What is a 'Proof of Concept' (PoC) trailer?

A Proof of Concept (PoC) piece - whether it be a trailer or short - is essential with a totally independent production like "The Shadow Sea". Its goal is to give everyone interested and/or involved in the project (especially potential donors) a realistic idea of what the look and feel of the finished film will be. Some folks raise money to do a PoC. Often this route results in a short film or a few scenes from the film being produced. We've decided to save the fund raising effort for the big production push and create a PoC "trailer" composed of short, strategic parts of various scenes shot specifically for this purpose. By creating a trailer instead of a something that would require extended scenes we can work guerrilla-style - set up the camera, compose the shot, shoot a few quick 20-second takes and get out before the authorities begin sniffing around - with volunteers who are willing to donate a few hours over the course of a night or two's work just for the experience. It's an exciting way to work but it's no way to make an entire feature length film that will hold it's own in the marketplace.

"Can't you shoot whole scenes guerrilla-style?" Good question and if your movie is set in the great outdoors, sure. But "The Shadow Sea" takes place in crowded urban environments; environments that require lots more organization and time, co-ordination with local authorities, location and crew management and a slew of other things which invariably cost money, which we haven't begun to raise yet. So for us, at this stage, it's guerrilla film making.

"Will there be a huge disconnect between what's in the trailer and what's in the final film?" Happily the answer is "no". While we're working guerrilla-style to shoot the PoC trailer footage we're nonetheless working directly from the finished script in many of the same locations that we'll be shooting the finished film on and we're shooting with our film's leading man - Louis Ortiz - who has generously agreed to participate in this phase of the project so that there can be continuity between the PoC and the finished product.

Others who've participated in the PoC shoots will not make it into the final film and I'd like to take this opportunity to say that I appreciate to no end the participation of all those who've volunteered to help with its creation. The project literally could not move forward without them and they will all be included in the credits of the finished film.

One more thing. Once the fund-raising effort has ended and principal photography commences another trailer, gleaned from this new footage, will be created and take the place of the PoC trailer. The new trailer will be the one that is used to promote the film to festivals, distributors and the like.