Making Films
Making the Decision to Re-Release
Carolyn Strachan discusses re-releasing her 1981 documentary, "Two Laws," on DVD.
January 8th, 2009 | Erin Trahan
After 26 years on 16mm, a groundbreaking documentary becomes available on DVD. Filmmaker Carolyn Strachan recalls the making of Two Laws/Kanymardra Yuwa, about an Aboriginal land rights struggle, and how her ongoing desire to find an audience that appreciates its use of wide-angle lens and community-driven storytelling prompted the re-release.
In 1981, filmmaker Carolyn Strachan received acclaim in her home country of Australia for Two Laws/Kanymardra Yuwa, a documentary about the struggle for Aboriginal groups from the Northern Territory to live within both their own and Australian law.
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Film: "Billy the Kid"
The Doc Doctor takes a look at Jennifer Venditti's Billy the Kid.
December 8th, 2008 | Fernanda Rossi
This month Doc Doctor, Fernanda Rossi, takes a look into Jennifer Venditt's award-winning documenary Billy the Kid (view the trailer here), which gives a portrait of adolescence through the eyes of Billy, an underdog teenager living in a small town in Maine. Veditti shares the successes and mistakes she made during the journey of completing her first film, which has found great success with festivals and critics alike.
About this column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So each month, the Doc Doctor will go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. The "Anatomy of a Film Column" is a chance to learn from filmmakers' hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
Let’s Make A Deal: SAG Strike Looking More Likely
A look at what the practically-looming SAG strike might mean for Independent filmmakers.
October 23rd, 2008 | Jen Swanson
Guaranteed Completion Contracts (GCCs), otherwise known as waivers, prove to be a lifesaver for indie filmmakers as the SAG and AMTFG negotiations remain at a standstill. Here is a rundown of the issues at hand and how they might affect independent filmmakers.
The continued standstill between the Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to re-negotiate a new contract makes a strike look increasingly likely. The previous contract expired June 30, 2008.
The View From the Other Side
The Independent sits down with Matt Zoller Seitz, former film critic for the New York Press and the film-brain behind "The House Next Door" blog.
October 23rd, 2008 | Vanessa Willoughby
Film critic Matt Zoller Seitz brings a unique perspective to independent filmmaking, sharing his views on the medium that he's picked up both as a critic and a director (see the trailer for his film Home). Seitz shares with The Independent what the end product looks like from the other side of the camera and offers advice to filmmakers from the perspective of the critic.
It takes guts for a critic to venture into the medium they analyze, but acclaimed film critic and blogger, Matt Zoller Seitz did just that, releasing his first feature-length film Home in 2006.
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Film: "Soy Andina"
The Documentary Doctor takes a look at filmmaker Mitchell Teplitsky's "Soy Andina."
October 8th, 2008 | Fernanda Rossi
The Doc studies Mitchell Teplitsky's first film, Soy Andina (check out the trailer) and takes a behind-the-scenes look at how Teplitsky went from marketing director to successful filmmaker living in Peru. This October, the Doc will be presenting her signature workshops on story structure and fundraising trailers in Tucson, AZ and San Francisco, CA. For details check www.documentarydoctor.com. Also, check out the Doctor's previous Anatomy columns.
About this column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So each month, the Doc Doctor will go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. The "Anatomy of a Film Column" is a chance to learn from filmmakers' hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
The 10 Best Academic Programs for Documentary Filmmakers
An overview of the best programs from Duke to Stanford to Maine
September 23rd, 2008 | Caitlin Graham
Choosing the right school is hard, but it can be even harder when you have a specialized focus, like documentary filmmaking. Whether you're a novice or a veteran filmmaker looking to try something new, this top ten list of the best documentary film programs, both degree granting and non-degree granting, boils down the programs so you can find exactly the right fit.
These days, it’s fairly easy to find an excellent place to learn how to make narrative films. Ten Best lists exist by the fistful, and a Google search of “learn filmmaking” returns more than 30,000 hits.
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Film: "Sync or Swim"
The Documentary Doctor takes a look at filmmaker Cheryl Furjanic's "Sync or Swim."
September 1st, 2008 | Fernanda Rossi
In the spirit of the Summer Olympics, the Documentary Doctor takes a look at filmmaker Cheryl Furjanic's Sync or Swim, which goes behind the scenes with the synchronized swimmers of the 2004 Summer Olympics. Also, check out the Doctor's previous Anatomy columns.
About this column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So each month, the Doc Doctor will go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. The "Anatomy of a Film Column" is a chance to learn from filmmakers' hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
Quest for Truth
An interview with director and producer Rory Kennedy about her latest film "Thank You Mr. President: Helen Thomas at the White House"
August 16th, 2008 | Amanda Axelson
Filmmaker and political activist Rory Kennedy talks with The Independent about her latest documentary Thank You Mr. President: Helen Thomas at the White House about influential political journalist Helen Thomas. The film premieres on HBO on August 18th with additional airings throughout the month.
Rory Kennedy didn’t always know she wanted to be a filmmaker, but she did see herself as a political activist. As the daughter of former U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy, politics run strong in her blood. In wanting to make an impact on people’s lives, she gravitated towards film as a means of educating herself and others about political and social issues.
Letter from Buenos Aires: Subsidies Create More Films, But Not an Eager Audience
A look at the independent film community in Argentina in 2008
August 14th, 2008 | Kim Winternheimer
Tourists flock in hoards to experience the literature, theatre, tango, and art of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Film can now be added to the list. Yet even with increased financial support from the Argentine government, Argentine-made films, particularly the indies, are struggling to find an audience big enough to sustain the industry. Kim Winternheimer reports on the latest developments for Argentine films both home and abroad.
It’s not surprising that a country known for its artistic and cultural liveliness is garnering critical acclaim and attention for its films.
Werner Herzog Made Me Do It
An interview with filmmaker Lee Kazimir about his film "More Shoes"
August 1st, 2008 | Michele Meek
Legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog once said in an interview that he believed the best way to become a filmmaker would be to go on a long walk -- say, from Madrid to Kiev. So Lee Kazimir took his advice literally. His journey resulted in his first feature documentary, More Shoes (see the trailer). As the film makes its way through the festival circuit, Lee stop to talk with The Independent about the film and the people he met along his journey.
Stuck in a dead-end job and worried he'd never make it as a filmmaker, Lee Kazimir decided to take Werner Herzog's advice. Legendary filmmaker Herzog had once said in an interview that he believed the best way to become a filmmaker would be not to practice filmmaking but to walk -- say, from Madrid to Kiev.
See all The Independent's