Hello! We are starting the 14 day Film Challenge today, welcome, join us! All you need is a vague idea for a documentary you’d like to make. DAY 1!! We start the Challenge with the essential question: WHY do you want to make the film you are thinking to make? What it is about the idea that grabs you? What’s the reason why this film should be made, and watched? Furthermore: why is your idea a film, and not a poem or a drawing? This is your thinking prompt for today. Find your why in your notebook or wherever you do your writing, and then post what you found out here. 🌱 I will post Challenge prompts here, in the FilmmakersAccelerator.com chat, everyday. Join us! Disclaimer: Filmmakers Accelerator is a supportive, collaborative space designed to help you spark ideas and grow as filmmakers. We foster community trust, and we understand the importance of intellectual property, so if you feel vulnerable sharing your ideas, please share what you’re comfortable with and keep any sensitive details protected. By participating, you agree to honor the creativity and work of others. 😘 Lina

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.

Is anyone looking to buy or sell camera gear? (I happen to be selling some which is what got this thought going). But with out creating way to many individual posts about small items… how do folks feel about offerings or asks in this group? And maybe @Lina Lyte Plioplyte you should weigh in- is that something your hoping to keep off the channel or is there a structure you have in mind for how that could be be beneficial for everyone?