Filmmaking is HARD.  Making your first movie is even harder.  You have to gather all of the stuff you need to make your movie, often working with funds that you’ve saved up yourself.  Sometimes you’ll have some additional funds from your friends and family, an inheritance, crowdfunding or some other windfall, but even with any or all of those funding is likely to be tight.  

Everyone makers mistakes, the key is keeping them manageable and learning from them. Here are 5 mistakes that can cost filmmakers tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

There’s more to the independent film distribution dilemma than just whether you self-distribute or get a distributor. Here’s another classification system for indiefilm distributors you should be aware of as a filmmaker.

It’s not just filmmakers who need to understand the business. Investors do too. Here are a few words of advice on the film industry for new investors from an executive producer.

Making a profit on an indie film is HARD. If you can get your film subsidized by a tzx incentive your job is a lot easier. Here are the basics to get you started on that path.

Documentary and narrative films aren’t just different styles, they’re entirely different beasts! It’s amazing how different the financing systems are. Learn more in this article.

Negotiation is a skill, and it takes a while to understand it. Here are some things I’ve seen as an acquisitions agent for a US distributor, as well as from my time as a producer’s rep.

There’s a lot more to Distribution than Filmmakers think. Here are some things I learned at the helm of a US Distributor.

It’s hard to raise funding for a film, and the contracts get confusing quickly. Here’s a glossary to help you understand the mountain of paperwork you’ll need to sign to get your film financed. This blog doesn’t mean you don’t still need a lawyer (I’m not one, and this isn’t legal advice), but it will help you understand the paperwork you’re sent.

If you want to make a movie, you need to raise money. In order to raise any significant capital, you’ll need a package, and that cost money. Here’s where you raise the first money in.

If you’re a screenwriter, you’ve probably toyed with the idea of selling your script. Here’s some advice from a script doctor and a rebuttal from an executive producer.

All distributors get asked if they do anything with shorts on a shockingly frequent basis. Unfortunately, most distributors don’t do anything with shorts, as there’s a very limited market for those who watch them. Here’s how you grow beyond them.

If you want to make a living in film, it’s not enough to be creative. You also need to have a strong business sense. Here’s why that’s the case, and a guide to getting started.

If you want a career in independent film, you’re going to need to have some entrepreneurial skills. Here’s an outline for what that could look like.

If you want to make a career in film, you need to make money. To do that effectively, you need distribution, and that sphere is a tumultuous mess. Here’s a guide to thriving in the current distribution landscape

There are a lot of terms of art in film distribution. Here’s a primer.

Every filmmaker wants to get their movie on the major streamers. Few know how. This might help.

If you want to get the most out of the American Film Marktet, you need to prepare. Here’s what you need.

If you want the best distribution deal for your independent film, you have to negotiate. Here’s a guide to get you started.

Marketing is way more effective when you’re targeting the right audience. Test screenings can help you make sure you are.