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Since most people in LA are involved in some aspect of the movie industry, it isn’t surprising that most of the holiday coctail party conversations I’ve had of late, revolve around some aspect of the movie industry. That said, what is surprising to me are the vast numbers of people I meet who report spending years searching for ways to hand their movie projects off to someone else – someone who will magically do all the “business stuff” and make a movie appear.
Sometimes I think filmmakers do things just because they believe it’s the way things HAVE to be done. That doesn’t necessary make it right. And admittedly, I’m not always right. But how I conduct my movie business works for me. And if you’re reading this, I assume you’re looking for some perspective just a little left of center. So here we go.
Here are my 5 rules for modern filmmaking success.
- Quit asking permission. It’s a waste of time.
- Create your own business plan and budget.
- Create the movie you can make this year, not next.
- Learn money. (Know the difference between cash flow and capital gains!)
- Similar to #1, quit making excuses. Grab a camera and push “record.”
And as an added bonus – because I’ve been meeting a lot of actors lately – if you’re an actor, stop handing out headshots and start producing! Then cast yourself in your own projects. Creating actual projects are a lot more fun than doing another demo reel.
About Jason Brubaker
Jason Brubaker is a Hollywood based Independent Motion Picture Producer and an expert in Video On Demand distribution. He is focused on helping YOU make, market and sell movies more easily by growing your fan base, building buzz and creating community around your title. He is also available for speaking engagements.