COSMOS MOVIE PRODUCTION BLOG 2:
WHAT IS COSMOS?
What’s COSMOS? And what happened to ENCOUNTER?!
So, here’s the deal. For those of you that don’t know, back in 2010 Zander and I went into development on an independent feature called Encounter; a 120 minute sci-fi thriller intended for theatrical distribution (aim for the top right, why not?)
After writing a script (’09-’10), putting together a budget and production schedule, and attaching a core team of esteemed film industry professionals (’10-’11), we began the long and unenviable task of trying to raise the finance. (Video production blogs of all that work can be found here). We worked with a corporate-finance team to develop a solid business plan and strategy and began approaching potential investors at the beginning of 2012. And although we had some brilliant meetings with some very receptive parties who were excited by the project, the recurring comment was that we, as the Directors, were the weak link in the project. And that, is a very fair point.
The budget for Encounter is not small, we’re not going to go into it now but suffice to say it’s a significant sum of money to trust to two blokes who’ve never actually directed a feature before. We’re experience directors in shorts and TV and we know we can make this film but we’re also not naive to the risks of film production.
And this is where Cosmos comes in. At the beginning of 2013 we had a choice to make; do we continue to push ahead with Encounter and work away until we secure the finance, or do we take a slight detour, make a much lower budget indie that proves we can see a feature through to the end (which is also hopefully good!!) and in turn be able to use that film to get Encounter off the ground?
After much chin scratching we decided to take the longer (but perhaps less painful) route and make a smaller indie – so in June 2013 Cosmos was born. And here we are in the spring of 2014, a 97 page script in hand, 1050 storyboard sketches inked up, a production schedule pinned to the wall and another project gearing up.
After pouring nearly 3 solid years into Encounter it was almost heartbreaking to shelve the project, but it’s all in stasis ready to be revived as and when. So apologies for you guys who’ve been following Encounter, we promise we will pick the story back up when the time is right. Personally, I view Cosmos as just another small step on the road to Encounter, so if anything we’re still in business…
For now we have a new adventure to share with you, so buckle up… “Punch it, Chewie!
Zand & Ell
Cheers,
Elliot Weaver Director @CosmosMovie