The Economist Film Project

English Français The Economist, launched in 1843, is spreading its journalistic wings and taking on new areas of media with its brand new documentary project, started in January in partnership with PBS Newshour. The weekly English language newspaper, based in London, consistently claims to encourage intelligent debate and discussion on current global issues, and their [...]

Creative Commons: the Robin Hood of 21st century culture?

English Français by Ana Soares It’s tough to be an artist in the era of copyright, so knowing that organizations like Creative Commons are out there, looking out for your right to be creative, can be at least reassuring. Whether you’re an independent or mainstream filmmaker, a musician or a scientist, a writer or an [...]

Paris: City of Lights…Camera, Action.

English Paris is a wonderfully photogenic city- boasting some of the World’s most instantly recognisable landmarks, stunning architecture and a certain “je ne sais quoi” charm.  So it’s no wonder that thousands of films are shot here every year from big-budget, star-studded monoliths to zero-budget indie films. So, as an independent filmmaker, how do you [...]

ÉCU’s Secret Tip #4: If you’ve got it, flaunt it!

English Français By Claire Leonard Once your script is written or even your film made, the party over, and the hangover cleared you need to set about the task of getting your film seen and, hopefully, loved.  Yes, there is Cannes, but there is so much more to the French film festival scene than those [...]

Secret Tip #3: Pitch to lots of Producers

English Français By Claire Leonard Okay, so we’d all like to be a lone maverick filmmaker, like Shane Carruth: writer, director, producer, actor and musical composer of the brilliant $7000-budget movie Primer which went on to win Sundance in 2004. But in reality your creative flair for scriptwriting and even direction will go miles further [...]

Secret Tips Part 2: The Best Things in Life are Free.

English Even if you are enviably multi-talented, with numerous strings to your filmmaking bow, you are still likely to need to enlist the help of others in your project. Whether you want to find quality actors for key roles, or assemble technical crew, there are ways and means of tapping into a wealth of talent [...]

ÉCU Secret Tips: For Independent Filmmaking in France

English Français By Claire Leonard Secret Tip Number 1 of 5: It’s a cliché I know, but there’s something about Paris that makes it a veritable cauldron of bubbling creative juices.  Talk to just about anyone from barmen to bankers and soon enough you’ll discover their second life as artist, musician, writer, poet, dancer or [...]