A great short has a solid story, interesting characters and seemingly high production values. Whether you have a fat budget or not, whether it’s a narrative, documentary, animation or experimental the required elements for success are the same.

One of the most incredible things about being an actor is getting to live life “as if.” As if you were younger, older, funnier, meaner, bolder or sexier. Whatever you could never be – or might never try – in your own life, you’ve got a free pass to explore between the commands “action” and [...]

A while back my friend Patrick Reis, who works in the film industry in New York, rang me up to ask me how to describe to someone what a Line Producer does. It got me thinking how unusual a job title this is. The role is very specific, although the tasks may not always be. It’s certainly a “movie industry” term. So, here’s how I responded to the question, “What’s a Line Producer?”

The independent film movement born out of admiration for rogue 70’s filmmakers fertilized by new cultural perspectives blossomed at Sundance in the 1990s, and has been cut, dyed and sold in the grocery store by mini-majors in the last five years. One global credit crisis later, the feeling of being overstocked and drying out in the trash bin in the back of a giant warehouse is palpable. It’s a 3-D Starbucks Time Warner world.

My name is Mark Stolaroff, and I’m an LA-based producer and the founder of No Budget Film School, a unique series of film classes specifically designed for the no-budget filmmaker, whether they’re working with a budget of $200,000 or $2,000. I’ll be using this forum to pass along information and spout off my opinion on any number of film-related subjects, usually tied somehow to no-budget filmmaking, which is my passion.

http://simborgpeanutgallery.blogspot.com/2009/05/awesome.html
See the above link for a great interview on the craft and business of screenwriting with Terry Rossio, one of the most successful writers in Hollywood today. It’s a little long, but there are a lot of great nuggets in this. Enjoy…

And why do we keep going to see these ultra-formulaic dribble?

The first question has an easy answer. They’d be boring. The second, because we’re hoping they’ll give us some insight into, and navigate the jungles of, modern relationships. One more question: How’s that workin’ out for us?

So,  you want to make a documentary film? You lack funding and don’t have any equipment, but you have a great story and characters that you are dying to present to the world. What can you do now to turn your ideas into action? Don’t just wait around for money or for [...]

I’ve been in LA less than a year, and if there’s one thing I’ve noticed it’s that people here just don’t ‘get it.’ People think they can make others care about what they’re writing, shooting, acting in, or creating. And yet, no one I talk to ever seems to care much about anything anyone else is doing.

I’m a great actress but a terrible liar. At least I was until Sundance. Lying is work. Investing energy to impress strangers is not part of my DNA. But if you’re not in, you’re out and I certainly wasn’t about to let some lemming with a list tell me I wasn’t important enough to be “in.”

As a frequently awkward adult I was scared shit-less to host red carpet interviews for the LAFF debut of the feature film Dear Lemon Lima. But, I discovered my inner interviewer with the help of my fellow artists at Film and Music Forum, oh and that guy with the flask full of vodka, dude you rock.

This year was a milestone for the 2009 Newport Beach Film Festival. They celebrated a decade of eclectic films and even more eclectic people in an upscale, seaside…mall. Along with the Lido Theater, Fashion Island – more moniker for the Lost wardrobe truck than mecca of Newport Beach shopping – hosted the masses thirsty for indie film and hungry for complimentary buffets. Of course, Film and Music Forum was on hand to experience the OC oddities firsthand.

The staffers seem to really appreciate the volunteers, taking time to learn our names by heart, praising our assistance, allowing for flexible schedules, and reminding us how the festival could not run without us.
That was my first impression. Nothing really changed about their attitudes towards us; the volunteer coordinators truly excelled at their job, and I commend them. It is unfortunate, however, that the various department heads did not excel at utilizing the volunteers in a way that could have truly improved the festival.

By now you have either seen the movie The Hangover, have a friend who has told you how funny the movie is, or can’t avoid hearing about the buzz.  If you haven’t seen it yet, but found yourself wondering…. no, you don’t have to currently have a hangover to enjoy it…no you don’t have to [...]

This week, I have the (subjective) pleasure of working for a production company shooting a commercial for a Japanese product. This means that the agency, client, and several crewmembers will be – Japanese. I have no inherent problems with Japan, or Japanese people; and I especially have no problem with sushi. Unfortunately, God made me [...]

A few years ago, The 40 Year Old Virgin broke through a strong barrier and proved that an adult-rated comedy can make serious moolah. Produced for very little money, the movie made Steve Carell a huge star (and a very rich man). It showcased some excellent comedy writing that mixed sex…

Fox TV has picked up a reality show from Endemol USA entitled “Someone’s Gotta Go.” Timely? Yes. Disgusting and a horrible idea? Also yes.

According to Variety, the show, which is already in production and has been described as “Survivor” meets “The Office,” has employees, at a struggling business, choosing for themselves whom among them is to be fired. The person who loses his or her job may receive a small severance package, but that’s it.

I spent the early part of March in Austin, Texas, at the growing SXSW Film, Music and Interactive Festival. It’s a really fantastic festival and a progressive and entertaining city. More interestingly, I’d call SXSW a “teaching” festival with some unique elements. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend a trip to both SXSW and [...]