1st Edition
The Self-Sustaining Filmmaker Creating Crowdsourced, Crowdfunded & Community-Supported Independent Film
This book provides guidance on how to build an independent, financially sustainable filmmaking career through channels such as crowdsourcing, crowdfunding, and community filmmaking concepts.
Through real-life experiences, Marty Lang provides insight on how to use these key concepts through every stage of a film’s lifecycle – from distribution (the stage that should be figured out first), through development, screenwriting, prep, production and post, all the way through marketing and the film’s release. By thinking of filmmaking as a start-up company, and looking at how businesses make money, Lang creates a completely independent financial model for films, turning filmmakers into businesspeople, conscious of the needs of their audiences, and empowered to use their creative work to make their living. Using interviews with leaders in the field, case studies, and practical experience gained from 20 years of community filmmaking, this book unveils an exciting, new way to make films that prioritizes a collaborative, entrepreneurial mindset at every stage.
This is an essential guide for aspiring and seasoned filmmakers alike looking to understand and apply crowdsourcing as an effective tool in their career.
Foreword by Mark Duplass, Emmy-winning actor/writer/director/producer and president of Duplass Brothers Productions
Acknowledgements
Ch. 1: A NEW PARADIGM
Ch. 2: FROM FILMMAKER TO ENTREPRENEUR
Creating An Entrepreneurial Mindset, Not a Business One
Answering the Business Questions
Translating the Mindset into Filmmaking
Your Film is a Startup … And It Isn’t
Business in the Real World
Interview: Founder/CEO of Seed&Spark Emily Best
Ch 3: DEVELOPMENT
What is Crowdsourcing?
Crowdsourcing Your Story
Who is Your Audience?
Publicity and Teambuilding Begins Now
The Importance of Scheduling
Development for DEADBRAINS
Interview: Screenwriter/Filmmaker Brandi Nicole
Ch. 4: SCREENWRITING
Shelving, Carding and The Well
Crowdsourcing Your Writing
Writing like a Production Manager
Screenwriting for DEADBRAINS
Interview: Writer/Director Craig Brewer
Ch. 5: THE CONTEXT OF CROWDFUNDING
Crowdfunding is Networking
The Two Stories of Every Film
Crowdfunding Holistically
Conflicting Emotions
Ch. 6: CROWDFUNDAMENTALS
Prepping Your Campaign
Leadup to Launch
Pushing the Button
What Happens Afterwards?
Crowdfunding DEADBRAINS
Interview: Crowdfunding Consultant Bri Castellini
Ch. 7: PRE-PRODUCTION
The Power of the Open Call
Thinking in Symbiotic Relationships
What You Can Offer Other than Money
Getting The Community Involved
Getting Your Government Involved
Know Your Tax Credits!
Planning Far Ahead
Pre-Production for DEADBRAINS
Interview: Actors/writers/directors of DROUGHT Hannah Black and Megan Peterson
Ch. 8: PRODUCTION AND POST-PRODUCTION
The BLRTS Process
The Story of Your Shoot
Transparency in Post
The Incredible Opportunities of Focus Groups
Creating Film-Adjacent Content
Production and Post for DEADBRAINS
Interview: Director/Cinematographer Noam Kroll
Ch. 9: MARKETING
Re-Engaging the Engaged
Expanding Your Digital Footprint
Always Be Tracking
Creating Relevant Content
Marketing for DEADBRAINS
Interview: FilmSnobbery CEO Nic LaRue
Ch. 10: DISTRIBUTION
The Dried Up Waterfall
Golden Elevators and Free-Range Films
Tay Leads The Way
Digital Distribution
Hire Your Crowd!
Distribution for DEADBRAINS
Interview: Director and Slamdance co-founder Dan Mirvish
Ch. 11: YOU’RE DONE. NOW WHAT?
The Loop of Kindness
Building Your Ecosystem
Bridging the Indie Gap
You Can Build Anywhere
Biography
Marty Lang is Director of the MFA in Film, Television and Digital Media at the University of Georgia. He has written and directed two feature films, and his producing credits include Chompy & The Girls, featuring Udo Kier, Being Michael Madsen, starring Michael Madsen and Virginia Madsen, and the 2020 Sundance world premiere Web series The Ride. He holds MFA degrees in Film Production from Florida State University and Screenwriting from California State University, Northridge.
“This truly is film school, a masterclass in finance and a PhD in business all in one fantastic book!!! In clear and simple terms Marty explains how we, as indie film producers, can take charge, distribute our own films and make a profit. It will take an entrepreneurial mindset he says, and he makes it all sound so easy…. Get our audience involved at the script stage, build our data base along the way… get smart about crowdsourcing and crowdfunding at every stage… get our community involved and our local government onboard. Make filmmaking a win/win for everyone. Marty is a genius and this book is a goldmine…. an indispensable tool and blueprint for success!”
Suzanne Lyons, producer/author
