-
Approached By BFTA and the NCF on the idea of a training sequence of films
Added to whatsapp group: "Quick" by BFTA This is important to note as this group, was the primary means of communication between myself and the entire executive production team from BFTA. This is the first time the project is broached to myself and the concept floated. -
First initial internal discussions continue on the type of project and timeline
[09/03/2024, 6:17:35 PM] Jamal Slocombe: Gentlemen, Carol wants this film out April 14th. [09/03/2024, 6:19:41 PM] Jamal Slocombe: Christian-Kendahl she wants a writer, and her preference is Claire Ince. [09/03/2024, 6:20:02 PM] Jamal Slocombe: Ryan, I am treating this 150% as a training film [09/03/2024, 6:20:06 PM] Jamal Slocombe: 45 minutes [09/03/2024, 6:24:54 PM] Jamal Slocombe: The challenge is timing, and managing expectations. -
Discussing feasibility due to timeline con't
-
It is first mentioned requesting my services "professionally" despite stating i'll be out of the country
Sun, 10 Mar, 20:27
Dear Andre,
I apologize for the late notice, but due to an urgent matter Ryan indicated he will be unable to attend.
While myself, Christian-Kendahl, Jamal and Neal are still available, Ryan is the lead for this initiative and is better positioned to engage in in-depth planning.
Can we consider 8:00am on Wednesday or anytime after 2:00pm? We will ensure that all individuals from our end are available.
Sincerest apologies once again.
- Ben -
First Over view of the project is given
-
overview con't
-
International standard practice for proposed overviewed film timelines
-
overview continued - First meeting between myself and NCF arranged
-
Official commission by NCF/Internal conversations subsequent to first team meeting with NCF
The first mention of a three episode breakdown 15 minute each is floated. official commissioning documents by NCF not sent or seen -
How a film is commissioned by international professional standards
Context for best practice of The commissioning of a film by a funder which involves the submission and evaluation of a project proposal, negotiation and signing of a formal contract, disbursement of funds according to agreed milestones, and ongoing oversight and collaboration to ensure the project's successful completion. -
Neal Hope: Membership officer at the time drafts several versions of the production proposall
[13/03/2024, 1:30:49 AM] Neal Hope Films : Rebellion - First Proposal (guide) PDF.pdf • 5 pages document omitted this is important as the other seasoned professional film maker on the board gives the projected timeline for a project of this scale -
Committing to agreeing to get the project done via email and a series of phone calls
[13/03/2024, 8:25:24 AM] Christian Kendall: The reality is we either get on board or not. They will get it done. That’s how the NCF works. We have to decide if we want to be involved. That’s imo [13/03/2024, 8:28:14 AM] Jamal Slocombe: Let’s meet at midday. -
First meeting between Myself **(Producer)** /BFTA Team and NCF
[13/03/2024, 8:03:22 AM] Christian Kendall: Topic: NCF BFTA meeting
Time: Mar 13, 2024 08:00 AM La Paz Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84771750897?pwd=9kpbrvXNMFHTf8ws9gNfpUfw3oehjD.1 Meeting minutes not provided -
BFTA Requested briefing document to NCF never sent:
Additionally, I kindly Andre if you can provide a briefing note or a basic outline that articulates the concept approach that was discussed this morning. We want to ensure that when we communicate with others we are capturing best what was envisioned by the team at the National Cultural Foundation -
Period: to
Proposed timeline
-
Preproduction begins in earnest due to very short turnaround **based on my recommendations**
14/03/2024, 4:23:49 PM] Jamal Slocombe: Gentlemen, I’m going to have to make some decisions today
[14/03/2024, 4:24:25 PM] Jamal Slocombe: As of now; Jamar Silva as Director, Tharreo Dear as DP and Christopher Drayton as Screenwriter.
[14/03/2024, 4:27:56 PM] Jamal Slocombe: I’m also prepared to do a writers room which includes at least two other writers.
Tharreo declines to be apart of the production
[15/03/2024, 9:25:34 AM] Ryan: Ok so Dan Jamal is ur last good option -
Assembling crew con't Important to note who was actually handling reaching out to potential crew
With clearly undefined roles and a very tight timeline several people were all taking on the role of producing accross the departments, with the "lead" responsibly being taken on by the president -
Assembling the crew and initial roles
Email sent by President defining roles First mentions of Budget, mobilisation support, contracts an funding agreements enquired by Dan Jamal, Jamar and myself requested to NCF -
How a film is crewed by international professional standards
-
NCF's response
Carol Roberts carol-roberts@ncf.bb
15 Mar 2024, 14:23
to Jamal, Andre, ceo@bfta.org, me, Christian-Kendahl, Nealhope.films@gmail.com Good afternoon Colleagues,
Sincerest thanks for this very quick turn-around. Please submit the a draft budget as soon as possible so that I may review it and get back to you equally as quick. Thanks again!
Best regards, No mention of contracts/ funding agreements etc -
As the writing of the script continued 16th - 17th the first version of the budget was compiled
Ryan Wilfred Ryan@westindiacinema.com
Attachments
Mon, 18 Mar, 13:51
to Christian-Kendahl, Carol, André, ceo@bfta.org, Nealhope.films@gmail.com, Jamal
Hi All, Please see the attached budgeted proposal for this project tentatively titled 1816 Bussa Mini series. Please note that these preliminary numbers are based on estimates for best case scenarios that I have personally used on industry standard productions.
excerpt of email sent to NCF with first budget -
Total sheet of first budget sent
It's important to note that in standard producing practice the budget is a consequence of what is written done in the script in this case a budget was created and submitted due to time constraints before the script was finished. this would lead to multiple versions of the budget being calculated as the production progressed based solely on my experience of working in the industry locally and internationally -
First budgets cuts communicated directly to BFTA by NCF
[18/03/2024, 9:55:46 PM] Ryan: i can’t make any more cuts without compromising the actually integrity of the project , or NCF and BFTA can advise where the subsidises can be found which I am not privy too. The above is important to note as the production progresses. -
A budget of 150k Barbados and downward is brought forward noting that this included NCF clearly subsidising the items that are out side of this numerical range
Christian-Kendahl Rock christiankendahl@gmail.com
19 Mar 2024, 20:21
to me, Carol, André, ceo@bfta.org, Nealhope.films@gmail.com, Jamal Thanks for your hard work, Ryan.
I know you have excluded several aspects from the budget including cast, location, props, Kraft et cetera. You should proceed within the budget range of BDS$ 150,000 and downward as indicated by the President. We can hop on a call later re: casting and crew.
Best,
Christian-Kendahl (CK) -
Subsidies based on the requested budget cuts by NCF are the only way forward to meet the demands of the production
It is mentioned that NCF have floated the idea of subsidising items within the budget that they may have working relations or access too Encouraged to pen an email to NCF by the president stating the following
[18/03/2024, 11:47:24] Jamal Slocombe: This is a master budget and has several aspects which the NCF can extract from (i.e. food and beverage, extras, wardrobe, locations etc.) but it covers all the priority areas. -
A new budget is created
with the follow catergories Allotted to be subsidised
Production transport
Art Budget
casting fitting room, rehearsal location
wardrobe budget partially subsidised
title design & animation
filming locations
Catering
noting that production insurance was not added as yet as a line item.
Bringing the estimate total at the time to
121,090.00BDS -
Candid discussion ( this highlights the entirety of the reason for calling this meeting)
[19/03/2024, 11:28:16 AM] Neal Hope Films : This would probably be the biggest job and only Job for most this year as well
[19/03/2024, 11:32:46 AM] Neal Hope Films : Those onset days will go over 12hours at a time as well.
[19/03/2024, 11:36:03 AM] Neal Hope Films : I definitely understand when numbers are at these amounts for 1 person it seems crazy but they will be working more than 16hours at a time.** -
First official request for offical documentation from the BFTA
Due to the short turn around time for pre production and then actual production a request was made in order to secure the rights of the crew in line with international standards for production. Noting also that no members of the production have signed and NDA to this point -
The production steam rolls ahead (the topic of production insurance is broached)
Film production insurance is typically obtained during the pre-production phase of a film project.
Securing Insurance: Insurance policies are usually secured before any significant financial commitments are made, such as hiring cast and crew, renting equipment, or securing locations.
Contractual Requirements: Many contracts for locations, equipment rentals, and hiring staff require proof of insurance before they can be finalised.** -
Update on events
mobilisation funding is slowed down and the equipment is still not secured or in Barbados Some crucial crew members still need to be filled
Hods will start to demand there budgets soon in order to purchase things Tiyesha has asked that her payment for the role be guaranteed in some way (Usually a Production may pay 50% of wages if requested before) -
A production meeting is called Between myself, BFTA and NCF
clarity on subsidies was requested by BFTA as well as myself to the NCF -
Confirming equipment as the shoot progresses - 6 days away from shoot day
** equipment which as a producer is the one of my first mainstays in securing has yet to be locked in and safely secured, paid for and insured.** A budget estimate allocated for equipment is given to a provider (the equipment however is not actually in Barbados so this has raised a production red flag for myself) -
Draft agreement between BFTA and NCF requested to be penned - 5 days away from production
[22/03/2024, 1:45:17 PM] Jamal Slocombe: You will need to draft the agreement between BFTA and NCF also.
[22/03/2024, 1:48:53 PM] Ben Henry : Okay. Essentially making us executive producers as producer I was never privy to the terms of this agreement -
A letter is penned to the NCF requesting 50% of mobilisation funding - 5 days out from shoot date
** No reply from NCF via subsidies put forth in the budget** [22/03/2024, 1:05:39 PM] Jamal Slocombe: @12462402726, please write to Andre and Carol and request a $50,000.00 (or the number @12468207710 and you calculate) made to the organization by 1:45pm please. -
First mention of the mobilisation fee arriving (tentatively on day 2 of the production)
-
On boarding Meghan as Co-producer - 4 days from production
[23/03/2024, 11:02:53 AM] Ryan: ive on boarded a new producer to work with me i’ll be paying her from my salary from this job
[23/03/2024, 11:02:59 AM] Ryan: she’s not bajan
[23/03/2024, 11:03:13 AM] Ryan: but at this point we need to get over the line
[23/03/2024, 11:03:23 AM] Ryan: and she is the best person i could think of
[23/03/2024, 11:03:39 AM] Jamal Slocombe: Ryan, truly appreciated.
11:03:55 AM] Ryan: she will join our 12:30 call 11:04:45 AM] Ben Henry : Brilliant -
Needing the subsidies confirmed - Production progresses without any funding
[23/03/2024, 6:07:25 PM] Christian Kendall: @12462402726 in your conversation with Carol did she agree to the subsidies as outlined by Ryan?
Ben Henry : Honestly the conversation was brief and not fleshed out as she was at another meeting. Didn’t get to go into full detail. She confirmed the invoices only then hopped off. I will send a separate email tonight on the need for clarity there Christian Kendall: Please do to her and André. We need that confirmed