Yesterday I had breakfast with a studio executive from one of the Majors here in Los Angeles. Much of what we talked about revolved around changes in the movie industry and how many of the studio folks are slow to implement new ideas. With an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 independent movies flooding the market each year, the movie industry is experiencing what happens to any industry when cheap labor, inexpensive production…
Looking for free Filmmaking Books? Download The Modern Moviemaking Movement. Ten of Hollywood’s most innovative filmmakers share tips on navigating the indie film landscape.
If you are wondering about the future of filmmaking, I can tell you it is not Hollywood. It will be the gazillion filmmakers all over the world who take action, pick up a camera and make the movie they can make with the resources they have. There are a lot of people fearful of this shift…
As a filmmaker, getting your movie into the various VOD marketplaces takes way longer than it should. The reason for this is simple. Every platform including iTunes, Amazon, NetFlix, Hulu and The Watchbox all want great content. The delivery standards required by some of these platforms are so high, that if even one frame is messed up, your title will be rejected! This is why video aggregators work with amazing encoders…
Because I’ve written a few books about screenwriting I sometimes get questions from people just starting out on their careers. One query that has started coming up more often recently is whether it’s better to chase the Hollywood dream or get involved with indie films, including ones made for the web…
My first feature was a science fiction monster movie called Tasmanian Devils. As is usually the case with first features, we did not have enough time or money, and so 12 pages a day of monsters and blood explosions was to be expected. I was ready for the challenge and I was as prepared as I could be. I built extensive shot lists before the shoot – creating all sorts of custom spreadsheets to manage the hundreds of scenes and thousands of shots. Then my AD and I meticulously rearranged our shooting days to make the perfect plan…
Writer Bret Easton Ellis (American Psycho) has teamed up with writer-director Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver), and producer Braxton Pope to create the new feature titled The Canyons. But unlike most movies produced in Hollywood, what makes this project different than most projects is…
Camera operating can be tricky in its own right, but when it comes to being a one man band, where you’re in charge of both camera and audio – then things can get pretty difficult. With the DSLR craze, it can seem at times ridiculous to build out a full-scale camera rig. In some instances, doing so can defeat the purpose of shooting with these cameras, especially if you’re going guerilla…
If you want to make your movie, you might find this valuable. I just recorded a filmmaking podcast where I share 3 tips that are NOW essential for all successful independent filmmakers…
Here is a breakdown of some of the key stories from NAB 2012 for indie filmmakers, including news of the Blackmagic Camera and NAB recap…
Grab Your Copy Of Filmmaking Stuff So You Can Take Action And Make Your Movie Now! Are you looking for filmmaking books? As …
The GoPro Hero can be utilized for time lapse footage. When dealing with time lapses, it’s all about doing the correct math. Not only because you want your end product to be a certain length, but also when dealing with the storage space while creating a time lapse.
The idea is that you set a goal for the day and declare it on the MAD website and check in every hour to report your progress and watch a five minute live broadcast in which Jurgen gives tips and answers questions.
As I type this, I am halfway through my Kickstarter campaign for my feature I Hate You. We’re about one-third of the way toward our goal, and we now have $10,000 to raise in about 30 days…
For those of you following filmmaking stuff, you know that I have been working on an awesome and comprehensive filmmaking book for quite …
see Kevin Smith as the guru who is able to take his fan base and monetize it in a way that makes sense and doesn’t make anyone feel ripped off. We’ve also seen the recent success of comedian Louie C.K. and his comedy special that he sold exclusively and independently online which grossed over a million dollars.
The sound crew starts their day by assuring themselves that every piece of hardware they have works flawlessly. They post a header and test tone at the start of every days work.
I’m back from Sundance. This was one of those trips that you don’t plan. But when you get a call from the Utah asking…
A decade ago, my goal was to make a movie and get it into the Sundance Film Festival. Back then, this was the only way you “made it.” Since that time, the entire world of indie filmmaking has turned upside-down.
If you’ve been reading Filmmaking Stuff for any length of time, you probably noticed that things are changing around here. When I first started this site I had no idea that it would become one of the most popular filmmaking websites in existence…
Many filmmakers and screenwriters feel frustrated. You know what you want to do. But you have no idea how to get started. A …
If you are going to increase your odds of movie success, you need to find out how to become a movie marketer. To get started, I recommend spending as much time as possible learning about internet marketing.
If you are doing any traveling for the holiday season, make sure you carry a camera with you. While your friends and family take pictures of themselves, you should take time to scout for various locations and other interesting elements that you can eventually put in your movie.
If you are planning to attend the Showbiz Expo, make sure you check out my talk on “How To Sell Your Movie Without The Middle Man.” I go on at 11AM and will provide some valuable tips on how to get your movie seen and selling.
As an audio production engineer, I have viewed a lot of independent films and documentaries, and the one thing that stands out more than the quality of the filming and special effects, is the soundtrack, or lack of a proper one. Many independent films and documentaries sound weak or hollow, and in others, the music bed overpowers the dialog tracks.
If you want to make a movie, you can’t do it alone. Networking – Creating and cultivating relationships within the filmmaking community is essential for your success. Today’s guest article comes from Jonny Morgan.
If you’re looking for moviemaking tools, here is my list of top picks…
If you are looking for film distribution, CreateSpace offers a great way to access the Amazon marketplace. But if you have gone through the process, you probably also know that finding the CreateSpace Phone number and reaching someone in the customer service department can be frustrating. But not anymore…
Give this to a filmmaker – with the holiday season soon beginning, I thought it might be good to start giving early. Quick …
in the spirit of your own filmmaking success, I am going to offer you a Movie Maker Challenge for 2012 (Yeah, it might seem too early to set goals, but I think you’ll be OK…)