How To Test Your Script For Gender Inclusion
When you look at the most recent Academy Awards for gender inclusion, it is surprising that of the non-acting categories, only twenty percent of …
12 Steps On How To Make A Documentary
Want to know how to make a documentary? Where is this documentary going to be shown (or where do you envision it being shown)? Who is your targeted/primary audience? Answering these questions helps you determine…
Stop Asking Permission And Make Your First Feature
Stop asking permission to make your first feature. As a film producer, you do not need someone else to validate your talent. You …
Are You A Rebel Without a Crew?
Don’t try filmmaking alone. It is too challenging. You can’t know everything. To speed up the process, find people who complement your skill set.
The Momentum of Production
I’ve equated the process and momentum of movie making to this story. Imagine your movie is this big, round rock. In development, that’s …
Why Having A Stress Free Film Shoot Is Like A Unicorn
At first thought, the idea of a stress free film shoot sounds appealing. I mean, who wouldn’t want to have the perfect production …
When You Can Know an Investor will Close
Closing investors is an art form. It takes intricate preparation. You have your pitch, your business plan, and all your elements in place. …
What To Do When Your Filmmaking Sucks Real Bad
What do you do when your filmmaking sucks? It is tough to admit that a movie you made (that you thought was brilliant) …
The Shocking Truth About Writing A Short Film (That You Need To Know)
I’ve seen a lot of short films over the years. Frequently I’ve been impressed by the visuals, the level of the acting, sometimes the innovative use of a mix of media. Can you guess what most often is the weakest link?
Your Filmmaking Story
What is your filmmaking story? I don’t mean your idea or the synopsis of your film or documentary, or TV series. What I …
How To Become A Modern Independent Filmmaker
Many times an independent filmmaker considers indie film to be sacred and avoids working with studios. Other filmmakers think studio movies are the …
The Top 7 Types of Comedy Used In Movies
Various types of Comedy are used in comedy films, ranging from slapstick comedy to satire. When you’re writing a comedy, it’s essential to …
How To Survive The Movie Business
Surviving the Movie Industry in times of change is similar to surviving other industries going through change. Necessitated by the need for cash (survival), many of you will be forced to see the world as an entrepreneur. Even if you aren’t ready, you may have to learn how to produce your own profitable movies…
How To Stop Rewriting And Start Filmmaking
The importance of having an awesome screenplay can’t be overstated. Your script is the blueprint for your film. And because your movie script …
What Morgan Spurlock Can Teach Us about Brand Sponsored Entertainment
Morgan Spurlock’s new documentary “Crafted” explores the worlds of Georgia knifemakers Bloodroot, San Francisco restaurant Bar Tartine, and Nagatini Pottery in Japan. By …
How To Achieve A Cinematic Film Look (On Your Next Production)
If you’ve ever watched a film, you have experienced the cinematic film look. While the aesthetic is hard to describe, you know it when …
The Indie Filmmaker’s Guide For Smashing Debt (And Acquiring FU Money)
Most independent filmmakers want to save money but feel too strapped to take action. This is because each month is filled with bills and other unexpected expenses. For this reason, most people put off saving until the end of the month. The problem is, by that time, there is nothing left to save. Despite the expenses of living, there are ways to save money. Here is how I was able to pay myself first.
Nine Reasons Why Documentary Filmmakers Are Heroes
In this filmmaking article, Faith Fuller shares 9 surprising reasons why documentary filmmakers are heroes.
7 Steps For Thriving As An Independent Film Producer
Going up against the major film studios can be daunting for an independent film producer, especially when budget constraints and access to shooting …
Warning: How NOT To Find Investors For Your Movie
Those who know me know that I’ve devoted much of my career on how to find investors who fund movies. And those who’ve …
Fueling the Next Media Evolution: Lessons for Pandemic Filmmaking
Last year inextricably altered the ways that we connect, collaborate, and create. While physical distance poses some challenges (and likely many disappointments), it …
The Secret to Getting Film Financing (The Smart Way)
“How do I get film financing?” is a question that filmmakers ask over and over again. This makes sense because funding a film …
Question: Should Filmmakers Move To Hollywood?
One big question asked in the indie film community is this: Should filmmakers move to Hollywood? Take a quick sec to read this filmmaker’s response.
The 5 Immutable Laws of Successful Filmmaking
Serious indie filmmakers stop at noting until the movie is actually in the can – or these days – in your hard drive. Still if you’ve been working to make movies for any length of time, you know there are days when you hit obstacles, sometimes so seemingly insurmountable that you just want to give up on your project. Don’t do it!
Quarantine: How I Made An Award Winning Feature Film In My Storage Unit
In my late twenties, I promised myself I would make a feature by the time I was 40 years old. I had a …
How To Pitch Your Film Project To Prospective Investors
Assuming you have met with a lawyer and figured out a way to protect yourself legally – If you aren’t afraid to hear the word “NO,” then what is stopping you from setting up a meeting and presenting your ideas to prospective investors? It doesn’t always mean you’ll get the money (if it were easy, everybody would be doing it.) – but it does mean that every NO is one no closer to YES!
How To Make Your First Feature Without Going Bonkers
Sooner or later the filmmaking bug hits you. . . It’s like a far off voice or compulsion. But like breathing, for the serious independent filmmaker, the need to make a feature is always present.
3 Surprising Reasons You Should Make A Horror Movie
Our first feature was a silly zombie movie. The production value was horrific. But the movie got a write up in Premiere Magazine, Fangoria and about one hundred horror related websites. As a result of this buzz, our crappy horror movie gained a cult following and sold very well…
Five Ways To Succeed As a Modern Filmmaker
The world has changed. If you are looking to become a filmmaking success, this article is for you. We share 5 ways you can succeed as a modern filmmaker.
How To Break Down and Schedule Your No-Budget Movie
If you’re a first time feature filmmaker, you do not need a gazillion dollars to join the feature club. But you will need to learn how to replace money with ginormous creatively. And once your screenplay is complete, then the next step in the filmmaking process is your initial breakdown and schedule.