Film London and Microwave Film

A case study in independent film production 

1) What is Film London and why does it exist?

2) What is the purpose of Microwave Film?
3) What is the London Calling project for Film London and how does it encourage independent filmmaking?

4) Choose three feature films funded by Microwave Film and embed their trailers in your blog. For each film, explain why it fits the profile for an arthouse or independent film and what target audience the film might attract.

5) Watch these top tips for film production. List three things you've learned from these short videos that you can apply to your MEST2 production work. 

1)Film London is the capitals film and media agency. They sustain, promote and develop London as a major international film making and film cultural capital. This includes film,television,video,commercials and new interactive media. 

2) The purpose is to support all shortlisted candidates projects as well as finance and distribution support. Microwave challenges first time film makers to make a feature film on a budget of £150,000
3) London calling is a continuation and expansion of the London Borough of Film fund. It is open to all new and emerging film makers and runs across nine months. The scheme highlights  of:

• 15 short films are awarded a maximum of £4,000 
• Training and mentoring is provided to all film making teams
• Match Funding can be sought for any film being produced through London calling

4) Borrowed Time

Freestyle

The Britsh Guide to Showing Off

These three films fit the profile of arthouse films because they were all independently produced with small budgets. They also fit the profile of art house film because they are targeted at niche markets and typically don't make as large a profit scale. The third way in which I am able to identify that these films fit the profile of a arthouse film is that they used less commonly known and amateur actors. Most actors that are starting out use arthouse films to get recognized.  

5) After watching the three short films I have learnt: 

• Not to over complicate your concept -- Stick to what you know and build from there making it interesting and engaging as you go
• Don't have too many things going on in the script
• Take constructive criticism on board and learn from it as the first drafts and ideas may not always be the best
•  Use what is around me to make the film interesting
• Ensure that everything is carefully planned out from pre production to distribution
• Clear understanding of who the audience and genre is as it creates a structure for you to follow
• Clearly communicate what you are trying to say
• Visual affects added during editing aren't essential to making sure that the film is successful, some of the best clips come straight from the camera and how you use it