Producing Independent Feature Films That Make Money (eBook)

The Ultimate Guide to Producing Independent Films for Profit and Passive Income

Rick Jenkins (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2018
145 Seiten
Shockwave Publishing (Verlag)
661000011717-8 (EAN)

Infos

If you are a hungry indie filmmaker with a passion for the film industry and a drive to earn passive income, Producing Independent Feature Films That Make Money: The Ultimate Guide to Producing Independent Films for Profit and Passive Income Project Description is the book that you have been waiting for.

At each stage of the filmmaking journey, you will be tested to overcome obstacles and endure setbacks. Given your heavy workload and expansive responsibilities as a filmmaker, including everything from hiring, production to distribution and marketing, your job is a juggling act. This eBook provides comprehensive practical techniques and strategies to move you gracefully through the rough terrain of producing an independent film that resonates and reaches your intended audience.

In this modern digital age, when the online arena has overtaken traditional methods of distribution and commerce, there has never been a more important time to understand how to leverage the increased access to audiences that cyberspace provides. Inside, you will find valuable industry secrets that teach you how to reach and convince your niche audience. You will learn how to make use of the many variations of social media advertising to maximize ad revenue for your film.

Inside you will find:

How to construct a script that is adaptable to location changes, reshoots, and budgeting conflicts

The value of reading legal contracts and attaining legal counsel to avoid potential litigation and other legal conflicts that can arise during and after production

The film genres that garner the most revenue and why indie films do not have to follow these industry norms

How dailies and slates can expedite and ease the editing process in post-production and help keep you organized on set

Which mediums carry the most value for film distribution, exposure, and revenue

How to leverage media outlets to your advantage so that you can navigate the media landscape to earn exposure and reach your target niche audience

How Video On Demand has changed and why this is the best platform for indie filmmakers to earn revenue and passive income

How to tell your brand's story through content marketing so that your film is more appealing to your target audience

Why TV and theatrical deals have become overrated for indie films and why you should avoid these methods of distribution

How you can reach your niche audience by constructing a marketing strategy that targets audiences by location, age, gender, income, and even their specific devices

Textauszug

Chapter 1: Development

 

Understanding Independent Filmmaking

Since the inception of independent films in the late 1980s’, independent filmmakers have viewed themselves as fringe artists eschewing mainstream Hollywood filmmaking styles in favor of “edgier” stories about life in modern society. This “art for art’s sake” method of filmmaking challenges the big studio Hollywood hegemony through comparatively low-budgets and telling stories that take a critical stance on current controversial sociopolitical issues. Thus, with this more down-to-earth approach, independent filmmaking is typically unconcerned with Hollywood tropes. Rather, the role of an independent filmmaker is to present their work in a manner that gives viewers a refreshing respite from the common Hollywood blockbuster.

Certainly, most independent filmmakers would hesitate to consider their work forms of cultural critique. With that being said, the value of “independence” for filmmakers whose projects do not fall within the confines of Hollywood blockbusters is very high. Independence, in this context, refers to autonomy from mainstream Hollywood filmmaking and everything for which it stands. Through free artistic expression without interference from capitalistic pressures, independent filmmaking can tackle cultural issues, or, at the very least, portray them explicitly. In this way, independent films, or “indie films” as they’re affectionately called, stand in direct contrast to Hollywood moviemaking.

As the antithesis of Hollywood studio movies, independent films stray from Hollywood’s typical conventions in various ways. For example, where Hollywood studio films are very costly, independent films are usually fiscally prudent with their relatively lower budgets; where Hollywood caters mainly to mass entertainment, indie films challenge social norms and issues using unique filmmaking techniques tailored to evoke specific emotions from its viewers. With neatly tied endings (almost in a bow, even) being a common trope of Hollywood movies, indies often do not end the way viewers would anticipate. Indie movies often use highly realist aesthetics to convey their moods, themes, and characters. On the other hand, Hollywood studio films (especially its big-budget blockbusters) use fantastical and illusory filmmaking techniques to convey their plot lines. Of course, the realist filmmaking approach common to indie films can also be found in many Hollywood films as well. However, with the proliferation of sequels, remakes, and big-budget franchises, such as The Avengers and the extended Marvel Cinematic Universe throughout Hollywood, realism is quickly becoming a lost art among Hollywood’s studio films. It should come as welcome news to independent filmmakers as they don’t have to fear Hollywood’s encroachment on the conventions that make indie films unique.

 

Naturally, not every indie filmmaker has a benevolent attitude toward Hollywood. Some may have even drawn inspiration, and continue to do so, from Hollywood directors, actors, writers and or producers. However, the notion of independent filmmaking is inherently against some features of Hollywood filmmaking and this critical stance is part of the enchanting allure of realism in indie films. What’s more, the commercial intent of Hollywood studio films versus the art-focused critical intent of independent films creates a fissure between the two styles that helps indie filmmakers recognize their target audiences with greater clarity. As a result, the idea that Hollywood’s mass audience appeal encroaches on the audiences for indie films loses validity and independent filmmakers can settle into their respective filmmaking styles without feeling threatened by the mass-targeting machine of Hollywood.

So why is all this background significant? You might already be aware that indie films are different from big-budget Hollywood films. Maybe you’ve never even been remotely tempted by the glitz, glamour, and glory of Hollywood. If this is the case, then you are among the minority. However, gaining an understanding of the various differences between your own independent filmmaking and the conventions used by Hollywood studio films will instill a deeper level of appreciation for your craft and its uniqueness. Also, understanding that independent films serve niche audiences and tastes will allow you to produce films that reach your target audience more directly, and therefore garner more passive income from your work.

 

Creation and Development

Creating your own Independent Film begins with a story and a plan.

This part is the development phase of preparation where you make plans for what the film will become. Understand that these plans will need to be perpetually flexible as nothing in the movie industry is either constant or solid until the moment the film is released and broadcast.

First, we start with the all-important Story Development. Your story should always be written around your budget and locations. Naturally, your chosen locations should be within budget can and at least one of those locations should be maximized. One cult classic that uses a single location well is Clerks. Remember, though, that creating a story around your life may not be the best option or the most profitable one. You will need to accept that your life story, no matter how crazy you think it may be, may not be worth the watch. If it were, Hollywood scouts or other independent filmmakers would have already bought the rights to it. You cannot recreate Clerks no matter how hard you try.

The Twist

Always, always, always place an unexpected twist in your story. Twists can make a mediocre story unpredictable and great. Creating an aura of unpredictability within your story is one of the most effective ways to give your film a pedestal on which it can stand out from the competition. Consider, for instance, the approach taken by the writers and producers of Game of Thrones. Granted, the critically-acclaimed TV series is based on a popular book franchise, but the notion that any character can be killed off or suffer irreversible damage is one of the most captivating and enthralling aspects of the series. Keeping viewers hooked onto your plot in this way, with every expectation entwined with doubt, elevates your story from one that is mundane and predictable to a story that viewers will remember and recommend. Keep in mind, however, that this twist does not necessarily have to be at the conclusion of your film. In fact, inserting a plot twist in the middle of your story can serve as a surprising plot device in itself.

Break Tropes

Try to have your protagonist (hero/good guy) have to overcome an antagonist (bad guy, place or thing). Or, to break the monotony of Hollywood filmmaking, reverse the trend of the hero and make the primary character the “villain”. A good way to break tropes is to show a mental battle of wits (ala Sherlock Holmes in the books, not the show or films). You are attempting to write a story into a visual format and this can be a difficult practice. Intellectual confrontations between characters can be an especially challenging format to translate from page to the screen. However, this exercise allows you to showcase your talent as a filmmaker and can elevate the overall quality of your project.

Stay True to Yourself

You should confront this challenge with an open mind, but remember always your filmmaking strengths. If you struggle with writing witty dialogue or have a difficult time injecting technical jargon into your script, try to focus on the character’s natural tendencies and personality rather than the specifics of their craft. To elaborate, if you are writing for a clever lawyer character but don’t know the first thing about legal jargon, focus on the lawyer’s personal attributes and write accordingly. Say your lawyer is a strong personality, then perhaps tailor the humor or witty dialogue around their stern tendencies and rigid demeanor, as opposed to his or her legal acumen.

Keep in mind that the goal is to make multiple low-budget quality films that create passive income. Do not aim to conquer Hollywood with one movie. Don’t spend 10 years trying to make the next Avatar or become the next James Cameron. Build up to create your own name and brand slowly, much like M. Night Shyamalan’s early career; and emphasis on early.

On the many flaws of Shyamalan’s films over the course of his career was that his films became formulaic in plot and twist. In certain films, he wrote scripts that ignored or disregard the original work from which they were based. These decisions brought massive backlash that harmed his credibility as a creator and director. Therefore, when adapting pieces of literature or remaking classic films, remaining faithful to the essence of the original work has proven to be a critical factor in the success of a film. Weaving your authenticity into a remake or adaptation is incredibly challenging. Nevertheless, this challenge is another unique opportunity to showcase your filmmaking talent and establish credibility as an independent artist. Let these artistic challenges shine a light on your inherent capability and credibility.

Profit Genres

The following genres are typically...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 15.10.2018
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Kunst / Musik / Theater ► Theater / Ballett
• Themenwelt: Wirtschaft ► Betriebswirtschaft / Management ► Marketing / Vertrieb
• Schlagworte: Entertainment Industry • Feature Films • filmmaking • independent films • Passive income • producing • Residual Income