FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Over the years we have provided production analysis services to many individual filmmakers, Hollywood agents, producers, studios, film festivals, and consulting firms.

From the vast amounts of production analyses, pre-production package analyses, pitch and title inquiries received, we have extracted the most frequently asked questions.  It is our sincere hope that the answers to these questions will help you.

F A Q ' s

1)  Question: Does Hector's Spite Productions help filmmakers sell his/her films?

      Answer: No.  We merely help budding filmmakers to polish their reels to hand in the highest quality sample work to producers and directors.  However, we do have a limited partnership with Finkner Distribution, Inc., and if we see a feature of high enough quality, we have no objection to passing it along for potential exhibition/distribution deals.  We charge a nominal fee for this service.

2)  Question: Does Hector's Spite Productions help filmmakers find and agent?

      Answer: No.

3)  Question: What if I want to make a film that is an adaptation of an already successful album and stage musical

      Answer: Musicians are notoriously difficult people to work with.  They don't seem to understand that films are different from music or even stage shows.  Our recommendation would be to purchase the music rights from the publisher and keep the musician(s) as far away from the film project as possible.  If the music is in the public domain it is permissable to use the material for a screenplay.

4)  Question: What if I want to make a sequel to a movie that has already been produced?

      Answer: This is pretty much out of the realm of possibility.  First of all, the characters and ideas are owned by somebody else.  Secondly, if the owners thought a sequel would be successful, they'd either sell you the rights at an unaffordable rate, or they won't sell them at all.  Trust me.

5)  Question: Does Hector's Spite Productions answer questions about how to properly put together a Pre-Production Package, improve the aesthetics of a film (e.g., editing, sound, cinematography), market it, find an agent and/or distribution deal?

      Answer: As part of Hector's Spite Productions's Production Advice service, we provide a detailed critique of everything — story and screenplay, film aesthetics, presentation, commercial possibilities.  However, we do not offer production courses or seminars, nor do we help with marketing your film or help you to find an agent.  Services like these are rendered in the form of marketing tools we call Title Professor™, a revolutionary service that helps match the perfect title to your film, and PitchLink™, which allows you — the filmmaker — to pitch your idea from anywhere in the country, at any time, via the Internet.  This is a service that is used by major Hollywood producers and agents to find the right people to add to their staffs or client lists.

6)  Question: How can I get my films seen without having an agent?

      Answer: Submit them to film festivals.  Most of them either receive too few submissions or will accept and exhibit anything.  Even if you've made the worst film in the world, chances are you can get it onto the festival marketplace.  Another option is to take advantage of our PitchLink™ service, which allows filmmakers with no representation to have their voices heard, in the form of pitching their ideas.

7)  Question: What film festivals or short-film contests are the best to enter?

      Answer: Hector's Spite Productions does not recommend any one festival or contest.  However, the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival is remarkably easy to win because it has so few entries.

8)  Question: If I have a story idea that I think would make a good film but am not a screenwriter and don't wish to write the screenplay myself, can I send it to you?

      Answer: Please do.

9)  Question: Do you provide your analytic services to works-in-progress, incomplete films or screenplays?

      Answer: Yes.  In fact, we prefer works-in-progress to completed works; the artists tend to react better to negative criticism if they don't think it's "finished."

10)  Question: I am not of legal age.  Can I still send you my film for analysis?

      Answer: If you have access to a credit, debit, or checking account, you sure can!

11)  Question: Do you edit films?

      Answer: While Hector's Spite founder Vance Sloane is a talented editor and can provide much guidance for editorial choices, we will not literally edit your film unless you pay an exorbitant fee that fluctuates based upon the degree of work required to save your film.

12)  Question: Can I phone you if I have questions about the services Hector's Spite Productions offers?

      Answer: If after reviewing our website pages which detail all the services we offer, as well as the FAQ page, and you don't find an answer to your question, we ask that you send an email to [email protected] with any questions you may still have.  We find email is a much more efficient means of communication, and your questions will be answered much faster than if you phone us.  Our phone time is spent with those who have received a film or pre-production analysis and have purchased and scheduled phone consultation time for the purposes of going over the various problems in their project.

13)  Question: Do you offer any critiques or guidance on screenplays?

      Answer: No, we only give feedback to serious filmmakers, not amateur writers who think their personal story of overcoming circumstances to succeed waiting tables at a diner will be the hottest ticket in Hollywood.

If you have any questions after reading this page, please take the time to visit  www.geocities.com/hectorsspite/faq.html  our “Frequently Asked Questions” page.  The answer to your question(s) may be there.  If not, please email me by clicking on this link:    Email me

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