The Filmmaker's Notebook

🎬 filmmaker’s notebook | making movies that matter (without millions) Hi Reader, Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get said enough in this industry: Great films aren’t made by money. They’re made by clarity. Clarity of story. Clarity of vision. Clarity of scope. And clarity about what you can actually pull off without maxing your credit cards and losing your mind in the edit bay. That’s what this week’s been about for me—thinking a lot about how to build The Quiet Canadians not with...

Hey Reader, I don’t know if you need to hear this, but if you’re staring at your project folder, wondering if this next film idea is worth it—if anyone will care, if anyone will give you money, if anyone will say yes—I need you to read this slowly. You don’t need permission. You just need to start. And not in some vague motivational poster way. I mean practically, tactically, step-by-step. Because the new game isn’t about being discovered. It’s about designing your own path. When I made 13...

Hey Reader, You don’t need to know everything before you start. You just need a project that forces you to learn. For me, that project was 13 Miles. And the lesson? You learn fastest when you have no other choice. The Panic-Induced VFX Bootcamp We had wrapped shooting 13 Miles, our indie triathlon movie. Everything was coming together. Then, we hit a problem. There were shots that needed visual effects. Small things—removing unwanted elements, compositing, subtle fixes. But we didn’t have the...

Hey Reader, Most independent filmmakers market their movies the way Hollywood does. Big trailers. Splashy posters. A desperate hunt for press coverage. But here’s the truth: that strategy won’t work for you. It didn’t work for us when we made 13 Miles, our indie triathlon film. It’s not working for most indie filmmakers I know. And if we had followed that path for The Quiet Canadians, we’d be stuck in a cycle of frustration, wondering why nobody cares about a project we are pouring so much...

March 2025 Newsletter Independent Film is Not Just Alive—It’s Thriving Sean Baker just made history. His independent film Anora swept the Academy Awards, proving beyond a doubt that independent cinema is where the real artistry lives. Five Oscars for a film made on “blood, sweat, and tears” – not studio franchise money. Proof that audiences and movie lovers want fresh, original stories, not the same recycled Hollywood IP. This is a defining moment for indie filmmakers. It’s also why we’re...

The Hidden Power of Wardrobe: How Clothing Tells a Story on Screen Why Every Indie Filmmaker Needs to Think About Costume Design Imagine this: Your lead character walks into the scene. Before they even say a word, the audience already has an impression of who they are. How? Their wardrobe. Costume design is one of the most overlooked storytelling tools in indie filmmaking, but it’s also one of the most powerful. It’s the fastest way to define a character, set the tone, and establish...

Most people wait. They wait for the perfect opportunity. They wait for someone to tap them on the shoulder and say, “You’re ready.” They wait for validation from the industry gatekeepers. Crystal Lowe doesn’t wait. She makes things happen. She’s an actor-turned-director who went from starring in Hallmark films to directing them. And if you think it was because someone handed her a golden ticket, think again. She built her career through sheer determination, relentless learning, and a...

The indie film industry, much like any other, is a melting pot of diverse personalities and styles. Assembling the right team to bring your cinematic vision to life is crucial, but it can be challenging to sift through the noise of rumors, personal biases, and industry gossip. How do you find the right collaborators amidst this cacophony? In this article, we’ll explore: • Evaluating potential team members beyond hearsay • Balancing references with personal experience • Trusting your instincts...

February 2025 Newsletter From the Producers’ Chair Hello Reader, Sometimes, the best way to move forward is to start before you’re ready. The same mindset is driving The Quiet Canadians. We’ve set the course: our first stunt sequence will be shot this spring/summer! This is a parachuting sequence that will set the tone for the film’s high-stakes tension. Our full production is locked for October/November 2025. We’re pushing forward with funding, assembling our team, and crafting a lean,...