Filmmaking has transformed significantly, even within the last decade. Technology has helped to provide value to film productions with everything from accessible animation to artificial intelligence (AI) driven sound engineering. One of the most interesting developments at the moment is how 3D printing is being used in prop design and creation. This isn’t just a method for big feature productions, either. Indie filmmakers now have access to a tool that gives them a huge amount of freedom to get tailored professional-standard items that don’t break the bank. As a result, this technology is supp ..read more

Everyone loves talking about the magic behind film creation. As significant as the creative processes are to bring a movie to life, budgeting and expenses are equally important.  Smaller indie films often face different challenges to meet the cost of production and obtain funding to flesh out ideas and get them on screen. The Cost of a Small Indie Film  A small indie movie can cost anywhere from $10,000-$100,000. Most productions with a $500,000-$1,000,000 budget could still be categorized as indie films. For reference, a regular feature film from bigger studios can have around $100 ..read more

Video marketing is evolving in 2024 as businesses seek new ways to boost brand awareness and connect with audiences. With the power of sight and sound combined with compelling storytelling, videos provide unmatched opportunities for brands to increase their visibility.  That’s why 70% of people who haven’t used video marketing before plan to use it, according to the 2023 State of Video Marketing study by Wyzowl. As consumer attention spans shorten and platforms like YouTube and Facebook dominate the video landscape, marketers must adapt their strategies accordingly. In this article, you’l ..read more

Getting a new job can seem daunting, especially when facing the film industry’s bright lights and glamor. The first step is to look past your initial fears to avoid getting intimidated.  Productions need workers and those roles are attainable. The next steps are about staying on your toes and being at the right place and time. Entering the Film Industry Some people may ask whether there’s room for them in film. You’ll be happy to know the answer is yes. Last year, about 93,651 workers were employed in the U.S. movie and video production industry. The employment growth rate is steadily inc ..read more

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