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

5 Rules to Make Money Selling Indie FilmsI feel that one of the reasons I was put on this earth was to help filmmakers and artist make money selling their films and art. There's no reason why filmmakers shouldn't be able to make a steady income from their films. You can here my inspiration rant on this topic here: Why Filmmakers are Always So Damn Broke & What They Can Do to Change It. So I came up with these 5 rules on how to make money selling indie films. I outline what I discuss in the podcast below. If you are going to listen to an episode of the IFH Podcast then this one and #88 (Why Filmmakers are Always So Damn Broke) are two episode you should listen too. Check out the outline below and then listen to the episode. I also go into other areas and core concepts that are not in the list below.1. Understand the initial cost of creating the factory that will build your productBuying gearBuilding a teamPost Production infrastructureDeliverables2. Understand the cost of creating your product vs the return Keep the budget low enough where you feel you can make a healthy return on investmentJoe Swanberg (watch his SXSW talk here)3. Understand your customer and how to engage with them Provide Value to your customerSocial MediaEmail ListWhere does your customer hang out, go there and engage with them4. Understand how you will be getting your product to the customerDistribution OptionsCost of distribution5. Understand revenue streamsDVD/Blu-RayTVODSVODWorkshopsMerchNow get to listening and make your film!Right click here to download the MP3Download on iTunes DirectSlamdance 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 EPISODEBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

16 Jan 201743min

No Budget Filmmaking with Mark StolaroffI've been trying to get today's guest on the show for months. Mark Stolaroff is a No Budget Filmmaking maestro. Here's a bit about our guest.Mark Stolaroff is an independent producer and a founding partner of Antic Pictures, an LA-based production company producing a slate of low-budget, high-quality digital features. He recently finished principal photography on DriverX, his 5th collaboration with award-winning writer/director Henry Barrial.DriverX stars Patrick Fabian (Better Call Saul), Desmin Borges (You're The Worst), Melissa Fumero (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) and many other talented actors.Stolaroff and Barrial's previous feature, The House That Jack Built, which premiered at the 2013 Los Angeles Film Festival, played theatrically in December 2015 and is now currently streaming on Netflix and other digital platforms.Mark produced Barrial's third feature, the micro-budget sci-fi film Pig, which was an official selection at over 35 film festivals worldwide, winning 10 awards, including 7 Best Feature award.Pig was distributed by Kino Lorber in 2014. With Ron Judkins, Stolaroff produced Barrial's second feature, True Love, which was developed in the Sundance Screenwriters Lab and was a hit on the festival circuit. Stolaroff also consulted on Meera Menon's Farah Goes Bang, which premiered at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival, winning the Nora Ephron Award.Other projects include:The Trouble With Men And WomenPaper ChasersSome BodyManic (starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Don Cheadle, and Zooey Deschanel)Keep The River On Your Right: A Modern Cannibal Tale...and others.He is currently producing the horror feature Devil's Whisper, directed by Adam Ripp, which will be shooting in June 2016. Stolaroff was formerly a principal of Next Wave Films, a company of The Independent Film Channel that provided finishing funds to exceptional, low budget films; and through its production arm Agenda 2000, financed and executive produced digital features.Included in Next Wave's 13 films are:Christopher Nolan's FollowingJoe Carnahan's  Blood, Guts, Bullets, & OctaneAmir Bar Lev's FighterSundance Grand Jury Prize winning documentary Southern Comfort.In all Next Wave took seven films to Sundance and five to Toronto; nine were released theatrically in the U.S. and two premiered on HBO; nine were shot digitally and six of those were transferred to film.Stolaroff has lectured on low/no budget and digital filmmaking throughout the world and at many of the major film festivals.He has taught film classes at UCLA Extension, the Maine Film Workshop, and The Learning Annex and has written for Scientific American, Filmmaker, Sight & Sound, Film Festival Reporter, and Film Arts Magazine.He has been on countless filmmaking panels over the last two decades, including serving as the Series Moderator for IFP/LA's Digital Filmmaking Series in 2001 and 2002.  He has sat on the juries of several film festivals and was on the Advisory Board of HBO's US Comedy Arts Film Festival. He currently serves on the advisory board of Filmmakers Alliance.Stolaroff founded No Budget Film School in 2005, and in addition to teaching his classes, has lectured at most of the major film schools.Mark has extensive production experience on several low-budget features and shorts, including production managing the Academy Award winning short film My Mother Dreams The Satan's Disciples in New York.His background also includes two years in Investment Banking at Merrill Lynch Capital Markets, and five years as the Managing Director of Curtains Theater, an innovative legitimate theater he founded in Houston.  A native Texan, Stolaroff received his BBA from the prestigious Business Honors Program at the University of Texas and minored in Film PrBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

6 Jan 20171h 20min

Should You Own Your Own Film Gear?Happy New Year IFH Tribe! We are now in 2017 and this will be ana amazing, creative and monumental year for us all. I wanted to start off the year with an "Ask Alex" episode. On this episode I answer the follow tribe member questions:Though I plan on hiring a DP for my movies, I'd like to invest in my very own camera equipment and lights. (Was thinking about investing in that BlackMagic Cinema you keep raving about.)However, I'm being advised NOT to buy my own camera and lights! I was told that unless I'm planning on being a DP myself, and unless I plan on keeping up with all the new models of cameras coming out (which can be expensive), that buying camera equipment makes no sense.What say you? Shouldn't an independent filmmaker seek to have his or her own filmmaking arsenal, just in case? Shouldn't directors at least try to go out, shoot, get a feel for the camera, etc., so that they are better directors, even if they'll never be DPs? What advice would you give someone working with non-acting actors who will be getting little to no pay?So If I go to submit my film to contests and festivals will I have problems with people in public in background shots? Would making the background more out of focus help? I have scenes in stores. Do I need to blur product labels?When is the perfect time in pre-production should you start casting?How important do you feel it is to shoot on film if your plan is to go to the big film festivals hoping to get a distribution deal?  Taking Dov Simens DVD class he stresses its important, but the content is in the age of miniDV, so technology has changed quiet a bit since those DVDs were produced.  Although I know the story is really more important than digital vs film, which do you feel the major film festivals are looking for today or does it matter any more?  I'm looking to shoot mostly film (~75%) and mix some shots and coverage that are shot digitally (~25%).Let's get to answering some questions.Right click here to download the MP3Download on iTunes DirectSlamdance 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 thBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

3 Jan 201723min

Inspiration in 2017 & What I've LearnedCan you believe we've arrived at out last episode of 2016?The Indie Film Hustle Podcast has had some amazing interviews this year, so before the new year arrives, I wanted to review some of the highlights of 2016.I wanted to thank the IFH Tribe for all the support, well wishes, emails, messages and overall good mojo. 2016 has been a remarkable year for Indie Film Hustle, the Indie Film Syndicate, and the IFH Podcast. I do what I do for you guys. Have a Happy and Productive 2017 everyone. If you need some inspiration for the coming year, I'd take a listen to this episode. Also, watch the video below...Right click here to download the MP3Download on iTunes DirectLINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEIFH 088: Why Filmmakers are Always So Damn Broke & What They Can Do to Change ItThis is Meg - Feature FilmINDIE FILM SYNDICATE Filmmaking Community (1st Month FREE) End Jan 8th, 2017SPONSORSVideoBlocks.com - (IFH Discount SAVE $50)Directing Actors Course – (30% OFF – CODE: HUSTLE)Get Your Film on Netflix, Hulu & Amazon & Keep 100% off the Revenue - DistribberHollywood Camera Work: Mastering High-End Blocking and Staging (30% OFF – CODE: HUSTLE)Werner Herzog Filmmaking Master ClassAaron Sorkin Screenwriting Master ClassKevin Spacey Acting Master ClassFreeFilmBook.com (Download Your FREE Filmmaking Audio Book)KILLER RESOURCES!!!INDIE FILM SYNDICATE Filmmaking CommunityIFH's Online Film SchoolSix Secrets to get into Film Festivals for FREE!Action Items:Subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes,  Stitcher, Soundcloud or via RSS.BONUS: TOP TEN Online Filmmaking CoursesWerner Herzog's Filmmaking MasterClassFilmmaking Hacks: Filmmaking Master Course $10 SALEDirecting Actors Film Workshop Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

30 Dec 201628min

What is Your Film Really Worth?So you are thinking of making an indie film or you've just finished making one...now what? When filmmakers go on the long journey of making a feature film they rarely ask the question that could make or break the success of the movie,"What is my film worth in the marketplace?"Before you begin the process of making your film ask the following questions?What is your film worth?Who is your market?Is it in a genre that can sell itself without stars?Do your actors have any market value overseas or domestically?Does the budget justify all of the above?What’s the tipping point as far as the budget is concerned for a drama or comedy with no stars?What is your distribution plan?Have you spoken to a distributor yet to see what they are looking for?In this episode, I discuss the questions that most filmmakers don't want to ask themselves but knowing the answer is imperative.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

20 Dec 201630min

What is Cinematic Virtual Reality with Jason DiamondIs Virtual Reality the next big step in visual storytelling? Steven Spielberg said:“I think we’re moving into a dangerous medium with virtual reality. The only reason I say it is dangerous is because it gives the viewer a lot of latitude not to take direction from the storytellers but make their own choices of where to look. I just hope it doesn’t forget the story when it starts enveloping us in a world that we can see all around us and make our own choices to look at"I wanted to understand more about Virtual Reality and what impact it could have (or is having) on the world of cinema. This week I have Virtual Reality expert Jason Diamond from SuperSphere VR on the show.  The Diamond Brothers, Josh and Jason Diamond, own SUPERSPHERE VR a virtual reality production company based in Los Angeles. They build VR rigs for a number of clients from Fortune 500 companies to major studios and independent films. They follow the projects through from planning to shooting to post and in the past 18 months they have delivered more than 30 full VR projects. Some of their most recent, notable projects have been for New York Fashion Week and the Minnesota Twins (See Below). Enjoy my interview with Jason Diamond.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

15 Dec 20161h 15min

What "Hamilton the Musical" Can Teach Indie FilmmakersIf you have been living underneath a rock you probably haven't heard of the Broadway smash hit Hamilton. For the rest of you, this remarkable musical by Lin-Manual Miranda has changed not only Broadway but storytelling as well.I know that is a bold statement but let me ask you, how many other new Broadway musicals have you heard about in the past 5-10 years? How many have crept into pop culture? How many have changed the game like Hamilton? Not many.So what can indie filmmakers learn from a musical on Broadway? Here are a few lessons I learned from Lin-Manual Miranda's masterpiece. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

12 Dec 201620min

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 Dec 20161h 40min