7 Tips On How To Make A Backyard Indie This Year
This filmmaking question came from one of our readers named Paul. He wondered how to make a movie on a shoestring. So I put together five workable tips…
How to Take Charge of Your Indie Filmmaking Projects
If this is your first feature, don’t feel bad if you cry. Most filmmakers either lose their temper or cry or both. If you have to cry or lose your temper, call a time out and take a walk. Go somewhere nobody can see you. There is no quicker way to lose credibility than losing your emotions on set—especially a low-budget set.
Modern Moviemaking Is Entrepreneurial Filmmaking
For those of you who are adding your own thoughts to the Modern Moviemaking Manifesto, what I’m proposing is easier said than done. It is easy for me to talk about the success of our first feature. It is much more difficult to admit that our second feature bombed miserably.
The Best Screenwriting Books You’ve Never Heard Of
The best screenwriting books always include Syd Field, William Goldman, and Robert McKee. But in this article, we explore less obvious screenwriting books.
Are Film Festivals Worth It For Serious Indie Filmmakers?
YOU are now responsible for marketing, promotion and distribution of your movie. And inline with this strategy, you must view regional and second tier festivals as an opportunity to build your audience list. But instead of handing out postcards to other filmmakers, your marketing strategy will be smarter.
Should You Go To Film School? Interview With Seth Hymes
If you’re just starting out as a filmmaker, deciding if you should attend a traditional film school is something you need to decide. And it’s a costly decision – some of my friends here in Los Angles are over fifty-thousand dollars in debt…
Seven Steps to To Being A More Productive Screenwriter
Do you want to write your screenplay faster but without giving up quality? Here are the top tips based both on my own experience in writing more than 100 episodes of TV as well as TV movies, a feature film, and script doctoring, as well as the experience of top writers I’ve interviewed…
How To Refine Your Trailer For Maximum Buzz (So You Can Sell Your Film)
Take a look at your trailer. Is your trailer congruent with your hook and the marketing elements we covered earlier? If not, I suggest you recut and refine your trailer to make sure your marketing message is consistent. In doing this you will have to find the balance between showing enough to sell your movie and giving away so much that you spoil the story. And since your movie trailer will be posted on various websites, you should also add a title card with a link to your movie website.
Three Simple Steps To Achieve Filmmaking Success
Becoming a Filmmaking Success is challenging. In this article, we outline some ways you can become a success in your filmmaking career.
How Film Funding Expert Tom Malloy Raised Over 25M
When I got started in filmmaking, one of the biggest mysteries was how filmmakers found investors. I spent countless weeks and months seeking …
What Movie Producers Need To Know About Recording Audio In Filmmaking
Unless you’re making a silent film, every movie producer knows that recording audio in filmmaking is essential to bringing their cinematic vision to …
Screenwriting Software: Why WriterDuet Is Awesome
When it comes to screenwriting software, there are lots of options on the market. But aside from assuring proper format or making exporting …
5 Huge Filmmaking Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Career
As filmmakers, we all make mistakes. Some are big. Some are small. But there are five colossal filmmaking mistakes that I’ve come across …
Is Filmmaking Your Hobby or Business?
As a filmmaker, when you set out to make your movie – you have to think of the process like a business. You are creating a product.You are going to take your product to market. And if the stars align, you will sell your product. To do this you will need…
Warning: Failing To Get Filmmaker Release Forms Can Ruin Your Film
You need filmmaker release forms for everybody. Point blank. Don’t skimp here. Get a lawyer. The name of the game is CYA. Get releases …
Three Major Film Industry Insights (I Wish I Knew Back Then)
Seven years ago I drove out to LA to dive into the mainstream film industry. Since that time, I have come up with three major insights I would like to share with you.
Can Filmmakers Make Money With Digital Distribution?
One of our Filmmaking Stuff readers asked: “Can you make money with digital distribution?” “As a filmmaker, I would like to make a …
How To Leverage VOD Release Windows (The Ultimate Guide)
Seeking film distribution? Understanding VOD Release Windows could improve your chances of having a successful film distribution experience.
Email Marketing For Filmmakers (And Why You Need To Start Now!)
In this article, indie filmmaker Jason Brubaker explains the importance of audience list building and email marketing for movies.
How To Overcome Your BIG Filmmaking Challenges
What’s your biggest indie filmmaking challenge? In this filmmaking article, we explore your biggest challenges and what you can do to overcome them.
How To Sell Your Movie On iTunes (For Indie Filmmakers)
How do I get my movie on iTunes? That is the question. And in this film distribution article, you’ll get solid tactics on how to get your movie in iTunes
The Minimalist Guide to Internet Marketing For Filmmakers
By now you’ve heard of crowdfunding. But the little secret that nobody is talking about is this – Not all movie projects will get fully funded by the crowd. BUT. . .
Warning: Lazy People In Hollywood Can Hurt Your Career
The other night a friend of a friend of a friend kept telling me how upset he was that someone stole his movie idea. The story had something to do with space and time travel and a villain… I don’t remember. I asked him if he actually wrote a script, or if it was just an idea. He told me it was just an idea. Said he thinks someone overheard him at the local coffee shop.
5 Movie Distribution Mistakes That Make You Look Dumb
Most of us love making films but hate the business side. This is a major reason why filmmakers are notorious for ignoring distribution.
How To Make Indie Filmmaking Your Small Business
Part of why filmmaking seems challenging and impossible is because many of us start our career with the belief that filmmakers need a gazillion dollars, tons of experience and an address in Hollywood to make a living as a “real” filmmaker. While this was once true, the new model of movie making allows you to create and sell movies from anywhere in the world.
5 Takeaways from ATT Shape Event For Independent Filmmakers
Technology transforms and revolutionizes entertainment, which is happening at an accelerating pace in today’s world. This was on full display at ATT Shape. …
The 5 Laws For Hollywood Success (For Smart Filmmakers)
You should never burn a bridge in the movie industry. Your word is your honor. Here are the 5 laws for Hollywood Success…
Will My Movie Make Money (How To Create Sales Projections That Matter)
Will my movie make money? This is not a new question. A decade ago, I read Adventures In The Screen Trade where William Goldman said something that has stuck with Hollywood heavyweights ever since: “Nobody Knows Anything.” Now…
The First Time I Got Fired (In The Movie Biz)
And although everyone was happy to teach me the inner workings of production, off set, it was my responsibility to scrub toilets and mop the floors. I didn’t mind the crap work. In fact, scrubbing toilets taught me a valuable lesson. I realized if I can keep my dreams bigger than the crap, I can get through pretty much anything. I had no choice but to become the most successful janitor this company ever had. And I never complained. Someone had to do it, and at the very least, I ate lunch with a group of talented film and video professionals.
15 Killer Resources So You Can Make A Movie This Year
If you have ever seen me at speaking events, you know that one of my core philosophies is to make a movie you can make this year. The reason I push this is because way too many filmmakers never do anything! But…