Filmmaking

It’s a familiar story: you have the ingredients, a completed screenplay, comparable films, a target audience, a finance plan, a marketing strategy, a ‘wish list’ of talent, location ideas, bundles of enthusiasm... But there’s one vital missing component: funding. As a ‘balanced producer,’ you try to be patient. You wait for emails and calls, make pitches, submit to competitions, consider mentoring schemes and courses, and throw everything at it. But the months and years roll on, and still noth...

In the wild jungle that is the film industry, this is the motto that I try to live by: Make your film no matter what.  Two years ago, in 2020, I finished and released my first film, a 20-minute-long romantic comedy titled Titus & Mirabella. Great timing, I know. And I mean this both in a sarcastic and a not sarcastic way. It was great timing because my film was dealing with the topic of germophobia, so I think it resonated with a lot of people, given the fact that we were going through a pande...

“Why don’t we just make it ourselves?” This was the question posed to me in January 2021 by producer Michael Alfieri of Miantri Films regarding my script, The Throwback. The start of every new year gives us a newfound boldness and optimism. “I will lose fifty pounds.” “I will read 20 books per month.” “I will learn Tuvan throat singing.” That’s me. So when Mike posed that question, my response was an enthusiastic “YES!” Why not? Never mind that my annual new year’s optimism routinely vanishes by...

Happy Sunday Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? I have some content here for you that is sure to get the creative juices flowing, so grab your coffee, and let's dive in. First up, the folks over at StudioBinder share a fascinating look inside the cinematography of Better Call Saul. The critically acclaimed spin-off of Breaking Bad recently wrapped its final episode after six fantastic seasons. Specifically, this video looks at how the series' visuals matched the story's d...

Back in the day, LEGO was my jam. And to be honest, I still find it an oddly meditative and therapeutic endeavor. This isn’t said to underscore my already apparent nerd status but to touch upon a scenario many fellow LEGO enthusiasts will be familiar with. We’ve just purchased a new set and are fiercely powering through piecing it together. Perhaps with the instructions, but perhaps we scoff at such things and only ever go rogue. Regardless, sooner or later, we reach the stage where only one b...

Behind every animated film, there's a creator. These creators' contribution to this industry has shaped the industry in large ways. From their visual style, color combinations, the stories they tell, use of inclusive representation, and more, these artists have helped impact their own industry and audiences who love their work.  In this article, you will find nine animators who shaped the world of animation and a few lessons we can learn from their experiences. So let's get into it! Hayao...

Certain success markers have become so ingrained in our industry that we may be striving for them without knowing there's much of an alternative. How did your latest film do? Did it go viral? Did it get into festivals? Any good festivals? How about distribution? Did it make a profit? What’s the Rotten Tomato Score on your feature? How many five-star reviews do you have on Prime Video? Yes, but are those reviews Verified Purchases? While we’re on the subject, how’s your IMDb ranking? How...

Happy Sunday Creative Army! I've got my coffee in hand and your weekly dose of content coming in hot - grab your coffee of choice and let's dive right in. First up, the Acting Career Center shares 5 mistakes beginner actors make. Hosted by Kurt Yue, an Atlanta-based actor with over 50 credits, this video covers self-tape audition tips, why you shouldn't pretend (or mime) actions in auditions, how to handle your first on set experience, and more.  Next up, The Writers Guild Foundation share...

With no filmmaking experience and lot of extra time on my hands, thanks to COVID, I decided to make my first feature film. For the second time. Quick back story. My first attempt at making a movie was in 2017. A friend of mine, who also plays a role in this movie, asked me to take a look at his short film. After watching he said he wanted me to help make it “better”. I gave it some thought and decided I would do it under one condition. It needed to be a feature. We made it as far as me finis...

I had a dream once. I had a dream, and oh! I dreamed it boldly and strongly, and I shouted it into the wind for everyone to hear! And proudly, I proclaimed it, told it to everyone who was willing to listen. With pride in my chest and a thrill in my voice, I called it out: I’m going to be a filmmaker! I’m going to work in the film industry! And so I worked, and I plotted, and I networked, and I wrote as much as I could, and I learned my trade and dipped my toes in, and then… then I took t...