ESTABLISHING A CODE OF PRACTICE

Phillip A Mc Carthy, a self proclaim award winning film director, who isn't shy of telling anyone after an initial greeting, shares his evaluation of indie film-making 2023.

Our cautious optimism to published Mc Carthys' words is based on what you the reader will find based on your own research after reading his words.

Based on his twenty-year tenure in the industry and his qualifications, his written delivery is a brutally blunt disposition that clarifies his standard Read carefully

To establish an independent film streaming service to support independent films that are composed by those who are genuine filmmakers, there has to be an organized structure. The sensitive vocabulary term which has been avoided is “qualified personnel”

In Mc Carthy words;

"First, I have to say; As an independent film director or production company, I think marketing and promoting your movie is very important Be it via social media platforms, especially your own, is very important. Sure, everyone is doing it but it seems to be limited as if there is a lack of confidence. I wonder why some indie filmmakers spend time making their films Maybe it is for fueling their egos or something "

"The time spent shooting the film is really the second stage of the embryo of the film. Once its completed there has to be independent efforts of promoting the film with friends, family and social media acquaintances It is social media after all and the purpose of indie films digitally are story telling "

Phillip A Mc Carthy, enjoying an appearance at the Cannes Film Festival 2014

"We all tell stories via the social media platform. At least there should be some feedback of some kind or none at all, which should let the filmmaker know who is really supportive Its their film and its up to the indie filmmaker to sell their own film first. Independent means self dependent.

Everyone can put a film on YouTube but even videos on YouTube has to be shared and promoted That isn't a knock on YouTube as it is the number one source of entertainment these days but film distributors and streaming companies alike will take notice of how determined the filmmaker is. Determination is a key factor.

I have witnessed over the last 12 years or so is, once the films are completed, the filmmakers will not promote their films Or should I say half-hearted at best? It makes me wonder if they are serious. If it’s a case of buying a DSLR or expensive gear to cater to a glorified poster then why don’t they invest in other independent filmmakers? This method could work because the filmmakers would learn from one another and develop some grit to their craft.

The filmmaking process of today is a mystery to me.

Everyone has their method of making a film and that is grand I ask what happened to the traditional components that make up the body of film work.

In my opinion, the components that should be used or what I exercise to create a film from start to finish are:

First of all, there has to be a series of meetings to discuss the idea with the cast and crew to become familiar with one another Then there is the process of scheduling what days would be allocated for filming.

I would recommend hiring a good DP (Director of Photography) and trustworthy Assistant Director. Everyone has to be on the same page and sold into the vision of the script This takes time

These days the all-in-one app that encourages want to be filmmakers is more detrimental to the industry than anything. You have script writing apps, editing apps, film scores samples and built-in green screens within the free downloadable programs

Someone can make a film with zero qualifications perfectible cinematography that is not original with a storyline that doesn't make sense.

Perhaps some of the film commissions that are out there could regulate both the content and quality of the films. There should be a system in place that requires proof of qualifications before submitting films to either film festivals or streaming channels. There is too much rubbish that is being published as films that are distracting the public from well-written stories in the form of films.

I am in Ireland and this could be challenging due to the weather which is constantly changing So for those that are in a stable weather environment, I have to ask what gives? If you are filming in a predictable weather environment, then get a thumb out and do it right.

If you want to make a film, then go to a film school or at the very least take a course in filmmaking I dare to mention shadowing a production crew as a volunteer to get hands-on education. Although, the latter may be asking too much as that would take time and patience is one of those forbidden words these days

When I was making my first feature film "The Vein Within", it took me seven years to write the script In the end, I wasn't happy with the direction I was going in as I thought I had to learn more about what I wanted to display what was in my head. So I decided to rewrite it again on my own.

Anyone that can take an idea and put it on paper and develop it to a screen in the form of a film is powerful

This is what got us selected into the Cannes Film Festival, so I have resorted to this type of formula. I was selected in 2011 and 2014 with a short film and a feature film respectively. Will we get there again? Who knows but I will continue to make films my way

Eventually, somehow the film will be shown. The idea that was created will find its way to someone I mean that is the objective right?

These days we cannot handle rejection, which leads to smartphone, cheap instant filmmaking that lasts as long as the battery source on our phones. Unfortunately, the films of late are forgotten about and no one will watch them again

It took much less time but through that process of nearly a decade, I learned how to write a script

Then there was the casting side of things which was a completely different sector as the characters had to fit the script. They had to believe in what I was attempting to convey within the film.

To me, the treatment of a film has to be treated like a puzzle

How can an App on a machine put those pieces together from a vision created by a human? It happens and seems to work for some and that is fair enough. Bolera 4 Letter Films (Ireland) will not that waste our time and money to facilitate those types of films We prefer to have an indie film that has some mistakes but with organic elements from a well-written script to entertain the public.

As the old saying goes; "Everyone and everything isn't for everyone!"

This leads me to extend my take on instant releases and smartphone filmmaking There is some remarkable footage sure but it's not our thing. I think that smartphone films should be treated as part of the treatment and accepted as a pilot to a film. Again that is my opinion and we are all guilty of recording with our phones But can you take the footage seriously?

To me, it is like a woman that puts on cheap makeup in her car before a job interview or a guy who works on a building site that changes clothes before going on a date. It is temporary, its just to get the job or for the guy to score on a date

It makes me wonder why are there so many shortcuts to making films. I can understand the eternal stress of raising capital for making the film but there will never be any perfection to the craft.

Film Festivals? When I was selected at the Cannes Film Festival in both years, my hometown film festival Cork City Film Festival rejected both of my films. To this day, its something I cannot get over which leads me to ask "What is really going on with film festivals?"

There are over 500 major film festivals. The amount of local and internet festivals runs into the thousands.

I think with the small film festivals circuit there is a system of you scratch my back and I will scratch yours. It has everything to do with ego and of course money.

Now that we are in the post-Covid stage, the majority of these festivals are virtual The filmmakers just want laurels to insert on their posters and are happy if they receive a certificate and a glass, not crystal, award. I guess this makes them happy to share on their Facebook page. That is their end game then unfortunately they self-title themselves as an indie filmmaker The ethical part of filmmaking today Here is a title: "Laurel Filmmakers!"

There are pieces of the idea that will be all over the place. The director with a chosen crew has to put those elements of the film from his vision into one piece. The most beautiful thing in the world is when those organic pieces are put together from an idea that is released to be shared with the world

Films have to fail in some capacity They have to fail There are reasons for my statement here. It could be the best film ever made but it could fail at the box office due to categories or an internal marketing push. Yet the cast and crew could love it and are satisfied with what they set out to achieve

I think some of the companies that host film festival submissions, which enables them to make millions of dollars each month, should employ personnel to monitor the film festival advertised But that would take away their profit for which I am sure that suggestion would fall on deaf ears. There are, however, some festivals that uphold a certain standard of films that are considered for being selected.

Film festivals were established for filmmakers to have the chance to showcase their work through screenings The festivals should be considered as a gathering for those within the same industry to enjoy each other's company and trade. It is the perfect opportunity to meet other directors, production companies as well as talent agencies and distributors.

The thing about it is: I refused to wait to feel rejected With "The Vein Within", I wanted to know. It took me years to write the script and get everyone involved on what could be considered by today's standard as a penny budget.

In 2014, A Vein Within, wasn't selected by the Irish Film Board for Cannes I thought ok, no issue as my motivation for continuation was clear in my head We, meaning the production crew, took it upon ourselves to bring the film to Cannes. We invested in ourselves and brought a small camera crew and two of the actors to Cannes.

My objective was to sell the film myself coordinating an independent screening of the film. I invited several distributors big and small and did whatever promotion there was to announce my tiny event within the most prestigious film festival.

I also had to be careful with whom I told my plans to As independent artist we sometimes feel the need to announce our intentions to people outside of the industry. Why? I think it mainly for emotion support.