Indie film

Well the big studios continue to try and keep the little guys down. They have taken over the big festivals in that of SunDance, CANNES and TIFF. All three of these festivals have dollar signs in their eyes instead of knowing why festivals were in fact created. Namely for us independent filmmakers to get screened and to get our names out there to the mass media and public eye. But now a days the big studios have been putting together so called indie films under their smaller production and in the mean time using up washed up talent that brings forth the same things over and over again until we want to rip our hair out. I mean really. Enough with the 3D. The smarter people know that 3D is a scam for the studios to make more money. Take GI JOE Retaliation  which was to hit theatres June 29th of this year. But wait a minute. No they are doing post 3D conversion on it and in short wanting you to fork out more money for a guaranteed horrible movie.  The first instalment of GI JOE was a flop and one of the worst movies ever made. Then you have Titanic a drama that did 3D???? WHAT are you F'N kidding me. Titanic? Plus this filled the already greedy pockets of James Cameron with more money on a tragedy. Do you think Cameron gave any proceeds to charities. Hell No he took the money and ran. Then you have another drama The Great Gatsby. Another film that is being put in 3D. Why the Hell would anybody pay to see dramas in 3D????  But that aside true indie filmmakers cant afford big budget stuff and big name actors.  So when you see these films with name talent in them and in their trailers it says selected choice for CANNES, TIFF and SunDance, don't think of it as independent because its not. True indie filmmakers have to usually do guerilla style filmmaking(Means on the fly and cant afford permits so we pick a location, shoot and get the Hell out of there).  The best way is if you know somebody that has a business, equipment or even a place(House, Apartment, TownHouse etc). That way they'll let you use it and you won't run into any problems with permits. Some filmmakers will tell you that you need insurance. But again this cost money. Big money. So usually these two options are your best ways to do it. I myself don't get the meaning of permits as I pay taxes into the city, I can see if your stopping traffic and causing a 50 car pile up. But areas where nobody goes should be fine. You pay taxes. You pay for those roads so why should you be told you need a permit which cost $500 per location and they keep an eye on you.  Plus if your one of these indie filmmakers out there that think you cant make a film look like a big budget Hollywood film. Well think again. You just have to have the imagination(Which more REAL indie filmmakers do then the big boys). A good crew and cast(Preferably non union and non paid because REAL indie filmmakers don't have the money to fork out. Your not getting paid and your putting up the risk. So why should others get paid? Pay should only be presented if the film is successful). Plus all the software, gear and other fun stuff is available to us now. Working off 16mm to 35mm will cost you thousands. Digital is the only way to go now. A lot of great cameras for good prices. A lot of great editing software for dirt cheap now. You have the tools so work with it.  I'm a firm backer of true indie film. Not these ones that are disguised as independent film but are not. 

I think everybody should listen to my friend Lloyd Kaufman whose been doing this stuff for 40 years now. He doesn't run a big production. He knows whats he's doing though.  And has inspired such filmmakers as Tarantino, Jackson, Del Toro and more. Here is a link to him on an episode of filmnut....

http://youtu.be/784CjDLznd4