Video Stores: A Conversation

Video Rodeo, Gainesville, FL’s independent video store

There’s a lot of discussion in the independent film world right now about how filmmakers can earn a living in today’s economic climate, as well as how distributors and art house theaters can continue being profitable in the increasingly-digital landscape.

But, there’s a rarely …

No Budget? No Problem!

Not to toot my own horn (I can’t anyway, since it was stolen by those circus freaks), but I recently shot my first commercial, through IFP’s Emerging Visions competition. It was my first shoot with any sort of budget, unless you count the time I bought a pack of gum …

Directing Actors Without Leaving Your Bed

While there are an enormous amount of elements that go into making a film (like cinematography, sound, and hair), many directors would argue that the most important element of all is the performances you get from your actors. For a long time, I could have sworn it was hair, but …

Expert Distribution Tips from a ‘Microeconomics 101′ D Student

My first feature, New Low, was released about a month ago digitally and on DVD. You’re about to get insightful analysis on the success of our distribution model by someone who got a D in Microeconomics. If this were the old Back to the Future ride at Universal Studios, Doc …

Why Filmmakers Don’t Need Money

I’m hearing a lot of talk about how independent filmmakers need to be paid for their work, whether it’s regarding distribution deals, online piracy, or their tip percentage at Fuddruckers.

Well, as a young filmmaker, let me give it to you straight from the horse’s mouth (which is currently the only …

‘THE WAITING GAMES’: NOT NEARLY AS EXCITING AS ‘THE HUNGER GAMES’

Ask anyone to describe me and they’ll say “Adam Bowers is a man-of-action.” If they say anything different, or talk about how I owe them three hundred dollars, they’re dirty liars.

Why am I a man-of-action? Because I “T.C.B.” all day long, which stands for “take care business,” because I don’t …

FOR THE RICHES OF THE EARTH

Hi, everyone. I’ll be doing a little blogging for IFP from now on. A little background on myself: When I lived in Florida, I wrote, directed, produced, edited, and acted in a no-budget comedy called New Low, which played in the inaugural NEXT <=> section at the 2010 Sundance Film …