A recent article entitled, “Should We Accept That Indie Film Is Now A Hobby Culture?” caught my attention. I thought it was worth sharing.
You’ll see my comments under the article. Please feel free to add your own.
“If you want to make a living making movies, you need to realize that your library and the subsequent audience you source (over your career) are your major assets. And, as a result, your most important filmmaking focus (aside from doing good work) is to acquire and keep a customer,” he emphasizes.
Since starting Filmmaking Stuff, many screenwriters have written me, asking if I could provide advice on how they can protect their screenplay from theft. I usually tell screenwriters that most producers will not go through the process of raising a gazillion dollars without compensating the screenwriter fairly.
For every project that I made, countless other projects have not been made. If you’ve never had a project fall apart, then you do not know heartache. And learning how to overcome heartache, and still push forward, is a key success strategy to learn for both filmmaking and your life.
To survive and thrive as a filmmaker, you need this type of energy. If you hate the thought of your project, then chances are, it’s the incorrect project for you.
I started Filmmaking Stuff because I wanted to help filmmakers make movies and also, create a self sustaining movie business. In other words, if you have the passion to make movies, then you owe it to yourself to get moving! The following filmmaking video provides you with a brief overview of the Modern MovieMaking Method. I also show you how to grab over $100 dollars in filmmaking tools, free.
Earlier this week, I caught wind of an indie production company based in Australia called Rapidfire Productions. This is a production company that operates as a self sustaining modern moviemaking business. They develop movies, get money, make their movies and through their own distribution arm, the company reaches the masses.
As a feature filmmaker, one of the biggest problems YOU have is finding a traditional distribution deal (that actually makes sense) for your movie. With each passing day, we get closer and closer to a world where DVD sales channels are being replaced by video on demand. And while we are not there yet, after spending the greater part of last weekend watching streaming content on NetFlix and Hulu, I am now of the opinion that the days of DVD distribution are numbered.
One of the most important filmmaking strategies you must adopt in this era of modern moviemaking is a long term perspective. In years past, filmmakers focused on making one movie, selling it and then moving on to the next movie.
One secret I utilize is frequent press release submissions. Years ago, it was advised that you only wrote and submitted press releases when you had something newsworthy to say. But these days, in addition to targeting traditional news outlets, most press releases are included in search engine results. Without getting overly technical, this means for a very small amount of money, submitting one press release complete with links to your website can increase your web footprint.
Filmmaking is changing. Like it or not, if you want to make a living making movies, you need to learn about the business side of independent movie making. And if this is your first time on filmmaking stuff, you are reading step 4 of a 7 part series on how to sell your movie How To Sell Your Movie On iTunes, Amazon and Netflix For Maximum Profit.
If you’re new to Filmmaking Stuff, welcome. If you’re a frequent reader, then you know that my major mission is to help you make your movie now! For about the last six months, I have been working to update our Filmmaking Stuff sister resource – I wanted to create a storefront where I could offer more advanced information.
Do you want to come meet and ask questions about Video On Demand and internet marketing for your movie?
On November 11th, I’ll be speaking and participating in the 2010 Indie Film Finance And Production Conference in Los Angeles.
The traditional independent filmmaking business was defined by a filmmaker finding a script, locating investors, raising money, making the movie and then landing an awesome distribution deal – and living happily ever after. Over the last few years, the entire model of indie filmmaking has gone Topsy-Turvy…
Or it may be that in the middle of my script things drag along too slowly–a common problem of first drafts. In that case, reminding myself that the traditional story model calls for escalating conflict can lead to better consideration of how I can add incidents that ramp up the tension and drama.
Peter Broderick is President of Paradigm Consulting which helps filmmakers and media companies develop strategies to maximize distribution, audience and revenues. Earlier this week, Peter stopped by Filmmaking Stuff to talk about the the new world of distribution and how filmmakers can navigate the ever changing landscape of independent filmmaking.
Your friendships with other filmmakers dictate the scope and scale of your movies. And while not everyone you meet in the movie industry is going to become your best friend, it’s always great to know who to call, to help you make things happen.
Carole Lee Dean is an industry legend. As an entrepreneur, producer and supporter of independent film, her influence has had a positive impact on filmmaking around the world. Most notoriously, 30 years ago, Carole took a $20 bill and created the $50 million a year short end industry. Her company was instrumental in the birth of the Hollywood independent film community because she offered film to Indies at prices they could afford. Customers like Cassavetes took chances with her raw stock and succeeded.
Since publishing the modern moviemaking manifesto, some of you have written, requesting an online community where you can share ideas with other filmmakers involved in our movement. So I have taken the initial steps to creating the modern moviemaking community. If you want to be among the first to know about it (because it’s exclusive), make sure you get on the list.
Earlier this week, veteran Hollywood screenwriter Jurgen Wolff stopped by Filmmaking Stuff to offer three valuable screeenwriting tips and also, tell you about his upcoming writing workshop in Las Vegas.
Since starting Filmmaking Stuff, this site has grown to attract thousands of filmmakers, globally. And for me, the growing popularity of this filmmaking website is equal parts exciting and humbling. As a result, I feel I have an increased obligation to make your visit more meaningful. And to that degree, I have decided to provide you with well over $100 dollars worth of filmmaking products, for FREE.
The world of filmmaking is changing. I believe we are in one of the biggest paradigm shifts in this industry, ever. In short, production is less expensive than ever, and distribution options are wide open. To help you navigate this ever changing brave new world of filmmaking, I am giving away downloadable copies of my free filmmaking book.
In the issue, you’ll get a whole bunch of useful movie making information, including the 25 Must-Have Movie Making Apps, information on HDSLR camera as well as a great interview with Roger Corman. Los Angeles based producer Jason Brubaker provides solutions for self distribution.
When your in the filmmaking process, getting a website up and running is one of those things that filmmakers oftentimes forget. Please don’t. Given the ways in which distribution is changing, having a great website for your movie is probably one of the most important aspects of your eventual movie marketing campaign.
For those of you seeking filmmaking software, Brubaker Unlimited LLC is pleased to announce the acquisition of – www.FilmmakingSoftware.com. When complete, this site will be your premier filmmaking software outlet.
Here is the official Filmmaking Stuff list of the top 3 filmmaking books! (I didn’t put them in order. Rather, I just listed the one’s that really resonate with me.)
A few years back, while flying aboard a loud propeller driven airplane somewhere over the snow capped mountains of Colorado, I heard the …
With YouTube Rentals, you will be able to upload your movie and expand your reach via the world’s largest online video community. This amazing VOD outlet will provide filmmakers with an awesomely cool new way to generate revenue – on one of the most popular video streaming sites in existence.
The following video, aptly described as “Filmmaking Techniques” is a totally genius way of demonstrating a variety of camera techniques. It comes from a high school student at Darwin High School. It is about three years old – and I only hope this student has gone on to bigger and better filmmaking projects.
Hello From Los Angeles! For those of you who tuned into the filmmaking conference call over the weekend – it was great to meet …