Massify Studio

Honorable Mentions from Killer Films

Christine Vachon — 2009-06-18T17:27:15Z

Once again, thank you for taking the time to submit your screenplays and pitches to the Massify website. I, along with the rest of the Killer Films staff, thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the submissions that flooded in. There are a few excellent, thought-provoking entries in particular that we feel deserve acknowledgment. Killer Films would like to award Honorable Mention to the following scripts: Half a Stop, Backflip, Tuesday, Looking Glass, and Song of a Fifth Grade Samurai. Please take the time to read these memorable projects written by your peers. Commentary after the jump.

What Does a Showrunner's Assistant Do?

Amy Allen — 2009-06-09T17:54:10Z

Over on John August's blog, Jonny Sommers gives an enlightening and entertaining first person account of being an assistant to a successful showrunner. Choice quote: '"One executive I know described the assistant-showrunner relation this way: 'You’re sort of like my fridge. I just expect it to work.'"

Fun with Crowd-Funding

Suraj Das — 2009-06-05T17:28:49Z

Have a terrific idea for a feature film, but strapped for cash? Being part of a tight-knit community of filmmakers and movie-buffs may be more helpful than you think. More and more filmmakers are turning to crowd-funding to finance their films - and this helpful article from 'The Age of Stupid' provides a great crash course for anyone interested in trying the method themselves.

Crowd-funding is a relatively new approach to raising money, but there have already been a number of notable success stories. Early last year, singer-songwriter Jill Sobule launched a campaign to raise $85,000 for a new album via fan donations on her website, jillsnextrecord.com. Fans received gifts and swag, such as free song downloads and the opportunity to attend studio recording sessions, in return for their donations. The complete amount was raised in roughly 50 days, and Sobule was able to use the money to produce, manufacture, distribute, and advertise a brand new album, "California Dreams."

John August Answers Questions

Amy Allen — 2009-05-29T18:35:56Z

Unanswered Questions from John August on Vimeo.

Screenwriters, this video from John August is worth a watch. Not only is he a joy to listen to, but he's giving you the type of advice you'd normally pay steep tuition to receive. (Hint, if you don't read his blog, I highly recommend it.) He gives some tough love, like pointing out that while you can improve your storytelling skills by reading other screenplays and seeing what works and what doesn't, "I don't know if anybody can really improve their ability to write characters, consciously." He also encourages writers to read scripts online to inspire and inform their own work. Sounds like a plan to me. What else are you doing this weekend? No, seriously.

Newteevee >> Zerks Log Boldly Goes On a Limited Budget

Amy Allen — 2009-04-20T12:03:09Z

Liz at NewTeeVee inadvertently gives some really good advice to content creators in her Review of Zerks Log:

"Here’s the secret to creating high-quality, low-budget science fiction: The simpler the set-up, the more money and effort you can put towards executing it well. Zerks Log is a perfect example."

Zerks Log Boldly Goes On a Limited Budget.

Help With Scene Description

Amy Allen — 2009-04-07T16:58:20Z

John August not only runs what is probably the best screenwriting blog on the web; he now also makes how-to videos. This tutorial about how to make scene description better is super useful, especially if you've ever wondered how to make tricky 'intercut' action happen.

Final Voting for Cast

Amy Allen — 2008-05-16T15:03:53Z

The end is drawing near...of Massify's casting contest with After Dark Films, that is.

Perkins' 14 Wins Pitch Competition!

Amy Allen — 2008-04-08T19:25:38Z

Perkins’ 14 will be produced by After Dark Films and in theaters for Horrorfest 2008.

Thoughts on the Contest

Amy Allen — 2008-03-24T17:33:23Z

We have always believed that the promise of Massify is to democratize which films get made.

Ghosts in the Machine

Sasha Nelson — 2008-02-08T23:17:00Z

For our launch, we’ve partnered with After Dark films to bring you a groundbreaking new filmmaking competition – an opportunity for you to redefine the horror genre.

We’re calling it Ghosts in the Machine. Think you have a great idea for a horror movie? Submit your pitch into competition and win the opportunity to work with a professional production crew to turn it into a feature film. One idea, as selected by the Massify community, will be produced – and in theaters – as part of After Dark’s Horrorfest 2008.