How to Pick the Right First Feature Film
If you’re a filmmaker wondering how to pick your first feature film, let me share a little truth with you: your first feature …
Film Producing
At Filmmaking Stuff, we are dedicated to providing filmmaking articles related to production, production equipment (cameras, lighting, audio), film scheduling, budgeting, casting and directing. From time to time, we will also include articles from guest filmmakers. We have provided the following ideas and filmmaking tips so that you can take action and make your movie.
The 3 Things Every Film Investor Wants
Over the years, I’ve pitched all kinds of film investors. Some deals ended up with money in the bank, and some didn’t. That’s …
How to Get Your Indie Film Into a Major Film Festival
If you’ve ever dreamed of getting your indie film into Sundance, Toronto, Cannes, or South by Southwest, you already know it can feel …
How to Choose the Right Film Festivals for Your Indie Film (Without Wasting Money)
Don’t Waste Money on the Wrong Film Festivals Let’s talk about something that costs indie filmmakers thousands every year submitting to film festivals …
Understanding Minimum Guarantees (MGs) in Film Distribution
If you’re trying to get a sales agent or distributor to pick up your indie film, you’ve probably heard the term minimum guarantee, …
Understanding the Film Investor Waterfall: How Money Flows Back to Your Investors
If you’re raising money for your movie, there’s one thing you absolutely need to have in your business plan—the film investor waterfall. It’s …
What to Look for in a Film Distribution Agreement (Before You Sign)
So, you got the movie made. That alone is an incredible achievement—congrats. Now you’ve landed a film distribution agreement. Maybe it came from …
How to Budget an Indie Film: What to Spend On and What to Skip
When you’re making an independent film, budgeting an indie film is one of the trickiest parts. Trust me — you want to make …
How to Work With a Sales Agent Without Getting Burned
If you’ve been making movies long enough, you’ve definitely heard the horror stories—someone got “burned” by a sales agent or distributor. But let’s …
Warning: Is Your Film Production Budget A Liability Or Insanity?
Creating a realistic film production budget is vitally important in prepping your movie. But if you’re looking to attract investors, allocating the money …
Who Else Wants a Film Production Checklist?
As a filmmaker, one of the toughest parts about making a movie is knowing where to start. The following film production checklist will give you an overview of the low budget, independent filmmaking process.
Get a Movie Made: 5 Things You Need To Know
In this filmmaking article, film finance expert Tom Malloy shares tactics on how to get a movie made, with the 5 essential strategies you need to succeed.
Make a Micro-Budget Blockbuster
Let’s clear something up right out of the gate: Micro-budget filmmaking does not mean $800,000. I can’t tell you how many times someone’s …
What Filmmakers Need to Know About the Cannes Film Market 2025
I just got back from the Cannes Film Market 2025 (also known as the Marché du Film), and I want to share some …
Filmmaking Success Mindset
Getting your filmmaking work noticed requires persistence, tenacity, and an unyielding ability to overcome obstacles and keep going—especially when the path seems impossible …
How to Build a Film Career Without Living in LA or NYC
If you’ve ever wondered how to build a film career without living in LA or NYC, you’re not alone. A lot of people …
AI is Disrupting VFX – Are You Ready for It?
Let’s talk about AI in visual effects—because if you’re a filmmaker right now, you need to keep your eye on this evolving trend. …
Why Kneecap Is One of the Best Movies
If there’s one movie that really stood out to me, it’s Kneecap. And honestly, I think it might just be the best movie …
Uncover the 7 Levels of Movie Producing for Ultimate Success
Do you ever feel stuck with your filmmaking? You’ve got dozens of movie ideas. You take the courses. You attend the festivals. You …
EFM 2025: Key Trends and Insights
If you want to finance, sell, or distribute your film, the European Film Market (EFM) is a must-attend event. It’s one of the …
Pro Acting Tips to Take Your Performance to the Next Level
Want to Be a Great Actor? Never Stop Learning. Acting isn’t just about talent—it’s about always growing and leveling up. Even the best …
How to Break Into The Movie Industry
If you’re wondering how to break into the film industry, you’re not alone. Nearly every successful filmmaker has started from nowhere. The problem is, there is a big catch 22 in the industry…
European Film Market Survival Guide
Table of Contents What Is the EFM? The European Film Market (EFM) is one of the largest film markets in the world, held …
I Done This: A Filmmaker’s Productivity Tool
Picture this! You’re in the flow. Everything is going smoothly with your film project. And then BOOM! It’s not. Life just got in …
Film Producing Career – How To Create A Vision For Success
If you’re looking to grow a successful film-producing career, I can tell you that visualization is essential. I’ve used visualization to achieve many …
5 Tactics To Improve Your Film Project
I’ve repeatedly said that the best way to attract investors is to improve your film project. These three words took me almost 20 …
What If You Choose Filmmaking As Your Next Small Business?
Most filmmakers either they understand the studio business or they understand indie filmmaking. But what about filmmaking as your next small business?
How To Build A Powerful Hollywood Network
You’re not alone if you’re wondering how to network in the movie business. I have mentioned this many times in my filmmaking courses, …
Theatrical Distribution: Five Lessons For Indie Filmmakers
Theatrical Distribution Theatrical distribution is a lofty goal for many filmmakers. You compete with major studios for movie screens. Marketing and promotion are …
Warning: “Creating A Sizzle Reel” Is Hurting Your Career
When it comes to raising money for a film, many filmmakers create a sizzle reel, trailer, or a few scenes of their movie …