I ♥ Film Independent

There are lots of organizations you can belong to as a filmmaker, many of which require some sort of dues.   When my renewal notice came for Film Independent it got me thinking about why I belong.

Film Independent began as the LA branch of the nationwide IFP but in 2005 they changed their name to Film Independent.  It has been an incredibly valuable tool for me.  Here’s how I used it recently…

November: Interviewed an actor at their new offices.  Applied to the Director’s Lab.
Winter 2008: Got Filmmaker Magazine in the mail – yay!
January: Got turned down from the Director’s Lab.  Awesome.  (This would be an example of my sarcasm that frequently gets me in trouble in things like… emails, memos, blogs and various other written mediums.)
February: Killed some time reading through the filmmaker interviews on their website.
April: Held two casting sessions and a fitting.  Hired a PA from their resume files.  Rented a video camera.
Spring 2008: Got Filmmaker Magazine in the mail – yay!

On top of this, I get a monthly (quarterly? I can’t remember.) newsletter where I can read about what my other very busy USC friends are working on.  Go Trojans!

And then every year… the screeners!  Since Film Independent hosts the LA Film Festival and doles out the Spirit Awards members such as myself, who would love to be getting one of the awards, can watch all of the nominated films for free, either at screening events around town or online, and cast a ballot.

Also, friends have told me that the many events Film Independent hold are great and their classes are very good as well.  I’ve not had time to take advantage of any of those things but I think what I have got out of it has been worth the hundred bucks.

There are lots of other great free filmmaker websites and forums I belong to, but year after year Film Independent is the only one I pay for.  Because when it comes down to it, it’s the one that pays me back.

Here’s their website if you’d like to find out more www.filmindependent.org.
=