Make Your Movie in 21 Parts
Dear Filmmaker, When I was starting out, I was probably a lot like you. I wanted to make movies but I had no …
Jason Brubaker
Filmmaking Goals for 2010
As a filmmaker, I assume your primary goal is to make movies. But as you know, making a movie requires many steps. So to plan your next movie as well as some of other big whoppers you wish to accomplish, I suggest breaking your goals into smaller and smaller chunks… And then finally break them into small enough chunks so you can include them in your list of daily tasks.
Richard Abramowitz Talks About Independent Movie Distribution
Richard Abramowitz is president of Abramorama, a consulting firm specializing in the production, marketing, distribution and representation of independent films. Earlier this week, Richard took a few minutes to chat with Filmmaking Stuff and answer questions regarding the current state of independent movie distribution…
Kevin Smith Talks About Selling Out
This is a very informative interview with Kevin Smith. I always think Kevin is interesting based on where he came from and where he’s at now. For many filmmakers, he’s an inspiration. He talks about the merge between the “indie look” and the studio system.
Make a Movie Poster
While making a movie poster is essential for certain aspects of independent film funding, as new and exciting options for independent movie distribution become available, the need to print a physical poster may become secondary to building your online film marketing presence. In today’s filmmaking article, we discuss some reasons why a poster is a good place to start…
Radio Interview – Indie Filmmakers Talk
In the essence of “Write it, Shoot it, Work it,” Jason Brubaker of Filmmaking Stuff chatted for about an hour or so on the mindset of an Independent Filmmaker… We focused on filmmaking in the New Digital Era as well as helping Filmmakers get their projects to the world. I shared the airwaves with Terence Dudley of Queinten Entertainment and Stanley Lozowski, Producer.
Filmmaking Apps for iPhone
As a filmmaker, there are some very specific apps you can add to your own iPhone. Many claim to make your movie making process run more smoothly. And many claim to replace otherwise (bulky and expensive) film and video equipment with something that will fit in your pocket.
Extreme DV Interview with Rick Schmidt
Rick Schmidt has written, directed and produced over 20 features which have premiered at major national and international film festivals all over the world, including Sundance, Berlin and London. His best selling filmmaking how-to books, Feature Filmmaking at Used-Car Prices and Extreme DV at Used-Car Prices have influenced countless up-and-coming filmmakers and many noted indies, including Kevin Smith and Vin Diesel. In this filmmaker interview with Filmmaking Stuff, Rick Schmidt offers filmmaking advice to up-and-coming filmmakers on how to go out and make a feature now!
Independent Film Financing
As you may or may not know, independent film funding can be a little overwhelming. If you’ve ever dabbled in the business side of making a movie, you know what I mean. The first time I heard people talk about writing a business plan or offering a private placement memorandum, I suddenly felt like I was on another planet. And if you’re like most filmmakers, you would much rather focus on actually getting your movie made, instead of cold calling rich and successful people to set up random pitch meetings…
Filmmaking Made Simple
If you have not signed up for the complementary Filmmaking Stuff 21 Part MovieMaker Mini-Course, now is a great time to do so. We’ve completely revamped the content and have worked to make the content more robust. Just look to the upper right of your screen. You’ll see a little box where you can sign up.
Robert Rodriguez’s 10 minute film school.
Robert Rodriguez shares his advice with filmmakers in his 10 minute film school. I found this to be totally inspirational when I first started. His advice is classic.
Producing
As you probably know, there are several different types of movie producers in the industry. With all the different titles, sometimes trying to figure out who does what and why, can be a little confusing. Today, I’m going to provide an overview of the different types of movie producers and what they do.
screenwriting software
If you’re a writer, or a writer director or a writer-director-producer, or simply a producer working with a writer, sooner or later it …
Don’t Ask, Don’t Get
When I was in college, I took a sales job, selling spas at local carnivals to raise money for my first 16mm film.
Relationships are Everything in Hollywood
If you make a mistake, fess up to it fast. Make amends. In Hollywood, relationships are everything.
Filmmaking Lesson 19 Edit Your Movie
Editing your movie is the final rewrite of your film. This is the time when you add all sorts of amazing layers to …
Filmmaking Stuff Video
Filmmaking Stuff was created to share all the “gee, I wish I knew then what I know now” sort of stuff. Please feel free to read every article on the site… If you like what you read, sign up for the free 21 part filmmaking mini-course. It’s packed full of all sorts of tidbits.
Free 21 Part Filmmaking mini Course
If you never made a movie, take the filmmaking stuff, free 21 part filmmaking mini course.
5 Little-Known Factors That Could Affect Your Self Distribution Success
If you have to travel the route of self distribution these days, I can honestly say that reaching a global audience is as easy as the click of a mouse.
Film or HD
As a new filmmaker, I would suggest shooting HD video over film. While shooting film is cool – the added expense of film stock and film processing, not to mention eventual video transfer can greatly diminish your bank account.
Filmmaking Lesson 15 Hollywood Publicity
Publicity is great. Especially when it’s free. And especially when the publicity is international. When we produced our first zombie movie, we had …
Filmmaking Lesson14 Schedule Your Movie
I’m here today to remind you that whenever you’re producing a movie, a whole lot can change between development and prep. Assuming you …
Filmmaking Lesson 13 Get The Money Part 2
As I mentioned in previous lessons, the name of the game in your first feature is to cut the need for hard cash, …
Interview with Peter D. Marshall
Jason Brubaker of Filmmaking Stuff caught up with Peter D. Marshall for a few minutes earlier this week to ask him about his new online filmmaking course.
Prepping Your Film For Distribution
Picture this! By some miracle to end all miracles, born of equal parts luck and blind determination, you’ve managed to rise above the never-ending barrage of questions from “concerned” friends and family who’ve always thought your talk about making movies was reckless. You’ve put together a cast and crew, refined your script, found some financing and in the process, you’ve even figured out how to ignore all your significant other’s not-so-subtle hints that a career selling life insurance really wouldn’t be that bad. To be honest, looking back, even you aren’t really sure how you pulled it off. Yet, despite all of the concerns and self doubt, you’ve somehow managed to make the impossible possible. You’ve made your first feature film! And, by definition, you’re finally a real filmmaker.
Interview with Chris Ward
Chris Ward is an independent filmmaker currently residing in Stamford, Connecticut, which is about 35 miles outside New York City. Chris spent many years producing documentaries for Network television. He also teaches filmmaking at Quinnipiac University and the Maine Media Workshops. Fog Warning, his second feature, was just picked up by Wonderphil Productions and he has agreed to share his experience with Jason Brubaker of Filmmaking Stuff…
Filmmaking Update
I just wanted to let you know I’m in development on a new project. As such, check the Twitter updates (found on the …
Make your Feature HD not Film
Shoot your first feature in high definition, not DV and not Film. Why? DV looks like crap and film is way too expensive and in my opinion, too risky for a first feature with a limited budget.
Prepping your movie for distribution.
I wrote an article on prepping your movie for distribution. It’s been published at The Independent.
1 Week Movie
If you’re not a huge film production company with a big budget, then getting your movie in the can sooner, rather than later, could mean the difference between success and failure.