PRE-PRODUCTION; INDEPDENT FILM PRODUCER RESEARCH

An independent film producer is the same as a normal film producer, they just jump onto a project independently. Feature-length films are very expensive to make, they have to make a huge turnover for a film to be profitable, understandably because of this studios will only make films they are certain will generate this profit. If a producer cannot find a studio willing to make their movie, then they can always make it independly, some producers prefer to work this way because it means they have more control over budget the script and the final product. Independent producers also receive a larger amount of the profits so their is an opportunity to earn more money. Independent producers have to complete the same roles as a studio film producer, as well as finding investors for the project. They have to find people who want to invest in a movie, either because they want to make a profit or truly believe in the project itself. Some investments can be extremely successful, one of the most famous examples is horror film The Blair Witch Project, which made over $100 million dollars.

Jeff Sharp has been an independent film producer for 20 years, he is the president and CEO of Sharp Independent Pictures, he is responsible and has produced films such as Boys Don't Cry and You Can Count On Me. He was interviewed recently at a film festival and he spoke about what it means to be an independent film producer and how much the industry has changed. The following is a summary of the points that Jeff made that I think are notable and I need to consider;

-For his most recent film, The Yellow Birds, he was there from the start of the development process right through to the release date.
-Jeff likes to look at underlying 'intellectual property' or source material as the basis for a new feature
-The riskiest part of a film financially, is the beginning development process, it is the one time of a film making process that isn't bring in any money whatsoever, it a time where the production team are unsure if the film is actually going to be made because whilst the screenplay is being written, no studio/casting or production decisions are to be made.
-When adapting something from a book Jeff likes it when the author of the novel that is being adapting has a heavy role within the film production, Jeff sees that as a great asset to a production
-Jeff notes that the way in which audiences view things have changed with the introduction of online streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Instant Video

For me the most important part that i will take form Jeff's interview is the taking of an issue or source material and turning it into the basis of a short film. I think that is really important because it shows real passion for a project because of the work involved in adapting it for the big screen. With our short film, we picked our topic of mental health and trauma and I created a story around that, which means as a group we are both knowledgeable about the topic as well as passionate, and I think for any project that is really important.