Producer vs Executive Producer: Why You Can’t Be Both
It amazes me how many people working in this business don’t actually understand how film credits work — especially when it comes to …
Tom Malloy
What Film Festivals Actually Help Sell Your Movie
Let’s talk about a question I get all the time — what film festivals actually help sell your movie? Now, if you’ve followed …
Film Deliverables: What Distributors Really Want
When you finally sign a deal with a sales agent or distributor, you’ll get hit with a list of film deliverables. And sometimes, …
Should You Work for Free on Film Sets?
If you’re starting out in the film industry, you’ve probably asked yourself this: should you work for free on film sets? It’s a …
The Truth About Minimum Guarantees in Film Distribution
When you’re making a movie, one of the big terms you’ll hear tossed around is minimum guarantees in film distribution. At first, it …
What Sales Agents Do at Film Markets: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
A lot of filmmakers don’t fully understand what sales agents do at film markets like AFM, Cannes, or the Berlin EFM. I hear …
3 Pitch Deck Mistakes That Can Cost You Film Investors
When it comes to raising money for your film, the pitch deck is often the first thing a potential investor sees. It’s the …
How to Pick the Right First Feature Film
If you’re a filmmaker wondering how to pick your first feature film, let me share a little truth with you: your first feature …
The 3 Things Every Film Investor Wants
Over the years, I’ve pitched all kinds of film investors. Some deals ended up with money in the bank, and some didn’t. That’s …
How to Get Your Indie Film Into a Major Film Festival
If you’ve ever dreamed of getting your indie film into Sundance, Toronto, Cannes, or South by Southwest, you already know it can feel …
How to Choose the Right Film Festivals for Your Indie Film (Without Wasting Money)
Don’t Waste Money on the Wrong Film Festivals Let’s talk about something that costs indie filmmakers thousands every year submitting to film festivals …
Understanding Minimum Guarantees (MGs) in Film Distribution
If you’re trying to get a sales agent or distributor to pick up your indie film, you’ve probably heard the term minimum guarantee, …
Understanding the Film Investor Waterfall: How Money Flows Back to Your Investors
If you’re raising money for your movie, there’s one thing you absolutely need to have in your business plan—the film investor waterfall. It’s …
The Psychology of Film Investors: What They Really Want to Hear
If you’re pitching a movie to investors, you need to understand this: it’s not just about the numbers. After years of raising money …
What to Look for in a Film Distribution Agreement (Before You Sign)
So, you got the movie made. That alone is an incredible achievement—congrats. Now you’ve landed a film distribution agreement. Maybe it came from …
How to Budget an Indie Film: What to Spend On and What to Skip
When you’re making an independent film, budgeting an indie film is one of the trickiest parts. Trust me — you want to make …
How to Work With a Sales Agent Without Getting Burned
If you’ve been making movies long enough, you’ve definitely heard the horror stories—someone got “burned” by a sales agent or distributor. But let’s …
How to Sell Your Film Internationally: The Ultimate Guide
So you’ve made a movie, and now you want to sell your film internationally. It’s a smart move—expanding your film’s reach to global …
Warning: Is Your Film Production Budget A Liability Or Insanity?
Creating a realistic film production budget is vitally important in prepping your movie. But if you’re looking to attract investors, allocating the money …
Understanding Windowing: The 3 Types Of VOD Platforms
“Oh my gosh, we broke a window!” Hang around Hollywood long enough and you’ll eventually hear some movie executive talk about how VOD …
Who Else Wants a Film Production Checklist?
As a filmmaker, one of the toughest parts about making a movie is knowing where to start. The following film production checklist will give you an overview of the low budget, independent filmmaking process.
Get a Movie Made: 5 Things You Need To Know
In this filmmaking article, film finance expert Tom Malloy shares tactics on how to get a movie made, with the 5 essential strategies you need to succeed.
Make a Micro-Budget Blockbuster
Let’s clear something up right out of the gate: Micro-budget filmmaking does not mean $800,000. I can’t tell you how many times someone’s …
What Filmmakers Need to Know About the Cannes Film Market 2025
I just got back from the Cannes Film Market 2025 (also known as the Marché du Film), and I want to share some …
How To Sell Your Movie Idea (Without Movie Studio Connections)
Wondering how to sell your movie idea? In this filmmaking article, producer Jason Brubaker shares 3 tips on how to sell your movie idea.
How to Build a Film Career Without Living in LA or NYC
If you’ve ever wondered how to build a film career without living in LA or NYC, you’re not alone. A lot of people …
AI is Disrupting VFX – Are You Ready for It?
Let’s talk about AI in visual effects—because if you’re a filmmaker right now, you need to keep your eye on this evolving trend. …
Why Kneecap Is One of the Best Movies
If there’s one movie that really stood out to me, it’s Kneecap. And honestly, I think it might just be the best movie …
Get More VOD Sales with Better Reviews
If you’re an indie filmmaker trying to get your movie noticed, here’s something that might surprise you… Movie reviews boost visibility more than …
Uncover the 7 Levels of Movie Producing for Ultimate Success
Do you ever feel stuck with your filmmaking? You’ve got dozens of movie ideas. You take the courses. You attend the festivals. You …