As an indie film producer I’m often asked what my favorite resources are for filmmakers. With the help of my fellow Ms. In The Biz panelists at the HollyShorts Film Festival this past August (Alexandra Boylan, Etta Devine, America Young, and Leah Cevoli), we came up with our current favorites to share with you all! For the best tips and tricks, read on and click away…
Podcasts:
- Filmmaking Stuff w/ Jason Brubaker http://www.filmmakingstuff.com
- Chicks Who Script http://www.chickswhoscript.com
- The Treatment http://www.npr.org/podcasts/381444886/kcrw-s-the-treatment
- The Business http://www.kcrw.com/news-culture/shows/the-business
Blogs/Sites:
- MovieMaker Magazine – Note: look for all articles by Paul Osborne (they are stellar) also my piece on networking is HERE.
- No Film School http://nofilmschool.com
- IndieWire http://www.indiewire.com
- Women & Hollywood http://womenandhollywood.com
- Filmmaking Stuff w/ Jason Brubaker http://www.filmmakingstuff.com
- Ms. In The Biz http://msinthebiz.com
- Seed & Spark – they are a filmmaker’s crowdfunding platform and their blog is awesome https://www.seedandspark.com/blog
Workshops:
- No Budget Film School – Mark Stoloroff http://nobudgetfilmschool.com
- Film Independent – any classes/workshops they offer http://www.filmindependent.org/
Organizations/Communities:
- Film Independent http://www.filmindependent.org/
- Geena Davis Institute http://seejane.org
- Women in Film https://womeninfilm.org
- The Hatchery Press – writer’s co-work spot. Also have a lot of workshops there http://thehatcherypress.com
- Film Fatales – women who have directed a feature film http://www.filmfatales.org
Online Groups/Communities
- Ms. In The Biz http://msinthebiz.com
- Make No Budget Films (from Mark Stolaroff) https://www.facebook.com/groups/MakeNoBudgetFilms/
- FemaleFilmmakers.org https://www.facebook.com/groups/FemaleFilmmakers.org/
Books:
- Save the Cat! – Blake Snyder http://www.savethecat.com/
- Think Outside the Box Office – Jon Reiss http://www.thinkoutsidetheboxoffice.com/
- The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers – Thomas A Crowell, ESQ https://www.amazon.com/Pocket-Lawyer-Filmmakers-Independent-Producers/dp/0240813189
- The Complete Film Production Handbook – Eve Light Honthaner https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Production-Handbook-American-Presents/dp/024081150X
- Thriving in Hollywood! Tenacious Tales and Tactics from Ms. In The Biz https://www.amazon.com/Thriving-Hollywood-Tenacious-Tales-Tactics/dp/0990882209
There are many MANY more incredible resources, but this is a great place to start! Now go and MAKE MOVIES!
*originally published on LinkedIn
About Helenna Santos
Helenna Santos is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Ms. In The Biz. She is also an actor and producer with Mighty Pharaoh Films and can often be found on panels at conventions such as San Diego Comic-Con, and has been interviewed by major press outlets including CNN. Her work as a contributing writer has been featured in MovieMaker Magazine, Backstage Magazine, IndieWire and BUST Magazine. She has produced numerous award winning short films, digital series, and feature films. As an actor, she can be seen in CW's "The Flash," as well as ABC's "A Million Little Things" and "The Good Doctor", and the highly anticipated Netflix limited series "The Baby-Sitters Club". Her latest feature film as producer and actress "The Shasta Triangle" is now available via VOD.