Independent Film Producing

The Craft of Low Budget Filmmaking

Suzanne Lyons

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2012
• ISBN:
  9781136039058
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Film & Video

Indie Film Producing explains the simple, basic, clear cut role of the independent film producer. Raising funds to do your dream project, producing award-winning films with a low budget, putting name actors on your indie film-it's all doable, and this book guides you through the entire process of being a successful producer with bonus tips on how to effortlessly maneuver through the sphere of social media marketing and fundraising tactics. Indie film producer Suzanne Lyons pilots you through the actual making of low budget films to show you how easy and fun it can be. Laid out in a step-by-step, A to Z, matter-of-fact style that shows how the producer's role can be easy, how to treat the film as a business, and especially how to avoid the painful pitfalls faced by so many producers, this book gives you the essential tools you need to make your film a success from the ground up.. Begins with the earliest stages of concept development, continues through production & post, and ultimately concludes with distribution. Shows you how to create a buzz for your film through marketing and promotions. Interviews with global producers who produced films using social media, festivals, apps, and more, give you real-world insight that can be applied to your own films. Website points you to a fantastic collection of resources that you'll need to produce your own films (http://booksite.focalpress.com/indiefilmproducing)

Appendix 1
Filmmakers Website Resource Guide

When it comes to resources, the internet is amazing. There are literally hundreds and hundreds of websites these days that are invaluable to the independent film producer. It would take an entire book to give you all of them and there are new ones added constantly. So here are a few to get you started. I’ve included a real variety, from industry related organizations that you can join, to amazing sites that feature current informational articles and fund raising opportunities to sites that focus on movie reviews and what is happening globally.

1. www.About.com – Covers independent film around the world. www.worldfilm.about.com
2. AFM – The American Film Market is scheduled in November in Los Angeles; its focus is on independent films. www.americanfilmmarket.com
3. www.Assistantdirectors.com – Resource for assistant directors. Features directories of international production companies, productions services, jobs, workshops, resumes, movie reviews, and forums. www.assistantdirectors.com
4. www.Babelgum.com – Short film competition. www.babelgum.com
5. www.Baselineintel.com – Industry articles, movie reviews, movie costs, television reporting, and media analysis. www.baselineintel.com
6. Bluegel Media – Offers website templates for download. www.bluegelmedia.com
7. California Lawyers for the Arts – Free legal services and advice. www.calawyersforthearts.org
8. Cinefinance – A completion bond company. www.cinifinance.net
9. www.Cinematography.com – Forum for technical aspects of filmmaking. News, resources, job postings. www.cinematography.com
10. www.Crackle.com – Watch movies and TV shows for free online. www.crackle.com
11. www.Crewster.com – Network of film, television, and commercial crews. Posts job listings and information on new shows and films. www.crewster.com
12. Digital Video Expo – Training, exposition, and networking events, covering all aspects of the HD content creation industry. www.dvexpo.com
13. Doculink – A forum for documentary filmmakers with monthly meetings in Los Angeles and San Francisco. www.doculink.org
14. Done Deal Pro – Tracks script, book, treatment, and options. Subscribers are able to search the database by title, writer, representation, company, genre, or date. www.donedealpro.com
15. Doddle – Mobile application that allows production guides to be read on your phone. www.doddleme.com
16. Entertainment Economy Institute (EEI) – In-depth information and data about the entertainment industry. www.entertainmentecon.com
17. Entertainment Weekly – Music, TV, Movie News. www.ew.com
18. Film Emporium – Full-service brokerage specializing in entertainment and production insurance; also offers film stock, video tape, digital media, and hard drives. www.filmemporium.com
19. Film Independent – Resources, screenings, programs, and LA film festival. www.filmindependent.org
20. Film Finances – A completion bond company. www.ffi-web.com
21. Film Permits Unlimited – Los Angeles–based permit coordination services. www.filmpermits.com
22. Film & Television Action Committee – Focused on issues of runaway film production. www.ftac.org
23. Film This Production Services – Los Angeles–based location service that helps provide filming permits. www.filmthis.net
24. Film Vision – Resources for the independent film producer. www.filmvision.com
25. Filmmaker’s Alliance – Trainings, seminars, screenings, and writer’s workshops. www.filmmakersalliance.com
26. www.Filmmaking.net – Resources and community for indie filmmakers. www.filmmaking.net
27. www.Filmproposals.com – Film proposals and information on financing. www.filmproposals.com
28. Filmtools – Film supplies. www.filmtools.com
29. www.Filmunderground.com – Helps match film producers with private investors. www.filmunderground.com
30. www.Filmventure.com – Film fund-raising source www.filmventure.com
31. Foundation Center – Provides information on foundation grants www.foundationcenter.org
32. Google Groups – Resource for projects seeking investment, as well as investors seeking projects. www.groups.google.com/group/filmproposals-forums?hl=en
33. Hollywood Production Center – Provides office rental space for films in preproduction and postproduction. www.hollywoodpc.com
34. www.IMDB.com – The Internet Movie Database. Resource to search movie titles, actors and watch trailers. www.imdb.com
35. IMDBPro – A database of industry professionals, agents info, company directory, industry news, and more. www.imdbpro.com
36. Independent Cinema Expo – A Las Vegas based informational seminar for Indie producers. www.icexpo.com
37. Independent Film and Television Alliance – Worldwide trade association. www.ifta-online.org
38. Independent Filmmaker’s Alliance – Resources and information for the independent filmmaker. www.filmalliance.com
39. Independent Feature Project – Through workshops, seminars, conferences, mentorships, and Filmmaker magazine, IFP schools its members in the art, technology, and business of independent filmmaking. www.ifp.org
40. Independent Television Service – Funds, presents, and promotes documentaries on public TV. www.itvs.org
41. www.Indieclub.com – Networking site, message boards and local groups. www.indieclub.com
42. Indie Film Page – Networking forum for the independent filmmaker. www.indiefilmpage.com
43. IndieGoGo – Funding, promotion and self-distribution opportunities. www.indiegogo.com
44. Indie-Pictures – Direct to DVD distribution company. www.indie-pictures.com
45. IndieProducer.net – Networking resource. www.indieproducer.net
46. Indie Scene – Marketing information and industry updates. www.indiescene.net
47. Indieshortfilms.net – Short film competition. www.indieshortfilms.net
48. www.Infolist.com – Industry opportunities, events and information. www.infolist.com
49. www.Inktip.com – Networking source for writers and producers. www.inktip.com
50. International Film Guarantors – Completion bond company. www.ifgbonds.com
51. iofilm.co.uk – Information on films and filmmaking. www.iofilm.co.uk
52. www.Kickstarter.com – Fundraising platform for all types of creative projects. www.kickstarter.com
53. Kodak’s Information Server – Products, releases, policies, order prints online. www.kodak.com
54. www.LA411.com – Independent film crew and vendors. www.LA411.com
55. Library of Moving Images, Inc. – Has film clips from 1870s to present. www.libraryofmovingimages.com
56. www.Masterguide.com – A great resource that lists film markets, TV market, exhibitions, and trade shows. www.masterguide.com
57. www.Maxfilmpro.com – Production resources, location scout, production activity and daily news. www.maxfilmpro.com
58. Millimeter – The professional resource for production and post. www.millimeter.com
59. Motion Picture, TV, and Theatre Directory – Independent film crew and vendors. www.mpe.net
60. Movie Magic Budgeting – Film Budgeting software. www.entertainmentpartners.com/Content/Products/Budgeting.aspx
61. Movie Magic Scheduling – Film Scheduling software. www.entertainmentpartners.com/Content/Products/Scheduling.aspx
62. Movie Maven List – Review of foreign and indie films. www.moviemavenlist.com
63. Movie Plan – Informational software on business plans and funding. www.movieplan.net
64. Planet Shark Productions – A full-service Los Angeles–based film and video production company specializing in social media. They also provide forums for job listings, casting calls, events, resumes, loglines, and more. www.planetsharkproductions.com
65. Producer’s Guild of America – Non-profit organization representing the interests of motion picture and Television producers. www.producersguild.org
66. Production-central.org – A filmmaker’s community, vendor discounts and benefit organizations. www.mypco.com
67. Production Hub – “Where production meets the Internet.” Production resource directory, classifieds, equipment, news, jobs, events, and services. www.productionhub.com
68. www.Production-Tube.com – A social network for the industry. www.production-tube.com
69. REEL Ladies – A Los Angeles–based organization that offers events, workshops, and networking opportunities for women. www.reelladies.ning.com
70. Reel Women – Provides support and networking opportunities for women in film and related industries. www.reelwomen.org
71. SAG Indie – Resources across the United States to help with your low-budget production, including contracts, casting, local organizations, workshops, and interviews. www.sagindie.org
72. Science & Entertainment Exchange – Resource for experts/consultants ...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Advanced Praise
• Indie Film Producing
• Table of Contents
• Appendix 1 Filmmakers Website Resource Guide
• Appendix 2 Books: Some of My Favorites
• Glossary
• Index