#NerdsUnite: Confessions of an Indie Filmmaker(Why Indie Artists Need to Bite the Bullet and Get a Twitter Page)
<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Meg. She's an indie filmmaker here in LA and is here to talk about her experiences and challenges in filmmaking. Dudes, Hollywood in a recession is nooooo fun! But here's what's working and isn't working for Meg. Hit it lady!!! </editorsnote>
#TalkNerdyToMeLover's Meg Pinsonneault
Long gone are the days of indulging only in creativity. Specifically for an indie filmmaker like myself, you must be versed in all aspects of the process. And I’m beginning to realize that no skill is more important than social networking. There are so many contests, polls, and competitions based solely on a voting system. The bigger your social net, the better chance you have of prevailing. But you have to be engaging too. It’s about making friends and supporting each other. It’s about community and family. I hear a lot filmmakers complaining that social networking is too time consuming. But I think they’re looking at it all the wrong way. It may feel like you’re whoring yourself around, but there’s a lot more to it than just a cheap date. (Just remember, it never hurts to ask. You’ll be surprised how fast relationships can grow.)
Twitter, Facebook, and the like are wonderful platforms for which to engage and interactive with your audience. We’ve all watched the resurgence of indie film fueled by cheap and accessible technology. But it’s also a direct cause from the rise of social networking. I believe that indie filmmakers are some of the most passionate people on Earth. Up until a few years ago, most of us didn’t have a chance in hell of telling our stories. Social networking platforms gave independent artists of all kind the ability to scream from the rooftops and the audience a chance to listen. Fine, I’ll admit it. Up until 9 months ago, I thought online relationships were a joke too. But I was very wrong. To all those naysayers out there, you don’t know what you’re missing. It’s time to bite the bullet. Social networking isn't going away. If you’re an indie artist and you don’t have a Twitter page, you’re simply not competitive. Case and point: I’m currently working on a feature documentary, Gwapa (Beautiful), about a poor Filipino family’s struggle to help their 3 kids with facial deformities. It’s been a very exciting process and I can safely saw that most of this project’s success to date is due it’s heavy social presence online. Back in November, we ran a kickass crowd-funding campaign to fund the completion of this film. We didn’t reach our goal, but $12,411 our of our $16,500 goal ain’t bad! The real commodity we gained was massive support for our cause and a wide audience excited to see our film. Once the word got out, people from all over the world came to our aid andGwapa (Beautiful) spread like wildfire. It’s truly special to see so many wonderful people step to support this wonderful cause. But the good news doesn’t stop there. Because of tremendous support from our online family, we also won indieWIRE’s “Project of the Week” contest in early December. And best of all, we’ve had major interest in the film from sales agencies, all because of our social marketing for the project.
Fast forward to present day to where we’re now vying to win indieWIRE’s “Project of the Month” contest! (This is where the whoring comes in.) Ring the year in right by helping to bring awareness to Filipino kids with cleft deformities. Winning a consultation with Sundance Institute only solidifies the importance of this film. Be a part of the movement! Please consider voting forGwapa Beautiful for indieWIRE’s “Project of the Month” contest. The competition runs through a Facebook poll from January 2 - 6, ending at 10am EST. You must have a Facebook account to vote. Help save lives forever and help spread the word about this important issue! Click HERE to vote this film.
If you’re running a crowd-funding campaign right now, I suggest you consider submitting to these contest. Each week, indieWIRE readers can vote for their favorite in-the-works film project using a Facebook-based polling system. Each weekly winning project will also be voted on for the best project of the month; the winner with the most votes will score an in-depth consultation with a senior member of Sundance Institute’s program staff.The projects are selected by indieWIRE editors from filmmaker-submitted applications, documentaries or online video. Digital distribution is a rapidly changing industry. According to IndieWire blog, this is what filmmakers can expect to get out of the consultation:
- Discussion of new platforms and devices, including iPad and other tablets, smart phones, and connected TV platforms -- and how they can become part of your distribution strategy
- How theatrical and digital releases can work together
- The promotional and financial value of theatrical distribution vs. digital distribution
- How to get the most out of digital-distribution platforms.
If you want to submit your film for consideration as “Project of the Day,” click here.