Independent Filmmaker Week 2009 – Panel, “What’s the Deal?”

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Overview: http://ifw.bside.com/2009/films/showmethenewmoney_ifw2009 This panel focused on getting financial return from a completed film. As the DVD market dries up and theatrical release continues to be a challenge, how do filmmakers and their backers make ends meet? The panel opened by reminding filmmakers that there are now more options than ever before to reach an audience; that the indie vision of filmmaking is extending to distribution with emerging platforms. It was also pointed out that no one has figured out how to make money using those emerging platforms. Throughout the conference...

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Independent Filmmaker Week 2009 – Panel, “Paying the Bills, Sustaining Your Film Career”

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Overview: http://ifw.bside.com/2009/films/payingthebillssustainingyourfilmcareer_ifw2009 Anyone who’s been doing this for a while knows about the hustle. After coming off a long contract that paid the bills, but wasn’t creatively fulfilling, I was primed for this panel. I wanted to hear how my peers manage to make ends meet while still finding rewarding work. Chaired by Esther Robinson of Filmmaker, she alluded to a series of articles she’s either written (or is writing now!???) exploring this topic. I wasn’t able to find anything on the web, so if anyone has a link or...

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Independent Filmmaker Week 2009 – Panel, “Cashing In, Modern Funding Sources”

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Overview: http://ifw.bside.com/2009/films/cashinginmodernrevenuesources_ifw2009 As the debate rages over the future of indie, there are still people out there trying to do good work and reach an audience. As one panelist said,”It’s easier than ever before to make your film today, it’s also harder than ever before to reach your audience [given all the noise].” This was the first of many panels I attended on the crucial question of money. If you’re looking at trying to raise funds for a film to go to the major festivals: The model of making a film for three...

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Independent Filmmaker Week 2009 – Panel, “Who Represents, All About Agents & Managers”

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Overview: http://ifw.bside.com/2009/films/whorepresentsallaboutagentsmanagers_ifw2009 This panel helped define the different roles agents, managers, lawyers (and other legal counsel) have to a writer/director/actor/producer. At the risk of sounding glib, the panel seemed to think that the characters on  “Entourage” were fairly accurate and representative of their functions. (Ari as the cutthroat agent juggling dozens of clients and just looking to increase his firm’s bottom line, Eric as the more hands-on manager to Vince.) One of the panelists cited this Hollywood adage,...

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Independent Filmmaker Week 2009 – Panel, “Practical Makes Perfect”

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Overview: http://ifw.bside.com/2009/films/practicalmakesperfect_ifw2009 Following a sweet ride up from DC to NYC on the Megabus ($17!), this was the first panel I attended. It focused on the nuts and bolts of actual production–a massive topic–and the panel did its best to hopscotch around highlighting areas of particular interest to the audience. These are things any experienced producer should know but in the fast and furious world of indie filmmaking, it was good to have some fundamentals reiterated. 1. Test, test, and test as much as possible. If possible, walk a four-to-five...

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