Film becomes less costly, no less competitive

One camera, one stand, one mic, some creative lighting and three hours are all it takes to make a short film these days. Even a few years ago, such a project would have seemed impossible because of the cost and time directors would spend on it.\nMaking a film has long been a venture for the truly dedicated, often with directors trying to flesh out their vision through endless hours of tape. Now with advances in digital film and editing technology, the world of filmmaking has expanded to include members of the financially destitute student body.\nEven though such projects are now easier to make, it's still not easy to turn in a profit.\nThe best plan to get your name out in the film community is to move where the film community is, said Susanne Schwibs, producer and director at WTIU, as well as a professor in the Department of Communication and Culture.\nMany in the film community said there are no clear-cut steps to selling their films. But like many professions, who you know can be as important as what you know or what you have done, Schwibs said. Even then, it's not a profession until someone wants to show the film.\nGeoff George, a Ball State graduate and local filmmaker, said he agrees networking is an important ability for directors seeking publicity and success.\n"Learn a lot of social skills," George said, offering advice to filmmakers who will soon leave school. "There really is no reason for people to help unless they like you. They can help you with assembling gear. And, of course, every friend involved means one more investor (or) recruiter."\nDavid Mickler, a senior and an amateur screenwriter, said he plans to move to Los Angeles with friends to get closer to the film scene. However, being noticed by an independent backer, and therefore securing funds, relies as much on luck as on abilities.\n"Everybody can write a book, but not everyone gets published," Schwibs said. "I think film is getting the same way -- almost everyone can pick up a camera nowadays, it's just (a matter of) whether anyone will pick up your film." \nMaking a film used to be a more expensive endeavor. Film equipment­ -- from cameras, film and boom mics, to post-production equipment -- while still not cheap, would have once been very costly, said screenwriter Mickler. He and senior Adam Carroll are directing their debut project, "Conversations with the Almighty," this spring.\n"Costs are limited by creativity," Mickler said. "We are able to use University cameras, boom mics and mobile mics, which would run some ridiculous amount if we rented it all."\nSuch supplies are provided free of charge to students from the Department of Communication and Culture at IU, which helps to hedge production costs. The department allows three-week rentals and renewals for all students, but staff enforces a full fine for damaged equipment.\nIn addition to lights, sound and pictures, overhead costs for an independent film also include costumes and props. IU's Department of Theatre and Drama allows directors to find willing talent to appear on film. Carroll said he used department e-mails to contact members of the acting community.\n"Being at a university allows for some young filmmakers to work with strong actors, musicians, print makers and graphic designers," Mickler said. \nMany amateur directors also shoot on digital video tapes, which are cheap and easy to edit. Most funding, though, tends to come from the personal incomes of the creators, leading to a slow filming process, working on a project as time -- and money -- permits.\n"I have a student loan, but I still have to pay for rent," Carroll said. "Material (for the film) is definitely secondary. It's not easy to pay for; you have to stretch money."\nOn top of the tight money situation, student filmmakers have to work around their class schedules, jobs, weather conflicts and securing film locations.\nDave Pruett, a member of www.cinephileforum.com, an online resource for filmmakers in south-central Indiana, said there are ways for filmmakers to get around a lot of these conflicts.\n"We try not to let money be the thing that stops people from making a movie," said Pruett. \nCinephile Forum allows amateur movie makers to share equipment, space and skills in order to make the experience a more financially viable option. They even arrange for screenings of films for varying audiences, depending upon the desired effect.\nBeyond their undergraduate years, there are not as many options for students, though film school allows students to continue pursuing their talent, Schwibs said.\nGeorge said even without classes, producing a film is no small task.\n"Every piece of equipment becomes a quantifiable amount of work," said George, whose feature film "Inverses" recently premiered in Bloomington. "Forty hours at my day job equals another lens, providing I don't call Avers."\nSchwibs said she advises young filmmakers to do the necessary footwork, and hopefully opportunities to profit from their work will come their way. Until then, filmmaking can be seen more as a hobby, and directors should keep their day jobs.\n"(You) just tell the story you want to tell (in your film)," Scwibs said. "And keep knocking on doors."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Josh \nKastrinsky at jkastrin@indiana.edu.