We had the good fortune of connecting with Rebecca Ann Dowty and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Rebecca Ann, what do you attribute your success to?
People….
A producer once told me, “You seem to know what people want.” (Smiles like the cat who caught the canary.)
Tipsy Hiccup Productions believes life is about people, what they want, what moves them, what’s important to them.
On both sides of storytelling, people are the most important, driving force behind our brand. We tell stories about people, their adventures, their dreams and nightmares… Our casts and crews bring life experience and perspectives that make our efforts universal and relatable.
What should our readers know about your business?
Tipsy Hiccup Productions LLC is a startup production, studio and distribution company. Family-friendly mainstream storytelling, we focus on the “American dream” coming true.
We sponsor an annual screenplay competition, open to everyone, from which we consider new projects for production with a formal Black Tie Awards Gala.
While the business is still in the throes of funds development, we value the people connected with us, waiting for the opportunity to join us on multiple projects in all capacities from writers, cast, crew and post-production. Our end goal creates over 250 full-time positions in the film industry with plans to innovate theatrical release of our projects, working with theater owners across the USA and Canada, as well as around the world.
Founder Rebecca Ann Dowty describes the twelve-year process as “sweeping dust bunnies in the breeze… You can have it all in the pan, and one waft of change in the Industry sends the airy details of your project plans fluttering in all directions.”
Right now, Tipsy Hiccup Productions has been an entirely cost out-of-pocket project. Dowty has zero business debt but needs to raise $50k USD to have financials, website and presentation materials ready to go to family offices and investors for the $5 BN consideration.
In 2022, Dowty, as producer, spent seven months pitching over 100 companies for product placement/ brand integration to raise funds for production of Tipsy Hiccup’s first feature. Her experience sharpened her learning curve as the predatory businessman through whom she pitched the brands refused to produce the contracts when requested for her film financier. The set-back damaged her and the project, but she takes away a wealth of information to benefit other projects.
Since her days in high school journalism, Dowty reaches out to brands of every sort for product placement and brand integration to offset the expense of production. Her brand integration in storytelling ranges from heart-warming to humorous to horrifying, depending on genre.
In each case, the brand is unforgettable and cast with integrity and in the most complimentary light. Her connections from work on projects like HGTV’s Rock the Block, season 4, have the experience and commitment to showcase brands naturally within the boundaries of good storytelling.
Tipsy Hiccup Productions seeks to reach America’s blue collar workers, its target audience, by rolling out red carpets in local communities and re-inventing “Date Night” at the movies…. such a phenomenon will infuse much needed funds into local community eateries, etc.
Tipsy Hiccup Productions has a heart for Veterans and the homeless. We give every consideration to opening opportunities for “day workers,” background talent, to join us on productions where no one goes home hungry but by choice. (TV and Movie Feature productions are known to provide meals and snacks for everyone on set in addition to the day rate of pay they receive for work.)
Tipsy Hiccup Productions LLC has a slate ready for production, a library of commercially viable projects and business plans ready to take to the next level. Often referred to as a “Unicorn-investment,” Tipsy Hiccup Productions anticipates the need for building an entire community and the accompanying infrastructure around its studios.
Dowty relates, “A producer friend of mine was very frustrated because he couldn’t afford to film here in the USA, which meant those jobs were lost to casts and crews in other countries… I believe I’m supposed to produce TV and Features here in the USA to create those very jobs and to offer hope to Creatives for projects that fit our brand.”
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I was just thinking today that I need to take an afternoon to do a Facebook Live of our Olympics training facilities here in Colorado Springs.
Then, there’s The Standley Hotel where Stephen King was inspired to write THE SHINING… that’s where I send many of my colleagues who love to write in horror genres. There’s also the Molly Brown House and The Brown Palace for afternoon tea…
Eating here in Colorado is an adventure all its own. One of my FAVORITE places to bring visiting friends is a tiny chain of restaurants called TOCABE. It features Native-American cuisine, and it’s AMAZING! I recommend the Indian-taco! Healthful food that doesn’t weigh you down, but still fills you up.
For those excited about beer, Colorado has an entire sub-culture of breweries that will amaze.
One of my favorite places to hike is just a couple hours west of Denver known as Hanging Lake. It’s not very big, but the novelty and beauty is well worth the trek.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In loving memory of Del Weston, director of Action-On Film Festival, whose advice, insight and encouragement have launched the careers of many timid filmmakers.
With heartfelt appreciation for Viki King whose book, “HOW TO WRITE A MOVIE IN 21 DAYS, The Inner Movie Method,” walked me through writing my first script.
To Hal Croasmun and my incredible colleagues in ScreenwritingU’s Alumni whose training and expertise in screenwriting revealed to me how to write a “commercially viable” script.
To the innumerable and varied entrepreneurs, my connections on LinkedIn, who have offered their support and advice, business offers and access to their networks in our mutual endeavors to rip business from concepts intangible into reality. Cheers to our efforts and their imminent successes!
Website: https://www.TipsyHiccupProductions.com
Instagram: @TipsyHiccupProductions
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccaanndowty
Twitter: @TipsyHiccup
Facebook: Tipsy Hiccup Productions
Other: TRUTH SOCIAL:
@Tipsy Hiccup
Image Credits
Aaron Butwinick