The Secret of Pitching to Film Investors (Shhhh. Don’t tell.)
“How do you plan to sell this movie and return my investment?” That’s the question prospective film investors are going to ask you.
What Quentin Tarantino Can Teach Us about Filmmaking
Early in my filmmaking career, I made a lot of mistakes – Many of these mistakes are attributable to a real lack of advice from people with experience. The following video offers good advice to new filmmakers who are looking for guidance. (And for those of us filmmakers who have produced a few features – this is still great advice!)
What YouTube Teaches About Re-Cutting A Movie Trailer
Today, I wanted to focus on a little humor – the part about trailer-cutting that makes the process fun. For some case studies on how a little music, a little cutting and a little creativity can change how people think about your story – I’ve added the following examples:
How to Avoid Crappy Video On Demand Distribution Deals
Many filmmakers with an independent movie and no deal make the mistake of forking over their VOD rights to bottom-feeding traditional DVD distribution companies, promising to their titles onto iTunes. In some cases, these filmmakers give up their rights for up to seven years.Why?
The Great Self Distribution Hoax
In this filmmaking article, we explains the great self distribution hoax and why there is no such thing as traditional distribution deal. Read more…
How To Optimize Your Movie Website For Sales
If you’re like most filmmakers, you have a website for your movie. And odds are good you are trying to fit too much into it. So the first thing you need to do is remove all the distracting crap. Whenever I mention this at a talk, invariably someone asks me how to determine what’s distracting? It depends on your website objective.
How To Make Your First Feature Documentary
For filmmakers interested in making a feature documentary, advancements in production technology has created the golden age. Equipped with a camera, it’s never …
5 Feature Filmmaking Secrets Every Filmmaker Should Know
If you’re an ambitious writer, I’m going to tell you a secret. There is no better feeling in the world than the day you stop sending query letters and instead, you start producing your own work. For years and years, you have dreamed about seeing your work on the big screen. You know you’re good. So why ask for permission?
How To Grow Your Audience (For Filmmakers)
Like it or not, many social networking sites run the risk of going out of vogue. So from day one, you will want to migrate your fans off the social networking sites and get them into your own email, mailing list…
A Filmmaker’s 5 Laws for Managing A Film Crew
The size of your film crew can have a huge impact on your budget and logistics. Even if you’re not paying your crew, …
How A Filmmaking Mentor Can Help You
As a filmmaker, establishing a mentor is invaluable. Without my mentor, I would have never gone to NYC, would have never made a movie and would have never fell on my financial face—and recovered. Consequently, I would have never made the move to California, produced features or written these words.
What Filmmakers Need To Know About VOD Distribution
While many traditional distributors would like you to believe otherwise, VOD distribution has been democratized. While it is possible that your film will …
Crowdfunding For Your Film (So You Can Raise Money)
In this filmmaking podcast, author and Crowdfunding expert John T. Trigonis answers your most pressing questions about Crowdfunding For Filmmakers.
How to Take Charge of Your Crowdfunding Videos
You have probably watched crowdfunding videos where filmmakers talk about the film they are going to make without showing what they are capable …
Film Production: 3 Tips To Avoid Crying On Set
You need to Create a Plan B for your movie. You need to cover your butt! This filmmaking article provides three tips to help you avoid crying on set.
Thoughts On Film School
In this article, Hollywood film producer Jason Brubaker shares his thoughts on the pros and cons of film school for aspiring filmmakers currently weighing the options between traditional film school (and the price tag) or one of the many hands-on filmmaking education alternatives…
How To Create A Movie Marketing Plan In 5 Minutes
Many filmmakers spend years making their first feature, only to have their hopes of prosperity evaporate at the first sign of rejection and disappointment. The festival circuit can be hard enough. Add thoughts of a non-existent traditional distribution deal, and you might find yourself becoming very cynical.
How Filmmaker J. Davis Made Manson Family Vacation
I had the good fortune of attending the Los Angeles Film Festival premiere of “Manson Family Vacation.” This quirky indie film stars Jay …
When To Upgrade Your Digital Camera
Ever wonder when you should upgrade your digital camera? A reader recently wrote in with a digital camera question related to full frame …
How To Design Your Movie Poster (For The VOD Age)
In this filmmaking article, film graphic designer, Ela Gancarz shares her best tips on how to design your movie poster. (Yes, you still need a poster.)
Thoughts On The Sigma 24-36mm Lens
Most filmmaking tech geeks (including me) get excited about new cameras without giving much thought to lenses. But before the light of our …
Indie Film Gear Guide For Entrepreneurial Filmmakers
One of the first things people ask when they decide to start filmmaking is this: What indie film gear should I get? My …
How To Shoot A Pitch Trailer
In this filmmaking article, filmmaker Kevin O’Brien shares his tactics on how to shoot a pitch trailer so you can raise money for your movie.
How To Find Cheap Filmmaking Locations
When money is tight, finding filmmaking locations can be overwhelmingly expensive. Assuming this describes you, I am sure you don’t want to go …
How Filmmaker Marah Strauch Made Sunshine Superman
Sunshine Superman is the most exhilarating documentary that you will see this summer. Released domestically by Magnolia Pictures, the movie focuses on Carl …
Production Management Software
As an alternative to desktop-based software programs, there are quite a few Internet-based tools gaining popularity. One of the latest programs to enter the scene is called LightSPEED eps. In addition to being an awesome script breakdown and scheduling program, LightSPEED eps allows you to centralize your production information and provide secure access from your computer, wireless device, from anywhere in the world…
Thoughts On Celtx (not just) Screenwriting Software
In this screenwriting article, Michael Head shares his thoughts on how Celtx screenwriting software helps you from first draft to your last shot.
Media Mogul Phil Cooke Discusses the Importance of Branding for Filmmakers
In this article media mogul Phil Cooke discusses the importance of branding for filmmakers. Phil Cooke is a branding and marketing guru.
Download My Sell Your Movie Checklist
Making a movie is exciting. But behind all the excitement, you’re wondering: “How am I going to sell this thing?” Download this how to sell your movie checklist.
How To Sell Your Movie On Hulu
Finding new ways to maximize movie revenue is essential.In this film distribution article, we share tactics on how to sell your movie on Hulu.