No Budget Resources

NEWS & INFORMATION

MAGAZINES/TRADE PUBLICATIONS (Print):

Daily Variety

(Good source for general film news. If you subscribe to the printed version, you get online access for free.)

http://www.variety.com

Filmmaker Magazine

(Best printed source for indie film news, information and coverage. Quarterly magazine.)

http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/

MovieMaker

(Their stories are a bit fluffier than Filmmaker's, but still a good resource.)

http://www.moviemaker.com/

The Independent

(No longer in print form, but the online site is a still vibrant source for indie film articles, especially regarding documentaries.)

http://www.aivf.org

DV Magazine

(One of my favorite printed sources for technical information for indie filmmakers. Definitive articles and reviews on cameras, editing systems, software, hardware, techniques, etc.)

http://www.dv.com/

Videoography

(Another good technical magazine.)

http://www.videography.com/

Videomaker Magazine
(Videomaker's online Video Production Magazine: Camcorder reviews, articles and information on consumer video production. Empowering people to make video that inspires, encourages and equips for success.)
http://www.videomaker.com/

HD Video Pro
(Glossy, thicker version of the above mags, with in-depth articles.)
http://www.hdvideopro.com/

ONLINE:

IndieWire

(Best source of information on indie film. Many different high-quality blogs to read too. Subscribe to their free daily email news report.)

http://www.indiewire.com/

Daily Variety

(If you can't afford the printed publication, pay for the online version. A very good resource.)

http://www.variety.com

IMDB & IMDB Pro

(Terrific resource. Comprehensive film database. IMDB Pro is worth the over $100/year. Try the free 2-week trial subscription first.)

http://www.imdb.com/

http://pro.imdb.com/

Rotten Tomatoes

(Comprehensive movie review listing)

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/

Movie City News

(News, columns and blogs, with great links to other news sources.)

http://www.moviecitynews.com/

Self Reliant Film Blog

(Interesting stories and links on all subjects.)

http://www.selfreliantfilm.com

No Film School Blog

(Very good filmmaking blog with guest writers.)

http://www.nofilmschool.com

Studio Daily

(Subscribe to their Daily Email Digest--it's a quick read with great variety.)

http://www.studiodaily.com/

Digital Content Producer

(Good resource.)

http://www.digitalcontentproducer.com/

2-pop

(Excellent site for editing & other technical information)

http://www.2-pop.com/

Adam Wilt

(Tons of technical information for you hardcore tech-heads.)

http://www.adamwilt.com/index.html

HD For Indies

(Like "Snakes On A Plane", the name says it all.)

http://www.hdforindies.com/

DVX User

(Resource information for DVX-100 & HVX200 Cameras, and now more)

http://www.dvxuser.com

Ken Stone

(Final Cut Pro help and training)

http://www.kenstone.net

Ripple Training

(FCP, etc. help and training)

http://www.rippletraining.com/

ORGANIZATIONS *

* While most of these orgs are based in LA, they all have wonderful web sites that are excellent resources for filmmakers all over the world.

Filmmakers Alliance

(If you're an indie filmmaker in LA, you need to be a member of FA. Period.)

http://www.filmmakersalliance.com/

Film Courage

(Great group, with an internet radio show you can podcast and monthly screening series of independent films.)

http://www.filmcourage.com/

Film Independent

(No matter what you call it--IFP/LA, FIND--it's definitely worth the dues, just for the free screenings alone.)

http://www.filmindependent.org/

Women In Film

http://www.wif.org/

Alliance of Women Directors

http://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/

Indie Producer

(A network of indie producers.)

http://www.indieproducer.net/

48 Hour Film Project

(A great org for getting off your butt and making films.)

http://www.48hourfilm.com/

168 Hour Film Project

(Faith-based version of the above. 168 hours = 7 days. Get it?)

http://www.168project.com/

National Association of Latino Independent Producers

http://www.nalip.org/

LA Final Cut Pro Users Group

(More than just FCP, this org represents one of the best values in LA--great monthly meetings, information-packed newsletter, and a web site chock full of information and great deals for its members--all for FREE.)

http://www.lafcpug.org/

Digital Cinema Society

(This org is growing and expanding its areas of interest. For tech heads interested in cameras, editing systems, and, oh yeah, digital cinema.)

http://www.digitalcinemasociety.com/

ForTalent

(Social network for folks in the industry, especially actors.)

http://www.fortalent.com/

Stage 32

(Social network for film, TV, and theater creatives.)

http://www.stage32.com

FILM SCREENINGS

IN LA:

American Cinematheque

http://www.egyptiantheatre.com/

Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theatre

http://www.silentmovietheatre.com/

UCLA

http://www.cinema.ucla.edu/public/calendar/calendar_f.html

LACMA

http://www.lacma.org/

The Academy

http://www.oscars.org/events/index.html

AFI On Screen

http://www.afi.com/

New Beverly Cinema

http://www.michaelwilliams.com/beverlycinema/showtimes.cfm

Laemmle Theaters

http://www.laemmle.com/

Landmark Theaters

http://www.landmarktheaters.com/

Cemetery Screenings

http://www.cinespia.org/

Echo Park Film Center

http://www.echoparkfilmcenter.org/

Downtown Independent

http://www.downtownindependent.com/

Hollywood Mobile Movie

(A unique and fun mobile drive-in theater!)

http://www.hollywoodmobmov.com/

Film Radar

(Listing of Revival, repertory, and special film events in LA.)

http://www.filmradar.com/

(Same as above.)

http://www.easycasting.com

SAGIndie

(Same as above.)

http://www.sagindie.org/casting.html

Craigslist

http://www.craigslist.org/

Backstage West

(Publication for placing casting notices. Small fee.)

http://www.backstagewest.com

Theater groups

(Theater groups in your area are a great resource for actors, wardrobe, etc.)

http://www.theatermania.com/content/listings.cfm?int_city_id=2

Cazt

(FREE casting location in LA!)

http://www.cazt.com

PAYROLL COMPANIES:

NPI Production Services

Diego Stawski

Wk: (818) 566-7878

Fx: (818) 566-7879

diego@npiproductionservices.com

www.npiproductionservices.com

PRODUCTION INSURANCE:

Truman Van Dyke Company

Doug Hodges

Wk: (323) 883-0012

Fx: (323) 883-0024

doug@tvdco.com

http://www.shorttermproductions.com

Frankel & Associates Insurance

Max Gottlieb

Wk: (310) 552-3349

Fx: (310) 552-3349

Mb: (310) 346-0906

snowmax@comcast.net

GEAR RENTAL:

Castex Rentals

(Good for production equipment and misc. items; some G&E.)

http://www.castexrentals.com

Wooden Nickel

(One of the best deals on G&E in town.)

http://www.woodennickellighting.com

HALA Lighting & Grip

http://www.halastudios.com/

The Expendables Recycler

(The best place in town to purchase expendables.)

http://www.expendablesrecycler.com

VIDEO TAPE STOCK:

(assuming you still shoot on tape!)

VSA

(These guys are out of Nebraska and they're cheap!)

http://www.videoserviceofamerica.com/

Edgewise Media Inc.

(The place to go in LA when you've got to pick up some tape quick.)

http://www.edgewise-media.com

Media Distributors

http://www.mediadistributors.com

WARDROBE:

Signature Cleaners

(Will clean any item for $2.00 per item.)

11707 Ventura Blvd

Studio City, CA 91604-2616

(818) 980-3440

MAKEUP ACADEMIES:

Make-up Designory

http://www.mud.edu/

Studio Makeup Academy

http://www.studiomakeupacademy.com/

Joe Balasko

http://www.joeblasco.com/blascoschools/index.htm

CRAFT SERVICE:

Costco

(Absolutely worth the $45 membership fee.)

http://www.costco.com/

Smart & Final

(No membership fee; bulk-buying prices.)

http://www.smartandfinal.com

Trader Joes

(Crews love the stuff you get at Trader Joe's.)

http://www.traderjoes.com/

DO-IT-YOURSELF PRODUCTION:

The Frugal Filmmaker

(Scott is awesome. Subscribe to his website and Facebook group. A terrific resource for building your own production equipment and finding deals on all kinds of useful stuff.)

http://filmflap.blogspot.com/

Chris Jones' Blog

(Jones, the Brit filmmaker and author of the Guerilla Filmmaking books, has an incredible blog, with all kinds of DIY producing tips.)

http://www.chrisjonesblog.com/

CheesyCam

(DIY tips and equipment reviews.)

http://cheesycam.com/

DSLR Film Noob

(Everything you wanted to know about shooting with DSLR cameras.)

http://www.dslrfilmnoob.com/

Larry Becker's Cheap Shots

(Lots of DIY help here.)

http://larryscheapshots.com/

Crew Of One

(Information about low-budget production tools and no-budget filmmaking.)

http://crewofone.com/

MUSIC:

LicenseMusic.com

(Library music)

http://www.licensemusic.com

FotoSearch Music

(Royalty-free buyout music and audio clips)

http://www.fotosearch.com/music-audio/

Free Play Music

(Free music for films & TV.)

http://www.freeplaymusic.com

Royalty Free Music

(Free music and buyout music.)

http://www.royaltyfreemusic.com

Dan-O Songs

(More royalty free music.)

http://www.danosongs.com/

ASCAP

(Search for rights-holders to songs.)

http://www.ascap.com

BMI

(Same as above)

http://www.bmi.com/

STOCK FOOTAGE:

Internet Archive

(Incredible resource for free archival stock footage)

http://archive.org/

Pond5

(Huge source of royalty-free photos, videos, sound effects and music.)

http://www.pond5.com/

PRINTING:

UPrinting

(My go-to place for printing postcards, posters, vinyl banners, etc.)

http://www.uprinting.com/

LEGAL:

Legal Zoom

(To set up LLC, etc.)

http://www.legalzoom.com

Industry Contracts

(Boiler plate contracts on CD-ROM. WARNING: I have never seen these contracts and can not vouch for their effectiveness. Have a lawyer you trust look over the important ones.)

http://www.industrycontracts.com

CONSULTING:

Peter Broderick

(Innovative alternative distribution strategies, and more, from one of the smartest guys in the indie film biz.)

http://www.peterbroderick.com

BOOKS:

Think Outside The Box Office

(THE #1 DIY distribution guide out there.)

http://www.thinkoutsidetheboxoffice.com

Selling Your Film Without Selling Your Soul

(Case studies of successful DIY distribution stories)

http://www.sellingyourfilm.com/

Be The Media

(Guide to DIY Marketing of Film, Music, Writing)

http://www.bethemedia.com

The Reel Truth

(Comprehensive guide through the boobie traps of filmmaking for the First-Time Filmmaker)

http://us.macmillan.com/thereeltruth

Film Festival Secrets

(A FREE Guide to Navigating the Film Festival World)

http://www.filmfestivalsecrets.com/book/

43 Ways To Finance Your Feature Film

(The name says it all!)

http://www.amazon.com/Ways-Finance-Your-Feature-Film/dp/0809326930

SOFTWARE: