Tamara Spicer's Lounge Discussions

I've been blogging and teaching film production techniques from development to distribution for a number of years. I've worked on a lot of projects ranging from $10K indie student films to multimillion dollar gigs. I've always been helping and working for other people on their projects. I've worked from the beginning on some and i've been hired under non-disclosure to rescue others behind the scenes. One thing i've seen time and time again is a new or seasoned indie film maker with a good or even great script looking to shoot a $5M, $10M, even $20M project right out of the box. I watch them struggle and eventually fail. I only hope ( and your going to FLAME me for this ) is that they fail quickly. Why. Because NO ONE is going to give a first time filmmaker $20M to make a movie. And the sooner their "dream" is crushed, the better it is for them. Why do you ask? How come i'm such an evil bitch to wish this upon my fellow film Makers? Actually I pray to god they get to make their films and an angel comes in and give them the $20M... i'd be the first on their cheerleading team and the first to purchase the movie to watch. But in reality, the sooner they get over it, the sooner the film maker will start seeing reality and start making movies... Actual , real, movies. They can... YOU can. But first you need to put that $20M script away in a drawer or give it to an agent to push while you start working on your fist feature film that will cost you maybe $10,000 or $20,000 or even $50,000. A number you can actually raise from family, friends, your piggy bank and crowd funding. I've posted before about this and some people love it and some tell me to go "bugger off". Now worries, I'm pretty thick skinned.. you have to be to be in this business. Anyway, back to my point. So I've been talking about this for quite some time in person during lectures, and teaching, on the web and on a couple global webinars. Recently I was asked "Ms Hilton, have YOU ever made a $50K or under film yourself?" .... I paused and considered. "NO.. I have never made a small budget project of my own." I've helped others do it, but I haven't slogged thru the mud myself. and since I believe in putting my money where my mouth is... I'm going to make an under $50K feature film with friends, family, my piggy bank and crowd funding. AND, i'm doing it in public so you can follow the adventure and watch my team and I successfully create a solid micro-budget feature and make money on it , or you can watch the up coming train wreak and see me fail miserably. Either way you... and I, will learn something. So Please follow our project SUBCONSCIOUS on the following web sites. http://www.facebook.com/subconsciousthefilm and http://www.subconsciousfilm.com If nothing else you'll get a deep look into making a micro budget film that looks like you spent way way more on it!

Hi everyone, so I started as a entertainment web magazine publisher. Made the transition into filmmaking by wetting my feet with my first short in 2011. I'm just starting out but I have made the leap into developing my feature script into a film. I love the whole process and there is so much to learn. I am here to soak up from more experienced and knowledgeable filmmakers. Be sure to give my project and look-see, any and all advice or links they might have or suggest are welcomed. - http://www.whenashesfall.com

Hi everyone, as I mentioned in the title Im have a independent feature film in development (which is in my projects page) so I'm learning as I go along and although I am not professionally trained I am passionate about my story. Although we will be operating under a low budget the resources and talent that is slowly coming on board will ensure a high quality production. I have already secured a director and filled two members of the main cast but I am looking to fill all the other positions in crew and cast. If you are curious head over to my projects page or our website, http://www.whenashesfall.com. If then you're seriously interested and live or work in or around Wisconsin, please contact me @ leojsimple@gmail.com - Tee

Hi everyone, as I mentioned in the title I have a feature film in development (which is in my projects page) so I'm learning as I go along and although I am not professionally trained I am passionate about my story. It is in the low budget independent category but I know we have a story filled with unique characters in a genre unusually for the subject so I am looking for crew and cast members living and working in Wisconsin where it will be shot. I have a director and have filled out 2 principle cast positions and I am calling on all serious inquiries to get in touch. Thank you. http://www.whenashesfall.com

'When Ashes Fall' is a new breed of cinema. A Action-Thriller with a splash of Romance WAF is a feature film in development seeks Executive Producer with access to funding, an open mind and a passion for the unknown. Based on a successful short film, Angel's Ashes. 'When Ashes Fall' teaser can be seen on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icLEuPqxISg