Hole Cam First trial

I need a small camera for seeing the cards in some of the live games. I'm organising a six player cash game and a six player sit n go tournament so I'm looking at solutions for seeing the players cards to make it more like a professional programme.

This is using a spy cam. There was no manufacturers name on the box but it looks identical to a camera called the Mini DV MD80 Camera. It was £9.99 on ebay so though I would give it a try. The results are not too bad.

The main drawback is each camera will require a small light as its just a bit too dark without it. Below is footage without a light.

Proposal Two

Proposal

The Long Grind to Vegas

Introduction

A documentary following three friends as they try and make it in the world of poker. Focusing on their dream of one day playing in the WSOP (World Series of Poker).

Objectives

Informational

The documentary will look at the ups and downs of budding poker players. Looking at all aspects from online and live playing. Being staked by other people. The documentary will look at how generally poker is perceived whether all about luck or is skill involved. What makes the WSOP such a special event.

Look at the players trying to raise the money to enter bigger tournaments by selling pieces of their action. Look at how they grind online or play tournaments in the hope of a big win.

Behavioural

Audiences will go through the ups and downs with the players it really won’t matter whether you understand poker the emotions of losing and winning will be visible to the audience.

Motivational

I have a keen interest in poker and believe I can use my knowledge to make an interesting documentary on the subject.

Structure

Fly on the wall style documentary following their progressive from week to week. There may be some fun elements added such as scene set ups (think the only way is Essex but not as cheesy) or re-enactments of things that the players have gone through. For example the discussion about the players having a competition between themselves has already happened and so it will have to be re-enacted.

Style

A fly on the wall style for when following the players from week to week. The interviews will be professional and fluid with professional lights and sound.

If there is any tournaments between the friends then it will be set up properly with hole cams for the cards and lights and sound.

Audience

The appeal should be quite broad although it appears to be aimed at poker fans it has a broader message, looking at people following their dreams and the ups and downs of their poker quest. Audiences love to see a winner and a loser and they will get both.

The Characters that might never be.

Characters

The characters for the heist film.


Name: Callum Doherty

Age 19-24

Appearance: Skinny and pale.

Background :

Very intelligent but from the wrong background to really excel. He never knew his father not sure his mother does either. His mother is a drug user so Callum brought himself up, left home at 16.  He rents a room in a house and makes money by fixing computers, doing hacks for free software and selling it and other electronic work. This is his first time on a heist and got persuaded into because of the payout and maybe the comraderie. Its more a case of circumstance that he is in this position he does not fit the profile of a criminal.


Name: Dennis Hartman

Age: 60-70

Appearance: Looks his age if not older.

Background:

Tough man and a tough life, spent time in prison but is an expert safe cracker. Denny as he is known has been out of the game for some years but needs the money and the thrill. A career criminal who has had some close scrapes from police and other criminals.


Name: Cameron Moore

Age: Around 30

Appearance: Handsome, rugged looking

Background:

Born to be a criminal he finds the planning and execution of heists thrilling and loves sticking itto the cops. His father was shot by police whe he was a young boy as they believed he was carrying a firearm, he wasn’t and the police covered it up. His uncle has been a big influence in his career as he is a small time gangster. He has a good crew who relies and trust him 100%.  Although avoids violence he is fully capable and willing if it is required.


Name:  Winston Harper

Age: 25-35

Appearance: shaved head, well built

Background:

Not the most intelligent person. Loyal and strong. He is the man you want on your side in a fight. Loves being a criminal and the bonds that comes with it.


Name: Mark Fitten

Age: 25-35

Appearance: Short hair, good looking, well built.

Background:

Winston’s best friend they have been working together for years since meeting in prison. They began working with Cameron a few years ago and have enjoyed a lucrative career.


Name: D.I Kevin Phillips

Age: 45-50

Appearance: Going bald, plain looking, worn from doing the job so many years.

Background:

Became a police officer after six years in the army. Progressed quite quickly. His wife of 15 years left him which hit him hard. He moved to the organised robbery unit and has been focused on the gang for the last year. He has become obsessed with Cameron and his gang.


Name: Detective Marcus Williams

Age: 25-30

Appearance: Tall, medium build, attractive

Background:

New to detective and has been fast tracked because he has a masters in criminal psychology. Just come ouf of uniform after three years. Was always his dream to be a police detective and nothing was going to stand in his way. Has a girlfriend who is also a police officer but still in uniform and is happy to stay there.

Proposal One

Proposal

ALL IN TO WIN

Introduction

A contest over three months following six poker players as they compete for a prize at a poker tournament and free coaching worth over £1000. As a side story we also see the student who his making the film about the poker players try and raise the $10,000 buy in to the WSOP (World Series of Poker) main event.

Objectives

Informational

Six budding poker players get given a £50 starting stake, the objective is to increase that stake by playing online or live poker. Every month the players compete against each other in a live tournament. First month a six man sit n go. The second live tournament is a Heads up knock out tournament.The final tournament is a multi-table tournament where more players a brought in to see how the players compete in a larger field.

There is a points system so for the player who has won the most over the month gets 10 points and down to 1 point split between the six players. Same again for the live tournament. So there is a possible 20 points for two first place finishes.

There is also another element to the documentary/contest looking at the organisers and their quest to get to WSOP looks at the other side of playing poker. As a 50/50 staked poker player. This is where a poker player is staked by someone but gives them 50% of their winnings but they don’t take the losses the backer does.

Behavioural

Audiences love a trier and there is six people all trying to follow their dream and make money playing poker. The audience also gets to see the event organisers desperately try and raise the $10,000 buy in for the WSOP main event.

Motivational

I have a keen interest in poker and am currently trying to get backed myself hopefully this will happen and be part of the focus of the documentary and my personal quest to get to the WSOP main event.
Structure

Fly on the wall style documentary following their progressive from week to week. The monthly tournament will be more professional with hole cams for the cards and proper filming set with lights and a more studio set up.

Introduction to the six players and their motivation and skill level. A bit about their current lives and background. What they are all playing for.

Introduction to Steve and his coach Brokerstar who will coach the winner of the competition. Also a look a the company who provided the sponorship (Likely to be Red Tooth Poker).

The programme will be made up of following the progress of the six contestants as they try and turn a profit playing online poker.

At the end of the first month the points will be allocated as follows

1st - 10pts
2nd - 8pts
3rd - 6pts
4th - 4 pts
5th - 2pts
6th - 0pts

The first live tournament will be a six man sit n go in which all the players will compete against each other and the above points system applies. So a player can earn a maximum of 20 points each month.

The second month it is a Heads Up Knockout tournament again with the same points structure.

The third month is a multi table tournament where more players will be invited to play for a buy in. The points will go to where the players finish in the tournament.

At the end of each month the winner gets one session with the coach.

Style

A fly on the wall style for when following the players from week to week. The interviews will be professional and fluid with professional lights and sound.

The live tournaments will also be professional with hole cams for the cards and a multi camera set up.

Audience

The appeal should be quite broad although it appears to be aimed at poker fans it has a broader message, looking at people following their dreams and the ups and downs of their poker quest. Audiences love to see a winner and a loser and they will get both.

Heist Film on the rocks

The heist film has been an up and down affair. The budget keeps growing with fake walls and safe doors needing to be built. Costumes, equipment, props, tools and even things like feeding up to ten actors and then crew on set were all starting to add up. 

The next issue was the actors I found the actors for the gang which was brilliant and all willing to work for food and drink all thumbs up. The main location was semi secured and although it would be limited on time 9am-5pm sort of regime it was still very possible. The first hurdle  was that some of the actors work and can only do weekends and the location is only available week days. I would have to pay the actors the money they lose from not working.  Also getting all the actors together on the same days was a nightmare as someone would have a wedding to go to or a family birthday and as they are all doing it for free I have to be accommodating to their needs.

The script has developed as well into more of a feature film. The plan was to just shoot a 20 minute segment of the film that part being the heist and sticking and ending on it to meet the project requirements. 

So where are we at?

There has been a major change that is one of the actors who is keen to be involved and really likes the project would like to try and raise some capital to actually make the feature. He has had some success before with raising funding for a documentary and art based projects. So maybe in the future the feature will be made.

The sleepless nights and the hit to my wallet if I continue with project have become too much and although I still hope to get the project off the ground in the future its too big for me at the moment. I think cutting my losses and finding a more manageable project is the correct course of action.

So now to find a back up plan. I think a documentary or factual piece will work best for my skills and experience.