Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Filmmaking - Independent Film Palace

Filmmaking - Independent Film Palace

Sixty years is a long time for a business, and a movie house
that's lasted over half a century is out of the ordinary, these days.

Here's the story of a theatre that decided the run-of-the-studio
films weren't cutting it, and branched out into "art house" cinema.

What they discovered may surprise you. As a former theatre owner, all I can say is "Yep." Gotta love the movie biz.



© 2008 Sam Longoria, All Rights Reserved

Friday, January 16, 2009

100 Best Blogs for Film and Theater Students

Filmmaking - 100 Best Blogs for Film and Theater Students

It is with great pleasure and pride I mention the
Sam Longoria Filmmaking Blog is included in the
"100 Best Blogs for Film and Theater Students" (Directing)

I appreciate the honor, and will continue in the fine tradition
the list describes as "slightly bizarre." I will work unceasingly,
until this filmmaking blog is completely bizarre.

I thank you.

Sam Longoria


film school
filmmaking
film financing
film production
passion for cinema
digital filmmaking handbook


© 2008 Sam Longoria, All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Independent Film - New Faces of Sundance

Independent Film - New Faces of Sundance

New wind blowing at Sundance.

New generation of younger and more multi-cultural independent film, more of a global slant. Fewer goateed twenty-somethings moaning about their family, and how bad life is.

And THAT'S worth it, isn't it?

Catch up on the changing world of Sundance 2009.


Independent Film - New Faces of Sundance

independent film

film school
filmmaking
film financing
film production
passion for cinema
digital filmmaking handbook

© 2008 Sam Longoria, All Rights Reserved

Friday, January 09, 2009

Film School To Make Independent Film?













Film Production - Do You Need Film School To Make An Independent Film?

Anthony Watkins is an accomplished filmmaker from Mount Vernon, Washington, who attended film school in Vancouver, BC. That required Anthony, a U.S. citizen, to commute for hours every day, over the US/Canada border. The distance didn't bother him, for Anthony knew he'd only be doing it a short while.

"It was a good film school, but I only went there long enough to learn how to operate a movie camera, and light a movie set. As soon as I learned that, I was done with film school. After I quit, I started raising money, and then I started shooting my own feature movie."

How has it worked out for him? Anthony has completed two feature films, "Counseling Day" and "Mall Robbers." Both movies are feature-length, shot on film, and they premiered in Anthony's hometown movie theatre, complete with tuxedoes and limousines.

Anthony is putting finishing touches on the script for his next film, the third in what he calls his "Seattle Trilogy." That film is titled "Diary of a Jerk," and will be in production in 2009, to be completed in 2010.

What became of his first two features? Anthony says they are selling briskly on DVD. Anthony distributes them on eBay, and through his direct-response website. http://mallrobbers.com

That's unusual in the world of independent film, which yearns hopelessly for nationwide distribution. "Going Hollywood" usually means getting a studio job, and that means having a college filmmaking degree.

"College's expected there," Anthony says. "Film studio workers in Los Angeles must have a degree, because their competition has one." Anthony did attend college, but not to get a filmmaking degree.

How did he do it?

"I just got started," he shrugs. "Practically anything you need to know is in a book somewhere, or a class, or a filmmaking seminar. Then all you do is put what you've read to use. That's the secret, taking action."

Anthony has a strong do-it-yourself attitude, and tries to help other filmmakers, by including a "making of" documentary DVD in each of his DVD movies. "I do it to give back what I've learned. I'm grateful for the help I got, when I was starting out."

Would he do it the same way today, were he starting over?

"Absolutely," Anthony says, "Only I would quit film school sooner. If I'd stayed there any longer, I might have missed being a real filmmaker." Then turns back to his work, designing another shot for his next movie.

For further information, contact Anthony Watkins at http://dominionpictures.com


film school
filmmaking
film financing
film production
passion for cinema
digital filmmaking handbook

© 2008 Sam Longoria, All Rights Reserved