How and why has it become possible for anyone to become a filmmaker? By Yasmin Philgence

Intro In today’s society, it has become apparent that nearly anyone can become a filmmaker due to inexpensive cameras, low budgets, editing programmes being more accessible and the overall filmmaking process.

In today’s society, it has become apparent that nearly anyone can become a filmmaker due to inexpensive cameras, low budgets, editing programmes being more accessible and the overall filmmaking process.

Inexpensive Cameras One reason why it has become possible for anyone to become a filmmaker is because of Cameras. The arrival of inexpensive portable cameras during World War II effectively made it possible for anyone in America with an interest in making films to write, produce, and direct one without the support of any major film studio. As the years progressed so did the quality of the cameras and their low prices. This factor is single-handedly probably the most important reasons why Independent films have become popular, making it easier for aspiring filmmakers who don’t have the money to produce a Box office Blockbuster, to spend so little on the camera yet still create amazing films. Below is a link, to a website that’s showcases just how cheap Handycams and Camcorders can be, once again, showing how easy it is for anyone to become a filmmaker: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Browse/ID72/14419490/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CPhotography%7C14419436/c_2/2%7Ccat_14419436%7CCamcorders+and+accessories%7C14419485/c_3/3%7Ccat_14419485%7CCamcorders%7C14419490.htm?cmpid=GG05X&kwmid=4984296&kmcid=3931204545&match_type={ifcontent:&_$ja=kw:cheapest+camcorder|cgn:Camcorders|cgid:679792425|tsid:13535|cn:Camcorders|cid:24610305|lid:40300561|mt:Broad|nw:search|crid:3931204545

One reason why it has become possible for anyone to become a filmmaker is because of Cameras. The arrival of inexpensive portable cameras during World War II effectively made it possible for anyone in America with an interest in making films to write, produce, and direct one without the support of any major film studio. As the years progressed so did the quality of the cameras and their low prices. This factor is single-handedly probably the most important reasons why Independent films have become popular, making it easier for aspiring filmmakers who don’t have the money to produce a Box office Blockbuster, to spend so little on the camera yet still create amazing films. Below is a link, to a website that’s showcases just how cheap Handycams and Camcorders can be, once again, showing how easy it is for anyone to become a filmmaker:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Browse/ID72/14419490/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CPhotography%7C14419436/c_2/2%7Ccat_14419436%7CCamcorders+and+accessories%7C14419485/c_3/3%7Ccat_14419485%7CCamcorders%7C14419490.htm?cmpid=GG05X&kwmid=4984296&kmcid=3931204545&match_type={ifcontent:&_$ja=kw:cheapest+camcorder|cgn:Camcorders|cgid:679792425|tsid:13535|cn:Camcorders|cid:24610305|lid:40300561|mt:Broad|nw:search|crid:3931204545

Low Budgets Having a low budget is a reason that explains why it is possible that anyone can become a filmmaker. Having a small and limited budget due to the lack of funding from studios enables the director to put more time and effort into the film, as re -filming cost more money. Low budget movies are sometimes seen by big Movie studios as unlikely to be successful. This is more often than not the case. However, there have also been many independent films that have grossed much more than their budget. The most successful low-budget film was 1999's The Blair Witch Project . It had a budget of $22,000 but grossed over $248 million worldwide. It had the highest ratio of box office sales to production cost in American film making history. It spawned books, a trilogy of video games and a less successful sequel. Napoleon Dynamite cost less than $400,000 to make but its gross revenue was almost $50 million. More recently, Slumdog Millionaire, with a budget of $15 million and grossing over $360 million worldwide.

Having a low budget is a reason that explains why it is possible that anyone can become a filmmaker. Having a small and limited budget due to the lack of funding from studios enables the director to put more time and effort into the film, as re -filming cost more money.

Low budget movies are sometimes seen by big Movie studios as unlikely to be successful. This is more often than not the case. However, there have also been many independent films that have grossed much more than their budget.

The most successful low-budget film was 1999's The Blair Witch Project . It had a budget of $22,000 but grossed over $248 million worldwide. It had the highest ratio of box office sales to production cost in American film making history. It spawned books, a trilogy of video games and a less successful sequel.

Napoleon Dynamite cost less than $400,000 to make but its gross revenue was almost $50 million.

More recently, Slumdog Millionaire, with a budget of $15 million and grossing over $360 million worldwide.

Easy and Accessible Nowadays, computers are everywhere, but more specifically movie editing programmes are more accessible as they are cheap and easily downloadable off the internet. This new quick and easy programming is very effective as it is less time consuming and it is as good as good as ‘high budget’ movies as it gets the job done. Also with, tutorials available with some programmes, it shows that anyone without any training in filmmaking can produce their own film, much like Filmmakers such as Ken Jacobs with little or no formal training began to experiment with new ways of making and shooting films. Who later went on to make film such as The Georgetown Loop, The Alps and the Jews and Nymph. The whole less time consuming aspect really comes into play here as link below shows a new independent film made for the CIFF (Californian Independent Film Festival) that only took 24hours to make (including editing). This truly gives us an view on how times have changed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHeU1451Gq8

Nowadays, computers are everywhere, but more specifically movie editing programmes are more accessible as they are cheap and easily downloadable off the internet. This new quick and easy programming is very effective as it is less time consuming and it is as good as good as ‘high budget’ movies as it gets the job done. Also with, tutorials available with some programmes, it shows that anyone without any training in filmmaking can produce their own film, much like Filmmakers such as Ken Jacobs with little or no formal training began to experiment with new ways of making and shooting films. Who later went on to make film such as The Georgetown Loop, The Alps and the Jews and Nymph.

The whole less time consuming aspect really comes into play here as link below shows a new independent film made for the CIFF (Californian Independent Film Festival) that only took 24hours to make (including editing). This truly gives us an view on how times have changed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHeU1451Gq8

Youtube! The dawn of Youtube, has rapidly increased and influenced the age of Indie/pendent films. Since February 2005, people worldwide have been able to ‘Broadcast themselves’ all over the internet as new upcoming, filmmakers. It has revolutionised the way that amateur filmmakers can get their work seen by millions without having to take time in distributing DVDs and sending their films through emails. Whilst researching I came across a video on Youtube from this website for amateur or aspiring filmmakers, on which it gives its viewers quick and cheap tips for special effects. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETTDKIC4rC8 http://www.indymogul.com/

The dawn of Youtube, has rapidly increased and influenced the age of Indie/pendent films. Since February 2005, people worldwide have been able to ‘Broadcast themselves’ all over the internet as new upcoming, filmmakers. It has revolutionised the way that amateur filmmakers can get their work seen by millions without having to take time in distributing DVDs and sending their films through emails.

Whilst researching I came across a video on Youtube from this website for amateur or aspiring filmmakers, on which it gives its viewers quick and cheap tips for special effects.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETTDKIC4rC8

http://www.indymogul.com/

Filmmaking Process The overall film making process has made it easier for anyone to become a filmmaker. The major, big production companies filming is a very longwinded process going from: Idea/Concept The writer crafts script The producer pitches script Film is agreed and shooting begins However, independent films have now democratised the film making process, creating more affordability and accessibility.

The overall film making process has made it easier for anyone to become a filmmaker. The major, big production companies filming is a very longwinded process going from:

Idea/Concept

The writer crafts script

The producer pitches script

Film is agreed and shooting begins

However, independent films have now democratised the film making process, creating more affordability and accessibility.