The Practical Filmmaker

Leaving the comfort and security of a corporate gig to become your own boss can be frightening. This week we walk with Steph Cullen, freelance filmmaker, on her transition from corporate life to freelancing. In this episode, she talks about creating legal contracts, insurance, and her favorite nonprofit. Listen to hear how Steph has transitioned from corporate life to becoming a freelancer. Key Points: 1:30 - How she got started 3:39 - Why she left the security of her corporate job 8:27 - Creating legal contracts 11:55 - Favorite gear 15:14 - Types of projects she takes on 16:06 - Something going wrong 20:30 - OMG Female Filmmakers 23:02 - Favorite Nonprofit to work with 24:48 - Highlight and lowlight of freelance experience Links: Nick Richey Episode [https://thepracticalfilmmaker.com/episode/68-skipping-film-school-indie-writer-director-nick-richey/] University of Idaho Law Clinic [https://www.uidaho.edu/law/academics/practical-skills/clinics/entrepreneurship-law-clinic] Art List IO [https://artlist.io/] Freshbooks [https://www.freshbooks.com/] Website [https://omgfemalefilmmakers.com/] Connect with the Practical Filmmaker Follow The Practical Filmmaker on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/practicalfilmmaker/] Watch more episodes on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmApyW2HCwQhYelwT0zIriQ] Find more filmmaking resources [https://thepracticalfilmmaker.com/]

If you have a passion for metal artwork, you might be interested in becoming a props fabricator. This week Eric Anthony Leong, Props Fabricator, shares how he started in the industry. Eric's film resume includes Black Adam, Till, and Marvel. In this episode he talks about venturing into the industry, working on set, and setting rates. Listen to hear how you can turn your passion for creating metal artwork into a film career. Key points: 1:30 - Becoming a prop fabricator 7:29 - Venturing into the film and television world 11:03 - Getting details on how the props are being used 11:39 - Communicating with different departments 14:10 - Who eats the cost when someone makes a mistake 16:41 - Working on set 20:15 - Union requirements 23:08 - Setting rates 28:30 - Something going wrong with materials 30:10 - What is overlooked 34:32 - Tools of the trade 37:50 - Why he's in the industry 46:06 - Average build time Links: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/djericanthony] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/DJericanthony1/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/djericanthonyatlanta/] Website [https://screencaptured.com/] Connect with the Practical Filmmaker Follow The Practical Filmmaker on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/practicalfilmmaker/] Watch more episodes on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmApyW2HCwQhYelwT0zIriQ] Find more filmmaking resources [https://thepracticalfilmmaker.com/]

In 10 days, we'll be having our 2nd annual virtual mixer on the Gather platform! Go to @practicalfilmmaker on insta or thepracticalfilmmaker.com to sign up! Filmmakers/Showcase: -John Quinn - Editor (Horror genre, The Chosen) -Nick Richey - Indie Writer/Director of 1-800-HOT-NITE -Alex Goetz - outdoor filmmaker (NatGeo, BBC) -Nina Vallado - Documentary filmmaker (Student Academy Award finalist) -Theo Brown - Indie Writer/Director - Feature -Lenny Leonardo - Indie Writer/Director - Series -Sydney Tooley - Writer/Director (Sun Moon with Sony Affirm) Giveaways/Prizes include: -1 TB NVMe SSD -$30 Film Tools Gift Card -Gaffe tape galore! -Practical Filmmaker swag! Connect with the Practical Filmmaker Follow The Practical Filmmaker on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/practicalfilmmaker/] Watch more episodes on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmApyW2HCwQhYelwT0zIriQ] Find more filmmaking resources [https://thepracticalfilmmaker.com/]

Should you skip film school? This week Nick Richey, indie writer & director, shares how he went from an economics major in college to making feature films. In this episode, Nick tells how he skipped film school, making his latest project 1-800-Hot-Nite, and paying himself as a director. Listen to learn if film school is right for you. Key points: 1:24 - How he got started in the industry 6:45 - First feature film 9:25 - No formal education  11:34 - Something going wrong  15:14 - Investing in your career  18:54 - Latest film 1-800-Hot-Nite 23:30 - Favorite day on set 25:23 - What went wrong on set 32:50 - Screening went wrong 34:24 - Creating coming-of-age films 36:32 - Next project 38:28 - Making a distribution deal 48:34 - Paying yourself  54:06 - Favorite gear 57:29 - How to trust your guy on casting Links: Low Low Trailer [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nZVGy8Hplc] 1-800-Hot-Nite Trailer [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c0E6dUZCIA] Studio Binder [https://www.studiobinder.com] Studio Binder YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@StudioBinder] Shot Deck [https://shotdeck.com/] Atlas Lens [https://atlaslensco.com/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/nick_richey] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nickrichey8/] Connect with the Practical Filmmaker Follow The Practical Filmmaker on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/practicalfilmmaker/] Watch more episodes on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmApyW2HCwQhYelwT0zIriQ] Find more filmmaking resources [https://thepracticalfilmmaker.com/]

When starting as a freelance producer, you will make mistakes, and it's okay. This week Bryan Fellows, a freelance producer for Nascar, Nat Geo, and Disney+, shares how he overcame his mistakes from starting out as a freelance producer. In this episode, he talks about his career pivot, getting started in producing commercials, and the tools he uses to streamline his workflow. Listen to avoid easy mistakes when starting out as a freelance producer. Key Points: 1:36 - How he started 4:18 - Wanting to Direct 7:10 - Starting own production company 11:54 - When a project didn't work out 15:01 - Pivot point to producing commercials 27:22 - Getting started into the commercial world 31:37 - Learning on the job 35:12 - New software to help producers 36:48 - Turn around expectations 39:30 - Bidding on a job 42:06 - How to quote for his time 45:41 - Favorite tools Links: Episode 6 [https://thepracticalfilmmaker.com/episode/film-agency-panel/] Where Spot [https://www.facebook.com/groups/wheresspot] Video Village [https://www.facebook.com/groups/888393238215598] Hot Budget [https://hotbudget.com/] Movie Magic [https://www.ep.com/movie-magic-scheduling/] Set Hero [https://www.setheroapp.com/] Studio Binder [https://www.studiobinder.com/] Frame IO [https://frame.io/] Wrapbook [https://www.wrapbook.com/] Notion [https://www.notion.so/] Website [https://www.bryanfellows.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/fellows031/] Connect with the Practical Filmmaker Follow The Practical Filmmaker on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/practicalfilmmaker/] Watch more episodes on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmApyW2HCwQhYelwT0zIriQ] Find more filmmaking resources [https://thepracticalfilmmaker.com/]