This is a continuation of WinGateFilms’ review of the “Making Your First Feature” programs at the 2009 IFP Independent Filmmaker Conference. “The Times: They Are A Changin’” panel consisted of Kenneth Woo (founder of Massify), Ted Hope (Truly Free Film, co-founder of Good Machine), Christine Vachon (founder of Killer Films), and Lance Weiler (founder of The Workbook Project), moderated by Brandon Harris (Filmmaker magazine). The theme of this panel was the changing nature of independent feature film development.
Traditionally, working strategies to secure funding indie films included foreign sales based financing based on the attachment of name actors, government funding for arts, and equity financing by friends and family of the filmmaker. Formerly, European broadcast tv sales financing was a viable option. European government financial incentives are increasingly available to feature filmmakers, though often with requirements maximizing use of that country’s nationals in above and below the line cast and crew positions.
Weiler started The Workbook Project three years ago, inspired by the open software model, to promote the democritization of the tools of filmmaking and the building of community. He has sought to pursue solutions to the problems of fractured audiences and distribution outlets, to discover how to share audiences and how to bring creators together, while espousing transparency with regard to process.
Similarly, Woo set up Massify to serve as an online production network to help meet the greater demand for storytelling by providing a space for diverse professionals to meet and collaborate on project development. Vachon at Killer Films has teamed up with Massify for online filmmaking contests.
Prolific producer, Ted Hope discussed the emerging model of “crowd funding” for indie film projects. He recommended starting by building a base of about 5,000 followers as a prerequisite, and opined that although there are not yet many success stories, this fundraising strategy is on the rise as a way to raise 6 figure budget funds for the right projects.
According to Hope, this is an exciting time for short filmmaking, not so much for the possibility of monetizing short form content, but because the production of 4 to 5 quality shorts can help a filmmaker bridge one’s audience to one’s feature projects. Neill Blomkamp had previously only shot commercials and a couple short films before he teamed up with Peter Jackson to expand his 6-minute short film, “Alive In Joburg” into a $30 million feature, “District 9.”
The panel agreed that the current market for actors makes it easier to attract name talent as many actors are not working or commanding the same high quotes.
Michael
WinGateFilms
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