Posted by The Antidote on February 25th, 2011

by Grant Stoner, Antioch Student and Independent Film Producer

Producing a film, it seems, is one of the hardest things on earth to accomplish. Well, let me qualify that… Technology is making it increasingly easier to make a film, but making something that people will see? That’s an entirely different story…

Grant Stoner (left) with legendary producer Martin Poll and “Inside the Actors Studio” host James Lipton

Ive had the pleasure of working with and learning under everyone from moguls to startups, nice guys to egomaniacs, and Oscar winners to work-a-day Joes. No matter which category they fall in, these producers have done the impossible: make a movie, and often multiple movies. For that they earn my respect.

I’ve been asked often what a producer does, and the truth of the matter is it’s complicated! The Producers Guild of America has worked hard to define that with its Producers Code of Credits, but there is so much more that it can be. What I’ve learned is, in essence, producing a film is like starting a business, and independent producers are the definition of entrepreneurs.

The Product

Like any new venture, it starts with an idea … a dream. Unfortunately, in the beginning, that dream will have to start as a hobby, because we all have to pay the bills! And, as some producers portend, the film landscape has forced even the “successful” independent producers to face the fact that independent film may be a hobby culture. But, I’m an optimist, so I digress…

See the rest of the post here: The Antidote