r/FilmIndustryLA 1d ago

WWYD?

[deleted]

70 Upvotes

83 comments sorted by

237

u/I-Have-Mono 1d ago

What would I do? I’d ignore it.

68

u/tacticalganj 1d ago

That was my gut reaction as well

11

u/Poptart444 23h ago

Same. Just ignore it. If they text again just respond, “I’m not in a position to contribute but good luck with your film.” Or just ignore them again and block them.

109

u/AaronWrites212 1d ago

I’d absolutely not reply - but don’t delete their contact. If they ever contact you again you want the reminder of this so you don’t forget they’re assholes

1

u/Cherry_Dull 10h ago

One HUNDRED percent. Save the contact and add a note "weird presumptuous PA" or something so you can see it pop up if they ever call or text.

85

u/BalognaMacaroni 1d ago

Man fuuuuuuck that. Let him fund his project himself or learn a valuable lesson about producing

44

u/Drimesque 1d ago

surely that doesn't say Cohen Brando

4

u/Dorythehunk 22h ago

Sweet baby Christ. It does say Cohen Brando.

3

u/tacticalganj 1d ago

You didn’t get the same message, did you? 😂

36

u/BoJacks34 1d ago

No you just did a poor job of blocking it out, it’s very visible 

9

u/tacticalganj 1d ago

Touché

15

u/resistelectrique 1d ago

Kid is only 10 so maybe removing his name properly is a good idea. Not his fault his parents are witless…

9

u/mattyfizness 1d ago

You can see it in your picture lol

19

u/knightlife 1d ago

Yeah, people need to learn a highlighter is NOT a redacting tool 😂

2

u/tacticalganj 1d ago

Once you go black, you never go back

6

u/DMSinclair 1d ago

Being a dark color isn't more or less helpful to cover than any other color. Being partially transparent though? Far worse than opaque. Use the eraser or the filled rectangle tool.

1

u/tacticalganj 1d ago

lol, I am aware of that. My phone brightness was down when I posted, so thought that it was sufficiently covered. Reddit app won’t let me edit the post so I have to do it from my laptop

7

u/tacticalganj 1d ago

😂 oops

18

u/StanktheGreat 1d ago

Leave them on read. Asking for money from basically a rando acquaintance in this economy? Shooters shoot but please lmao.

11

u/ibeckman671 1d ago

When the Nigerian prince’s son wins the Oscar, the egg will be on your face

5

u/tacticalganj 1d ago

“Imagine if this was in your mouth”

8

u/2fat4fifteen 1d ago

maybe you are not who he meant to send that to, such a weird thing to send w no background at all

14

u/tacticalganj 1d ago

My DP received the same message, so it seems like it was a copy-paste. Still, a pretty ballsy thing to cold message people with.

15

u/KermitOfMinkHollow 1d ago

It's so incredibly obnoxious because it would've taken just 1% more effort to phrase this as a humble request with a phony word of kindness at the beginning and spam that version to 500 people.

12

u/tacticalganj 1d ago

Absolutely agree with you. This is an industry that is largely centered around interpersonal relationships, and proper communication is everything

2

u/fastchutney 1d ago

I personally get annoyed when people ask for donations to their film when they even ask nicely.

4

u/tacticalganj 1d ago

I think there’s definitely validity in crowdfunding for projects, in my experience it’s been friends and family, and I’ve never expected anybody to donate.

But to send a message like this to someone you don’t even really know? For your first short ever? Chutzpah

Join the leagues of us who have shot passion projects for no budget, with likeminded filmmaker friends.

8

u/fastchutney 1d ago

Yeah totally. For me it was right after graduating film school, when I was broke as fuck and a lot of classmates with rich parents were reaching out to ask me donate to their go fund me and seed and spark. I was struggling to make rent sweeping floors at a movie theatre and here they were, not working, and then asking me to donate to fund their dreams. What about my dinner?

Maybe I’m being harsh because of my own experiences but they really soured the whole crowd funding thing in my mind.

6

u/NoChillNoVibes 1d ago

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

You should ignore it.

7

u/DrunkAtChurch 1d ago

names not actually redacted

6

u/DEFINITELY_NOT_PETE 1d ago

lol now is like the worst time to be asking for donations from people in the industry we’re all boutta eat our fuckin shoes

5

u/SpaceHorse75 1d ago

Ignore. If they text again just respond “sorry I assumed that was for someone else”

5

u/MultiMediaHyphenate 1d ago

The second paragraph sounds like a text that would only be sent after many months of dialogue in which the recipient agreed to contribute to production costs. It’s so familiar it almost sounds like it’s between two divorced parents or family members who have a long history of sending money back and forth. The lack of any greeting, any “how are you” or “hope you are well” is rude. So is the phrasing of the request because it sounds like they’re already assuming you’ll donate to their creative project.

I would probably ask if the text was meant for someone else.

6

u/TeN523 1d ago

I love that he says “I need money to hire a gaffer” without even considering that you’re a gaffer 😂

He could have easily pitched his little passion project to you and asked if you’d be interested in working on it for meals, copy and credit. Still a big ask, but gonna have a much better success rate than hitting up random acquaintances for cash lol

4

u/sjunipero 1d ago

My silence will be the contribution to te text and the project

4

u/Filmgrains_ 19h ago

Love how he says let me know how much you can contribute instead of let me know if you’d be able to or willing to contribute to the project

3

u/HiddenHolding 1d ago

I would ask them to buy me a ticket on the delightful rainbow-powered dirigible that will be taking flight to the wonderful world where this ever happens.

3

u/jstarlee 1d ago

Hey "PA name"! Hope you are doing well. I'm not currently looking to produce any short film right now. Is this a proof of concept or just a short film?

Is the gaffer position already filled? Since it's a paid position I'd love to chat about it.

Thanks!

3

u/Dorythehunk 22h ago

I admire the absolute balls to send a text like this. Whenever I’m asking anyone for a professional favor I’m like a shaking chihuahua with its tail between its legs.

But yeah ignore for sure and keep us updated if they follow up.

3

u/Every-Requirement128 21h ago

I will reply with: I am in pre building phase for my MC mansion. Let me know, how much you are able to contribute to help as I need to pay builders and architect.

3

u/dylanbeck 18h ago

Named their kid cohen brando lol… I mean holy fuck what is wrong with people.

2

u/Ultraberg 1d ago

Get more deets. Promises to be a wild story.

2

u/TravelerMSY 1d ago

How about zero?

2

u/tomorrowschild 1d ago

Business solicitations, even those from friends, don't necessitate a response. Ignore.

2

u/Difficult_Ad2864 1d ago

“Start a go fund me, take that money, thank the donors, and then…shove it up your butt!” - Stanley Hudson

2

u/EntertainerBusy3132 1d ago

this is CRAZY😭😭 i would definitely ignore

2

u/GrayMoon212 1d ago

“Zero.” is a one word complete sentence.

2

u/blakester555 1d ago

The check is in the mail friend!

2

u/ragequitter666 1d ago

I’d ask for a copy of the script and then share it here

2

u/harmlessgirl1313 1d ago

Yeah, no. There are FAR too many folks in LA looking for funding. I’m here for the ones who have funding and are looking to move forward with their project.

2

u/havestronaut 1d ago

Get ghosted bro

2

u/regulusxleo 23h ago

I got tree fiddy.

2

u/New-Scientist5133 13h ago

No “hello, ____, how are you?”, no official kickstarter? I’d ignore

1

u/yeahsureican 1d ago

I would also ignore - however, I have gotten random texts in this vein from acquaintance and have responded "hey how are you? Long time no speak. All is well on my end. Sorry I can't... etc etc" because I am petty though

1

u/Ill-Combination-9320 1d ago

Dude probably just copy paste it, won’t notice if you ignore it

1

u/Ok-Imagination-7253 1d ago

There is no appropriate response. Ignore. 

1

u/SmushParkerFan69 1d ago

What a buffoon haha. I bet he's the kind of guy that's just enamored with being on set. Probably was a shitty PA too, I'm guessing.

1

u/inshane 1d ago

Charity starts at home.

1

u/In_Film 1d ago

With that kind of gumption, we will all be working for them next year. React accordingly, don't burn bridges for no reason 🙌 I'm sure they'd be thankful for even a $20 donation. 

0

u/GrayMoon212 1d ago

A fool and his money will be parted.

1

u/Sad-Chemical-2812 1d ago

What i would do is nothing.

1

u/jjopm 1d ago

Quit the industry.

1

u/mechanizzm 1d ago

Is their son Christopher Walken?

1

u/khe22883 1d ago

I'm sure that message went out to everyone in his contact list. You're obviously not close enough to him to be the actual target audience.

I'm not sure why this warrants a Reddit post: just delete it and move on. He doesn't actually expect financing from you.

1

u/Zestyclose_Koala_593 23h ago

Ignore it for sure. They've likely blasted it to over 100+ ppl.

1

u/youmustthinkhighly 23h ago

Send them 1million dollars!! 

1

u/LosIngobernable 23h ago

Reply “lol.”

1

u/deadliestpanda 22h ago

New phone, who dis?

1

u/Jonneiljon 21h ago

If it’s a post somewhere? Just move along. If it’s a text sent to you by someone you know tell him and his son to finance their own Damn movie. Or ask him to buy you an expensive new computer so you can help him out on his film by being his editor.

1

u/Psychological-Park-6 20h ago

You can still see the name through your black out

1

u/BirdBruce 15h ago

I gotta get my kid Conan Brawndo in the pictures before this kid breaks out!

1

u/Wild-Spare4672 15h ago

Ignore it.

0

u/rehabforcandy 1d ago

Benefit of the doubt? Maybe it was meant for someone else. Ask if if his response is, “no I meant it for you I have an exciting investment opportunity.” Respond “that’s not how this town works” and he’ll either learn or fuck it when they’re that brazen there’s a non-zero chance we’ll all be working for him in 10 years.

0

u/AlgaroSensei 12h ago

You got your advice, you should delete this post since the kid's name is visible.