Resources
Sundance-created and curated resources to expand your creative practice
Featured
SXSW 2022: Unpacking the Successes Challenges of Directing EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE, ALL AT ONCE
Writers and directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert sit down with Producer Jonathan Wang, and Co-Producers Allison Rose Carter and Jon Read to discuss just how absurdly challenging their comically ambitious screenplay was to produce. A candid discussion of the biggest challenges they faced and a celebration of the badasses behind the scenes who saved the day, kept it fun, and pulled off the impossible.
10 Pieces of Screenwriting Wisdom from Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi is one of the newest and most in-demand screenwriting voices in the film and TV industry today. His journey to this point in his career can teach us so much about the craft. In this article, Screencraft features some of his greatest quotes on directing, writing, and cinematic storytelling as a whole - nuggets of wisdom for any aspiring filmmaker.
The Film Collaborative: Distributor ReportCard
From The Film Collaborative, the Distributor ReportCard™ collates real experiences from real filmmakers in an anonymous, “Zagat-type” format, so that filmmakers can make informed decisions about which distributor might be the right fit for their film. Recently launched with 5 distributors listed, The Film Collaborative will be updating the list to include another 35 distributors over the coming year.
View NowSXSW 2022: Unpacking the Successes Challenges of Directing EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE, ALL AT ONCE
Writers and directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert sit down with Producer Jonathan Wang, and Co-Producers Allison Rose Carter and Jon Read to discuss just how absurdly challenging their comically ambitious screenplay was to produce. A candid discussion of the biggest challenges they faced and a celebration of the badasses behind the scenes who saved the day, kept it fun, and pulled off the impossible.
10 Pieces of Screenwriting Wisdom from Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi is one of the newest and most in-demand screenwriting voices in the film and TV industry today. His journey to this point in his career can teach us so much about the craft. In this article, Screencraft features some of his greatest quotes on directing, writing, and cinematic storytelling as a whole - nuggets of wisdom for any aspiring filmmaker.
Color Grading 101: Everything You Need to Know from Film Riot
10 Pieces of Screenwriting Wisdom from Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi is one of the newest and most in-demand screenwriting voices in the film and TV industry today. His journey to this point in his career can teach us so much about the craft. In this article, Screencraft features some of his greatest quotes on directing, writing, and cinematic storytelling as a whole - nuggets of wisdom for any aspiring filmmaker.
SXSW 2022: Unpacking the Successes Challenges of Directing EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE, ALL AT ONCE
Writers and directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert sit down with Producer Jonathan Wang, and Co-Producers Allison Rose Carter and Jon Read to discuss just how absurdly challenging their comically ambitious screenplay was to produce. A candid discussion of the biggest challenges they faced and a celebration of the badasses behind the scenes who saved the day, kept it fun, and pulled off the impossible.
The Film Collaborative: Distributor ReportCard
From The Film Collaborative, the Distributor ReportCard™ collates real experiences from real filmmakers in an anonymous, “Zagat-type” format, so that filmmakers can make informed decisions about which distributor might be the right fit for their film. Recently launched with 5 distributors listed, The Film Collaborative will be updating the list to include another 35 distributors over the coming year.
California Lawyers for the Arts
California Lawyers for the Arts helps artists find qualified legal counsel to assist with the legal matters they may encounter as artists.
ShotDeck: Largest Collection of Fully Searchable HD Movie Images
The Script Lab: Screenplay Library
The Script Lab's online screenplay library has hundreds of screenplays for free access and download. A great resource for filmmakers and screenwriters who want to see how their favorite films were written before the screen.
50 Feature Script Downloads All Screenwriters Need to Get Their Hands On
Curated from the Script Lab's free online screenplay library, this list features 50 script downloads all screenwriters should consider reading. There are many things writers can learn by watching and re-watching a great film, but reading a script provides a unique insight into the mind of the screenwriter, before anyone else is involved.
Film Fatales Podcast - Compassionate Storytelling: A Journey Through Non-fiction
BlackStar Podcast: Many Lumens - Janicza Bravo on Accountability, Friendship and the Creative Process
In this episode, Artistic Director & CEO of Blackstar, Maori Karmael Holmes, is joined by filmmaker Janicza Bravo. Their chat encompasses everything from accountability and friendship, to Janicza's hands-on creative process and the importance of choosing your battles, to her latest feature ZOLA and a shared childhood obsession with Barbies!
Creative Capital: A Cheat Sheet on Financial Literacy for Artists
A critical understanding of artist finances is key to building a sustainable creative career. From Creative Capital, this cheat sheet helps artists navigate the financial landscape and considerations of freelancing and consulting.
Filmmakers Legal Clinic (Formerly Indie Film Clinic)
The Filmmakers Legal Clinic (FLC), formerly known as the Indie Film Clinic, provides free transactional, intellectual property, and First Amendment legal services to visual advocates, filmmakers and video journalists working to move the social justice needle and diversify the stories that are told through media.
The Creative Independent: How to Make a Low-Budget Film in the Age of COVID
From The Creative Independent, this guide provides practical advice for producing a low-budget film in the age of COVID.
The Good Energy Playbook: A Playbook for Screenwriting in the Age of Climate Change
Created by writers, for writers, this interactive resource is here to help creators explore the endless ways the climate emergency complicates characters and colors story worlds.
The Whole Picture Toolkit: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Mentally Healthy Production
From The Film and TV Charity, this step-by-step guide helps filmmakers create mentally healthy productions.
HBO Docs Club Podcast
We Make Movies: Mental Health Tips For Filmmakers
Head Above Water: A Filmmaking & Mental Health Podcast
CineLink Talks: Mental Health in the Film Industry (presented by Documentary Campus)
What does our industry need to do to make sure those employed within it enjoy good mental health? In this panel presented by Documentary campus, two filmmakers and two qualified therapists working in film discuss strategies and suggestions for a healthier industry.
Dear Producer: The Producing Methods Needed to Make Your Film Happen and to Make it Great
In this article from Dear Producer, Epiphany James outlines the key takeaways from Oscar-winning producer Ted Hope's masterclass on The Producers Code and the producing techniques he's developed to help elevate projects and ensure they gets made.
Berlinale's House of Talents Podcast: Non-Scripted: Can We Write Cinema?
NFT Financing: How to Use NFTs to Fund and Distribute Your Projects
The Writers Guild Foundation with The Business of Creating bring this dynamic panel and Q&A with seasoned entertainment professionals on how filmmakers can raise money for their projects with NFTS.
VC Workshop: Grant Writing to Get Noticed
From Video Consortium, this workshop "Doc Grant Writing: Writing to Stand Out," features filmmakers and funding gurus Gabriella Garcia-Pardo (TIME, 2020 Sundance Creative Producing Lab Fellow), Heidi Reinberg (93QUEEN, HOT ZONW), and Shaleece Haas (REAL BOY, THE GENIUS OF MARIAN) as they share strategies to get your independent documentary funded with VC Education Committee member Julia Pontecorvo.
Insights from the 2021 Sustainable Production Forum
Our Professional Everest: A Panel Recap on the State of Indie Producing
A recap of Dear Producer's panel on the state of indie producing moderated by Avril Speaks (producer, JINN) with panelists Amanda Marshall (producer, SWISS ARMY MAN), Kim Roth (producer, BLUE BAYOU), Rachel Shane (producer, THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE) and Lizzie Shapiro (producer, SHIVA BABY).
"More to Talk About" Podcast: Intimacy Directors Show Broadway a Gentle Way of Returning ft. Claire Warden
Filmmaker Joshua Sanchez (FOUR) On How To Stay Sane and Healthy While Making a Film
VOD Streaming: What Is It and How Does It Work? (Vimeo Blog)
YEA! Mental Health Toolkit for Filmmakers
From Young Entertainment Activists, this toolkit is an actionable, community sourced compilation of resources and information. Find everything from therapeutic services to storytelling techniques that address mental health through an accessible and inclusive approach.
"The Future of Independent Film in the Age of the Corporate Streamers" Interviews with Filmmakers, Programmers, Distributors, Exhibitors & More
From The Film Collaborative, a video interview series of informal 20-minute chats with filmmakers, programmers, distributors, exhibitors, distribution experts, and other industry professionals on pressing film-distribution-related topics in this these tumultuous and unpredictable times.
Be A Filmmaker Who Edits: Why So Many High-Profile Directors Edit Their Own Films
The Power of the Still: The Photography Behind the Scenes
Albert Planet Placement: Guidelines for Implementing Environmental Sustainability in Content
Green Spark Group Sustainable Production Resources
Black Film Space Podcast: Tiffanie Young On Running A Production Company
The Black Film Space Podcast is a resource for emerging filmmakers to learn the ins and outs of production from the world’s top Black TV & Film industry professionals. In this episode, Tiffanie Young, Senior Vice President at Rock Shrimp Productions, is interviewed about her experience starting and running a production company, navigating the industry as a black woman, taking responsibility as a leader, and much more.
Green Production Guide
Sustainability matters. Created by studios and industry professionals, the Green Production Guide is a set of tools and resources to help filmmakers plan, communicate, implement and track sustainable production practices and reduce the environmental impact of their projects.
Reel Green: How B.C.'s Motion Picture Industry is Promoting Sustainability On and Off Set
Environmental Media Association Green Seal for Production Resources & Best Practices
The D-Word Community for Documentary Filmmakers
Hollywood Digital Climate Summit Action Guide for Filmmakers
From Young Entertainment Activists (YEA!), this collection of practical tools and impact resources was created for film students, conscious freelancers, young professionals, climate activists, scientists, and anyone interested in climate justice. It contains action items to make Hollywood more sustainable as well as tips for carbon footprint reduction in production and ideas for climate artists.
Women Make Movies: List of Film Groups for Women Filmmakers
From Women Make Movies, a comprehensive list of women centered film groups for female identified filmmakers.
From Women In Film - Filling the Gaps: Bringing History Alive on Screen
Part of the 2021 Women In Film TV Summit, this panel of female TV creators and performers focuses on unpacking the layers to developing and portraying historical narratives on TV. Featuring Zackary Drucker (EP & Director of THE LADY AND THE DALE), Joi McMillon (Editor of THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, Juliet Rylance ("Della" on PERRY MASON), Jurnee Smolett ("Leti" on LOVECRAFT COUNTRY), Amy Ziering (Co-Creator, EP, Writer & Director of ALLEN V. FARROW); moderated by Andria Wilson Mirza (ReFrame Director).