How to be a successful black independent filmmaker- Part 2

Should you go to film school?

Film school can be very helpful in instructing you how to create technically sound films and expose you to all the areas of filmmaking. They also can help you leverage your schools name to gain access to intern on film crews.

Another advantage of film school is the networking opportunities, you never know who may be in your class.

Some of the disadvantages of film school as described to me were the cost.

FSU Film School is 35,000 for the two years.

Art Institute of Tampa is 88,000 for four years.

USC film school has a class in which students are required to make several five short films in a semester. If you cannot accomplish this, you fail the class. This is their way of economically discriminating against poor students.

The dilemma facing many aspiring film students is that they cannot raise the money to fund a short film, however a bank will give them a loan to go to film school. So they go to film school and hope for the best.

Building relationships

Learning how to build and nurture relationships is one of the most important aspects of your career and will make or break you as an independent filmmaker.

Building a team or becoming part of a film collective will allow you access to equipment, services and locations. Also working with other creative people can help you creativity by exposing you to different ideas and perspectives.

Networking will help you gain jobs and experience. You never know who is going to in a position of power in the future so treat everyone with respect. The same people you see on the way up are the same people you will see on the way down

What kind of people to avoid when building your network

Scammers, who are people who are trying to raise money for a film and will disappear once they receive the money

Negative attitudes

People who are not serious about being successful

People who have money for everything else except growing the business or for film projects; they are always broke when it is time to invest in projects, however they have money to go to bars, go out to eat, clubs etc

People who will not support you and your projects; if you form a collective or a partnership; the members should promote each other as well as projects of the members. Avoid people who promote persons and the projects of people they do not know however they will not promote you or your projects.

Learn the technical aspect of filmmaking

The Internet can be a valuable asset to learn how to create technically sound films. There a billions of byes of data dedicated to educating you how to frame your shots, sound, lighting, editing, chroma key, color grading and any other aspect of filmmaking.

Some of my favorites Internet websites that help teach filmmaking are:

YouTube

Filmlinker.com which has links to multiple film tutorials sites

Study of these lessons can replace the same text instruction you will receive if you go to film school.

The importance of professional products

It is very important that you produce professional looking media. A professional look is not based on how much money you spend, it is based on your technical ability. Films that have bad sound, the shots are framed incorrectly, and incorrect lighting make you look like an amateur. You should spend time to educate your self and invest in honing your craft so you can produce good looking and sounding films.

How to build your tribe

You need to build a tribe of supporters who will support you projects with their money. This is the only way you will be able to continue to create new projects.

There are several different opinions on how to create a tribe, however examples of filmmakers who have been successful in creating tribes are:

Tyler Perry

Quenton Tarrintino

Steven Spielberg

The tribes that support these filmmakers are the primary reason for their success. None of these filmmakers are considered masters filmmakers form a technical or artistic standpoint, however they have mastered tribe building and feeding their tribe.

You have to be determined, persistent and patient to accomplish your goals as an independent filmmaker. Do not expect your first or even second film to propel you into the stratosphere. Keep learning your craft and refining your talent and you will be successful as a independent filmmaker.

 Now go make a movie!