More Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing Answers
Question Library
Ask a question about Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login
Awards
About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer
|
| |
|
|
| |
| | | |
About Phil Nemy
Expertise
I am a Former VP, Production for Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group, who
has departed to begin producing his own films. I am also the author of
the book GET A REEL JOB: Finding Your First Job In The Motion Picture
Industry In Los Angeles. I can answers questions on a variety of
subjects about careers in film from acting to directing to crew work,
getting into the unions, successful strategies for networking, etc.
Experience
Past/Present clients
I've worked with such filmmakers as Jerry Bruckheimer, Tony Scott, Steve Zaillian, Scott Rudin, Garry Marshall, Frank Marshall, Michael Bay, etc.
| | |
| |
You are here: Experts > Arts/Humanities > Performing Arts > Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing > Spellbound the Musical
Expert: Phil Nemy - 10/26/2009
Question
Hi Phil,
I entered the incorrect email in my previous question so please forgive this duplicate question. This one now contains the correct email address.
Thanks.
Hi Phil,
For the past 5 years we have been developing a new musical for its road to Broadway. It has been tested in many forms and re-written, re-written and re-written again. Readings, performances, concerts of songs, all have been performed live to much praise. A NY theatre company even recommended going to Disney Theatricals with the show- which is why I am asking if you might be able to help. It is a very Disney-esque style show set in a fantasy world. We have been told our musical will be able to compete even with Wicked! We are looking for representation and recommendations to producer(s) to stage a production of Spellbound the Musical. If you can help in any way, I would be eternally grateful, even if you are able to give me the name of the person to contact. Here is our website: www.spellboundthemusical.com.
Many thanks in advance for your time.
Paul
Answer
Paul,
Thanks for writing. I have a couple of thoughts about this. First, historically, Disney has produced stage musicals based on their successful animated films. They have attempted to develop a few projects NOT based on their animated films, but to date, those have not fared well and have either been shut down or abandon. Knowing this, it's doubtful that Disney Theatricals would take on a new project not associated with their animated films. Nevertheless, because the story has a "Hobbit"-esque feel to it, they may be interested as it may draw in that particular audience who responded so favorably to the Hobbit trilogy of films.
My second thought is this. The way potential broadway shows find their way to the NYC boards is by holding "backers auditions." To mount a show like yours, or at least what I've seen on your website, would easily require an investment of $4 to 6 million or more. That's a significant sum to raise and you'd probably have better luck doing a backers audition. However, you'll need to involve some top-flight Equity actors as well as a strong director with LORT regional theater and/or broadway experience as you backers are going to want to see broadway-quality performers and management. The best you can expect from such an audition is to raise all or the majority of your financing needed to produce the show in New York. The worst case is that no one is interested. Realistically, you'll probably get some interest who may be willing to invest in workshopping it for 6 weeks or so. That would mean that they feel it needs some changes whether it be book, lyrics, music, direction or a combination of some or all of these. A workshop can be produced for as little as $250,000 and as much as $750,000. That does not guarantee that it will move any further than that, but it may mean that the changes impress the investors enough to want to invest more to see the production go further. It is pretty standard for a show to be workshopped before ever having a chance at Broadway. Yes, you've had productions done, but I'm not certain of the level of execution, the level of talent, director, etc. My gut tells me that most serious investors would not accept your past productions as enough proof that the show is ready without it going into a workshop with broadway-caliber talent.
Another way to make your dream happen is to offer it to an existing LORT Regional Theater who can finance a production. Provided that the production goes well, they may be able to use one of the performances as a kind of audition, inviting investors and B'way producers to see the show. If there is enough interest, it may be able to move from there. Companies like the La Jolla Playhouse, Goodspeed Opera House, Mark Taper Forum, and Guthrie Theatre are LORT houses that have a reputation for developing musicals that have moved onto Broadway.
I am involved as a director with a new musical about the life of Walt Disney and we recently held backers auditions in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. The response was very positive, there are a number of investors interested in the project, and most have agreed that the show needs to be workshopped for about 6 weeks. Our producer is the producer of the Tony-winning SPRING AWAKENING. So, if you're seriously interested in moving into a workshop, and you have potential investors who can spend a minimum of $250,000, let me know. I'd be happy to assist.
Phil
View Follow-Ups
Add to this Answer Ask a Question
|
|
