Film Budgeting

10 Filmmakers to Watch in 2011

cristina — Mon, 16 May 2011 19:45:32 -0500

It's time for our annual 10 Filmmakers to Watch list. We’ve pooled our resources and brainpower to get the scoop on who’s who this year.

Beyond a Social Network

cristina — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

South by Southwest (SXSW) has become a convergence of film, interactive media, and music, as the lines between these media have increasingly blurred. So it's appropriate that David Dworsky and Victor Köhler's documentary, Press Play Pause, was chosen for an opening night premiere.

Are Pitch Sessions the New Black?

erin — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0600

Pitch sessions are becoming the go-to attraction at film festivals and conferences. How are filmmakers and expert panelists making the most of these meetings?

After attending a few sessions firsthand, The Independent asked film professionals for their input on how to maximize the pitch opportunity. Turns out the answers aren’t so simple. We spoke with:

Greater Filmmaker Responsibility in the New Documentary Paradigms

cristina — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Anyone who cares about documentary filmmaking wants to know: In the current post-financial crisis, insecure-industry environment, how can filmmakers fund projects and reach audiences when traditional distribution models have crumbled...when even established filmmakers can’t secure the kinds of distribution deals, broadcast partnerships or investment/foundation funders they used to rely on?

Distributor FAQ: FilmBuff

cristina — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0500

FilmBuff is a digital distribution service provided by Cinetic Rights Management (CRM). Although FilmBuff is less than three years old, its sister company, Cinetic Media, has been a major player in film sales since 2001.

From Documentary to Fictional Filmmaker: How to Make the Transition

cristina — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Award-winning filmmaker Emily Abt started her career as a documentarian. Her first film, Take It From Me, focused on welfare reform and aired on the PBS documentary series POV in 2001.

Film Journal: Survival Strategies During Production

cristina — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0500

In my last installment of my film journal, I wrote about the importance of pre-production for laying the groundwork for principal photography.

Has the Drive to Fund "Social Issue" Docs Affected Their Form?

cristina — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0600

Over the past few years, I've had the pleasure of attending a number of film festivals and conferences, some with a press pass blogging for The Independent, some as a filmmaker; and each time I watch films, attend panel discussions, and most importantly, speak to documentary filmmakers to learn about their creative practice and the realities of producing.

Film-Friendly State: Shooting in Illinois

cristina — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0600

In her role as managing director of the Illinois Film Office, Betsy Steinberg spends a lot of time talking with filmmakers on both coasts and overseas. “In Chicago, and around the state, the abundance of looks is never-ending,” she says. “Every filmmaker says it is the most under-photgraphed place in the movies.”

Building an Audience with Social Media

cristina — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0600

Your film has all the elements of an underground hit: tears, laughter, intrigue, love, hate, betrayal… audiences will love it! But you spent your entire budget on production.

So the question remains: How can you effectively spread the word so that your film is viewed by as many people as possible, particularly when you lack adequate funding?

What Is Social Media?