Independent Lens . Inside Indies . Inside Filmmaking

What inspires indie filmmakers to persevere? Go inside the making of independent film. Come back for new articles, interviews, journals and more.

Volume 1

PRODUCTION JOURNAL

The back of a man against the backdrop of a wide-open space and sky, with a “cloud” drawn in the sky.

Anne-Marie Russell

WORST POSSIBLE ILLUSION:
The Curiosity Cabinet of Vik Muniz

Part Sesame Street, part Andy Warhol, Brazilian-born Vik Muniz uses charm, bulldozers, chocolate sauce and chartered planes to create and explain his celebrated conceptual art.

Creative and persistent Director/Producer Anne-Marie Russell made the brilliant mistake of keeping a journal during the production of her film about the elusive artist.

"We call him. No response. Second call. No response. Weeks pass, more calls. Months pass, no response. This man knows how to play coy. Now we’re hooked….We send Vik a coded message, with an appropriate number of clues. A few days later, the call comes…"

FILMMAKER Q&A

An actor playing Nat Turner sits alone in a jail cell, looking forlorn.

Charles Burnett,
Frank Christopher and Kenneth Greenberg

NAT TURNER: A Troublesome Property

Using an innovative approach that combines documentary, dramatic reenactment and historical methodology, this exploration of Nat Turner, leader of the legendary 1831 slave rebellion, remains critical to understanding the racial history of the U.S.

Charles Burnett (director/writer), Frank Christopher (producer/co-writer/co-editor) and Kenneth Greenberg (co-producer/co-writer) share their thoughts on creative collaboration.

"How did you develop the filmmaking strategy you used?

Kenneth Greenberg: We talked and talked incessantly. The three of us traveled around the country together, filming the interviews and talking all the time. The key decisions were made during a retreat in which we worked 16 hours every day for several days… "

Inside Filmmaking:
Volume 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

indie icon
Robert Altman

"My films may not satisfy a mass audience, but they were never made to do that. This big store, they sell shoes, and I make gloves. With films I do or am going to do, I never take into consideration, 'Oh, this is really going to sell a lot of tickets.'"

Robert Altman talking and directing on set, gesturing with his hands.

Robert Altman talking and directing on set, gesturing with his hands.

Someone once said that "independent film" is a giant misnomer: no one is more dependent than a filmmaker working outside the mainstream commercial system….
—Robert Edwards, SUMO EAST & WEST

Once I feel totally immersed in the subject, I feel I become part of the film that I am making. Ideas flow easily, and I experience a creative energy that allows me to work for days without sleep.
—Frank Christopher, NAT TURNER: A Troublesome Property

The independent film business is like gambling. The level of success increases just enough to keep you coming back for more, with the illusion that you’ll hit the jackpot rather than pauperize yourself in the process.
—Paul Devlin, POWER TRIP

Be prepared to hear “no” and “you can’t” and “it’ll never happen.” Then prepare yourself to ignore all of that and do what you know you can do and, at times, the things you didn’t know you could do.
—Liz Oakley, SENTENCING THE VICTIM