How does one go about making their screenplay into an Indie Film?

[Roaring Springs]

I'm interested in getting into the film and acting industry.

I know some of you are or might be thinking "well, no duh, who isn't?" but this really is my passion and it really seems that for me, this is the kind of a path intended for me.

I've just rebooted the project on a screenplay I've been working on in 2007 but never got around to finishing. And after I finish it, I want it made into a motion picture that would be shown in theaters.

Oh, and believe me, I did my homework, already understanding that filmmaking can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars but I've learned something in doing a little research - that movie studios will grant funding for filmmakers, just like the state's govergnment will grant funding for a kid to go to college?

But the $1,000,000 question is, how does a "nobody" go about doing that?

I'm certain that the company I ask to help me out here will have to be interested in my movie idea. And it's good that I learned that I learned about the financial aid stuff because I have to pay actors to be in my film. Speaking of that, I know a few major names I want involved in my film because physically, they look perfect for the roles. AND I will be playing a role myself!

She's also a "nobody" but I'm friends with this one girl. I didn't tell her about the movie yet but she looks absolutely PERFECT for this one role in the film. I know I can't force her if she decides against it but I sure hope she's intrested in this very part.

Oh, and I don't want to be the director of this film. My jobs here are just; producer, screenwriter, and actor. That's it.

There;s this movie coming out later this year called "Yelling to the Sky" (IMDB it). That's an indie movie! And that's just the kind of a film I wanna make!

Speaking of IMDB, I'm so excited about this that I'm already, with WordPad, making a false IMDB page for this movie. Pull me into reality... please! I really wanna do this, and I know there are steps I need to take TO do this but I need to know HOW! Suggestions, feedback, and constructive critism is greatly and deeply appreciated.

[Packman]

Film isn't really my cup of tea but there are plenty of film projects on kickstarter.com. You might want to give it a look and try to get funded.

[mainstreetcm]

Originally Posted by Roaring Springs

I know some of you are or might be thinking "well, no duh, who isn't?" but this really is my passion and it really seems that for me, this is the kind of a path intended for me.

Not thinking that at all... I put all of my filmmaking dreams on hold while I learned how to market on the web. Nearly four years later I'm about to take this plunge, yet again.

Originally Posted by Roaring Springs

I've just rebooted the project on a screenplay I've been working on in 2007 but never got around to finishing. And after I finish it, I want it made into a motion picture that would be shown in theaters.

Please, for whatever reason, don't take this the wrong way. If you didn't get around to finishing it in 2007 something tells me that you have yet to finish a screenplay. I will say this. Your first screenplay will NOT be made into a movie, and if it IS, it will be cut to pieces by the time you are finished--UNLESS... you make it yourself--independently.

A lot of "first timers" have found a way to get an agent because of someone they know, and they end up jumping right into the Hollywood system--which spits them out on the other-side a bit richer and a bit more sad because their "baby" got diced up and what is finally seen on screen is a fraction of your original idea.

Originally Posted by Roaring Springs

Oh, and believe me, I did my homework, already understanding that filmmaking can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars but I've learned something in doing a little research - that movie studios will grant funding for filmmakers, just like the state's govergnment will grant funding for a kid to go to college?

Here is the cool part. If you film it independently you can spend 10k on solid equipment and a cast/crew that shows up and sell to a direct-to-dvd company. Never heard of them? Time to start your research. I know of several people that have created and sold these projects for hundreds of thousands of dollars and they spent 10k on the project. The company buys your movie, for a direct to DVD release and then shills it across the world for you. In different languages even if they feel it will be that good.

Of course you could also release your eventual indie film yourself, which has gotten increasingly easier over the last four years.

Originally Posted by Roaring Springs

I'm certain that the company I ask to help me out here will have to be interested in my movie idea. And it's good that I learned that I learned about the financial aid stuff because I have to pay actors to be in my film. Speaking of that, I know a few major names I want involved in my film because physically, they look perfect for the roles. AND I will be playing a role myself!

What makes you think this movie idea of yours will interest any small to large production company? They probably have a billion ideas of their own. To be successful in the movie business you either need to make a name for yourself with artsy films or you need to be able to "sell" low to high concept projects that have a proven track record of making money. \

This is, unfortunately, first and foremost a business. Art is left to the indies. If you want to make it Speilberg big, you better understand that MONEY comes first, ART comes second.

I could talk about this for hours, but I think we'll leave it at that. I myself wanted to be a film director and writer. I halted all progress on these ideas nearly three years ago. I wanted to learn how to make money online, to fund my creative projects. Soon enough I found myself realizing that I was a pretty good marketer and my whole world changed.

I still have that creative edge, however, I think in the future I'll be looking more at producing and marketing movies, rather than making them.

Best wishes in your journey!

[pjhaggerty]

Originally Posted by Roaring Springs

I'm interested in getting into the film and acting industry.

I know some of you are or might be thinking "well, no duh, who isn't?" but this really is my passion and it really seems that for me, this is the kind of a path intended for me.

I've just rebooted the project on a screenplay I've been working on in 2007 but never got around to finishing. And after I finish it, I want it made into a motion picture that would be shown in theaters.

Oh, and believe me, I did my homework, already understanding that filmmaking can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars but I've learned something in doing a little research - that movie studios will grant funding for filmmakers, just like the state's govergnment will grant funding for a kid to go to college?

But the $1,000,000 question is, how does a "nobody" go about doing that?

I'm certain that the company I ask to help me out here will have to be interested in my movie idea. And it's good that I learned that I learned about the financial aid stuff because I have to pay actors to be in my film. Speaking of that, I know a few major names I want involved in my film because physically, they look perfect for the roles. AND I will be playing a role myself!

She's also a "nobody" but I'm friends with this one girl. I didn't tell her about the movie yet but she looks absolutely PERFECT for this one role in the film. I know I can't force her if she decides against it but I sure hope she's intrested in this very part.

Oh, and I don't want to be the director of this film. My jobs here are just; producer, screenwriter, and actor. That's it.

There;s this movie coming out later this year called "Yelling to the Sky" (IMDB it). That's an indie movie! And that's just the kind of a film I wanna make!

Speaking of IMDB, I'm so excited about this that I'm already, with WordPad, making a false IMDB page for this movie. Pull me into reality... please! I really wanna do this, and I know there are steps I need to take TO do this but I need to know HOW! Suggestions, feedback, and constructive critism is greatly and deeply appreciated.

You call yourself a 'nobody', and you have no idea how to go about doing this. I'd suggest you network and become a 'somebody', then you could ask people who know what to do how to go about doing this.