Gary Revel
Making a movie is an artistic and a business process that has much more to do with the art than most might think. Whether from the first idea, from which the movie screenplay is written, to the makeup, costumes, set designs, camera choices, locations, production design, special effects, colorization, music, and style of the director, editing, digitization, and there are more, the art of matter is the heart of the matter.
Screenwriting
Let’s start with the idea. You must have an idea for a story; before you have a story. You must have a story; before you have a treatment. You must have a treatment; before you have a screenplay. These elements don’t always come in those steps. They are the result of the screenwriting process, that starts with an idea for a movie.
Development
After this there is a process of putting together financing and/or development of the business side of production. Most independent films enter the development phase before financing is firmed up. Often a pitch deck is created (again, a matter of artistic designs). The pitch deck will present the concept, information on the screenplay, perceived budget, cast, crew, and sometimes a clear and workable marketing plan that includes distribution choices. This is where the business side of the equation must settle on prices for the bundle of rights involved. These rights include fees, royalties, and various ways of dealing with creative controls.
Pre-production
The next step is called pre-production. At this time a line-item budget must be made by a line producer. The line producer will go through the screenplay and decide on the costs involved in shooting each moment of the movie. The hiring of the cast and crew, deciding on locations, designing and building sets, hiring someone to head up makeup, costumes, and properties, the legal demands of permits and insurance are met, and the shooting schedule is finalized.
I am President of Jongleur Pictures LLC. This article reflects the insights and wisdom I have gained from over half a century of experience in the entertainment industry.
Production
Finally, you start making the movie. At this time, the most important person involved is the director. The director makes the movie. The director will have the ultimate responsibility of making sure all goes well. He also must deal with egos of cast and crew alike. The nature of the filmmaking business is rife with egos, that have led to great motion pictures and total failures. The production designer has made clear the plans for lighting, set design, hair, makeup, VFX, and more. The director sets the time and date to begin principal photography.
Principal Photography
This is where acting talents of the cast sync with abilities of the crew to make magic. The movie starts taking shape as the cast and crew work in harmony, using cinematography equipment, onstage props, makeup, costumes, and mechanical/optical special effects. The Director works closely with the First Assistant Director (1st AD) to stay on schedule and put his vision into recorded history.
Post-production
Once the last scene is shot the movie goes into the post-production phase. Editing, special effects, sound, music, and titles are some of the concerns. Another concern is colorization. With movies becoming more and more a technical process, colorization has become more important to the final look of the film. Just the right mix of imagery, sound levels, music, and special effects can make the movie a huge success or leave it wanting.
Special Effects
Here is a link to 25 of the most famous movies with great special effects. https://ew.com/gallery/movie-special-effects/ Titanic was one of those. One of the stills from the movie is pictured below.
Distribution and Marketing
The final step is distribution and marketing. Marketing is part of the overall business plan to make sure the movie shows a profit. I have seen movies get previewed and the feedback caused the marketing people to suggest a title change. Overnight the movie has a new title. That goes back to the art of the entire matter. Artistic concerns are part of this kind of decision. Once marketing folks have decided on the best way to market the movie, that’s when the movie is scheduled for release. When a movie is released to the public, there are many choices to be considered. Besides the typical theatrical release we now see a mix of streaming services, DVD/Blu-ray, video on demand, and television. Streaming services are online platforms that allow users to watch movies on demand, either for a subscription fee or a one-time payment. Some examples of streaming services are Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, and Apple TV+. DVD/Blu-ray are physical media that store movies in digital format and can be played on compatible devices. Video on demand (VOD) is a service that allows users to rent or buy movies and watch them on their devices at any time. Some examples of VOD platforms are iTunes, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu. Television is a medium that broadcasts movies over the air or through cable or satellite networks. Some examples of television channels that show movies are ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, HBO, Showtime, and Starz.
For example, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ will be released on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD Dec. 12. The budget for making the movie was $70 million and it has already made over $179 million, at the box office (Prange, Oct. 2023).
Things are changing in the movie industry. Recently the Livento Group’s Boxo Productions (NUGN) revealed it was investing $30 Million in a new portfolio of Films, TV, Movies, and Games (Accesswire-Quotemedia, Oct. 2023). Whether or not they can compete with the majors is a matter only time will tell.
So, you see, making a movie isn’t quite as easy an endeavour as you may have thought.
Media and Entertainment (feedly.com). Stephanie Prange, October 2023. Retrieved from https://feedly.com/i/entry/P62FAh59lBuH5wHJHLnrnsSnvxk8tUCUO6aAy4NB8/A=_18b1b29133b:230b5b:a4fdcf0e
Livento Group’s Boxo Productions (NUGN) Reveals Expansive $30 Million Investment Portfolio of Films, TV, Movies, and Games (investorsobserver.com), Accesswire-Quotemedia. Retrieved from https://www.investorsobserver.com/news/qm-pr/8216910217313548
TESTIMONIALS
As a 40-year-old journalist, I’ve spent the last five years of my “youth” having abandoned all other projects and professional opportunities to work solely on a book. It centers on Gary’s 1977 investigation, done in collaboration with the HSCA, on “Zorro”, the code-named operation to silence MLK’s protest of the Vietnam War, by rogue operatives of the Military Industrial-Complex. Although the book as a finished product has yet to speak for itself in this way, I can say unreservedly that I would do the last five years all over again, and this, as a statement of my confidence, affection, and time-tested admiration for Gary. He is a trove walking about in plain sight. The world will learn of his name and unsung contribution to some of history’s greatest discoveries–the kind that will give the overlooked and marginalized their voice back. Finding creative means to do so through art and film is what keeps him young; as a lesson to myself. What kind of person re-enrolls in college at 74? Leaving the cloak and dagger life behind, Gary loves learning and strives to master the entertainment and business fields. His passion is evident. Suffice to say, there’s a lot to unearth there, and Gary is it.
- Patrick J. Wood Investigative Reporter and Author
I find Gary to have a very sharp mind when it comes to the arts and the business of making movies. He is constantly at work, from developing a story to getting that story into a screenplay, getting the cast together, finding the right executive producer, musical composer, director, etc. to negotiating the legal relationships. It has been nothing but an honour and great pleasure working with Gary on numerous projects.
- Screenwriter-Producer Frank Burmaster
I am an author who was blessed to have been introduced to Gary Revel through a mutual friend who is also in the entertainment business. Jeff olm, that friend, has worked on many box-office hits. I knew that anyone connected with Jeff would be a quality person who knew the business. Gary’s extensive background in the entertainment world, along with his upstanding morals and reputation, was a welcoming pleasure to embrace. It has been an honour for me to know him. He published my book, I’ve Seen Dead People, via Jongleur Books, his publishing company. He has been a very proactive, hands-on publisher and I continue to count my blessings being his friend and business partner.
- Former Deputy Coroner, Author Donna Francart
Ascot Media Group has enjoyed a long-standing business relationship with recording artist, producer and author Gary Revel. We have created public relations campaigns for many of his books and some of his original songs, and the media is always receptive of his work and talents. From his children’s books that teach valuable lessons about the environment to his fascinating investigations into the assassinations of JFK, MLK and others, Gary uses his craft to make a difference in the world around him. He is a consummate professional and always a pleasure to work with.
- Trish Stevens, Owner, Ascot Media Group, Inc., Post Office Box 2394, Friendswood, TX 77549, 832.334.2733 Direct, 281.333.3507 Main, tstevens@ascotmediagroup.com, ascotmedia.com
I was recommended to Gary by a dear friend of the family, Cheryl Whitman-Dubuque, who is now deceased. For many years, she produced movies in Hollywood, California; before passing on. Cheryl suggested I speak with Gary about developing some of my children’s stories for animated productions. I called him, as she suggested, and told him about my Old Doc Turtle series of stories. From there we developed a business and personal relationship which led to the publishing of several of my books. We are also developing both my children’s books and my science fiction books (Megamerse) for film/animation production. He is also advising me on getting some of the songs I wrote; to go along with the stories, produced. I am grateful for Cheryl’s introduction and appreciate Gary’s expert assistance in bringing my literary work to the public’s attention. I highly recommend him to anyone needing guidance in film/animation development, book publishing, or music business.
- Executive Director of Mother Nature Festival Live Inc., Author Richard Faith
I have had the pleasure of working with Gary Revel for the last five years. I found him to be efficient, responsive, and a pleasure to work with. As an Illustrator, it is wonderful to have a publisher like him on your side. I have done six titles with him (The Old Doc Turtle Series) and numerous book covers. He is always professional and knowledgeable. I do art. He does business and has my back.
- Illustrator, Composer, Recording Artist, and Musician Todd Hobin https://www.toddhobin.com/, https://www.hobinstudios.com/, https://artistandtheastronaut.com/
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To learn more about Gary Revel and the Jongleur Group of companies go to: Global Gateway Gary Revel
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