The Honest Filmmaker

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#career #film  #distribution #hottosellafilm #filmmaking #writing #scriptwriting 

Today I’m joined by Creative Director and head of Acquisitions for Evolutionary Films, Ross Boyask.

We talked about sales and distribution, how the basics work, the best way to make contact with a sales agent, genres that are selling at the moment and the importance of figuring out what your film is before you start making it. 

Ross works for an international sales agency on titles including the critically acclaimed MARGIN CALL (starring Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany) and cult hit IRON SK. He is also an award winning genre filmmaker in his own right with five features as director on wide release. Including Evolutionary Films’ own VENGEANCE franchise featuring WWE Superstar Stu Bennett, Vinnie Jones and Gary Daniels.

Ross is well known on the film festival circuit, regularly attends international film markets including Cannes, Berlin and the AFM, and has strong relationships with international film buyers. He is currently developing and packaging a slate of genre feature projects.

Watch the trailer for I am Vengeance: Retaliation https://youtu.be/Ce3c9NcZQoE?si=lUQJkOLdZw5GTBoX

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

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HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

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Normally I talk to people within film and TV, but I also like talking to people in any creative industry and today its books. 

So I’m joined by published author Bev Sanford. Bev has 7 books out and more on the way. She’s written fiction, non fiction and recently contributed to the BBC’s Doctor who Target Story book and I am the Master. 

Since this is not my area of expertise I was very much finding out how getting a book published works. We talked about genres that sell, how the money works, making your work look professional, and what it’s like to write for Doctor Who. 

Bev ‘s debut novel “The Wishing Doll” is part of the teen reads series, her follow up book “Silent Nation” was part of the highly-acclaimed Teen Reads 5 series.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO WRITE FOR DOCTOR WHO?

Bev went onto write stories for BBC’s Doctor Who books “The Target Storybook” and the latest release “I am the Master”.  Her books are available from Penguin/BBC Books and can be found at Waterstones, Foyles, Amazon and all regular online/physical bookshops.

As well as being an author, Bev works as a professional copyrighter, editor and proofer.  She also acts as social media manager for the Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook pages for a number of high-profile global brands.

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

Send us Fan Mail

Today I’m joined by filmmaker,  editor, pixel pusher and owner of boutique video agency The Red Red, Jake Hawkins

Jake’s been working with some of the biggest brands in the UK for the past 10 years on all types of productions as well as co-directing the micro budget horror movie Zombie Resurrection.

In this chat I asked Jake for his tips on setting yourself up as a freelancer, how to set your rates, how to be professional, how to deal with clients and how find clients in the first place.  

Jake is owner of The Red Red Video, a video and animation company based in Hampshire. Working with brands to help tell their stories through animations, video and 3D content.

Jake left university to set up The Red Red, starting as a freelance cameraman and editor. He now works with brands like MTV, Johnson & Johnson and Shimano on big budget projects.

Jake also co-directed ‘Zombie Resurrection’, a micro budget horror that was released across the globe.

Links from the chat
Accounting software https://www.xero.com/uk 
Adobe After Effects Resource https://www.videocopilot.net 

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk

Send us Fan Mail

Hi I’m Jim Eaves, I’ve made shorts and features and I’ve been working for an NGB as video manager for the past 20 years, producing, filming, editing, hiring freelancers and working with agencies.

Having mentored students who are studying film and chatted to people coming into the industry it became clear to me that while their knowledge of the technical side was really good there was a gap with the career side, how to break into the industry, setting yourself up as a freelancer, finding clients, funding a feature, making a feature, selling a feature, on set protocols for big productions, the list is endless.

So with that in mind I’ve set up “The Honest Filmmaker” where I chat to people who are already working in the business and ask their advice for starting your career. I don’t just talk to film and video but all creative industries.

This is 80% practical advice and 20% inspiration. 

If theres an area of film or other creative jobs you’d like me to cover, chuck it in the comments and I’ll do my best to find an expert. Or if you have a general question about filmmaking let me know and I’ll do my best to give you an answer.

So, please subscribe so you never miss another episode of The Honest Filmmaker - career advice from people in the bu

Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Support the show

For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/

Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord
https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/

HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER

Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business.

We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career.

Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk