4/5

By the time July came round, Aronofsky was very happy with his script and was close to going into production. He sent his script out to a few friends to gain some feedback. All positive. The biggest sticking problem, as with any independent film, was money. His associate producer Scott Franklin came up with a “scheme to end all schemes.” They would hike the screenplay to everyone they knew and ask them to donate $100. In return they assured everyone if the film made money they would give then $150 back. If the film didn’t get bought by a distributor, they would at least see their name in the credits of the film. Aronofsky was determined to get this film made. The scheme worked and before they knew it, they had brought in a grand and rest came along soon after.

“Let me tell you, there’s a lot of fear in making a movie. When you invest everything you have, from money, friendships, your own reputation into a project you gotta hope it’ll turn out well. What I realized is that you must not think about what might happen with the film. Don’t count your chickens. Bottom line is you don’t know what you have until you have it. So, the secret is to go out and make it.’’

- Darren Aronofsky