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These Are the Early Days of THE GLORY DAYS OF INDIE FILM - indie filmmaking & distribution is now available to the vast majority of interested artists in the US :: List of some sites that make it possible

"A beginning is a very delicate time."
- Dune, the 1984 film by David Lynch
(yes, I am a fan of David Lynch's Dune,  perhaps one of the few around, not unlike the small number of sandworms during one period of time in the Dune stories :)

The promise or the goal or at least one major positive promise/goal of the American independent film movement was that one day any artist would be able to make a film (feature or short) and distribute it, outside of Hollywood, without any Hollywood interference.  Those days are now here, and have been for some time.

At this point in time any artist who can get access to a smart phone or a video camera or the right kind of still camera, & can get two actors to volunteer for the film, & can shoot & edit & upload the finished film to the web & also market the film through social media & if they so choose collect money for the film using one of several methods available - is able to practice indie filmmaking & distribution.  Thanks to improvements in digital video, editing programs, the internet, social media, & crowdfunding the current glory days of indie filmmaking are possible.

Many in the indie filmmaking world these days complain about not being able to make an x amount of money, or this or that indie film company/distributor from the 1990's or so shutting down, etc.  These are minor problems.  Also largely false problems.  Indie film is art filmmaking.  Like all other arts, and perhaps like all other businesses, financial success is not guaranteed for all or even most.  However, at this point in time, more indie films than ever are being made & distributed.  I would guess at least 10,000 indie features are being made in America these days.  Many are distributed through independent film festivals & internet VOD, & some through the more traditional distribution avenues - theatrical, DVD, etc.  And I am guessing that overall more money than ever is being made from the practice of independent filmmaking & distribution.

Here is a list of links to some sites & companies & ideas/practices that are making these indie filmmaking glory days possible.

Panasonic

Apple - Final Cut Pro

Avid

Crowdfunding

Kickstarter

IndieGoGo
(and while we are here, support my IndieGoGo campaign for my new film.  thanks!)

Film Grants

Investors

Equity Crowdfunding (soon)

Self Financing

Pay Pal

Amazon Instant Video

iTunes

Netflix

Fandor

YouTube

Vimeo

DLSR filmmaking

Film Festivals

Facebook

Twitter

Blogs

Filmmaker Magazine

IFP

Film Independent

IndieWIRE

MovieMaker

Film Schools

How-To Books

Community Television

Smart Phones

Add more useful & relevant links in comments!

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