Background
Usedcarsalesman wrote posts, November 2004’s "Enhancing the Success of Hollywood Studios in the Early 21st Century" and March 2005’s 2nd post, The “Passion” Involved with Entertainment Production Financing which, in part, discussed the business potential of film and TV productions born of the new breed of low cost, high-quality equipment and changes in the traditional model of financing such productions.
Usedcarsalesman wrote posts, November 2004’s "Enhancing the Success of Hollywood Studios in the Early 21st Century" and March 2005’s 2nd post, The “Passion” Involved with Entertainment Production Financing which, in part, discussed the business potential of film and TV productions born of the new breed of low cost, high-quality equipment and changes in the traditional model of financing such productions.
These “post” ideas were reinforced recently when Usedcarsalesman participated in an actor’s work group, The Metro Theatre Group in North Hollywood, and viewed the video of group’s Showcase weeks later. ‘Used’ was struck by the entertainment value of the video and how for a small sum and using just a couple of cameras and cheap editing gear, the organizers of the Metro Theatre Group had effectively created an hour’s worth of video entertainment that was better than anything that had been shown on Saturday Night Live in the last 15 years. And "SNL" cost millions to produce each episode! Obviously, Usedcarsalesman’s belief that low- budget productions could potentially be outstanding business was renewed, especially when such productions were coupled with modern marketing and distribution methods – broadband Internet, Google Video, Lulu.com – that bypassed traditional, respected methods of film/TV distribution.
So what happened next?
Now it just so happens that, recently, Usedcarsalesman was approached by two Director friends of his about joining up with them and forming a production company that would produce, at first, shorts, then longer commercial endeavors and low budget features. ‘Used’ recognized that the directors had big initiative -- one in co-founding the growing Metro Theatre Group and the other in initiating the idea of forming the TV / film production company in question. And, he enjoyed watching and participating in work the two directors had done previously. So he agreed to join the new company, humorously named “Three Wise Guys Productions” or “3WG Productions,” as Executive Producer.
What’s the first thing going on with ‘Used’ and the “3WG” production agenda?
We’re getting warmed up and have planned and budgeted for 60 minutes of shorts -- 6, 10 minute shorts. These shorts are going to be set in L.A./ Hollywood locations and have characters in relationships that involve comedic, humorous elements; think generally, perhaps, the film, -Clerks-, but in Hollywood(vs. a New Jersey convenience store). Basically, we are doing this run in preparation for more commercial projects in the near future.
So what happened next?
Now it just so happens that, recently, Usedcarsalesman was approached by two Director friends of his about joining up with them and forming a production company that would produce, at first, shorts, then longer commercial endeavors and low budget features. ‘Used’ recognized that the directors had big initiative -- one in co-founding the growing Metro Theatre Group and the other in initiating the idea of forming the TV / film production company in question. And, he enjoyed watching and participating in work the two directors had done previously. So he agreed to join the new company, humorously named “Three Wise Guys Productions” or “3WG Productions,” as Executive Producer.
What’s the first thing going on with ‘Used’ and the “3WG” production agenda?
We’re getting warmed up and have planned and budgeted for 60 minutes of shorts -- 6, 10 minute shorts. These shorts are going to be set in L.A./ Hollywood locations and have characters in relationships that involve comedic, humorous elements; think generally, perhaps, the film, -Clerks-, but in Hollywood(vs. a New Jersey convenience store). Basically, we are doing this run in preparation for more commercial projects in the near future.
Our budget for the this first run of shorts is $10,000 -- the directors, executive producer (yours truly) and actors are not going to be paid, some key crew members will likely be paid, and issues of catering and tape stock consume the rest of the budget; audio/video gear and lighting equipment is already available to us. So basically, for the cast and crew, it’s a labor of love and an investment in the future of entertainment born within a new technological framework. The end production will likely be shown on Google Video.
What you can do?
3WG is looking for people and businesses to help sponsor their first run; the good news is that we’ve already invested several thousand of our own and are now just looking to raise the remaining $5000 in a kind of "coalition" effort of friends and other cool people. Though we’re not looking for a single working individual to fork over $5,000+, we’d greatly benefit from smaller $100 U.S. contributions from 50 individuals or businesses. In return, we would provide each with a receipt, list you as “sponsors” of the program, if you wished, in the credits, and provide you with a DVD copy. After all, ‘Used’ says, “Once you've tipped your bartender, $100 is barely enough to buy you 6 cocktails at a Sunset Strip club, not to mention venues in NYC, D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, London, Paris, Hong Kong, etc… Why not take $100 and put it in to people like us who are working to make things that may likely still be making thousands or millions of people laugh 20 years from now, and will have your name on it, versus spending it on laughs for “one night out?” Good point, huh? ‘Used’ thinks so too.
Sponsor our first project, whether you are in L.A. or nice places that have less traffic :). If you have a Paypal account, email a $100 U.S. sponsorship to "threewiseguysproductions@gmail.com;" please provide details as to whether you wish to have your name or that of another listed in the sponsorship credits, your address to where we will mail a receipt and DVD copy of the production; and also contact us with any additional questions that you may have. On behalf of Three Wise Guys Productions, Usedcarsalesman thanks you, in advance, for your sponsorship and leadership in supporting us!
What you can do?
3WG is looking for people and businesses to help sponsor their first run; the good news is that we’ve already invested several thousand of our own and are now just looking to raise the remaining $5000 in a kind of "coalition" effort of friends and other cool people. Though we’re not looking for a single working individual to fork over $5,000+, we’d greatly benefit from smaller $100 U.S. contributions from 50 individuals or businesses. In return, we would provide each with a receipt, list you as “sponsors” of the program, if you wished, in the credits, and provide you with a DVD copy. After all, ‘Used’ says, “Once you've tipped your bartender, $100 is barely enough to buy you 6 cocktails at a Sunset Strip club, not to mention venues in NYC, D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, London, Paris, Hong Kong, etc… Why not take $100 and put it in to people like us who are working to make things that may likely still be making thousands or millions of people laugh 20 years from now, and will have your name on it, versus spending it on laughs for “one night out?” Good point, huh? ‘Used’ thinks so too.
Sponsor our first project, whether you are in L.A. or nice places that have less traffic :). If you have a Paypal account, email a $100 U.S. sponsorship to "threewiseguysproductions@gmail.com;" please provide details as to whether you wish to have your name or that of another listed in the sponsorship credits, your address to where we will mail a receipt and DVD copy of the production; and also contact us with any additional questions that you may have. On behalf of Three Wise Guys Productions, Usedcarsalesman thanks you, in advance, for your sponsorship and leadership in supporting us!
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