What makes a good independent film?

What makes a good independent film?

Independent films—or “indie films”—are controlled more by the creator in terms of content, voice, and style. With a lack of big budget and fewer crew members at their disposal, indie filmmakers can be more hands-on with their film productions, and have greater freedom to tell the story they want to tell.

What is the most successful independent film of all time?

And showing just how broad the category is, the highest grossing independent film of all time is “The Passion of the Christ,” with a gross of almost $1 billion.

How do you come up with a good short film idea?

Go forth:

1. Read stories. Load up on story juice.
2. Brainstorm with friends. Working with friends is one of the best ways to come up with new ideas.
3. Watch great films.
4. Read or watch plays – start with the classics.
5. Make a notes folder – write 3 ideas before bed.
6. Get out of the house.
7. Journal.
8. Look at the detail.

What makes an independent film independent?

An independent film, independent movie, indie film, or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies (or, in some cases, distributed by major companies).

Do independent films make money?

Independent filmmakers can actually make money if they have a great foreign sales agent who can sell their movies in key overseas markets. Producers will often make their “wish list” when casting a film, and the list will typically be full of well-known names that “travel” overseas.

How can I make a movie without money?

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1. Choose One Location. If you barely have a budget, don’t try to shoot in a million places, especially if you’re working with multiple actors.
2. Schedule by Location or Actors.
3. Thrift Shops or Actors’ Closets.
4. Take Care of Cast & Crew.

Are independent films profitable?

Statistically speaking, the picture is quite bleak – 97% of independent feature films fail to turn a profit. Most filmmakers assume they will be in the lucky 3%, not realizing that turning a real profit with a low/micro-budget film is practically unheard of.

How many pages is a 5 minute script?

I’d estimate maybe ten-ish pages would do for a five-minute short, perhaps more if it’s dialogue heavy? Most scripts I’ve read for 11-minute cartoons clock in at about seventeen pages, which is the closest thing I’ve found to fully produced short scripts.

Can you get paid for movie ideas?

When you sell a treatment or idea, you can make between $20,960 and $47,940. When you complete a treatment, script and final draft, you can pull in a minimum payday between $34,936 for a nonoriginal screenplay and $119,954 on the high end for an original screenplay with treatment.

How do independent films get funding?

Crowdfunding offers a unique alternative for filmmakers to get funding for films. It works by attracting small amounts of funds from a large audience to finance the filmmaker’s project.

How do I sell my independent film?

If you wind up selling your own film, here are a dozen things to keep in mind.

1. Don’t buy into your own hype.
2. Develop a strategy and stick to it.
3. Know the terrain.
4. Know the calendar.
5. Know the players.
6. Keep the heat down until you are ready to screen.
7. Enhance your film’s value.
8. Seek outside validation.

Can a low budget film make money?

You don’t need a lot of money to make a great film. In fact, with the right cast and crew, you can make an amazing movie on a low budget. If you’re lucky, you might know someone who is passionate about acting and is willing to work for free.

Can short films make money?

Short films, whether they are being shared online or through film festivals, are most profitable as a calling card that will get you more work. Look at it as a resume, but for your film career. Every short film you write, direct, produce, and -most importantly – share will lead to more work.

How do I fund my own movie?

1. Get Funding for a Film Through Grants and Fellowships.
2. Take Advantage of Tax Incentives for Filmmaking.
3. Secure Private Investment to Fund Your Film.
4. Make a Pitch for Product Placement in Your Film.
5. Get Crowdfunding Donations for Your Film.
6. Finance Your Film Out of Pocket.

How much does Netflix buy a movie for?

Netflix buys shows at a rate of the cost of production plus about 30 percent of production costs, but it retains most of its future licensing rights. This is different from how networks typically license shows, which often only covers 60 to 70 percent of production.

How does a screenwriter get paid?

The screenwriter salary starts with the story Really, there’s no fixed, clear answer to screenwriter salary. Most screenwriters don’t take home a bi-weekly paycheck for the same amount of money every pay period. Instead, they work on the freelance, ad-hoc model found in many creative industries.

How long is a script for a 2 hour movie?

The general rule of thumb is that a screenplay written in the proper format is equivalent to one page per minute of screen time. Therefore, a screenplay for a two-hour movie will be 120 pages (2 hrs = 120 mins = 120 pages).

How do I sell a movie idea to Netflix?

Pitching an idea to Netflix If you have an idea, game, script, screenplay, or production already in development that you’d like to pitch to Netflix, you must work through a licensed agent, producer, attorney, manager, or industry executive, as appropriate, who already has a relationship with Netflix.

How do I pitch my idea to Netflix?

There are several steps you’ll need to complete before you pitch your idea.

1. Identify a Fresh, Unique Concept.
2. Get to Know Your Story’s Characters and the Setting.
3. Write the Script for the Pilot Episode.
4. Ideally, Write Several of the TV Show’s Episodes.
5. Make Sure You Can Summarize Your TV Series Idea in One Sentence.

What percentage do film investors get?

The Investor’s Share is typically defined as 50% of the total Net Proceeds. The other 50% of the Net Proceeds goes to the producer (the “Producer’s Share”). Any talent and other non-investor third parties who have been promised a back-end share in the movie are paid their percentage out of the “Producer’s Share.”