Filmmaking Stuff

Filmmaking Stuff Filmmaking Stuff provides tactics and strategies so you can make movies that sell. Filmmaking Stuff provides resources for independent filmmakers.

Welcome to Filmmaking Stuff, where you will receive tips and strategies on how to produce and sell your movie. The website includes filmmaking articles on how to take a story idea from script to screen, including articles on scriptwriting, funding, producing, and distribution. Download your FREE filmmaker roadmap. Go here: https://www.filmmakingstuff.com/subscribe

05/12/2026

We're live from Cannes! This year, StudioDome has a prime spot on the Croisette, overlooking the sea. Join us for a look inside our offices and a glimpse of the beautiful Cannes morning as we kick off a busy day of meetings. While some of our team are scouting films at the Palais, our main hub for buyer meetings is right here.

05/08/2026

Gigantic fees in film contracts can destroy your profit. Beware of 'market fees' up to $50,000, often inflated by marketers. Always ask for receipts to ensure expenses are legitimate.

05/07/2026

Ever wondered how money flows in film production? A waterfall diagram shows exactly how profits are distributed. It details the order of payments, first to investors and then to the production company. Crucial for investors to see how their money returns.

05/06/2026

When signing with a sales agent or distributor, be extremely cautious about giving away your rights. Understand the full implications, especially if compensation isn't substantial. Avoid signing away sequel or remake rights without significant gains. Keep contract terms reasonable, ideally under 15 years, and steer clear of perpetuity deals. Most importantly, thoroughly vet your agent or distributor—ask around, build trust, and ensure they are reputable before committing.

05/06/2026

Nobody cares about your film festival laurels… and yes, that sounds brutal.

But if you're pitching buyers, sales agents, and distributors, it’s true. They know the difference between Cannes and your local hometown festival. That doesn’t mean smaller festivals are useless—it just means you need to understand what they’re actually good for.

✅ Which film festival laurels actually matter
✅ Why buyers only care about the top-tier festivals
✅ How smaller festivals can still help you build an audience
✅ The danger of spending too long on the festival circuit
✅ When it’s time to stop chasing laurels and start selling your film

The goal is not just getting laurels—the goal is getting your movie seen, sold, and making money.

Have you had success with film festivals? Drop your experience in the comments—I’d love to hear it.

05/05/2026

An MG, or minimum guarantee, is essentially an advance payment on your movie's future revenues. It's money paid upfront that a distributor must earn back before any revenue splits occur. While often called a minimum guarantee, it functions more as an advance. Securing an MG can help pay off debt or investors immediately.

05/04/2026

Fighting over movie back end points often amounts to very little. While a percentage sounds great, most films don't earn enough for it to matter significantly. If a movie does become a breakout hit, your next project's salary negotiation will benefit far more than those few extra points.

05/01/2026

Don't arrive at Cannes unprepared. Use Cinando, accessible with your badge, to find and schedule meetings with sales agents and distributors beforehand. Do your research on the Cannes website for panels and reach out to contacts.

04/30/2026

Thinking film festivals are where you pitch buyers? Think again. Festivals are for audiences and buzz. Real business happens at film markets like AFM, EFM, and Cannes. Keep your pitches ready for the markets, and let festivals build your movie's audience.

04/29/2026

AVOD is where indie films are making money right now.

A lot of filmmakers still focus only on TVOD—Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango at Home—but the real spike in revenue often comes later when the movie hits AVOD platforms like Tubi, YouTube, and Pluto.

✅ AVOD means ad-based video on demand—free to watch, supported by ads
✅ Younger audiences are used to watching content this way
✅ Platforms like Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu are all leaning more into ads
✅ Many indie films see bigger numbers after the TVOD window ends
✅ Your movie pacing matters—slow burns can lose viewers around ad breaks

If you’re making indie films today, you should be thinking about how your movie plays on AVOD from the start.

Have you seen this happen with one of your films? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

04/29/2026

When buyers evaluate your film, they always ask two things: what's the genre and who's in the cast? Knowing these answers upfront significantly impacts your sale. A clear genre and a recognizable actor can make all the difference.

Address

Los Angeles, CA
90028

Telephone

+13107463868

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Filmmaking Stuff posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Filmmaking Stuff:

Shortcuts

Share

Category