IFH 553: How to Build a Production Company with Michael D. Ratner

The Art of the $6000 Feature Film with Joshua CaldwellI had the pleasure of meeting Joshua Caldwell, a brother in "indie filmmaking" arms. He directed a $6000 feature film called LAYOVER, which World Premiered at the 2014 Seattle International Film Festival where it was nominated for the New American Cinema Award.The story of how he made the film was education, rebellious and funny. Many things he said mirrored my experience making This is Meg. Josh really has a great philosophy about making films and content. Check out the trailer below to see what a $6000 feature film in today's world looks like.If you are going to make a feature film in the near future you need to listen to this podcast. It will change how you think about making indie films. Below, I also included a talk the Josh Caldwell did at the Seattle International Film Festival that is AWESOME! After you listen to the podcast watch the video below.Right click here to download the MP3Download on iTunes DirectJoshua Caldwell - The $6000 LAYOVER: Rethinking Indie FilmDirector Joshua Caldwell discusses making his debut feature film, LAYOVER, for only $6000 and how filmmakers need to rethink their role in the ever shifting paradigm of independent filmmaking.Here's a bit more about Joshua Caldwell:Joshua Caldwell is an accomplished director, writer, producer, and MTV Movie Award winner. He has worked with a number of high-profile producers, including CSI: creator Anthony E. Zuiker, for whom he produced CYBERGEDDON, the online global motion picture event for Yahoo!, and directed all of the film’s ancillary content for its immersive website.His award-winning short film DIG, starring Mark Margolis of BREAKING BAD, was featured in numerous film festivals, and his latest short RESIGNATION screened at Comic-Con.Slamdance Workshop Discussed on the ShowJoin Blackmagic Design, Slamdance Grand Jury Award winner Andrew McPhillips, and filmmaker and host of Indie Film Hustle Alex Ferrari on Saturday, January 21 from 2:30pm to 4:30pm at the Filmmaker Lounge in the Treasure Mountain Inn for an in-depth workshop on the tools and techniques essential to the independent filmmaker.Andrew McPhillips will discuss lessons learned from shooting his upcoming film “The Doll,” including how to seamlessly switch from production to post. Andrew used an URSA Mini 4.6K to shoot the film, DaVinci Resolve for editing and grading, and Fusion for the VFX. Along with serving as CG Supervisor at SPINVFX, Andrew’s work includes his animated short film “Blood Will Tell” which previously premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and took home top awards at Slamdance.Alex Ferrari will discuss how filmmakers can make the most of DaVinci Resolve as a professional editing solution. Alex recently shot, edited and graded his new film “This Is Meg” using Blackmagic Design. He will dive into the ins-and-outs of what filmmakers need to know when editing with Resolve and how it can best fit into their workflows.A brief Q&A will follow the presentations along with raffles for prizes, including a Micro Cinema Camera, DaVinci Resolve Studio and Fusion Studio!Join Blackmagic Design afterward from 5:00pm to 7:00pm for a happy hour in the Filmmaker Lounge during which attendees can ask questions, demo gear and learn more about Blackmagic Design products for independent filmmakers.LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEOfficial WebsiteJoshua Caldwell - Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

9 Des 20161h 40min

What the HECK is a Scriptment?So what is a Scriptment? I found it to be a liberating form of prepping a story to be filmed? When I was in pre-production on my first feature film This is Meg, I wanted to get into production as fast as I could without waiting to develop a full screenplay.I've written a few screenplays in the past and as any screenwriter will tell you, it ain't easy. So I found inspiration from filmmakers like Mark Duplass, Joe Swanberg, Lynn Shelton, and the Godfather of independent film John Cassavetes. According to Justin Ladar (writer of Mark Duplass' The One I Love), he defines a scriptment as follows:“Basically a full script minus a lot of the dialogue…If you take away exterior or interior sluglines, it reads like a short story.”He explains what it was like working with Mark on The One I Love:“What would happen is that I would script [the dialogue in] a scene the night before or while the crew was prepping. [The cast] would get the pages and they would see just from a pacing standpoint [what needs to happen and when].” When I was working with Jill-Michele Meleán on This is Meg we came up with a style that would work for the budget and time we had. It was the most freeing experience of my creative life.No pressure, no hitting your marks, and no drama (except in the story of course). As the director, I was there to capture the lighting. The remarkable actors that were cast in Meg brought themselves to the project.Jill and I would discuss the scenes with each actor prior to the shoot day. We would have plot points in each scene that need to be hit for the story to move forward, how the actors got to those points was up to them. They would improv the dialog and flow in the moment. It was amazing to watch.That energy spills off the screen when you watch This is Meg. The term "scriptment" was coined by the legendary filmmaker James Cameron, during his involvement in bringing Spider-Man to the big screen. Cameron wrote a lengthy 57-page scriptment for the first proposed Spider-Man film (read the Spider-Man scriptment here).According to Wikipedia,"Cameron's scriptment for Titanic (1997) was 131 pages. The term became more widely known when Cameron's 1994 scriptment for the 2009 film Avatar was leaked on the internet during pre-production, although other directors, such as John Hughes and Zak Penn, had written scriptments before. The scriptment for Avatar (2009) and its notoriety caused the spread of the term."Though James Cameron used a scBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

6 Des 201629min

E&O Insurance, Music Rights, and Copyright Oh My!So after last week's huge success of the "Ask Alex" segment, I decided to bring it back this week. The IFH Tribe filled my inbox with tons of amazing questions, which I'll try to cover in future episodes.If  you have a question that you would like for me to answer on a future episode of the podcast just email them to ifhsubmissions@gmail.com and I'll do my best to answer them. This week we have a bunch of question from tribe member Jake from Australia.Here are the questions I answered in this week's podcast:What happens if I'm shooting guerrilla style and accidentally catch a sign in the background or someone is wearing a brand logo in a shot? What is E&O Insurance (Errors and Ommissions) exactly? How does E&O Insurance work? Where are the best deals for E&O Insurance? What do you do if you want to use Licensed Music? What things might arise if using a track (or tracks)? What can copyrighting your film cost you? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

2 Des 201622min

This week we have Zak Knutson on the show. Zak is a producer/writer/director/editor based out of Los Angeles. In 2005 he co-founded Chop Shop Entertainment, a filmed entertainment company that supplies added value materials to all of the major studios, and a large number of independents. Chop Shop Entertainment has supplied more movie based content for the internet than any other company in the industry.The last Chop Shop project was Milius, a documentary on Hollywood rebel John Milius. The film opened at the SXSW Film Festival in 2013. The film also played at the Telluride Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival. In 2014 Knutson directed Marvel 75: From Pulp to Pop for Marvel and ABC Television.Zak Knutson directed "Shock the World" a documentary about Jesse Ventura's path from professional wrestler to governor of Minnesota. Shock the World premiered April 2015 at the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival.His latest film Supercon starring Maggie Grace, Clancy Brown, Ryan Kwanten, Mike Epps and John Malkovich. Here's the logline:A rag-tag group of former TV stars and comic book artists, who make their living working at conventions, decide to steal the loot from a crooked promoter and an overbearing former TV icon.Enjoy my entertaining and funny interview with Zak Knutson.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

29 Nov 20161h 55min

So this episode is going to be fun. I'm starting a new segment I call "Ask Alex." Yes, I know it's very creative = ) I asked the IFH Tribe to submit questions to ifhsubmissions@gmail.com and I'll do my best to answer them. This week we have a bunch of question from tribe member Kenny from Sweden. Here are the question I answer in the podcast.Which is the best type of camera to buy for your first feature that is cheap? (DSLR or anyone else. Also including lenses or where you can use one lens?)Which is the most important person to hire, a DP or a sound guy for a film? I´ve heard both. Some say good footage and others good sound.If you don´t have English as your first language should you make your films in your own language  since it is your mother tongue or in English(If you know how to speak of course) to reach a bigger market since more people understands and speak English? Which format is best to use for the finished film? (I know you had a podcast about this but I want to hear your personal opinion)Which part of post cost most money on of following things, sound, colorist or foley. I think it is in that order. Is that correct?  How much of the budget should you save for post-production in your opinion?Should you do this and if so the best ways to send an edited film over the internet for sound editing and colorization and maybe name a few companies that do this for small independent films. Would you be interested in doing that? What do you say about moving to LA to be a filmmaker if you come from another country? (You had a podcast about that but I am thinking based on an international perspective from a foreigner)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

24 Nov 201623min

On this week's episode, I go way to a simpler time, the 90s, and discuss the lessons we can learn from some filmmaking legends. I'll discuss films by Robert Rodriguez, Christopher Nolan, and Richard Linklater to break down and learn the techniques they used to make awesome, No-Budget Feature films with limited resources."In no-budget filmmaking, your limitations are your guide."If you take note of what filmmakers did before you, you can jump start your filmmaking career. Enjoy!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

22 Nov 201624min

How to Shoot Video That Doesn’t Suck with Steve StockmanIn this week’s episode, we have Steve Stockman. Steve is an author/writer/director/producer at Custom Productions, Inc. in Los Angeles.  He’s created and Executive Produced tv series Brew Dogs for the new Esquire Network, Dogs of War for A&E, Devils Ride for Discovery Channel and $24 in 24 for Food Network;  plus worked on over 200 commercials, music videos, and web series.He also wrote and directed a film called Two Weeks starring legendary Oscar® Winning Actress Sally Field.His book, How to Shoot Video that Doesn’t Suck, is now in its 6th printing from Workman Publishing.  It’s based on a course he’s been teaching to kids for the last 14 years, but adults understand it as well.“Like two years of film school in 248 pages.” – Steven Pressfield, Author of The War of Art and The Legend of Bagger VanceIt’s not technical—it doesn’t matter whether you’re shooting RED or iPhone. It’s about how to shoot video that’s entertaining, effective—and that actually gets watched. Enjoy my conservation with Steve Stockman.Right click here to download the MP3LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEBUY HIS BOOK HERE – How to Shoot Video that Doesn’t Suckwww.stevestockman.comCustom Productions, IncTwo WeeksDevils RideBrew DogsThis is Meg – Feature FilmBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

16 Nov 201654min

The Six Stages of Character Development with Michael HaugeThis week we have a returning guest, screenwriting guru Michael Hauge. On this episode, he discussed The Six Stages Character Development. A very eye opening episode. Check it out. Right click here to download the MP3These videos on screenplay structure are from his best selling online course: Story and Screenwriting Blueprint - The Hero's Two Journeys.In more than 4½ hours of lecture, discussion and Q&A, Michael Hauge, author of Writing Screenplays That Sell and Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds: The Guaranteed Way to Get Your Screenplay or Novel Read; and Christopher Vogler, story analyst and author of The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure For Writers, unite to reveal the essential principles of plot structure, character arc, myth and transformation.Click below to download more videos.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

10 Nov 201623min