New Model Army (FilmMaker Magazine)

In this series of short profiles, Filmmaker asked a number of leading independent producers about their producing models and how they’re finding everything from financing to material to office space.

This article has short profiles on a great selection of indie filmmakers, including:

Jay Van Hoy & Lars Knudson - For Parts & Labor
Ron Yerxa & Albert Berger - Dona Fide Productions
Diane Weyermann - Participant Media
Lynette Howell - Silverwood Films
Jack Heller & Dallas Sonnier - Caliber Media
Jonathan Schwartz - Super Crispy Entertainment
Jane Wagner & Tina Di Feliciantonio - Naked Eye Productions
Gary Hustwit (director)
Jake Abraham - InDigEnt & Dandelion

Definitely worth checking out!

Read the full article here.

Veteran Producers Rethink the Indie Model (FilmMaker Magazine)

That doesn’t mean smart mid-budgeted films aren’t getting made. But they’re more dependent on independent support. [Kevin] Misher says he’s actually been able to make more movies with the help of non-studio financing.

So if indie equity players are stepping in, what’s the problem? For one, with domestic buyers scarce and international ones more discerning, budgets are dropping and top talent is essential. “There are ways to make specialized fare,” says Endgame’s James Stern, “but you have to do it for the right price and the right cast. What’s tricky is that you have people chasing a small pool of talent.”

Anonymous Content’s Paul Green agrees. “If you come to the market with a strong script, one or two movie stars and an internationally respected director, even with the absence of Paramount Vantage,” he says, “I think you’d still find a home. But it’s definitely threading the needle.”

Oh, that's all you need?! Easy as pie! Glad we got that cleared up.

Read the full article here.

25 New Faces - Annual Survey of New Indie Talent (FilmMaker Magazine)

Breakthroughs appearing on the list over the past 12 years include: Lena Dunham (Tiny Furniture), Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine), Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow), Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden (Half Nelson), Barry Jenkins (Medicine for Melancholy), Miranda July (Me and You and Everyone We Know), Joshua Safdie (The Pleasure of Being Robbed) and Peter Sollett (Raising Victor Vargas). Notable actors include several high profilers in the early days of their careers such as Ryan Gosling (The Believer), Ellen Page (Hard Candy), Peter Sarsgaard (Another Day in Paradise) and Hilary Swank (Boys Don’t Cry).

Always on the lookout for new talent.
Read the full article here.

Youthquake: Where Is the Under 30s Audience For Indie Film? (FilmMaker Magazine)

What is the consequence of this disconnect between millennials - those aged 18 to 29 - and today's American indie cinema? As New York Times critic Manohla Dargis wrote in a piece that picked up on Hope's blog, "Any future alternative film culture will depend on the cultivation of younger patrons," she wrote. Not only that, but this is a demographic, she added, "who are used to receiving much if not all of their entertainment at home and on handheld devices."

This article points out that people tend to get more interested in art house films as they get older, but I do believe the lack of indies interesting to young adults is an issue that will probably only get grow if we aren't cognizant of it. Just something to think about.
Read the full article here.

13 Takeaways from the IFP Narrative Lab (FilmMaker Magazine)

In case you're not familiar, IFP’s Independent Filmmaker Labs is a year-long fellowship that supports first-time feature directors through the rough cut/post production stage. Part of that year is a week of workshops and mentoring for 20 lucky projects (10 docs and 10 narratives).

This year's Narrative Lab just wrapped up and Scott Macaulay, one of the lab leaders, put together this great post. The 13 takeaways are listed here, but are expanded upon in the actual article (link below).

1. Understand Your Goals
2. Or... Make Sure Your Film Knows What It Is
3. Make the Best Film You Can
4. Make Your Title Compelling to an Audience
5. Bring on Board a Producer of Marketing and Distribution
6. Know How Your Audience Receives Information
7. Delivery is a Nightmare — Start Early
8. Make Sure You Have the Time and Funds to Deliver Your Film
9. Know Thy Distribution Deal
10. Scrutinize a Distributor’s Marketing and Release Strategy
11. If You Have Your Own Strategy, Make Sure a Distributor Understands It
12. Play the Long Game
13. Don’t Become Bitter

Read the full article here. And if you want more info on the Lab program, click here.