Here are some of the things I find so interesting from a filmmaker and film financing perspective. The Producer, Scott Budnick, is also the Exec Producer of all The Hangover movies (+ Due Date, Old School and others). He also happens to be an alumni of my college - and I have no idea how I didn't know any of that!
Like many filmmakers, Scott went to LA, started at the bottom, and worked his way to producing The Hangover. Sure, he got lucky that it's the highest grossing R-rated movie of all time. But, let's look at what he has done since and how he is using that momentum.
After the success of The Hangover franchise, he completely dove into the world of activism. He started by volunteering to teach writing (scripts) at an LA jail - but quickly realized the issues within the whole criminal justice system are where he wanted to focus.
His production company (One Community) and his non-profit (Good Films Impact) have put together over $10 million in funding for the social-action campaign Represent Justice - which is tied to Just Mercy. The movie on it's own is must-watch, but look at all the other benefits when tied to a social campaign.
Some things Represent Justice is doing:
1) special screenings of Just Mercy for elected officials
2) exhibits showcasing art from inmates
3) basketball games with NBA players coaching incarcerated individuals
4) a concert by Common at the California Rehabilitation Center
On top of that, One Community has raised over $50 million to finance a slate of movies that will all repeat a similar model for social activism. So following Just Mercy, future movies will have A-list talent essentially fronting eight-figure advocacy campaigns. The investors (I know you are all always looking for investor names) include Live Nation Entertainment CEO Michael Rapino, Endeavor Content, hedge fund manager Dan Loeb, and Starwood Capital CEO Barry Sternlicht.
That's some BIG BUCKS! And you know what the investors want in return? "These investors are looking for a strong return AND “to use storytelling to make an impact on the world.”
WIN - WIN - WIN!
Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/90449943/how-the-just-mercy-movie-producers-hope-to-spark-a-movement-on-criminal-justice-reform
