Resources
Sundance-created and curated resources we love
This Week
Here’s How to Shoot a Sci-Fi Film on a Low Budget
Teemu Nikki, the director and co-writer of “Lovemilla,” a Finnish science-fiction-fantasy-comedy-musical, shares how he and his team created a sci-fi film on a shoe string budget.
Musicbed: Interview with Jim Cummings
Director/Actor/Producer Jim Cummings, talks about the persistence and tenacity it takes to make ambitious, personal films.
A Complete Guide to Documentary Filmmaking
A step by step guide on what it takes to create a documentary film from start to finish.
Breaking and Entering, Part One: How to Shoot Down Self-Doubt and Pay the Rent While Making It in the Film Industry
Big picture advice on how to persevere and make it in the indie film industry.
The 10 Best Filmmaking Books to Read in 2020
Whether you're new to filmmaking or a seasoned pro, here are 10 must-reads for 2020.
7 Ways to Crack the Code of TV Writing
At Sundance, acclaimed TV and feature film writers, featuring writers of 'Transparent,' 'Six Feet Under,' 'Grey's Anatomy,' and more, share essential tips for episodic writing.
How the Creators of “The North Pole” Built Audiences Online and In Theaters for Their Oakland Web Series
NORTH POLE Creators Talk About Their Experience Building an Audience Online
How To Create a Successful Branded Content Campaign
Studiobinder explains the origin of branded content and shares tips on how to create captivating campaigns.
Christina Choe on What It Takes to Make a Movie
Christina Choe is a versatile filmmaker, traversing the lines between fiction and non-fiction. In this piece by Creative Independent, Christina highlights what it took to make her feature film Nancy.
126 Lessons On Independent Film Directing, Cinematography, Post-Production, Distribution, And More…
An indie filmmakers list of all of the advice he's learned throughout his career.
Justin Chon: On the Responsibility Involved with Making Films
Justin Chon on the unexpected responsibilities that come with making movies.
How They Did It: The Farewell Writer-Director Lulu Wang Shares Secrets to Turning Your Life Story into a Memoir Movie
Lulu Wang reflects on her journey of making a deeply personal narrative film.
Vox: How a TV Show Gets Made
Check out this start-to-finish breakdown by Vox of how a TV show gets made
The Opportunity Agenda: Working with Cultural Influencers
A guide for how to work with cultural influencers of all kinds to encourage meaningful dialogue and spark change surrounding social issues.
Great Visual Storytelling: 100 Movies to Learn From
Mubi shares 100 iconic films that teach the essence of visual storytelling.
Directing Challenges: How to Communicate Effectively with Actors
Tips for directors on how to collaborate effectively and get the best performances possible out of actors.
The Story of INGRID: Making a Documentary on a 15k Budget
How to Build Momentum in Your Screenplay
Tips on how to make your screenplay get noticed.
Backstage Resources
Check out these resources from Backstage covering helpful tips and advice for directors and actors.
A Smart Artist’s Guide to Income Taxes
It's that time of year again and Creative Independent wants you to be prepared. Check out their helpful income tax guide for artists.
No Film School: VFX Tips
With a little creativity, not only can VFX effects be affordable, but it can even save you money.
What It's Like to Direct the First Scripted VR Series
Michael Lukk Litwak shares the excitements, challenges, and frustrations he faced when directing multiple episodes Invisible, the first major scripted series designed specifically for 360-degree virtual reality.
Roundup: Genre Filmmaking Tips and Tricks from the Filmmakers of Fantastic Fest
Expert genre filmmakers from Fantastic Fest share their tips and tricks for genre-specific filmmaking.