Many directors and I probably share the same idle daydream: A studio exec calls and says, “You simply must direct our $200 million screen epic. You’re the only one on our list.”
Then I wake up and realize I’m more likely to catch the measles or be hit by lightning.
Let’s keep dreaming, but at the same time, devote our waking hours to taking action—like veteran assistant director and production manager Tom Seidman has. Seidman’s resume includes working for directors Clint Eastwood on Honkytonk Man, Peter Weir on Dead Poets Society and Robert Redford on Ordinary People. He shared his experiences with low-budget indie productions at a recent Film Independent education event.
“About 12 years ago, I got tired of waiting for someone to tap me on the shoulder and say ‘here’s your big chance,’” he said. Seidman raised $750,000 to produce The Hazing, a horror film. Despite distribution and premium channel airings, the film lost $500,000. “That’s the sad reality of independent filmmaking. Even if you make a film you sell, it’s tough to get the money back to cover your budget,” Seidman said.
He then realized a $200,000 film would have a fighting chance of making its money back and maybe earn a profit. Since then, Seidman has produced, written and/or directed three $200k-budgeted films: The Christmas Bunny, Golden Winter and the upcoming Survive. MORE...
“About 12 years ago, I got tired of waiting for someone to tap me on the shoulder and say ‘here’s your big chance,’” he said. Seidman raised $750,000 to produce The Hazing, a horror film. Despite distribution and premium channel airings, the film lost $500,000. “That’s the sad reality of independent filmmaking. Even if you make a film you sell, it’s tough to get the money back to cover your budget,” Seidman said.
He then realized a $200,000 film would have a fighting chance of making its money back and maybe earn a profit. Since then, Seidman has produced, written and/or directed three $200k-budgeted films: The Christmas Bunny, Golden Winter and the upcoming Survive. MORE...
