Indie Filmmaking 101 Blog
Casting Process and how important it is for the success of your Film.
Today I would like to focus on the Casting Process and how important it is for the success of your Film. Casting is one of the
What is your Eyeball Goal
Setting the Eyeball Goal for your Short or Feature Film is essential for the success of your film.
Read Hollywood Screenplays and Watch the Movie
It is so important as a Producer and Director to pick the best successful screenplay and therefore in the last post, we established that it
Should I Learn to Write a Screenplay
Should you learn How to Write a Screenplay? Our Sydney and Melbourne Five Month Film School is now a month into the
How to get your 10 minute short film made in five months?
Yes you can make a ten minute short movie in five months. It is a realistic time-frame and makes the goal realistic and specific. The most important
Why you Should Enter Film Festivals.
Film Festivals are really fun way to get your film out to the world. The great thing is that they get screened on big screens and many people around the world see your film.
Whats Happening August 2021
Message from Colm O’Murchu I hope you are following your Indie Filmmaking Dream. Making Films is always a fun activity that brings you to locations
Writing your Screenplay
Writing the Script is a lot easier than you think. It will takes time effort and commitment, but in a few short weeks, you will
Muti Award Winning Tabernacle 101 Premium Released Online.
Tabernacle 101 Premium is now available on Vimeo everywhere outside the United States. We are live on Vimeo on Demand. You can watch the First
Tabernacle 101 – The New Definitive Version Releases Tuesday 22nd December
Tabernacle 101 won Best Film at The Directors Cut International Film Festival in Canada. That brings the grand total to Four Best Film Awards at International
Top 10 Tips for Directing Actors
Gaining the best performance from your actors is essential and so important for your film. Here are my Top 10 Tips for working with your
Best Filmmaking Software I use – Free and Paid for Making Your Films
Today, I would like to highlight the software and sites that I use for making my films. We also use them on our 5 Month
When should I make my First Feature Film?
When should I make my First Feature Film? I get this question on many occasions from keen enthusiastic emerging filmmakers. The answer is as follows.
Whats on at International Film Base October 2020
What is on at International Film Base (Indie Film Passion) – October 2020 5 Month Filmmaking Course – Starts Thursday November 5th 6.30pm EST -Zoom
Martin Scorsese Top Tips on Film Directing
Another great episode from the Directors Chair. Robert Rodriguez interviews top Film Directors and in this episode, he interviews the Famous Nee York Director Martin Scorsese Credits include the following Taxi
How to create great Production Design for your Film.
Why you need great Production Design for your Film. Many new and emerging filmmakers forget about Production Design. This is to detriment of the film.
How to Direct: Robert Rodriguez with George Miller
This is a great episode from the Directors Chair. Robert Rodriguez interviews top Film Directors and in this episode, he interviews the Famous Australian Director
Become an Expert Editor and Make Great Films
Editing is one of the most important parts of the filmmaking process. One could have an amazing script, great actors, a wonderful shoot. Then a terrible edit
Making Your Film Happen Now
Making Your Film Happen Now Today’s post is about making your Film Happen anytime you want. What is the mental state you need to see
How to Get your Short Film Seen by One Million People Around the World.
Short Films: How to get your film out there and seen by one million people around the world. Are you a short filmmaker who wants
Creating an Effective Shot List for Your Film
Creating an effective Shot List for Your Film One of the most important directorial skills is Shot Listing / Storyboarding. The main purpose of shots,
Key Actions to Take to be a Successful Filmmaker
Key Actions to Take to be a Successful Filmmaker Make Films: This is the number one. Nothing gets you further than a film you have
Seismic Shift in Film Distribution – Must Read
Today I decided to share this article from Deadline. In case you are not aware of the film industry publication Deadline, it is well worth
Tabernacle 101, our 50K Feature Film, is the opening night film at the ScFi Film Festival
Tabernacle 101 our new supernatural thriller has had a good week with official selection in three different Film Festivals and one major win for Best
How Peter Jackson made it to the top of the A-List Film Directors in the world.
The Peter Jackson story is inspiring. He is living proof that anyone from any point of the world can make it big in Hollywood. He
How to Gain Film Festival Success for Your Film.
How do you get the best result when using Film Freeway to enter Film Festivals Find out how in this post.
How successful was the Cannes Virtual Film Market 2020?
How successful was the 5 Day Virtual Cannes Market? – Why this is important for you. Part Two The major difference with my Indie Film
Is the Virtual Cannes Film Market changing the Film industry for ever?
The Virtual Cannes Film Market Taking Place This Week Online Is Changing The Film Industry For Ever. Cannes Virtual Film Market started yesterday June 22nd 2020. Normally
Russell Crowes New Movie “Unhinged” releases in early July as Cinemas reopen. Why this is lucky .
Cinemas around the world are opening up again. The big change is that we are going to have plenty of space as social distancing restrictions
How to Direct Actors in your Movie
How to work with your actors to get the best performance Directing Actors is a very undervalued skill. There are many films made by emerging
Paramount and Apple finance new Martin Scorsese Movie.
Paramount and Apple finance new Martin Scorsese Movie. Why this is a game changer for the Movie Business? This week I noticed the huge Hollywood
Podcast- 06 – Shooting your Short or Feature Film on your Mobile Phones
Podcast 06: Shooting your short or feature film on your Mobile Phone This podcast explores Mobile Phone Shoots for your short film or feature Film.
5 Top Notch Movies to Look Forward to when the Cinemas Reopens June 2020
With a Backlog of top notch movies to be released in the cinemas soon, it is going to be a great time to get back
Are mobile phone shoots a great option for shooting your short or feature film?
Are mobile phone shoots a great option for shooting your short or feature film?
Studios hit the big time.
It is reporting season and the Main Studios and Netflix are showing a very healthy financial picture as reported last week. Disney: The biggest Studio winner. Led
What’s happening in the International Film World February 2020. Two very positive developments.
Netflix finally rating their top 10 films or series I have personally being hoping for this development for some time. It will help people choose the
Ford v Ferrari pummelled Charlie’s Angels at the Box Office this week.
I noticed that Ford v Ferrari pummelled Charlie’s Angels and the rest of the competition at the weekend box office in the United States. Ford and
Recent Filmink Article about our Film Tabernacle 101
FILMINK ARTICLE PUBLISHED – TABERNACELE 101 RELEASE – OUR NEW MOVIE Today, I am republishing an article that appeared in Film-ink Online Magazine reference the
Release Day is finally here. Tabernacle 101 releases today Friday 30th August on Screens in the US and on Amazon Prime.
Release Week is finally here for Tabernacle 101, our new supernatural movie This week I married in Los Angeles from Sydney. From the grey winter weather here in
Film Distribution 2019 Style
Release of the Film Tabernacle 101– By our Distributor in the USA Indie Film Rights. What does it mean? On the 30thAugust our film Tabernacle
Tabernacle 101 – Releases 30th August
Hi it is Colm O”Murchu from Indie Film Passion and Producer Director of the supernatural film Tabernacle 101 “Making a short film is a sprint.
Creating a Trailer for your Film
The Trailer must make People want to see your Film Trailers are exceptionally important. We all know this. A great trailer makes people want to see
Podcast 05 – Raising Money For Your Movie. – Tom Molloy.
This Podcast is a so worthwhile listening to. This Podcast will explore with Expert Film Financier Tom Molloy how to raise money for your film.
Top 10 Tips for Directing Actors
TOP 10 TIPS FOR DIRECTING ACTORS Many new Directors have no experience with working with actors. Directing Actors in Film is a subtle art. You will get the
Top 5 Things a Filmmaker needs to accomplish, to make their film professional.
1. Camera and Lenses Your Film equipment is really important. Many people can be told which gear to buy. However, the challenge is to learn
6 Areas you should never skimp on.
6 Areas you should never skimp on. when you are making your movie. As a Director/Producer of your own films, it is prudent to keep budgets
Get Work in the Film Industry on Moves and TV Shows
Get Work in the Film Business – How to Action Plan Many people want to know how to get work in the film industry and
Cinema Box Office – a record $3.3 Billion 2nd quarter. Audiences flock to the cinema. But what about Mid Range Indie Films.
The Box Office results are in for the 2nd quarter. The punter has paid a record breaking $3.3 Billion to see movies at the cinema in
Tip Number 10 – Make sure you learn about editing from an expert
Make sure you learn about editing from an expert Many filmmakers fall down at the Postproduction Hurdle. They thought it was going to be easy
Cannes Film Festival /Market 2018 – How it works.
Cannes Film Festival and Market wrapped up last week. I spent 6 very busy days at the Film Festival/Market. The reason I attended is my
Cannes Film Festival Starts May 8th. The biggest film festival in the world
I am off to the Cannes Film Festival on May 8th. Most of you will have heard of Cannes Film Festival in the south of
Filmmaking 101 – Must Do 2 – Exceptional Postproduction
Postproduction is one of the most important areas of filmmaking. So many emerging filmmakers rush or place very little importance on postproduction. A Film is
Filmmaking 101 – Must Do 1 – Create Your Team
Isolation is the enemy of every filmmaker. Filmmaking is a team driven activity. To make a movie, the filmmaker must have a team that takes
Podcast 04 – LA based Executive Jason Brubaker – Getting your film distributed to a world wide audience.
LA based Film Distribution Executive Jason Brubaker tells you how to get your film distributed and seen by the biggest possible audience. Player at end
Podcast 03 – Working as a Crew member on Hollywood Blockbuster movies.
Working as a Crew member on Hollywood Blockbuster movies and how you can break in. Leroy Page: How to Break into the Big End Film
Podcast 02 – The Process of Editing
It is Colm O’Murchu your host for Filmmaking 101 with Podcast 2. This week it is just me on my own. Currently I am editing
Podcast Number 1 – Find out how Filmmaker Jon Cohen made his movie Ravenswood and found his audience.
Today is a very exciting day for me. This is my first of many future podcasts. In future podcasts, you will hear from experienced filmmakers.
20th Anniversary of Australian Film Base – plus my top 8 hot tips for the indie Filmmaker
Today is a retro post with my 8 top tips for the Indie Filmmaker at the end of this post. It is now 20 years
Editing your film, one of the most important filmmaking skills
At this moment, I am editing Tabernacle 101, our 110 minute supernatural thriller movie. I am up at 5am every morning and edit to about
Transmission and their massive success with the movie “Lion”
Transmission, an Australian Film Distributor, has had massive success in the cinema domestically with the release of Lion. Now grossing over $25 million Box Office
Joel Perlman from Village Roadshow gives a full report on Current Distribution for Movies in the Australia
Roadshow Films has been responsible for releasing box office epics The Hunger Games, The Hobbit, American Sniper, Red Dog, Paper Planes, and six-time Academy Award
Tip 10 – A Director perfects his or her postproduction.
Postproduction is a detailed process and the more detail and quality that is put into the post process, the better the film will be. In
Tip 9 A Director Post Produces
A Director needs to make their very best effort in the season of Post Production. Postproduction on your film is broken down into the following
Tip 8 – A Director works with his or her actors
Working with Actors is one of the top Directing Skills. Actors play the characters who the audience relates with. The better the performance and the
Tip 7 – The Shoot – A Director shoots
The shoot is the most intense part of the filmmaking process. A Director should be prepared to get asked about 1000 questions on each shooting
Tip 6 – A Director Prepares
A Film Director needs to prepare diligently for a film shoot. The areas that a Film Director is involved in, during preproduction is as follows.
Tip 5 Find the Best Crew Size for your production.
Tip 5: Find the Best Crew Size for your production. The best Crew size varies from production to production. I have shot a micro budget short films
Tip 1 A Film Director Prepares
Tip 1 – A Film Director must Prepare Prepare Prepare. Film Directing is divided into four distinct seasons. PreProduction The Shoot Post Production Film
Tip 2 To Direct Like a Pro – Cast like a Pro.
Tip 2 To Direct Like a Pro – Cast like a Pro. When we teach on our Film Courses, we always have a full night
Film Directing Tip 4 _ Build Your Network
Tip 4 Network – Surround Yourself with the Best Team Networking is one of the most important Film Maker Skills. There are two types of networking. Networking
Tip 3 – Every shooting Day, Prepare a Shot List
Tip 3 – Every Shooting Day, Prepare A Shot List It amazes me if a Film Director chooses to wing it on Shooting Day. That
Three Tips for finding the Best Locations
Three Tips for finding the Best Locations- Casting – The Core of Your Film Locations, and finding them for a film, is one of the easiest parts
Casting – The Core of Your Film
Casting – The Core of Your Film If the Screenplay is the blueprint for your film, casting is the core. Audiences are drawn into high
Screenplay and Formatting Properly
How to write a professional Screenplay. Part 2: Checklist before you start to write your screenplay. You have totally worked out your story, step by step.
How to Make your Film Professional
I would like to go into detail about making, directing and producing a professional film. There are 12 steps that one needs to pay particular
Three ways to Edit your film perfectly and make your film work.
Three ways to Edit your film perfectly and make your film work. I am writing about editing a film today because it is close to
5 Attributes you must have if you want millions of people to see your work.
5 Attributes you must have if you want millions of people to see your work. I am out of town this week. Yes, I am
How to Produce Stellar Actor Performances
How to Produce Stellar Actor Performances 4 Areas that the Film Director needs to Focus On To people in the know, film making is a
Three Big Cock-Ups when creating an awesome Shot List for your Film.
Three Big Cock-Ups When Creating An Awesome Shot List For Your Film. A shot list is a list of shots that are used to cover
Three Hot Tips to improve Screen Acting Performances
Screen Acting: Today I would like to talk about the craft of screen acting. Screen Acting is a wonderful way to make a living. There
5 Ways to make your film/video look and sound professional
Times have changed and today there are three types of Film Makers/Video Makers in the independent Film World: The Traditional Crew/ Director – Films made
Yes we Can – Making your film happen now
Making your film happen is more a state of mind than circumstances aligning. Whether it is a $2.2 million film or a micro budget film, the
How did Tarantino make it to the top in Hollywood? Lessons you can learn from his experience
Quentin Tarantino is one of the most famous writer/directors. But he was a low achiever at school and found academic studies very difficult. He had a
Six all important Areas an experienced Film Director focuses on
Film Directing is such an important part of the film making process. Often, beginner or ineffective film directors destroy a really strong film script. The
5 Ways for the Film Director to Prepare for the Film Shoot
Film Shoots are always the fun part of Film Production. I have been on so many film sets over the years and to this day
Philip Seymour Hoffman – What a loss to the film world
I woke up this morning and heard the very sad news that one of America’s best actors Philip Seymour Hoffman had died of an apparent
Indie Film Budgets – The Reality of the Film Market
Raising money for films really comes down to a Value Proposition for people who invest in your film. The most difficult process is raising money
Location Location – How to find the best locations for your shoot?
Its the 12th of January and I finally have time to write my first blog of 2014, “Finding the best Locations.” I have spent the
Shooting a Feature Film on the weekend – Making your dream feature film now.
Today, I would like to talk about the holy grail of Film Making, The Feature Film. Some of you may feel like the Feature Film
Film Festivals and how they can rocket your film career.
When you complete your short film or indie feature film, its a great idea to enter multiple film festivals with your film There are some
29 Days to Screenplay Heaven.
Its taken 29 days exactly to complete the first draft of ‘Absolute Freedom’. In the hope of helping you with your own projects, I would
Should I hire a professional DOP or shoot from the hip?
Should I shoot my own film or hire an experienced DOP (Cinematographer)? This is a question that I am asked by my clients on a
Screenplay Report Week one
Screenplay Update on Absolute Freedom – Week 1 of a 5 Week writing Process. Once again I am sharing my experiences in creating the 110
Financing Feature Films
It has been a big decision to make. The decision is this. Do I share all our confidental information about the financing of our film,
Story Creation first- Writing the Screenplay second. This is what we are doing on Absolute Freedom
One of the main reasons I have decided to keep a regular blog is to highlight the process of creating our next feature film, Absolute Freedom. I
Casting – How many actors should you see?
Casting is one of the most important directorial duties. Even experienced directors sometimes rush casting and make bad choices which then destroy the film. When we
What is Continuity? Why it is so important when making films.
I am sitting up here in Palm Beach about 40 kms north of Sydney. I am watching the sunset over Kuringai National Park reflecting on
How to Finance your Film Project
This weekend has been a glorious weekend in Sydney. The weather has been unseasonably warm at 27C and the water in the ocean is
Five top Tips for Casting
Casting is one of the most important parts of indie film making. The reason I am writing this article is that we had a successful
Three Critical Areas for your Film Production
Three Critical Areas you Must get Right When you Make your Film Many people
Indie Film – What we can learn off Alfred Hitchcock.
On Saturday Night I saw the film “Hitchcock”. I learnt a few things about the making of Psycho which of course became Alfred Hitchcock’s most
Want to write great screenplays – Do this one thing.
One Action you need to take if you want to write great screenplays Sometimes I hear certain script gurus say. “If you have a great