July 2009

Completing a film is a Herculean task—especially for independent filmmakers. So it’s tempting to feel that once the film is in the can and ready to be shown, the hard work is over. But getting a film ready to be seen is only half the battle; one of the biggest filmmaking challenges still lies ahead: marketing your movie. This month, The Independent takes a look at three filmmakers who took different approaches to marketing their films: Gadi Harel, co-director of Deadgirl (view the trailer here); Sterlin Harjo, director of Barking Water (view the trailer here); and Bill Daniel, director of Who is Bozo Texino?(view the trailer here).

Doc Doctor Fernanda Rossi explores whether or not putting yourself as a character or narrator in your documentary film will solve structure problems. Using her expertise as a story consultant for over 300 documentaries, scripts and fundraising trailers, Fernanda discusses whether your presence will make or break your film, by showing you when it works and when there may be a better solution.

Filmmaker, Shana Feste opens up to The Independent about the journey that led her to make her first film The Greatest, how she got an all-star cast, and how it took 10 steps backward for her to take a giant leap forward. The film, which stars Susan Sarandon and Pierce Brosnan, screened in the dramatic competition at this year’s Sundance Film Festival (view the premiere of the film here).

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or an up-and-coming independent filmmaker, it’s essential to research and understand the intricacies of obtaining insurance. Whether it is for a one-day shoot or an extensive project, there is an abundance of companies out there that will provide insurance packages. Unlike purchasing car insurance, buying film insurance isn’t limited to one type of coverage. Everything from the equipment to the film stock itself can have an insurance policy, which the filmmaker may or may not decide is necessary. Fortunately, after careful consideration, The Independent has narrowed it down to the main insurance policies that every filmmaker, regardless of budget, should look into.

Eugene Rosow and Bill Benenson sit down with The Independent's Emily Cataneo to discuss how they were able to transform an environmental science book into a funny, socially relevant and award-winning documentary film. Based on William Logan's book Dirt, the Ecstatic Skin of the Earth Rosow and Benenson sought to create something that would make a difference without sacrificing art and entertainment, and they did just that, going on to win the audience award for the best green documentary at Sundance this year. See the trailer for Dirt! The Movie here.