At a glance
- Learn how to raise money for your film
- How to find a sales agent
- Discover how distribution works in the 21st century
Producing an independent film has never been easier. Or harder.
In this no nonsense hard headed evening course you will learn how to hurdle over barriers and obstacles most first-timers face.
Learn how to put together an independent feature that will get you into the elite club of feature directors and producers.
And who better to explain the hard facts coupled with the tips and tricks only an insider knows?
Meet film director Simon Hunter:
He has 3 decades of experience. Join Simon as he explains what makes an independent film tick. See how he challenges a screenplay, and decides if it is shootable on an indie budget. Learn how to get talent on board.
Once your film is completed, Simon will show you the festival and distribution route based on his own films which have played at film festivals in two dozen countries. Learn the ins-and-outs of distribution and streaming platforms.
You will learn invaluable insight and knowledge that will arm you for the adventure, the stress, and the sheer exhilaration that is making your first indy feature.
What will we Cover?
- Raising money: How much money do I need to make a movie or tv pilot?
- Commissioning scripts: Where to I get the very best script and should I pay for them? Genre vs Drama
- Creating an exciting mood film: You need to make sometime visual to help get people interested – we’ll show you how
- Keeping control of the production: Money going down the drain, crew tantrums, directors unhinged – Zen out with our tips
- Finding a sales agent: Do I need one? What do they do ? How do they sell my film? What should I pay them?
- Distribution in the 21st Century: Online, indie cinemas, and multiplexes: where will your movie be seen in the modern post Corona age?
What will you Achieve?
You will learn a through knowledge of how to make an independent film in the 21st century. So much has changed in the industry in the last few years – you will get up to the minute information about how to get your first movie made and seen.
How will you be taught?
From Script to Screen is a no-holds-barred online lecture with slides, various clips from indie movies. The class is accompanied by budgets and schedules from independent productions that only an insider can see. You will have opportunity to ask questions.
Who Should Attend?
If you’re a filmmaker or producer and dream of moving past endless short films and getting that long form movie made this is the course for you. When putting together your first indie feature directors and producers work together so this course is suitable for both. Also suitable for writers keen to get their screenplay shot and up on the silver screen.
About the Tutor
Simon Hunter is a highly accomplished director and show-runner known for his strong visual storytelling, particularly in the realms of outdoor and travel themes. His debut feature film, *LIGHTHOUSE*, a $2.5 million British thriller, garnered critical acclaim and won multiple awards at European film festivals. It was lauded by the *New York Post* for its intense suspense.
Following the success of *LIGHTHOUSE*, Simon joined the renowned London-based commercials company Infinity, where he directed high-profile commercials for major brands like British Airways, Coca Cola, and the British Heart Foundation. His ability to bring captivating visual stories to life was further demonstrated in his 2005 science fiction film *MUTANT CHRONICLES*, starring Thomas Jane, Ron Perlman, and John Malkovich.
In 2017, Simon pursued his passion project, *EDIE*, starring Sheila Hancock. The film became one of the most successful independent British films of the year, receiving numerous awards and theatrical releases worldwide.
Simon’s recent work includes the 2022 World War One love story *CAN YOU HEAR ME?*, featuring Peter Facinelli, Sir John Standing, and James Cosmo. The $5 million film is currently in post-production. In 2023, Simon expanded his expertise into television as the show-runner for *COLD MIND*, a TV series centred around a series of gruesome murders on the Portuguese Algarve. The series, currently in post-production, is set to be previewed at MIPCOM in October 2024.
Simon is represented by United Talent Agency in Los Angeles for his work in feature films and television.
Simon also teaches the Film Directors’ Foundation Certificate and the Advanced Film Directing Foundation Certificate, and in person the Hands On Directing Masterclass and the Advanced Hands On Directing Masterclass
Read Breaking in as a Film Director by Simon
What they’re saying
Simon’s enthusiastic personality and his pearls of wisdom such as “you don’t see with your eyes… they’re just there to filter information to the brain”. Simon has an engaging, highly enthusiastic personality and I was quickly drawn in to his vast skillful knowledge of film production - Steve Grimes
Did you know?
Raindance members save 20% on this course?
You can join online >HERE< and start saving immediately
This course is FREE for our HND and postgraduate/MA/ students
You can book a free 1-1 consultation about our full-time degree courses, email filmschool@raindance.co.uk
The Raindance Guarantee: If this course fails to meet your expectations, let us know at the break and we will make a full, 100% no-questions-asked refund
We don't teach 'filmmaking' at Raindance. At Raindance we make filmmakers.
