The Top 10 Filmmaker Contract Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
It’s inevitable that, in the pursuit of your career, you’ll need to sign a filmmaker contract. No article can cover all of the …
7 Surefire Steps To Writing For Independent Film
Writing for an independent film is very different from writing a big-budget movie. While both types of movies need a great screenplay, Hollywood production …
Screenwriting Help: How To Keep Your Script Out Of The Trash
Are you looking for your next Four-Quadrant natural disaster, Sci-Fi movie? I have an idea that will blow you away. It’s about the end of the universe and involves spaceships and aliens and zombies and disease and it includes a love story. Please email me back today because this is going to make BILLIONS! And I can only wait a few minutes for your response before I pitch this to someone else.
Use This Secret Filmmaking Strategy So You Can Get Your Film Made
Have you ever known a filmmaker who sent their demo reel into the Hollywood abyss? Maybe they sent it to an agency or a production company in hopes someone would discover their talent and hire them. Similarly, many screenwriters and aspiring actors have been known to employ this strategy too.
Modern Moviemaking Manifesto (For Smart Filmmakers)
Without a defined market or an established sales channel, it is difficult to justify financing, which makes it very difficult to pay cast and crew – which, by the way, makes it difficult to produce a movie.
Film Distribution: New Rules For Selling Your Film
If you’re looking for film distribution article, LA Producer Jason Brubaker shares new rules for how to sell your movie.
3 Tips For Hacking Hollywood
How will you compete with small filmmakers all over the globe for the same eyeballs? Gone are the days when upfront cash advances paid off your budget. What will you…
The Shocking Truth About VOD Sales Projections
Because distribution was once discriminatory, many first time independent feature filmmakers had to hold their breath in hopes their movies would get into a film festival, buil buzz, and (hopefully) garner a great distribution deal, complete with a cash advance. But that is an outdated model.
The Most Important Filmmaking Skill
As a filmmaker, you probably spend most of your time watching movies, discussing movies and thinking of ideas for your next movie. If you’re new to filmmaking, you probably dream of Hollywood fame. And if you’re a veteran filmmaker, you probably dream of making enough movie money to pay your mortgage. But regardless of how you define success in your own filmmaking life, I can tell you there is one trait that is essential…
Why All Filmmakers Should Make Bad Films
A few years ago, I had an issue with my computer that was concerning enough that I needed to call Apple to help …
How To Create Your Own Career In Hollywood by Alexandra Boylan
Filmmaker Alexandra Boylan has gone from a homeless struggling actor to an award-winning film producer. She’s produced, wrote and starred in numerous films …
Three Ways To Cut Your Movie Budget (And Increase Production Value)
Coming up with an accurate film budget can be a sobering experience. You either find out that you need to raise more money or cut your budget entirely. And if you’re anything like most independent filmmakers, both options suck. But don’t worry. This article offers three ways to cut your movie budget (and increase production value).
The New Model of Filmmaking (For Serious Filmmakers)
What we are experiencing is the film industry equivalent of sweat shop labor flooding the market with cheaply produced product. And as a result of these diminished margins, filmmakers must now think in terms of volume. So instead of putting 100% focus on simply making one movie, the model must now involve planning for, and creating a library for a minimal budget.
5 Tips For Throwing A Rough Cut Screening Party
As a filmmaker, getting feedback for your movie is essential. In this article, Jason Brubaker provides some tips on how to get the most bang out of your screening party.
Debunking The Myth Of The Social Media Guru
Before you hire a social media guru to run your crowdfunding campaign, you may want to read this article about the myth of the social media guru.
How to Make a Zombie Feature for $5000
I completed a zombie feature film Project: Eugenics for only $5000. That’s right. It is an eighty-minute zombie feature film with various location …
Film Distribution: What You Need To Know About Encoding
To get your film into popular platforms like iTunes, FandangoNow, Google Play, Netflix, and more, your video, audio and artwork will need to undergo …
How To Build A Filmmaking Team You Can Trust
For those of you planning to crank out some movies, I recommend you start small. Find a few collaborators and assign jobs based on interest. Then grab a camera and complete some micro projects such as music videos, short films and funny sketches for YouTube.
5 Questions To Help Get Your Film Noticed
You’re not alone if you’re looking for ways to get your film noticed. It’s been a long time since the days of Ed …
5 Movie Industry Success Tips
If you want to get ahead in the crazy industry of movies, you would be best to follow the following 5 tips for movie industry success:
The Basics Of Movie Lighting Techniques For Indie Filmmakers
For horror and sci fi, creating the element of suspense and danger, you should create a large amount of shadows. Creating silhouettes with the characters is another option. Create a sense of mystery with your lighting…
3 Easy and Cheap DIY Lighting Setups for Filmmakers
One thing I have observed is that every filmmaker (and photographer) understands lighting is an essential part of their work, but many indie …
Six Screenwriting Competitions Every Screenwriter Should Know About
Once you finish your masterpiece script, the question of “what’s next?” invades your life. Whether you want to raise the money to make …
Should You Write Screenplays That Rewrite History?
A New York Times article stated that the producers of the Lincoln film are faithful to history—except for the part about vampires. The premise is that vampires killed Abe’s grandfather and mother so he vows to kill all the evil beings. And he wears a really cool long coat in which he can hide vampire-slayer weapons.
Making a Documentary? Three Ideas That Really Work
When making a documentary, when and how you contact people for an interview depends on the person, their interest in your project, your …
How to Take Charge of Your Movie Promotion
The whole world of movie distribution is changing. This is important because the success of you movie depends on distribution. Given the deterioration of DVD sales channels, to become successful as a filmmaker, YOU are now responsible for sourcing, engaging and selling your movie to your intended target audience.
How To Establish A Career In The Movie Business
If you find yourself faced with filmmaking self doubt, you’re not alone. The important part is that you at least get a picture of what you want that is very specific. Then you should take time to work backwards. And who knows, maybe a decade from now we will be working on movie projects together.
Three Lessons We Learned Marketing Our First Feature
Your filmmaking “Audience List” is your most important asset. And let me give you 5 reasons ALL filmmakers should start building their audience list (based on our mistakes) today!
How To Unlock Your Screenplay Characters
When writing a screenplay, there are lots of questions you can ask about your characters to get to know them better. Read this Filmmaking Stuff guest article from screenwriter Jurgen Wolff.
How To Get Local Publicity For Your Film
When trying to promote a movie that folks have otherwise not heard of, all ink is potentially good ink. If you’re producing your movie …