Hi filmmakers!! We are rolling out the 5th Accelerator bootcamp, the 8week hands-on coaching program for those with a film idea who need personal guidance and strategy while learning all about documentary marketplace, story, funding, festivals and more. We are starting Bootcamp February 27! Who is ready for this?? We will cap at 10. If you’re feeling a call, DM me to have a Zoom to discuss 🙏🏼

LA fires have consumed many of our lives in the last several days. I’m on a film shoot in Taiwan, meanwhile my home in Topanga got placed under the evacuation order and it remains to be so. My compound mate asked what he should grab from the house for me. At first my answer was… “Nothing”. I can’t quite explain it, but the Buddhist concepts of non-attachment and impermanence have been working their way with me. These are all just things, right? It took me a few days until it finally struck me: hold on, my camera is in my house! It’s my work tool! And I left a hard drive with my latest movie project - the master drive, the only full copy - just sitting on my desk! All those hours of interviews and research… My friend was able to come back and grab those for me, and as reports of my filmmaker friends losing their homes (and movies in those homes) started pouring in, it got me thinking: what would you save? What is irreplaceable? What would you let go?

My current laptop I use for editing is a 2019 Macbook Pro with Intel Core i9 32 GB Ram. I haven't tried yet any of the new M1-M4 processors. This laptop has worked good enough through the years for editing, but recently it's starting to lag a bit in the workflows and I feel that now that I'm about to start new projects with Sony FX3 10-bit Files, I'd like something faster. Debating if I should get one of the new M4 (which in my opinion, I don't want to spend so much money, I've noticed that laptops devalue a alot. For example the one I currently have costed me around 4k back in 2019, and now its worth 500-600$ and its technology is almost obsolete) So I'm thinking of maybe getting a refurbished or used M2 or M3, but wonder if it would be enough for the Workflow? I don't do any VFX, mostly just cut and color .. and rather to be able to work without proxies than render proxies. Would love anyone's input or suggestions. If anyone in the community is also selling one of these laptops let me know!

Hi everyone! 👋 I came across some interesting research done a couple of months ago by Keri Putnam, a fellow at Harvard’s Shorenstein Center, and thought this group would appreciate it. It's an "Independent Film Audience and Landscape Study" that looks at the challenges and opportunities for independent film. Feels relevant for documentary filmmakers trying to navigate today’s media landscape! Key points: 1. There’s a big untapped audience for independent films in the U.S. 2. Lack of data is holding filmmakers back—more collaboration is needed. 3. Audiences are craving alternatives to mainstream entertainment. 4. DIY distribution is paving the way for new strategies. 5. Policy changes could help level the playing field. It’s thorough research for anyone in this space, and I think she did a great job sharing the results in an easy-to-digest format! You can check it out here: https://www.indiefilmlandscape.org/

This is the first documentary project I worked on this year along amazing Producer/Director Lara Jacoski, from Bem-te-vi Productions. The objective of this first trip was to start the consultation process about how we were going to talk about this, a documentary that shows how the Coca plant was traditionally harvested and taken care of (organically), something that barely happens nowadays. Kuka Saruy translates from Quechua as "Stomped Coca" which is the ritual moment of the harvest in which during the drying of the leaf after harvested the farmers and harvest crew step on the leaves and dance on them, and in this way pass their good energy and prayers to the leaf, as its a leaf that is considered as a spiritual tool for the people of the Andes. It was a productive trip as we were able to get at least enough footage to edit a Trailer, and start a Crowdfuning Campaign with it, apply for grants or funding, and even imagine what the script would be like. However, for different reasons, the energy flow of this project got stagnant and we never proceeded with the Crowdfunding Campaign, and didn't get any funds to continue with the project. We decided to let it rest for a while so we can ferment on successful ways to push it and finish it without any forcing. Feedback comments by the community regarding the trailer and/or the situation would be very much appreciated! Plot Summary: This movie focuses on the message that the last elder for the community have heard from their APUS, sacred mountains. Taita José, invokes his elder soon Wilfredo Apaza, the Q’ero messenger to go into an ancient pilgrimage seeking to rebuild the relationship with this sacred plant and bringing back the power of AYNI (Sacred Reciprocity). Throughout this journey full os mysteries where two realities meet, the Amazon and the Andes, he encounters fellow seekers who further underscore the importance of AYNI. The final encounter is with the elder Don Fortunato, one of the few representatives that is the living testimony of the sacred ritual of the "Kuka Saruy", which unfolds and unlocks the access to ancient wisdom that can guide humanity into a balanced life among all living beings.