Character Does Make a Difference for Independent Filmmakers
February 7, 2025
Something I learned as an independent filmmaker is that Character Does Matter. And that’s because creating independent films is not an easy thing to do – in fact, it’s quite challenging. It requires more than just technical skills and a good script; it also demands a unique set of character qualities. What I’ve learned is that if you're going to go out and make your own indie film, here’s a list of 8 essential traits you’ll need to succeed:
1. Passion At the heart of every great indie filmmaker is an unyielding passion for storytelling – you’ve got something to say! A story or a message is burning inside of you, and you must tell it. This passion fuels long hours on set, endless revisions, and the perseverance to see your project through to the end. When the going gets tough, your love for your story will be your most significant motivator. If you do it just for the FUN, you might not make it to the finish line. There has to be more. Filmmaking requires much more than just fun – it requires passion.
2. Perseverance The road to completing an independent film is riddled with obstacles – from budget constraints to logistical challenges. Perseverance is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep pushing forward. It's about maintaining a positive attitude and not giving up, no matter how many times you hear "no." As an independent filmmaker, you will fall along the way, you will make mistakes, you will fail – quite often – but, that’s okay! With every failure, you’re learning, and you’re getting one step closer to making your film – as long as you have perseverance, and you continue on finding YOUR way to finish your film.
3. Creativity Independent filmmaking often requires thinking outside the box. With limited resources, you'll need to find innovative solutions to problems. Whether it's coming up with creative ways to shoot a scene or finding unique methods to market your film, creativity is key. Use what’s at hand. List what’s available to you. Make an inventory. Everything around you is a possible asset, a prop, a resource to make your film.
4. Adaptability Things rarely go as planned on a film set. Being adaptable means staying flexible and quickly adjusting to changing circumstances. It’s about embracing the unexpected and turning potential issues into opportunities. Learn and adapt. Experiment and adapt. Fail and adapt. Fall, get up and adapt. It’s all part of the filmmaking journey, so don’t try to skip it. It gives the journey a lot of flavor. Lots of flavor! I will share more character observations on my next entry. See you then!
HOW WE MADE OUR NO-BUDGET MULTI-AWARD-WINNING INDIE FILM!
Monday, Jan. 27, 2025
As an independent filmmaker with no money from outside investors, I’ve discovered that making a film is a huge challenge, an uphill struggle against countless obstacles and unforeseen factors that rise up unexpectedly. Yet, it’s also an incredible journey of learning and self-expression. If you're passionate about filmmaking, whether you’re taking a film class, directing your first short, or joining film groups, here’s some general advice from my experiences. I’ll use my hard-earned experience from the independent movies that I have produced, such as our international multi-award-winning film “Not One More!” on domestic violence. Hopefully you’ll learn something from my hits and misses – honestly, more misses than hits.
First, filmmaking is a fantastic way to dive into new subjects. When you decide to create a film, you'll often find yourself researching extensively about the topic you're portraying. This could be anything from historical events to scientific concepts or cultural practices. The process of making a film forces you to learn and understand these subjects deeply, enriching your knowledge and broadening your horizons. Yes. There will be lots of researching, reading, investigating, asking questions, interviewing – unless you want to be one of those that just makes up stuff, using preconceived ideas of topics – yes – I know people like that. Some of them are dear friends of mine who believe on just writing away story ideas without a minute’s worth of research. And their writing shows it. Good writing requires research. There’s no way around it. Trust me. If you want a good story, you’ll have to do some research.
Second, films are powerful tools to express concerns about social or existential issues. As an independent filmmaker, you have the freedom to choose topics that matter to you and bring them to the forefront. Films about domestic violence, mental health, or environmental concerns can raise awareness and spark conversations. Don’t underestimate the impact your voice can have. By addressing these issues through your films, you can inspire change and make a difference. But, to do this you must have a passion for what your film is about. You must be touched by the subject. You must be truly bothered by the subject, moved to tears or rage, touched deep within your heart, be filled with an obsession on the subject - you have to have passion. Maybe you’re bothered by some social issues that have touched you or your loved ones; maybe you’re still hurt by that girl that could’ve been your true love; maybe you’re obsessed with the idea of how space travel works, or some other technological magic; maybe you embrace your fears and you want to share that – whatever it is that moves you, that’s your passion – that’s your motivation to make your film, or book, or song, or painting, or whatever it is you want to create – but you have to have passion. Without passion you have nothing.
Lastly, filmmaking enhances your communicative skills. Whether you're working with a small crew, attending a film class, or participating in filmmaking courses online, effective communication is key. You'll need to convey your vision clearly to your team, give constructive feedback, and collaborate with others. This not only improves your ability to articulate thoughts and ideas but also fosters teamwork and cooperation. Yes. Making a film is teamwork. You will need to work with others. Terrifying, isn’t! But that’s the truth. You will have to learn to work with different type of people, with different personalities, with different hangups, with different sensitivities and eccentricities. Yes! Filmmaking work is like that. As a filmmaker, you will have to be writer, director, leader, counsellor, father-type, hero, villain, negotiator, accountant, businessman, etc. etc. All to get that film made.
So, my advice is to embrace the journey of filmmaking wholeheartedly. Enroll in that filmmaking course online, join film groups, and start creating. The process will challenge you, teach you, and ultimately make you a better storyteller. Remember, every film you make is a step towards mastering your craft and making your voice heard.
So, here we go. I’m going to share with you how we made our no-budget international multi-award-winning film "Not One More!"