The Filmmaker's Notebook

Every filmmaker has the fantasy: you’re at a festival, someone important watches your film, and suddenly, everything changes. The big break. The golden ticket. The moment you’ve been waiting for.Except it rarely works that way.Waiting to be “discovered” is a trap. It’s passive. It assumes that the power lies in someone else’s hands, and all you can do is hope they notice you. But the truth? No one’s coming to rescue you.The good news: you don’t need rescuing.Today, the tools to build your...

Networking feels like something you should do, doesn’t it? Show up, make small talk, collect a few business cards, hope someone important notices you. But let’s be honest—it’s exhausting. And if you’re not the life-of-the-party type, it’s downright painful. So here’s a different idea: stop chasing rooms where you don’t feel like you belong. Instead, host the party. Create the space. When you’re the one inviting people in—whether it’s to a table read, a backyard screening, or a virtual...

When we think about failure, it’s easy to view it as a roadblock—an immovable object on the path to our goals. But what if failure is the tool we didn’t know we needed? What if it’s the forge in which resilience, creativity, and eventual success are shaped? As an independent filmmaker, failure is as common as a Starbucks on every corner. It’s part of the process, and I’ve had my fair share. Let me tell you about some specific failures—each of them a brutal, humbling experience that taught me...

I just finished reading Keith Johnstone’s book Impro, and it got me thinking about how much his ideas could transform the way we approach our work as independent filmmakers. Johnstone’s book is a guide for actors and improvisers, offering techniques to help them trust their instincts and create scenes that feel real and compelling. But as I read, I couldn’t help but notice how these same insights could be applied off the stage—to how we tell stories, build connections, and navigate our...

October 2024 Newsletter Hello Reader, The Quiet Canadians is stepping into the spotlight at The Kelty Foundation’s High Stakes Night on November 27! It’s shaping up to be an unforgettable evening with live entertainment, amazing food, and a ton of surprises. The evening is dedicated to supporting a cause that makes a lasting impact! This extraordinary event will bring together live entertainment, gourmet dining, and a lineup of surprises, including a stunt show produced by Habethy Films. It’s...

Festivals will reject you. Grants will say “thank you” and mention how many qualified applicants there were this year… while still rejecting your application. Distributors will pass, saying “your story’s not what we are looking for”. But the independent filmmaker stays focused on their vision, undeterred by external setbacks. It takes courage to keep moving forward when the industry says no. New Filmmaker’s Notebook every Wednesday: Https://newsletter.habethyfilms.com

Hey Reader, This past year, I got back into cooking. In the beginnning, I was playing it safe—sticking to recipes and measuring out ingredients like I was taking a high school chemistry test. After a while, I started getting comfortable. I’d swap out spices, tweak the process, and before I knew it, I wasn’t just following instructions—I was cooking meals that felt like mine. Directing a film? It’s a lot like that. You start with the fundamentals, learn the basics, and eventually, you get...

Being a great Director, Writer, or Producer is like being a great coach. You can’t lead without first playing a few key positions yourself. From my experience producing and directing my first feature film, 13 Miles, and producing several other features and shorts, I’ve learned that understanding how different roles on set work is crucial to being effective in any leadership position. It’s the difference between a smooth day on set and chaos. Learning Through Experience Before I directed my...

Hello Reader, We’ve been in production mode recently, and we wanted to give you an inside look at what our day really looks like when we’re working on set—or "a day at the office" (with a lot more gear). Plus, we’ve got two major updates to share: Our pre-title sequence fundraising campaign for The Quiet Canadians is officially live! We have updates on our work with the Kelty Foundation for their upcoming High Stakes Casino Night—and yes, we are still looking for sponsors! But first, here’s a...