It’s a really interesting, exciting time in the independent film space. The studios are doing Batman and Superman and Ironman and all these big studio level films, big tent poles and spending hundreds of millions of dollars on the budgets and P&A, and they’ve left everything else to independent sources of financing. So it’s a good opportunity for independent filmmakers and financiers to put movies together at a lower cost and more commercial movies on the independent side. Actors and directors aren’t working as much. Prices for actors and directors are going down and you can get them to do these more interesting films for a lower price and more commercial bases.
–Hal Sadoff, Financial Advisor, panelist at the 2012 Film Independent Forum

Every year, the Film Independent Forum convenes esteemed filmmakers, producers, financiers, executives and other industry insiders to share their expertise and experience with filmmakers at all stages of their careers—many of whom are hungry for information and still struggling to get their films off the ground. With the 2013 Film Independent Forum just a few weeks away, we’re launching a series of weekly posts, Forum Fridays. These first weeks’ posts will feature panel discussions from last year’s event to give you a glimpse at the kind of career-changing information and insights that come out of Forum sessions.

Today’s video of the Armed To Sell panel offers insights into the always-challenging, sometimes-intimidating and frequently frustrating world of financing. Producers were invited on stage to pitch their in-progress projects to a panel of experts who critiqued their fundraising approaches and brainstormed strategies. The experts: Heather Rae, producer; Michele Turnure-Salleo, Director, Filmmaker360, San Francisco Film Society; Mark Ankner, Agent, Global Finance and Distribution, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment; Hal Sadoff, Financial Advisor; and Jennifer Anderson, Chief Operating Officer, Slated; with moderator Paula Schmit, Vice President Film Finances.

As of October 11 this video is only accessible to Film Independent Members. Members may login to view this video and more at my.filmindependent.org.

Not a Member yet? Visit filmindependent.org/members to get started.

For the most up-to-date info about film financing, production, marketing and more, sign up for the 2013 Film Independent Forum, October 25-27. To watch all the videos from the 2012 Forum and receive an array of other benefits designed to help boost your filmmaking career, become a Member of Film Independent.