There is nothing that can change public opinions faster than a movie. The shared experience of watching a movie that elicits emotio0n creates phenomenal impact. Many films have powerfully explored LGBTQ+ issues, contributing significantly to the representation and discussion of LGBTQ+ rights, identities, and experiences. Here is a list of ten highly regarded films that address various aspects of the LGBTQ+ community and its struggles: • “Brokeback Mountain” (2005) – Directed by Ang Lee, this film tells the complex emotional and sexual relationship between two cowboys in the American West from ..read more

Our email inbox and phone answering machine is full of busy filmmaker questions. At Raindance, that means a lot of great new content is created and published and read – over 348,000 web visits in the past 30 days. That’s a lot of visits and makes Raindance the 2nd largest film org website in Europe after the fabulous and hard-to-beat BFI.org.uk. At RAindance we answer questions. As any filmmaker knows painfully well, some stuff you create is, like, blockbuster. and other just falls flat on it’s face. I wanted to make sure you haven’t missed out on some of the most read posts and hotly anticipa ..read more

Independent filmmakers often turn to crowdfunding platforms to gather financial support for their projects, whether short or full-length films. Many crowdfunded films screen at festivals like Raindance. Crowdfunding your film means your need to carefully consider some important points. Once you have decided to take the plunge and crowdfund, here are crucial best practices to follow: Crowdfunding Your Film: 7 Essential Practices Many start a crowdfunding campaign without researching other campaigns. Or without understanding the different assets and tools that you need to understand in order to ..read more

  At Raindance, low-budget is the name of the game we play! And the key to creating a low-budget screenplay is to illicit deep emotion in the reader. And creating a low-budget screenplay with a significant emotional impact involves focusing on elements that can convey depth and resonance without requiring substantial financial resources. This list is going to drive you a bit mad – because these 9 tips are obvious strategies that you can find everyehere. I hope to be able to state them clearly. And of course, Raindance has different ways we can help. 1. Focus on Character Development Peopl ..read more

If you want to make a movie, and a movie on a limited budget, choose a story that takes place in a single location. Why? Every time you move to a new location, you need to pay for transport, and hire a new location. Essentially you are looking for a stage play. But filming a stage play is one of the leading cures for insomnia, unless you expand the boundaries of the story. What is interesting about single location movies is that they are often the movies that launch the careers of filmmakers. Some of these were made with minimal budgets, others with significant budgets. 1. The Breakfast Club 1 ..read more

There are many elements to making a film, but none as important, technicalities aside, than emotionally engaging the viewer. Without that bond, you lose your audience. So what is it that allows the filmmaker to establish that necessary engagement? And more importantly, what encourages such engagement not because the character is likable, but because they connect on a psychological level? What will keep the viewer on-side regardless of actually liking the protagonist, or sometimes, even in spite of disliking them?  Questioning The Research  This was where I needed to find answers. I w ..read more

The number one lesson I have learned in my time at Raindance, is the importance of genre for filmmakers. This has become the mantra of the Raindance training programme. No one wants you to succeed more than Raindance. Genre is fundamentally important for emerging independent filmmakers for several reasons. Genre serves as a cornerstone in both the creation and marketing of an independent filmmaker’s films. Understanding and leveraging genre can help filmmakers navigate the complex landscape of the film industry. This is particularly important in connecting with audiences and standing out in ..read more

  Spring has sprung! What are you doing with your April Saturdays? Come to Razndance and learn how to: write, direct and produce! And make movies! And Benefit from the Easter Sale! Hands on Cinematography Part 2 |Saturday/Sunday 13/4th April In Person Masterclass Hands on Cinematography Part 2 Masterclass Write and Sell the Hot Script Saturday/Sunday 20/21 April in person/Live Online Write and Sell the Hot Script Saturday Film School London Saturday 27th April in person/Live Online Saturday Film School London The post April Saturdays at Raindance appeared first on Raindance ..read more

Love them or hate them, there’s something inside all of us that’s curious about what’s hiding in the dark. Be it vampires, werewolves, or killer clowns, horror films can turn around huge returns on investments.  Why are Horror Films Important? Countless psychologists have attempted to determine what draws audiences to the horror genre, but the most popular theory is that it’s a form of “exposure therapy” – forcing ourselves to face fear as a way to overcome it. The world’s a scary place! But by confronting our fears about that boogeyman hiding under the bed, we might be able to cope with ..read more

  In 1994, Vice President Al Gore said:  “We have a dream for an information superhighway that can save lives, create jobs and give every American, young and old, the chance for the best education available to anyone, anywhere.” This was the birth of the information superhighway. But has it?  Has the information highway brought us the best film education? Has the information superhighway brought us what we need as emerging independent filmmakers? The concept of a “wisdom highway” as compared to the “information highway” offers a nuanced perspective particularly relevant to ..read more