked several blocks. Peck himself was present with the two stars of the film. In answering an audience question about why he seemed to show disdain for former U.S. President Bill Clinton in the film, Peck replied "You should see my documentary", a reference to his documentary titled "Assitance Mortelle" (Deadly Assistance). 

A still from 'Meurtre a Pacot."

Director Raoul Peck and stars of his film, Alex Descas (Lumumba) and Joy Olasunmibo Oginmakin.

The long line for "Meurtre a Pacot"'s world premiere in Toronto.

Moun so moun. The long line for "Meurtre a Pacot"'s world premiere in Toronto.

Papa Machete heads to Sundance

Guess what? One of our favorite projects is headed to Sundance! "Papa Machete", a short film about the art of machete fencing in Haiti will screen at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. We've been following this film since its successful Kickstaryer campaign. The film garnered great reviews when it screened in Toronto this year. This is bitter sweet since the star of the documentary passed away last week. Check out the Sundance short film lineup below!

http://www.sundance.org/blogs/news/short-film-program-announced-for-2015-festival