Article by Andrew Stratton New Orleans locals have enjoyed a few surprise treats recently, including rubbing shoulders with the likes of Channing Tatum and Nicholas Cage while hanging out it various restaurants and dives around the city. But they are not the only ones who have reaped the benefits of the influx of film industry activity in Louisiana.In 2002, the city introduced new tax incentives aimed at filmmakers to encourage them to … [Read more...]
Guerilla Promotion Strategies for Independent Filmmakers
Although acceptance to a film festival is regarded by many filmmakers as the key to major exposure and recognition, this only marks the beginning of the most important phase for your independent film. Acceptance into a festival is only an opportunity for you to compete with dozens (or possibly hundreds) of other films for the attention of festival-goers, distribution agents, and other media. In other words, take this event not as the moment of … [Read more...]
A Lesson From Shakespeare For Writers And Filmmakers To Purge Mistakes And To Boost Their Success
A LESSON FROM SHAKESPEARE FOR WRITERS AND FILMMAKERSYou would think that artists and art lovers know what in art so captures humans, but no one can explain why making strange noises and moves in the name of singing or dancing so pleases these purposeful intelligent beings, humans. Filmmakers readily admit that they have no formula to help them choose the right stories to produce with guaranteed success. However, this new study for the first time … [Read more...]
Define Lincoln Luxury: Challenge Given By Lincoln And Magic Johnson To Aspiring Filmmakers
Article by Pamela Hewitt Calling all of the best and the brightest aspiring filmmakers. The Ford Motor Company's luxury brand, Lincoln, and the NBA legend, Earvin "Magic" Johnson" are calling you. All you need to do is "Define Lincoln Luxury" and you will be winning a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr. This challenge is in part of Lincoln's presenting the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) for the seventh year in a row. The American Black Film Festival … [Read more...]
Package Design for Indie Filmmakers
Package design is often the most important means of film advertising and so of marketing for independent filmmakers. It is your films packaging that is often the only means of marketing small filmmakers can truly afford, and it is the one that most consumers will make their purchase decision on. So whether you think about it or not the package for your movie tells the world what to think of your film. It is therefore imperative that you make … [Read more...]
Online Resources for Independent Filmmakers
There are many resources for filmmakers, both online and offline. Schools, industry newspapers, books and websites all have good information and links to equipment or personnel you will need to create your film.The easiest and fastest way, besides using a film school or a book, is to search online. With the internet, a wealth of knowledge has sprung up, so you can learn anything from special effects to finding distribution. Here are some sites … [Read more...]
The History And Success Of Black Women Filmmakers Of Africa And The African Diaspora
It is indeed a wonderful revelation in the history of world cinema that immensely talented women filmmakers of Africa and the African Diaspora are making it really big in innovative filmmaking. Not only are they challenging old cinematic prescriptions, they are also using their superior art of cinema to create and establish new visions of their people and the world. The journey of black women filmmakers began as early as 1922 when Tressie … [Read more...]
Low Budget Filmmakers Must Do Everything Required
So you say you have a burning desire to make a movie and you will do what ever it takes to get the job done? You fancy yourself and "independent" type and you want to reflect that in your art? Well, you better know what it takes before you decide to launch yourself into the world of independent filmmaking. If you do not know, your project may never see the light of day, or more importantly the light of a movie screen.Making a very low budget or … [Read more...]
Making Video Look Like Film – A Digital Filmmaker’s Guide
You have your script. You have your camera and computer editing software. You have actors, a crew, and some locations. Now you begin to shoot your "digital" film. Although the "filmmaking process" described in here uses the "film" word, what we're really talking about is the overall project, not the medium on which it is shot. In recent years many traditional filmmakers have made the jump from film to digital video as have many television … [Read more...]
Independent filmmakers: The Quest to Find Contact Information for Production Companies
Article by Sara L. Gordon I was recently visiting a very popular website focusing on funding a movie. At this site, an aspiring filmmaker videotapes himself calling different production companies in a quest to get independent film financing.A few people watched this video and commented in response "how did you get those phone numbers?" As it turns out, this particular filmmaker had direct contact information for some of Hollywood's biggest … [Read more...]