Good Intentions

Help support the arts! We can't do it without you!

My name is Mike Mayhall, a local southern boy from New Orleans, and the founder of Mayhem Productions - a quality and creatively driven company run by professional artist that work throughout the entertainment industry.

It is with great pleasure and a touch of pride that I am able to announce that Mayhem Productions will be filming the independent feature film ‘Good Intentions’ in the Covington/Mandeville areas of of South Lousiana. Being raised in south Louisiana, it is my wish to highlight the local flavor of Louisiana and all it has to offer by filming in and around my old stomping grounds!

The production, develpoment, selling and creation of independent films happens all over the county. They are so popular that they have channels, theatres and festivals dedicated to the art and success of the independent film maker.

The true definition of an independent film (or indie film) is a film initially produced without financing or distribution from a major movie studio. They are passion projects created with top notch professinals. Makeing good movies is our passion. We invite you to join in!

Our goal is to begin filming at years end, with a possible push to the beginning of 2010, with a full complement of professional crew members, actors, an award winning director, producers and stuntmen who will help create a powerful story. Once completed we will present our film at various Film Festivals and film distributors across the country.

It is with this in mind that we at - Mayhem Productions ...

... present ...

Below are a few of the nuts and bolts about the where and when!

Location:

Covington Louisiana, present day. It is located just north of New Orleans Louisiana. It is a wonderful small town with big city architecture. It’s the perfect place to put these characters. Covington is home of the Covington arts fair and the Ozone film festival. They are project orientated and will welcome the shooting of a feature film.

Currently Attached members:

Mayhem Productions core members, Mike Mayhall, Louis Herthum, Sam Sulivan, Jeff Galpin, John Lands, Dan Garcia (Supporting Producer)

Currently Contacting:

Ray Liotta, Eric Roberts, Robert Patrick

Projected Release Date:

Once the film is 'in the can' or filming is done we estimate that it should be ready to shop around with-in 4 to 6 months. After total film completion its a matter of find the right seller and distributor and the correct markets.

‘Good Intentions’

'Good Intentions’ is a fast paced, smart and sexy, character driven drama that follows one day in the life of Tommy Sheldon as he struggles for understanding and redemption over the events of his parent’s death. Refusing to let go of their tragic passing, Tom insists his best friend, Sam, help him recreate the day's events the same way they happened five years ago on his birthday; the day his parents died.

Together, year after year, they retrace Tom’s steps trying to answer the ‘what ifs’ and ‘maybes’ of that night and year after year Sam watches his best friend slowly walk down a path of self destruction.

Harboring a terrible secret Tom relentless plods forward, isolating all who surround him. However, this somber fifth anniversary takes an unexpected detour and Tom can’t complete his yearly ritual. Much to Sam’s delight he begs Tom to see this as a sign for a new beginning but Tom wont to listen or see reason and suddenly, he and Sam find themselves at odds.

At the height of their arguments a beautiful woman begs Tom and Sam to help her escape two shady-looking men. With the best of intentions and trying to stay focused on the true meaning of the day they find their friendship pushed to the breaking point when they decide to help Sarah leave an abusive relationship. Quickly, they find themselves entangled in her world of lies and blackmail as they become the target of a vengeful husband.

The harder they try to get out the deeper involved they become until they find themselves facing the barrel of a gun digging their own graves. Told from multiple perspectives and with time running out, on a day where nothing is what it seems and everyone has a secret – Tom’s actions in the past help must him understand his present and somewhere in-between is the key to saving his friendship, his life and himself. '

‘Good Intentions’

coming soon

We, at Mayhem, are currently reaching out to you, our community and even going outside normal fund raising means, for support in the production of ‘Good Intentions’ the movie. We are seeking those infused with the entrepreneurial spirit and ready to help with financial contributions, executive producing and sponsorship.

To our delight, the response has been overwhelmingly positive and invite you to share in this entrepreneurial spirit and to support Mayhem Productions in the development of 'Good Intentions'

We have professional actors, an award winning director, sound technicians, lighting technicians, an amazing camera man and a major stunt coordinator lined up - we are still in need of additional funding!

So, we turn to you for help ... to help support the arts!

This part of the business epitomizes the phrase, ‘I think I know someone’ – because if you want to lend a hand and know others who can help – pass this along.

Anyone can help … be creative and crazy. Ask your doctor or dentist or lawyer, (I’m serious, these individuals are the number one contributors to the independent film maker!) or your buddy, your enemy, pass this along to all those who have an email or mail box!

Here are the top things we are in need of ...

Money – I don’t know how to say it without being blunt.

Several adidtional items we are in great need of ...!

We're open to any suggestions you might have regarding your participation.

We want as much local involvement as possible, so let us know how you can help!

Lets be honest, the economy well, is horrible - but the arts (good times or not so good) have always survived by the donations of others! Because of this we are reaching out through non-traditional means of funding our movie. We are asking and looking for your support! We have some funding, but always need more. All donations welcome. Everything helps. Our goal is to raise sixty thousand green backs for our production.

I know what you are thinking - 'that's not alot to make a movie!' - and you are right. Most budgets are inflated. But, we are able to save money by having many top notch people donating thier talents and time becasue they love and believe in the script and know our reputaion for delivering quality work! And, by flming on a digital format and not actual film we are saving tens of thousands of dollars.

Remember the arts thrive on straight donations. However, it is our intentin to reapy all those who invest.

To make a donatition or become an investor and a part of Mayhem Productions and Good Intentions just send us an email!

Mayhemprod@aol.com

All donations are accepted and appreciated.

We estimate the filming to take 12-14 days in and all around the Covington, Louisiana area. The exact shooting days are TDB, because of current cast and crew schedules.

It is our intention (pardon the pun) to repay all those who invest larger contributions in Good Intentions.

After the film is made and if it is sold then all those who invested us will be repaid in full. Your investment will go to the basic nuts an bolts of the film.

From this point on you are no longer an investor -- you are an independent film maker. You now belong to a prestigious group that includes such people as Kevin Smith, Spike Lee and Robert Redford.

Thank you for your interest in 'Good Intentions' ... Welcome to the team!

Crew and equipment: lights, camera and sound!

We have a top notch professional group lined up. They love out script. Know Mayhem Productions reputation for show development and are coming board at cost.

Stunts: bumps, brawls, fights and falls!

Our stunt coordinator has worked everything! He is donating his time. We still need to pay for the effects and safety equipment.

Actors: to be or not to be ...

When you use professional working actors. You have to pay professional prices. Every actor's agreement is negotiated per actor. Many, based on the script and established contacts are coming in far below scale.

Food: it's almost as if we need this everyday.

It takes an army to create a film. And army's need to be feed.

Locations: the place to be seen and scene to place.

Many places are donation their establishments. But, permits must be paid.

Hotels: to rest and relax inbetween 13 hour work days!

While 90% of our crew and cast are local we are filling in other spots with Hollywood professionals and they need a place to stay.

Insurance: nothing funny about this ... except maybe the cost!

Can't get around this. Have to have it. INsurnace is for general saftey and the protection of our film and its equipment.

Flights: direct, indirect, lay over ... as long as we get them over.

People form all over are coming to donate thier time. But, per agreement. We still have to fly them in and put them up!

Top Distribution Markets

Potential pricing for foreign distributors and sales per film per deal:

There are about one hundred and fifty territories, from single countries to major regions. Some buyers buy only video rights for Portugal, South Africa, Taiwan or Norway. Other buyers may buy all Far East Rights or European rights.

The American Film Market (AFM)

Over 8,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making, screenings, seminars, red carpet premieres, networking and parties. Participants come from over 70 countries and include acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world’s press all those who provide services to the motion picture industry.

The American Film Market (AFM) has grown steadily to become the premiere global marketplace where Hollywood’s decision-makers and trendsetters all gather under one roof.

They have more than 8,000 attendees and screenings of approximately 500 films - 31 new films every two hours - the majority of them world or U.S. premieres. Titles range from big budget blockbusters that will be released by the major studios in the U.S., to lower budget art and genre films recognized at international film festivals, all destined for theaters and television around the world.

The Cannes Film Festival

The Festival and market are held in the south of France during the month of May every year.

The Cannes Film Market is an excellent place to expose a movie project while still in developmental stages. The international movie buyers have an incredible knack for what their audiences want to see.

For the independent filmmaker, the Cannes Market is of more significance than the Festival. The Market consists of a trade show with distributors showing their products to the international buyers. Here you'll find movies from all over the world competing for the attention of 1500 territorial buyers.

The indie producer and small distributors screen thousands of movies, promos and trailers at the Cannes Market to buyers from hundreds of international territories.

MIFED -- your not angry, just in Milan.

The Film market in Milan. The same as Cannes … but more business and less festival. But, I am told the pasta is first rate.

MIPCOM

MIPCOM is the global content event for co-producing, buying, selling, financing and distributing entertainment content across all platforms. It provides the key decision-makers in the TV, digital and audiovisual content industry with the only forum to network, discover future trends and trade content rights on a global level.

The 22nd edition of MIPCOM reported the highest-ever number of participants with 12,509 delegates, representing a 7% increase on 2005. MIPCOM 2006 also reached a new record in terms of participating companies with 4,216 from 98 countries attending the market, an 8% increase compared to the 3,896 companies present last year. The number of buyers rose 10% and a total of 3,847 acquisition heads attended Cannes compared to 3,504 in 2005.

Film distribution is a truly collaborative process!

The business of independent motion picture production and selling a film is distribution.

Mayhem Productions will approach various Film Distributors for both the domestic and foreign markets.

The U.S. has so many distributors it wodl nearly imposable to list them all. The negotiations between distibutor and producer are done on a film by film basis, as well as per release medium. For example, cable vs. pay television such as HBO, Showtime or Cinimax. Each release medium is potentially another negotiation and way to sell 'April Third' and turn a profit.

The Basic US distribution mediums:

Theatrical release - your basic movie theater

Art house theatres -- a theater that specializes in the showing of indie films

DVD sales & release, foreign and domestic -- $21.2 billion was from sales and rentals

Pay television; such as HBO, Showtime, Cinemax

Independent Film channel and the Sundance Channel

Cable, USA, TBS, WB

Free television, FOX, CBS, ABC, NBC

We will take full advantage of the quickly emerging Online Distributors and Sites that promote Indie film.

Hollywood is already taking advantage of online sites because they offer nearly limitless free advertising and a way to promote your film. Every week new online distributors and "movie houses"are created. We will pursue all the same avenues as the big blockbuster studios -- they seems to know a thing or two after all ....

To list a few top sites: Trigger Street, I-film, Think Film, You Tube and Spotflix.

Every major studio has an independent branch that is actively seeking new and undiscovered completed films through various markets and film festivals.

The top Indie studio film distributors and makers of 2006:

Lucasfilm

Lions Gate Films

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Focus Features/Rogue Pictures

Sony Pictures Classics

IDP Distribution

Warner Independent Pictures

The Weinstein Company/Dimension Films

Magnolia Pictures

Paramount Vantage

Palm Pictures

New market Films

Picture house

HBO and New Line Cinema)

ThinkFilm

Miramax Films

Airline Tickets – Anyone have pesky airfare travel miles they are just dying to get rid of? I know where you can use them!

Food – this is very important. We will need to feed 20 to 30 people a day for 12 to 14 days – 2 times a day, plus snacks. A film crew is like a roving army … they’re always hungry. So, all of you cooks out there – if you are up for a challenge – this is it. Or maybe you know of a restaurant owner that would like to sponsor us by providing lunch or dinner for a day? You’d be surprised how much of the film industry revolves around food.

Rooms – Some of our cast will be from out of town and we need to find a place for them to sleep.