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Printer-friendly versionGetting Started as an Independent Filmmaker
I've spent a great deal of my life doing independent film, and that is partly because the subject matter interests me and partly because that is the basis of the film industry. That's where the filmmakers come from, it's where they start and sometimes its where they should have stayed. John Hurt
Definitions
An independent filmmaker is someone who makes an "independant film". An independent film (or indie film) is a film initially produced without financing or distribution from a major movie studio. Often, films that receive less than 50% of their budget from major studio are also considered "independent." According to MPAA data, January through March 2005 showed approximately 15% of US domestic box office revenue was from independent studios. Creative, business, and technological reasons have all contributed to the growth of the indie film scene in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
How Do I start?
Since an independant film is by definition a film with out studio financing or distribution you can start right now! Make a film. Obviously if you want to become a pro then you are going to need to work hard to really develop your craft. A great place to start for training, networking and sharing your work is the 168 Film Project.
IFP
If you are an independant filmmaker your most frequently visited page needs to be the Independant Feature Project (IFP) website. It is so full of resources you won't believe it! Filmmaker interviews, Job Listings, "Ask the Experts" an online opportunity to ask questions of leading filmmakers, agents, distributors and industry execs regarding the art and business of filmmaking. Book mark IFP.org today and start plugging into their resources!
Training
IFP offers seminars and classes that can help you develop your craft. 168 has great classes and their annual 168 Film Festival is an amazing oppurtunity to make a film in a week and have an oppurtunity to show it off! FreeFilmSchool.org is also a great place to learn about filmmaking.
FAQ's
The best FAQ's that we have found for independant filmmakers is at filmmaking.net. Check it out and you'll get your questions answered.
ResourcesWebsites:
| 168project.com |
One of the Hollywood Entertainment Ministries. They focus on equiping and developing independant filmmakers. |
| budgetcheetah.com/i.asp |
Budgetcheetah is a Los Angeles-based network of literary agents, development executives, production managers and producers with professional experience in the development phase of production. |
| Freefilmschool.org |
A great place to start. Has tons of articles and advice about film making. |
| Filmmaking.net | The site provides reference and a community for new and independent filmmakers around the world. Has a great filmschool database and f.a.q.'s |
| Filmmakermagazine.com | Filmmaker Magazine is the magazine of IFP, and it is crazy full of resources. |
| IFP.org | Your number one resource as in independant film maker! |
| imdb.com/indie | Info on festivals, new independant films a great "ask a filmmaker "resource |
| indiewire.com | Box office tracking for independant film |
Have a website, resource or tip that has helped you? Please send us an e-mail with the info so we can pass it along to others!
