We felt it was about time we wrote a post for those of you who actually don’t make films, but simply enjoy watching them – and finding out about how they are made – and provide an update for those of you who have been following us for a while!

It seems to us that the One Fat Cigar website is a bit like a good Terry Gilliam movie – you hear rumours which are ambitious and intriguing; you know there’ll always a major f**k up somewhere along the way (we’ve been delayed by reasons beyond our control) because there always is (in Gilliam movies someone important invariably dies by the end of filming, or the money drops out and they have to make a film about not actually making the movie, so let’s hope we’re not in his league); The thing is about a Gilliam movie – you know it’s going to be slightly quirky, on a tight budget that always runs over; most likely it will be something different to what you expect; but you hope that somewhere inside it there is some magic. And in the end, you’re not quite sure why you like it. But you just do.

Looking back at how this started – with limited funds, a couple of laptops, a diminishing savings account (fortunately we worked out of our flats to make ends meet), and support from some really positive film makers who said – wow, we want that! (and without whom we wouldn’t have started down this journey)- we think we’re doing ok. In terms of getting it out there it feels a bit like a Terry Gilliam movie to us. We hope for a similar kind of success on the screen (albeit slightly smaller!).

We’ve had to be extremely creative to make OFC work. We hope we (and you) are the better for it. Looking at the beta site now, we are thinking that there’s a great framework and blank canvas for some creative film people with some cameras and some vision to put their mark on.
All they need now is an audience. i.e. you!

So here’s our plan…

Some seriously exciting talent (film makers, actors, writers) will be on our site and tell you about projects they are working on. These might be production companies with deals with studios who have projects ‘In Development’, or more likely, independent films that already have finance and talent attached, or they might be low budget movies which require no finance, simply support and encouragement from people like you!
After all they are sweating blood to produce a film, but without an audience it means nothing so you’re pretty important. You’ll be able to hear about the hottest new productions – first… none of this playing around with reporters telling you the news… this is straight from the film maker themselves. Ask them questions, comment, review, get involved.

They will be uploading a wide range of footage from their movie – as they are making it. Think:

• Video blogs with updates on: new castings, casting calls, daily production diary, costumes, set designs, production schedules, post-production, , the distribution, the financing and the production itself, the special FX, the visual FX.
• Shots from the location scouting
• Pre-filming updates – who’s in, who’s out
• Interviews with key cast members and crew – maybe even a Q&A of questions you send in for them
• The Publicity and Promotion
• Festival Entry and Screening
• Announcing their next projects
• Announcing competitions to win props, screening tickets etc.

So what does it cost?
Well that’s the good news – film makers want you to know about their work so access to the site will be FREE for basic membership – i.e. anyone who doesn’t want to make a movie and show it on the site. You will be able to go on One Fat Cigar and follow your favourite filmmakers, actors, cinematographers and crew. Find out what they’re up to, where they are, and get an insight into their daily lives on set – directly in your newsfeed.

It’ll take about 60 seconds to sign up, or maybe less depending on how fast you type.

Over the next few months film makers will be uploading more and more film projects, and we’ll be asking you to help spread the word if you like what we, and they, are doing. As one of the first on the site we need your help to promote it, to give it gravitas, and help some talented people get their films out there.

OneFatCigar.com will launch before Christmas. Please sign up to our mailing list or follow us on Facebook and find out about some of the great films coming out, months before anyone else. We’re looking forward to having you on board and hope that our months and months of work will be something that you like.

With best wishes, and thanks again for the support,

Craig and Ross,
co-founders, One Fat Cigar.com

P.S. for those of you who have left comments or kind words or offered suggestions as to what you would like to see, we do read them all and really appreciate all your feedback. We take it all into consideration since we know that if you take the time to comment that it matters to you – we’re doing our best to make sure that it is a site that lives up to your expectations.