The Topic: Indie Filmmaking

If you've read my bio, you can probably guess the topic of choice for me this semester.

It's balloons.

Actually, it's indie filmmaking. I was going to choose working at a movie theater, but that could devolve into a semester-long gripe session about payroll cuts and corporate wondering why revenue is down and not blame the mediocre movies being released, but rather management for not flagging people in off the road to spend a fortune for Ice Age 9: It's Icier.

I've been inhabiting the world of independent filmmaking for almost 20 years. I've written full-length for producers who suddenly lose my phone number. I've dealt with the intricacies of casting, the banality of the submission process and every form of production. I've had scripts optioned and then forgotten. I'm painting a bleak picture of the industry here, but it's not all bad.

You get the chance to work with passionate people who love the craft. You stay up all night talking about moments in movies that you truly love and want to mimic. You connect with other like-minded filmmakers on a level not many can understand. You get to tell your story!

Indie filmmaking is tough, but extremely rewarding when you succeed.

I'd like to share that in this class.

Alex Faison - A Bio

I'm the first born in my family. One younger sister, four years apart. My childhood was filled with various athletic sports (soccer, basketball, baseball), playing with the kids in the neighborhood until the night arrived, staying up late to watch as much television as I could. Rinse and repeat for the next day.

There are moments from my childhood that I remember and most I do not. I remember getting punched in the gut by a girl when I was 10 or 11, still not sure why. I remember watching Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom with my father and loving it, only to be blown away by the knowledge that there was another movie they made a few years back. My toddler-aged sister accidentally having boiling hot pasta sauce spill all over her and the ambulance having to take her to the hospital, while I was left with the neighbors.

As I grew older, basketball became my sport throughout High School. Movies and television remained a constant in my life. I stayed up late on Fridays to watch Quantum Leap, set my VCR to tape shows throughout the week hoping the 8-hour VHS tape I bought would be enough. I did not have many girlfriends in school, not for lack of wanting but because of being anxiety-riddled about the consequences of asking a girl out and her rejecting me. There are times I wish I could go back and slap some sense into my younger self.

It was senior year of high school, when my girlfriend at the time (I overcame the anxiety!) had an assignment for her creative writing class. She had to write a story. Simple, but she didn't want to do it. I offered. It was a mystery, 17 pages handwritten on looseleaf, and she got an "A" for it. I haven't looked back since. All those movies and television shows only fed my storytelling desire. I finally realized there was an outlet for me.

That same year, I started a job at the local movie theater as an usher. After graduating from the local university with a degree in Communications, I started writing and directing short films. Over time, I became a manager and moved to different buildings before settling down at the local Megaplex in the area. With the exception of one year when I moved to New York City to attend the New York Film Academy, I have lived the double life of movie theater manager by day, filmmaker by night.

Since the late 90s, I've created numerous short films, two web series and one feature. I've written countless scripts, both feature length and short, and self-published a book. I was able to parlay the web series success into a Writer's Guild of America, East membership. (I love screener season) I still write. Not enough though. I read as much as I can, but again, not enough.

I dabbled in acting a bit, but soon discovered I had little interest in it, but it was pretty good decision on my part since I met my wife in acting class. Countless times, like many creatives, I've wanted to quit and pack it in. She won't let me. She knows I'd be miserable. We've managed to create three wonderfully, boisterous children. We have three dogs, two rabbits and there's already a push for a pig, which I'm fighting dearly to prevent. I'll probably fail.

The struggle continues to this day, but I have a sense of coming full-circle to that High School senior who first discovered the joy of writing. The written word is where this all started and hopefully continues.

Sample of Writing

Budgeting is a No-Brainer

Always do a budget. Always.

A movie, a short film, a web series or anything you’re creating is a business. It’s a one-off business and produces one piece of product, but it’s still a business. And what do businesses all start out with? Business plans.

Your budget is your business plan. It gives you an idea of what you need to spend money on even if you have no idea what to spend money on. If I handed you $10,000 and said go make a short film, where’s that money going?

In your pocket? You’d be surprised how many producers answer ‘yes’ to that one. But seriously, what are you spending your money and how much should go to what department?

Hiring sound? Paying for a sound mix in post?

Editor?

Equipment? What kind? Getting a dolly track? Steadicam?

Hiring an operator? Who’s shooting it?

Digital camera, right? Buying hard drives? Backup hard drives? (Yeah, you’re going to need those)

What about food? How many meals you providing?

Travel expenses?

Are you paying actors? If not, are you paying for their travel? If not, why would they work for you for free?

Have a headache now? This is just a small list. Could you imagine if you were planning an 18-21 day shoot for a feature? You’d go insane.

Budget, budget, budget.

Making a budget is paramount to the success of your project. It forces you to think about the unthinkable that pops up in your production. It makes you rank by level of importance where your money should go.

Quick hint: Sound.

If you don’t like to create a budget, go make friends with a line producer or even someone who loves creating budgets. I know, I know. What person loves to do budgets? You’d be surprised. Now go find them and make a budget.