Check out this
article in the print edition of StudentFilmmakers
Magazine, May 2008. Click
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 Getting
Financing for Your Independent Film
Ensuring Distribution and Choosing Scripts
by Christina DeHaven
...Continued
from Previous Page
But whatever you do, never, never, ever fund your film on credit
cards. I don�t care if this is project is the �opus� of your film
career � no film is worth getting yourself into personal credit
card debt.
Important Elements to Consider when Working to Ensure Distribution
for Your Independent Film
Attaching stars to your film is one of the key elements to help
ensure distribution of an independent film. Finding a reputable
casting director to partner up with you is a huge asset for an
independent filmmaker. There are many notable, award-winning actors
out there that have tremendous respect and appreciation for independent
cinema, and the many wonderful and challenging roles that it produces.
The only hard part is getting access to them, and this is why
you need a good casting director.
Also, do your research. If you haven�t already, become an avid
reader of the trades. Keep a close eye on the market and trends.
What type of indie deals seem to be the most successful and where
does your film fit into the demand? This information will help
you gain insight into what distributors are looking for in the
current movie-going environment and will strengthen your distribution
strategy. Producer�s reps and film sales agents do this for a
living, so if you have the good fortune of coming into contact
with one of these individuals seize the opportunity to engage
them on your project.
And another thing: Budget for a highquality end product. These
days there are many cost effective ways to shoot a film besides
celluloid. With the advent of better technology such as portable
HD and better, more accessible editing software, the possibilities
are endless. But don�t skimp on the quality. Festival programmers
and distributors do care about quality, almost as much as they
care about a good story. Also, don�t plan a budget that
anticipates that cast and crew will work for free, and will gladly
eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Plan on the most professional
yet practical budget possible. We must be realistic�movie making
is a very collaborative and expensive process, so you have to
be prepared to spend some money.
Choosing Projects and Scripts
If you�re going to produce a film, you�d better love the script.
You have a long road ahead of you and there is plenty of work
to do, so this had better be a labor of love. You�d also better
like the director, because this is the person you will be spending
most of your waking hours with. You must ask yourself, are you
confident in this person�s artistic vision and determination to
make a good film? Also, will this person respect your feedback
and your authority over the production?
Do go with your gut... always.
Don�t be a �yes� person when you know you have to say �no�. While
it is a producer�s job to troubleshoot and put out fires, you
cannot save the world�s problems. Better to be honest and say
no, walk away if need be, but never move forward on anything if
it doesn�t feel right.
It�s a tough uphill road to climb, so make sure that you make
it worth your while.
This article may not be reprinted in print
or internet publications without express permission of StudentFilmmakers.com.
Photos may not be copied or reproduced.
Check out this article in the May 2008
print edition of StudentFilmmakers magazine, pages 42
and 43. Click here to get a copy of the May 2008 Edition,
so you can read and enjoy all of the excellent articles inside.
About the Author:
 Christina
DeHaven is an independent producer and adjunct faculty member
at NYU�s Tisch School of the Arts. Her credits include commercials,
music videos, episodic television, documentary, and over a dozen
short films. Her first two shorts were accepted to the Sundance
Film Festival and recent projects include two featurelength documentaries,
�My Uncle Berns� (directed by Lindsay Crystal, HBO), and �761st�
(directed by Pete Chatmon), about the first African-American tank
battalion to enter combat in WWII. Christina has also recently
produced several music videos for the Grammy Award-winning band,
The Black Eyed Peas.
Resources:
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