Independent Films

Producing independent films involves much more than taking a script and hiring actors to bring the story to life before the camera. First of all, to produce independent films you need to have money – lots of it. Small companies produce these films rather than the ones usually associated with Hollywood movies, such as MGM. They are usually very small productions hoping that big movie companies will pick them up or become blockbuster movies.

The first priority after you have the script is to hire a casting director. This job has to be done by someone who knows the script and what kind of talent you need to make it believable. Even if you have a lower budget does not necessarily mean you won’t be able to get the well-known actors although the chances are greater that you will have to work with unknown actors. These people relish the chance to get an opportunity to work in the film industry and as long as the pay is enough for them to get along with, they are often perfectly willing to work with you.

Once the casting director submits a script to the Breakdown services, the call goes out and agents submit the names of actors through the mail, drop offs at the office, faxes and courier. Then the job begins of sorting through the pictures and resumes to find the list you want to audition for each role.

Even though you are still in the early stages, other key crew members need to be hired, such as camera personnel, lighting director, make up artist and many more. You might have to work through negotiations with the Screen Actors Guild and immerse yourself in mounds of paperwork.

All of this work is prior to any shooting or production and before you start to make any money. This is why you need to have an investor when you want to make an independent film that could possible become the next blockbuster movie.