How to Get an Independent Film Made & Distributed

How to Get an Independent Film Made & Distributed

How to Get an Independent Film Made & Distributed

Sam Borowski
Sam Borowski
6 years ago

You know all those things that filmmakers, screenwriters, and actors bemoan about here on Stage 32?
Can’t raise the finances to make a movie.
Can’t get distribution.
Can’t get a break.

How to Get an Independent Film Made and Distributed**'Getting Grace', a film starting Daniel Roebuck, on a film scroll in a movie theater.

Well, I know a guy who would disagree with you and is proving anything is possible.

And not just any guy, but the man who played the second lead of Cliff Lewis on Matlock, Dr. Leslie Arzt on LOST, movies like The Fugitive, and in six of my own productions. Yes, I’m talking about Daniel Roebuck, my good friend who has an extremely recognizable face with some real juice in Hollywood. However, he's also a man who is strong in his Catholic faith and very approachable.

Many actors in Hollywood often are. That’s why you take your shots with actors, producers, directors, and film financiers where you can.

Jeff Lewis took that shot about eight years ago when he got a script called Bending Spoons to producer Mark Rupp, who, unbeknownst to Jeff, got it to Roebuck. Screenwriters pay attention, because Danny has experience and a recognizable face, he has connections in Hollywood, just like any other experienced producer or movie star would.

Danny liked Jeff’s script, especially the spirit of the comedy about a girl who was dying of cancer and was wondering what would happen next. However, he felt there were some changes needed. Despite this, he was already in love with the lead character, Grace. She reminded Danny of his young daughter who, in addition to having the same name, was also bubbly, kooky, and mischievous, just like the girl in the script.

Over the course of the next seven years, Roebuck and Lewis collaborated on the screenplay. During that time, they gave the character of the funeral director a backstory that explained his demeanor throughout most of the film. (This was one of my favorite segments in the movie.)

They also added some deeper meaning and changed the name of the script to Getting Grace.

“It’s a movie about having faith, but not which faith to have,” Danny told me. “I’m not defining which God they have to believe in, but I am suggesting that there’s something greater than this. I believe it’s open to people of all faiths.”

1) Find Who You Know

How to Get an Independent Film Made and DistributedDanny and Jeff Lewis at the 2017 Northeast Film Festival.

The thing that I want young screenwriters to understand is that Danny got Jeff’s script made. Yes, it took about eight years, but he did it, which proves that part of this process is who you know. He brought on board his brother-in-law, Cory Geryak, who worked in the camera department on big-budget studio movies, but was also a cinematographer on many features and shorts. To say he was experienced and talented is an understatement.

They headed to Danny’s hometown of Bethlehem, deep in the Lehigh Valley, to shoot a teaser. They had beautiful drone footage of the Lehigh Valley and Danny, who played the role of Bill. Danny also attached some key supporting actors, not the least of which is our mutual buddy Duane Whitaker. You will no doubt remember Duane from his role as Maynard, the infamous pawn-shop owner in Pulp Fiction, where he played opposite some other great actors like Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, and Peter Greene.

However, Getting Grace was a chance for Duane to play a much different character. The character is Reverend Osburn, a man, who despite his strong Christian faith, is interested in all types of spirituality. Danny added other veterans of the big and little screen with actors like Marsha Dietlein and Dana Ashbrook, one of the regulars on Twin Peaks. He even got a humorous cameo from Richard Pryor Jr., as well as other recognizable faces and character actors.

I mention all of the above because I have seen countless posts here from filmmakers who make features and don’t even attempt to get names or Hollywood character actors. And then they complain when Hollywood doesn’t want their movie or they can’t get investors.

2) Find The Money

**How to Get an Independent Film Made  Distributed**Danny and Madelyn Dundon at one of the theaters playing Getting Grace.

Speaking of investors, Danny did have traditional investors, some of whom he had been speaking to for years. However, after a chance meeting with a Bethlehem resident on an airplane (MOED Media), a local company was brought on board. He combined them with an aggressive crowdfunding campaign that involved his family and friends back in the Lehigh Valley. To say he got invaluable support from the area would be yet another understatement.

You see, filmmakers, even if you’re not as famous and recognizable as Danny, chances are you still have a hometown, friends and family, and locals who would like to help. And for those who often post that they don’t live in Hollywood or New York, Danny made this movie in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania. And make no mistake, the Valley became a character in the film, much like the ship in Titanic.

We’ve all heard Robert Rodriguez say, “Use what you have.”
Danny did just that.

Now, for all of the aspiring actors looking for a break, pay attention: Against the advice of many in the Hollywood community, Danny agreed to cast the lead role of Grace from the Lehigh Valley. He saw scores of actresses before Madelyn Dundon walked through the door and he knew he had found his Grace. He also cast several other crucial roles such as Doug, Grace’s young love interest (Jacob Williams), and Audrey, Grace’s friend with advanced stages of cancer (Alexa McFillin) from the Valley. There were others, still.

3) Promote Your Project

How to Get an Independent Film Made  Distributed

Throughout filming, the community truly got behind this movie. Danny promoted like P.T. Barnum, something a lot of filmmakers here could take a lesson from.

He went on PBS local radio.
There were countless newspaper articles.
The movie has a Facebook page with regular updates.
There was an IMDb page created early on.
Getting Grace has own website.

To say that the Getting Grace updates were never ending would be the third such understatement.

By the time he showed me the film in his living room in beautiful downtown Burbank, I felt like I had shared the ride. After the movie, I was moved. The flashback segment that gave Bill’s much-needed backstory featured Danny’s young son, Buster, who looked like a young Dan Roebuck! His real-life daughter, Grace, worked on the crew. He licensed some amazing music through another contact of his. Some of the music included huge hits like Dr. Hook’s When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman and Supertramp’s The Logical Song.

You see, indie filmmakers, it pays to have contacts, instead of just making a movie and writing, directing, and producing it yourself with not a single recognizable actor.

Continuing the pattern of using what you have, Danny also found a local 16-year-old girl, Alyssa Garcia, who recorded two songs, including Better Life, which is featured in the trailer. To say that all the music helped with distribution would be, you guessed it … a huge understatement.

Not to mention his wife Tammy Roebuck (truly his better half) was a producer on the film and helped edit the movie and trailer. She also helped design the press kits, movie poster, and more. One thing I want to make clear here is that Danny truly put together a team. This is yet another area where independent filmmakers fall short. Putting a film together is a collaborative medium, and if you intend to do it all yourself, you will make things much more difficult.

4) Use The Film Festival Circuit

I’ve heard may rail out against the film festival route here on Stage 32, yet Danny embraced it. At my advice, he reached out to Larry Rosen, the head of the burgeoning Northeast Film Festival, then in its fifth year, and agreed to submit. He was chosen as the opening night film and made his World Premiere in front of two sold out crowds, with starting times 20 minutes apart for introductions and Q&As – at the gorgeous Teaneck Multiplex Cinemas. They packed almost 500 people into the theaters that night, even busing people down from Bethlehem, which was 90 minutes away. Danny put together a whole package for the people who took the bus trip. He truly made it an event and built up a tremendous buzz about the film in the process.

He sold out no fewer than three of those festivals as several distributors took notice of Danny’s aggressive approach. Within months of the screening in Teaneck at NEFF, Danny obtained full North American distribution from Hannover House, which included theatrical and DVD. In advance of the theatrical release, Danny, Tammy, and Dundon embarked on an ambitious 14-city Sneak Peek tour across the country where they played to many sold out crowds.

How to Get an Independent Film Made  DistributedThe 'Getting Grace' Bus parked outside one of the theaters.

Through this sneak peek tour, they created more buzz for the film, got countless positive reviews, and Danny got out there with the people, much like a politician. I say that in a positive aspect. He alerted the entire country to this movie.

Along the way, they created a Getting Grace online store on their website and brought the merchandise with them on the tour to squeeze every drop out of the film they could – something a lot of other indie filmmakers could also learn from. They sold posters, soundtracks, old-fashioned movie programs, tee shirts and mini-posters, all of which they could autograph. And, yes, they sold!

How to Get an Independent Film Made  DistributedTwo fans display their Getting Grace souvenirs.

By the time the movie opened nationwide on Friday, March 23rd, there was much anticipation. They already had a positive score on Rotten Tomatoes, who reviewed the movie in advance of its release and Danny continued his relentless promotion, even going on the Greg Gutfeld Show on FOX News. Tammy went on ABC local news in her hometown of Tampa, one of the cities the film was playing at the time. She was on hand in her local cinema for a week to greet fans and friends. Moreover, USA Today took notice and included Getting Grace in its Movies to See Easter Weekend Guide.

On Election Day, the DVD was unveiled in an exclusive deal at Walmart, both in stores and from their website, while also streaming on Amazon.com and i-Tunes. It’s now also available on Video on Demand through many cable systems and on Best Buy online.

How to Get an Independent Film Made  DistributedDaniel and Tammy Roebuck find their movie at Walmart.

So, for all the negative comments that you can’t do it, that festivals don’t matter unless they’re Sundance, and that you shouldn’t pursue names in your movies and you can’t get distribution anyway*, tell that to my friend Daniel Roebuck.*

And, now, with his second feature in pre-production, The Hail Mary, about a down-and-out football coach, which he will shoot once again in the Lehigh Valley, he’s still proving that anything is possible.

How to Get an Independent Film Made  Distributed

Sam Borowski is a New York-based director, writer, producer and the creator of the twice-monthly "So, You Want To Be An Actor," Workshop.

As a director and producer Sam has worked with many actors, including Oscar-Winners Ernest Borgnine and Benicio Del Toro, Oscar-Nominee Sally Kellerman, legendary performers Paul Sorvino and Mickey Rooney, 3-time Emmy-Winner Keith David and Natasha Lyonne, not to mention his good pal Daniel Roebuck. One of those films he collaborated with Roebuck on was the feature, Night Club, which also starred Borgnine, Lyonne, Sorvino, Kellerman and Zachary Abel. He's produced features all over the United States including Rex in Georgia and A Place for Heroes, both of which featured that same Roebuck guy. He's currently working on Stay Fresh, a large-budget feature that he will write, direct and produce. (And, yes, there’s a part in there for Roebuck.)

Over the summer, he produced In This Moment, a short film that he hopes to also qualify for the 2020 Academy Awards. In late December, he is directing another short that he wrote, Gabriella starring Joe Gannascoli of The Sopranos, Devany DiMattia and John Calvanico.

Like Roebuck, Sam's resume of film festival achievements reads like a veritable who's who of festivals on the circuit. He can be followed on Twitter at @Sam_Borowski or reached via email at cinematicheroes@aol.com. And, of course, you can find him right here at Stage 32!

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About the Author

Sam Borowski

Sam Borowski

Director, Producer, Screenwriter

Sam Borowski was destined to be a filmmaker. In fact, he grew up just a stone's throw from the house that served as the Corleone Home in the Academy-Award winning film, "The Godfather." He also watched the Oscars intently as his cousin Danny Aiello was Nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 1990. Ev...

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12 Comments on Sam's Article

Maria Johnsen
Filmmaker, Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Songwriter
Hi Sam, thank you for writing up such an informative article. It was very motivational. I agree it all depends on who you know in the industry and the other factors you mentioned on here. BTW! Danny Roebuck is a recognizable American character actor of television, film, and theater and a part of funding his movie was because of him being in many movies and TV series.   I worked hard to finance my film, i sent my applications everywhere in Europe and North America. Finally a famous director in Czech republic heard my voice and showed interest. He asked for my script and pitch deck, i sent him and he loved it then he sent it to several private investors, production companies and one of them asked for a meeting with me on Skype. After the meeting they decided to finance it and cover 100% of the budget. During this time I prepared everything from production design, locked location along with car and crew. On December 2019 when they supposed to wire the fund to our bank account, their assistant producer emailed me and wrote they decided to fund their animation film that went over budget. I got devastated. I spent a lot of money on advertisement and marketing the film. So I didn’t stop, I went online, paid for membership on all private investing websites and got 2 investors, one asked me to pay $2500 in advance to wire the money and the other one asked me for £17000 advanced payment and only then he would send the money. I asked why should i pay in advance, they both said it's for paper work. As you can guess they were scams. I also asked my cast and crew to ask if anybody among their friends and co-workers know who would be interested in funding our film. Nobody could help. I advertised whoever finance my film, gets £30000 plus 20% of sales but nothing happened.  I lost all my money in the process. I also applied for indigogo and nobody helped. I also applied for funding at various film institutions in Europe but they all declined because in Europe they support only recognized filmmakers with track record of sales in their previous films. Some of them say they support fist time feature film directors and producers but it is all BS. They lie. It's a mafia here in Europe. The majority of young filmmakers don't trust film institutes anymore. This is why some of them are shot down including film institute in Czech Republic. Currently the only chance I have is to co-produce my project with a seasoned producer or executive producer, this way I get 80% of the funding in place. Because he or she will apply for funding at film institute and we will be able to make the film.
5 years ago
Shara Maude
Screenwriter
This is great advice, Sam. It was a good read. I'm thinking of switching from novel writing back to screenwriting and it's great seeing someone making it happen. Sometimes it seems so insurmountable, but here's a guy who got it done. And that's just the way to do it. Thanks again for a great read, Sam.
6 years ago
Jennifer Smith
Screenwriter
This blog post was tremendously motivational for me as an aspiring screenwriter.  Thank you, Sam.  It helped me understand that getting my story up on the big screen IS possible.  Along with passion and old-fashioned hard work, use of my social capital to its fullest extent can reap boundless rewards.  Thanks so much for writing this post!  
6 years ago
Jennifer Smith
Screenwriter
Yes, trust is vital when opening your script up to changes by others.  Jeff was lucky to find Danny, and I can see why he trusted him.  I will have to see this movie soon!  Thanks a million for bringing it (and the story of its making) to my attention.  
6 years ago
Sam Borowski
Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Jennifer, I also struggled with this when I was younger and more inexperienced, but I learned to trust people by meeting people I respected and that made it easier to trust. Also it depends what the changes are. Danny has an impressive track record and various connections and I'm sure that made it very easy for Jeff Lewis to trust him. In addition, he "got" the spirit of that script and preserved it, but did something we all envision for our work, he "made it better." And, the name change from "Bending Spoons" to "Getting Grace," adding a double entendre was just a home run. ;) GOD BLESS and STAY FRESH! ;) ;)
6 years ago
Thanks for sharing.
6 years ago
Sam Borowski
Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Thank You Alfredo. :)
6 years ago
Louis Tété
Director, Screenwriter, Grip, Production Assistant, Script Consultant
Great article Sam, thanks again for sharing this wonderful journey. 
6 years ago
Sam Borowski
Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Thank YOU, Louis! HAPPY, HEALTHY and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR and a BELATED MERRY CHRISTMAS! GOD BLESS and STAY FRESH! ;)
6 years ago
Kimberly Ruzich
Screenwriter
What a great, encouraging article. Daniel Roebuck took an innovative and aggressive multi pronged approach to making "Getting Grace"  a reality and a success. Thank you for sharing his journey, Sam.
6 years ago
Sam Borowski
Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Thank YOU for these kind comments, Kimberly! HAPPY, HEALTHY and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR to you! GOD BLESS and STAY FRESH! <3
6 years ago
Toby Tate
Author, Screenwriter, Producer, Graphic Designer, Musician
I can relate to this - but man, eight years - wow! It's been two years since I finished the screenplay for my current project. I managed to get interest from two producers in Wilmington, NC. We hammered the script into shape, formed an LLC, I gave them writing credits in exchange for co-producing credit, and we began our search for investors. We are finally at the door and are currently waiting on lawyers to finish drawing up contracts - then we can walk on through and actually begin pre-production. But what a haul it's been. I thought getting novels published was hard! Thanks for the great post, by the way!
6 years ago
Toby Tate
Author, Screenwriter, Producer, Graphic Designer, Musician
Thanks so much, Sam. Feel free to message me that name - I would love to hear some of her stuff! We have connections to a couple of stars we are hoping will be interested in the female lead.
6 years ago
Sam Borowski
Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Toby, Thank You for your very kind words. Do your VERY BEST to get some recognizable names and faces in that movie - it will help you immensely. Music is important, as well. I actually know a composer who is one of the best in Hollywood, has done work for several companies, including IFC Films and does her best to fit within a budget. When you get to that stage, feel free to reach out. And, if you have any questions, I'm happy to help! HAPPY, HEALTHY and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR to you! GOD BLESS and STAY FRESH! ;)
6 years ago
Thanks for this, Sam.  That is a really insightful, inspiring and moving article that you wrote.   I've seen several different trailers for Getting Grace, and I love it.  It's like the sixth film on my To-See List, and I hope to see it within the next month or so.  What a great job your friend did in filming it; in discovering Madelyn; and in following through from start-to-finish.  What great passion and determination, and I can't imagine how much blood, sweat, and tears went into something like that.  And Getting Grace does not look like a low-budget film, even though it is, and major kudos to Daniel and his team for accomplishing that, too. "Why did I lose when I should have won? Because the fly flew through my fingers."  I bet you know what film that line is from, Sam.  But that is such a great recollection of all the things Daniel Roebuck did, and is doing, for Getting Grace.  If it was easy, everybody would be doing it, right?  Recollections like that inspire me more, and I thank you for that, and thank Daniel Roebuck for being the warrior that he is.  Thanks again, Sam, and much good fortune to you in 2019 with your various projects!  You're quite the warrior, too.    
6 years ago
Sam Borowski
Director, Producer, Screenwriter
;)
6 years ago
Sam, certainly share them.  I love when people succeed, and we learn a bit about all of the hard work that went on behind the scenes for that success to take place. And yes...that line is from Bang the Drum Slowly.   I mentioned the line because I thought it was appropriate to the conversation..and because of your cuz...and because I was trying to catch you on one, and hoped you didn't know it, so I could bust your chops a little.  I should have known better.  Mingya - I'm such a mamaluke!  Heh-heh.
6 years ago
Taylor Salotti
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter
It was a great experience filming with you and awesome to see Getting Grace. A great blog with awesome insight into the independent film festival! Anyone aspiring to be in the film industry should read this. 
6 years ago
Sam Borowski
Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Thank You Taylor! HAPPY, HEALTHY and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR in 2019 ... The Year of Signing, as in Signing for Success! ;) GOD BLESS and STAY FRESH! ;) ;)
6 years ago
Cali Gilbert
Photographer (Still), Author, Director, Screenwriter
Yet another brilliant inspirational piece Sam. My mind was running with ideas for my films as I read through it. Thanks for the encouragement. :)
6 years ago
Sam Borowski
Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Cali, Thanks again! And, I have NO DOUBT you will find even MORE SUCCESS in 2019 ... The Year of Signing, as in ONLY YOU CAN SIGN FOR THAT SPECIAL PACKAGE! ;) (I didn't come up with that one, Mary Dimino, a headlining comedian and actress did!) ;) ;)
6 years ago
Cali Gilbert
Photographer (Still), Author, Director, Screenwriter
Oh ABSOLUTELY Sam! The TEAM model is certainly the biggest lesson I've learned in my film career. As an author, I was so used to doing everything myself when it came to publishing my nine bestsellers. Yet there are SO MANY moving parts to making a film and distributing it correctly, that it is certainly a team effort. 2018 has really been about doing a LOT of research on how to bring the right people on board. Keep sharing your wisdom and Happy Holidays! Here's to making 2019 our BEST YEAR YET! :)
6 years ago
Tabatha Visutskie
Actor, Assistant Director, Producer, Production Coordinator, Production Manager, Screenwriter, Set Decorator, Set Designer, Stage Director, Stage Manager, Theatre Director, Theatrical Producer, Unit Publicist, Voice Artist, Marketing/PR, Author, Filmmaker
Thanks for sharing, encouraging
6 years ago
Sam Borowski
Director, Producer, Screenwriter
;)
6 years ago
Harri-Pekka Virkki
Author, Stunt Performer
Excellent post for the weekend! Thanks for sharing!
6 years ago
Sam Borowski
Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Harri, So Glad you got something out of it! :)
6 years ago
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