nathan099: Money is always an issue even when you have a great script and decent actors... for the independent filmmaker where is the best place to start looking for financial backing and investors? Bake sales are nice but I don't think they are enough to even cover the insurance on a feature film (lol 4 real).
take2la: With over 50 years in the film industry at all levels ( inc early broadcast tv) what is your assessment of the state of the biz now, from an actors viewpoint? Where do you think we are heading? What do you think is the most exciting and compelling media or genre? Why?
GregRichters: If you are an unknown, unproduced filmmaker it is hard to get your work close to any agent due to solicitation issues. Can openfilm.com help with that?
icjr: I am honor to converse with a man who knows what he likes...thanks for all the roles you have played...Especially Apogolsyp ...Quest: How do feel about creating a resource based economy as well as eliminating the market system none as M2 or M3 ...Just a thought. Thanks for all that you do...PS How do feel or have you seen...Scott Nobles Psywar and Human Resource Thanks
MOTHERSBABY19: MR. DUVALL, WHEN MY EYE'S MET YOUR'S AT THE "MARY PICKFORD BUILDING ON VINE AND SUNSET THE NIGHT YOU AND MS. SISSY WERE THERE , WE PASSED EACH OTHER BY GOING TO THE REST ROOMS, I KNEW IT RIGHT THEN AND THERE, WE WILL SHARE THE SAME SILVER SCREEN SOMEDAY! WHAT CAN I ASK YOU RIGHT NOW ? IS WHEN? YOURS TRULY, NANCY LEE KELLY/SAG/ACTRESS
jerryodonnell: if someone sends you a script somehow, and you really would like to do it, would you work to get more people involved that can help the film be made at a higher level, or just say I would love to doit and let the screenwriter and his side take the reigns . Or is it a case by case basis?
bevanklassen: Story is the foundation of a great movie. As a producer/director I am always looking for screenplays that resonate with themes and ideas I want to develop. Would you consider making Openfilm a place where screenwriters, directors, and producers can meet to partner on ultra-low budget projects?
AmbrosiaLanley: Hello Mr. Duvall, I make films called machinima. I was wondering if you have ever heard of machinima? If you have do you feel machinima will ever be noticed by film makers as a way of producing a film to where talent can be noticed? Thank You Ambrosia St. james aka Ambrosia Lanley
hoosier0893: i find that independent films are the best when it comes to subjects like chronic illnesses, epilepsy, ms,etc. I am a huge fan of you and hope to see you and your co-members further this this type of film. I ask that you and other members of this site ask for and share ideas for these topics for not only film, but also theatre, music and tv. Thank you for your time. Jessica in Indiana
DRaGZ: What do you think is the best path for a writer/director to pursue if they want to make a feature-length film? Specifically, I have written a feature-length script, I’ve taken parts of the first act of that script and recapitulated it into a short film, and I’ve shown the short film at a few festivals (most of which I could not attend because they were in a completely different state and I don’t have the money to travel very far). But, I am unsure about how to actually use all that to attract investors. What types of sources are there to approach for this sort of funding? At this point, is it appropriate to be seeking an agent, literary or otherwise, and have him/her help me look for funding? Basically, is there a typical way for a writer/director to attract investors for funding a feature-length film he really believes in? I know Wes Anderson used a short film to attract funding for a feature-length version with “Bottle Rocket”, Jared Hess did this with “Peluca”/”Napoleon Dynamite”, James Wan with “Saw”, Neill Blomkamp with “Alive in Joburg”/”District 9”, Billy Bob Thornton with “Sling Blade”, the list goes on and on. But I am unsure of how they got from point A, the short film, to point B, the film. I know it’s different for each case, but are there any examples you know of?
Academy Award winner Robert Duvall is undoubtedly one of the greatest American actors who has worked consistently for over five decades. Duvall’s vast experience and dedication to the craft make him an invaluable resource for the Openfilm community.
