By Tessa Moran
While LA is central to fiction filmmaking, New York City is considered the capital for documentaries. And so I’ve often been asked why I don’t move to the big apple to pursue my dream. My simple answer: why not make films anywhere else? After all, the “set” for a documentary could be in a jungle, or the desert, a home in middle America, the inner city of Chicago. So really, a documentary filmmaker’s home is anywhere. I’ve been fortunate to live in Washington, DC, a vibrant and diverse city that has been the inspiration for two of my films. And here, there is a small but active documentary film community, one that embraces filmmakers of all levels.
Two years ago, when we started to think seriously about documentary filmmaking, we discovered Docs in Progress, a non-profit organization that screens works-in-progress documentaries to the filmmaking community and public, providing filmmakers with both industry and layman’s feedback on their docs. Prior to going to docs-in-progress, we had only seen finished, award-winning docs we’d rented through Netflix. So it was encouraging to see flawed documentaries, and to watch their transformation into great films. It helped us trust the process, and to be patient, something I still struggle with. It was also a fantastic way to meet, trade ideas and possibly collaborate with other filmmakers.
Docs-In-Progess is just one of many innovative resources for filmmakers. Here are a few surefire ways to benefit from your doc community:
1) Sign Up For Listservs In Your Area:
We subscribe to the email listserv for Women In Film and Video, a local group that hosts monthly free round table discussions as well as a variety of conferences and classes on filmmaking. Members of the organization receive discounts on classes and conferences and have access to an exclusive listserv through which they can connect with other filmmakers and even find job opportunities. We also subscribe to the listservs of the “DC Film Alliance” and “DC Film Salon”, which hosts regular meetings, networking events, and screenings of films by local filmmakers. Try to add as many workshops and events to your calendar, especially those that are free.
2) Submit Your Film To Local Fests
Festivals held in your hometown or city are an excellent way to stay involved, especially since many fests tend to favor local filmmakers. Some even give awards to “best local film.” The media is also more inclined to highlight local films in their coverage of a fest. When our film was selected at DC Shorts, myself and other local filmmakers were contacted by the Washington City Paper for video interviews. Screening at a local fest is also convenient way to meet and network with other filmmakers without flying across the country and paying for a hotel. Many fests host workshops to which festival filmmakers are given priority seating and no-cost admission.
3) Patron Your Nearby Indie Theater:
The AFI in Silver Spring and Landmark Theaters in Downtown DC and Bethesda are some of my favorite weekend (and even weekday) hangout spots. They show some of the best films and are cleaner and less crowded than their blockbuster-screening counterparts. Landmark even sells beer and wine! But what’s great about these local theaters is that they often host special events WITH the filmmakers present. Last year, I saw Billy the Kid and attended a Q&A with director Jennifer Venditti. Make sure to sign up for email alerts from your local theaters so you never miss out on some of these great events.
4) Support Other Local Filmmakers
Make an effort to attend the screenings and fundraisers of films by local filmmakers. And be sure to send them your feedback and congratulations either in person or through electronic avenues (listserv, email, facebook, myspace, linkedin, blog, etc.). As an indie filmmaker, you know more intimately than the average person about the challenges in making a documentary. You know how hard it is to get the message out, to support yourself financially, and to overcome the often crippling bouts of doubt that comes with an uncertain career. So give another filmmaker some love when deserved, and most likely they will return the favor when your shining time arrives.
