Advice
Film-Friendly State: Shooting in Utah
The Independent's Angela Wu takes an in-depth look at why shooting your next film in the mountains might not be such a bad idea.
January 22nd, 2010 | Angela Wu
In the second installment of The Independent's new Film-Friendly States series, Angela Wu explores why, if you're an independent filmmaker, Utah offers much more than Sundance.
From New Hampshire’s “no filming permits” policy to Michigan’s 42 percent tax credit, states are fighting to stay competitive with low-cost international filming locations — and each other. For filmmakers, this means a slew of incentive programs that might make financing your next film a bit easier.
Film Journal: The Importance of Pre-Production
Pre-production is one of the most vital aspects of filmmaking. In the third installment of her journal, Valerie Weiss discusses how she laid the groundwork for a successful film.
January 5th, 2010 | Valerie Weiss
Filmmaker Valerie Weiss shares her experiences of financing, planning, and producing her first independent feature film Losing Control in this monthly film journal. In her third installment, Weiss writes about the trials and triumphs she experienced during pre-production.
In my first two installments of my Film Journal for The Independent, I wrote about the philosophy behind the $200,000 independent film. In this installment, I will talk about laying the groundwork to make our film at this budget, the period known as pre-production, and how the making of Losing Control reinforced the film's theme that faith is more valuable than proof.
From Journalist to Documentarian – Five Tips for a Better Documentary
Think you’ve got an idea for a documentary? Before you shoot, hear how professional journalists turn good ideas into engaging nonfiction stories.
January 4th, 2010 | Michael Grosse
Ever wonder how, exactly, some documentaries can successfully embrace and tell a story, all while engaging the audience? So do we. The Independent's Michael Grosse highlights five important techniques on how to effectively research and write a better documentary.
Two-time Emmy Award winner June Cross has written, produced, or edited about a dozen documentaries in a career that spans more than three decades. She is also an associate professor of Journalism at Columbia University, where she teaches graduate-level courses in reporting and documentary film.
Doc Doctor's Story Strategies: Is Narration a Storytelling Red Flag?
In her 5th installment of "Story Strategies: Debunking the Myths of Storytelling," Doc Doctor Fernanda Rossi asks: What's so terrible about narration?
November 23rd, 2009 | Fernanda Rossi
Is voiceover a red flag for bad storytelling? Doc Doctor Fernanda Rossi enters the debate on whether or not narration can be a creative tool and explores the prejudices associated with the use of voiceovers, suggesting why documentary filmmakers may want to consider the device when crafting stories.
Myth #5
“Narration in a documentary is bad storytelling.”
Says who?
The Myth in All Its Glory
Exhibitor FAQ: Enzian Theater
The inside scoop on how filmmakers can command the screen at Central Florida's only full-time, noprofit, alternative theater: the Enzian in Maitland.
November 7th, 2009 | Enette Ngoei
At the Enzian Theater in Maitland, Florida, you can cozy up to the screen with a glass of wine or cold bottle of beer. But adult beverages alone do not keep the crowds happy. According to programming director Matthew Curtis, it's the quality of films. "They trust what we put on the screen," he told The Independent. Curtis gives the inside scoop on how filmmakers should approach Enzian with their latest projects.
For 25 years, Orlando area audiences have flocked to the Enzian Theater to enjoy independent films in a unique atmosphere. Instead of the usual stadium seating, the intimate Maitland, Florida art house cinema has four floors with tables for two and four. In its front section, gorgeous purple velvet captains' chairs and couches with coffee tables claim the space.
Film Journal: Philosophies for Financing Your Film
In the second installment of filmmaker Valerie Weiss's film journal, she offers advice on an ever-important, much-talked-about topic: how to successfully finance your independent film.
November 4th, 2009 | Valerie Weiss
Filmmaker Valerie Weiss shares her experiences of financing, making, and marketing her first independent feature film Losing Control in this monthly film journal. In this installment, she writes about how she raised financing – a topic that is likely on every independent filmmaker’s mind.
In the last installment of my film journal for The Independent, I wrote about the various circumstances that facilitated the raising of $200,000 to direct my feature film, Losing Control, a quirky romantic comedy about a female scientist who wants proof that her boyfriend is “the one.” In this install
30 Quintessential Books for Independent Filmmakers
The Independent examines the top 30 books every filmmaker should add to their library, and why.
October 6th, 2009 | Goldy Moldavsky
Ever wonder what, exactly, independent filmmakers – both aspiring and established – should be reading? Look no further than The Independent's 30 Quintessential Books for Independent Filmmakers. Here, we list the top must-owns, including Independent Feature Film Production, The Filmmaker's Handbook, Sidney Lumet's Making Movies, and From Reel to Deal.
Ever wonder what, exactly, independent filmmakers – both aspiring and established – should be reading?
Exhibitor FAQ: Olympia Film Society
The Independent talks with the Olympia Film Society's film programmer, Helen Thornton, about the best ways for filmmakers to bring their work to OFS’s attention.
September 22nd, 2009 | Emily Cataneo
The Independent's Exhibitor FAQ series provides resources and advice on how to get your film onto the big screen. In this installment, the Olympia Film Society is featured; Helen Thornton, the Society's film programmer, discusses the Society, its film festival, and how independent filmmakers can get their work shown at the theater.
The Olympia Film Society (OFS) has been bringing independent, experimental, and underrepresented film to the Olympia, Washington community since 1980. The society programs the Weekly Film Series, a series of independent and international films that sometimes includes one-time screenings and discussions with filmmakers.
Exhibitor FAQ: Amherst Theatre
Talking with Phillip Freedenberg, general manager of the Amherst Theatre in Buffalo, NY.
August 18th, 2009 | Emily Cataneo
The Independent launches its new series of Exhibitor FAQs to provide resources and advice on how to get your film onto the big screen. Following in the tradition of the distributor and funder Q&As, the Exhibitor FAQ will feature a different theatre, museum or other screening venue with tips on how to approach the theatre, market your film, and find an audience for your film. This month, The Independent talks with Phillip Freedenberg, general manager of the Amherst Theatre in Buffalo, NY.
The Independent launches its new series of Exhibitor FAQs to provide resources and advice on how to get your film onto the big screen. Following in the tradition of the distributor and funder Q&As, the Exhibitor FAQ will feature a different theatre, museum or other screening venue with tips on how to approach the theatre, market your film, and find an audience for your film.
Doc Doctor's Story Strategies: Should You Put Yourself in Your Documentary?
Doc Doctor Fernanda Rossi explores the myth, "If the structure doesn’t work, put yourself in the film.”
July 31st, 2009 | Fernanda Rossi
Doc Doctor Fernanda Rossi explores whether or not putting yourself as a character or narrator in your documentary film will solve structure problems. Using her expertise as a story consultant for over 300 documentaries, scripts and fundraising trailers, Fernanda discusses whether your presence will make or break your film, by showing you when it works and when there may be a better solution.
Myth #4
“If the structure doesn’t work, put yourself in the film.” And everything will magically work? Not quite.
The myth in all its glory
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