We believe filmmaking is for anyone and education should be accessible. So, as we plan Filmit Together, our 2-day online filmmaker summit and 30-day challenge, we want to ensure people can participate from anywhere, for little to no cost. Recently, we got a "yes" from two nonprofit partners for Filmit Together. Yay! (If you missed our last newsletter, you can see the actual email we sent to these non-profit partners. Less "perfection" worked better in this case.) But, now what? Cover the cost...
26 days ago • 5 min read
When we're creating something new, we have a tendency to analyze, plan, and think about all the details from the beginning. We prefer to be thorough. This happens even more when we feel like we need to perform or prove ourselves to someone. Our perfectionistic mindset often makes projects take longer, with unnecessary work and inefficiency. It gets frustrating. And exhausting. We're actively working on changing this pattern. We try to recognize when we are leaning into our default...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Many relationships never develop beyond small talk. That's okay for a while, but what about when someone asks, "how are you?" and you want them to stop and listen? We have been feeling isolated over the last several years, especially because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's been challenging to find, build, and nurture lasting relationships. We know we're not alone in this feeling. Plus, it seems there's a cultural shift (at least in the U.S.) toward a more individualistic, fend-for-yourself...
2 months ago • 3 min read
When's the last time you engaged in a creative project and let yourself be fully immersed in the experience? No expectations, no "right or wrong," no guilt or shame. Maybe it's been a while. Maybe it's hard to remember. Maybe it's Maybelline. 💋 Or, maybe you have so many other obligations and responsibilities that creative projects get pushed until "someday." That happens to us, too. What is one creative passion you'd love to start or do more often? And, what's stopping you? We'll share...
3 months ago • 5 min read
It was 2 a.m. Matt was sitting on the couch. With one hand on his laptop, he was designing a website for his first client. With his other hand, he was cradling our swaddled newborn, who would only stay asleep while being held. At this time, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we had no options for family or community support. Joehey was on unpaid parental leave from her nursing job and would likely not be able to return—her unit was the main COVID unit at the hospital. Matt was determined to find a...
3 months ago • 4 min read
"Saving $30K is hard, but does it need $30K upfront?" This is from a reply to our email last week about the common challenge of needing money to make a film. We loved this question! Our answer? Definitely not. Here's why... Making a film can be a long and complex process. It's very similar to running a business. Yes, it's hard. 😮💨 Fortunately, you don't have to do everything at the same time. The filmmaking process, like building a business, can be split into stages, each with their own...
3 months ago • 4 min read
Let's say you came up with an idea for a new film that you absolutely love. It's unique, it's meaningful, it's inspiring. You care so much about the film's story that you tell yourself, "I'm going to make this one myself!" Then, what's next? How would you get started? What would be the first big hurdle you'd have to jump? After many years talking with independent filmmakers, it seems they often face the same major obstacles. One big hurdle: making a film requires time and money (and usually a...
3 months ago • 2 min read
We felt inspired to watch movies this week. (Surprise, surprise. 😜) Specifically, we wanted to reenter into the mindset of filmmaking. What goes into making a film? All three films we watched together evoked our emotions and creative energy around using filmmaking as a tool to tell stories. Highlights of our inspiration The Outrun (2024), Anora (2024), 1917 (2019) The Outrun — This is a women-driven film (e.g., writers, director, producers, lead actor) with a focus on accurately portraying...
4 months ago • 2 min read
In our first newsletter, we said we would spend two weeks deciding our next step for A Creative Duo. Specifically, we wanted to use the Shape Up method to choose what to commit our time, energy, and resources toward for the next six weeks (a six-week cycle). Shaping our next six weeks So, how did it go? Well, messy. First, we had discussions to identify our more pressing challenges: 1. we need to extend our financial runway (make enough money to pay our bills for a few more months) and 2. we...
4 months ago • 2 min read
Many people in the U.S. and around the world are experiencing intense emotions today in response to the U.S. election results. Shock, grief, disheartened, anger, despair. These feelings are valid. They're real. They matter. Many people worked hard to advocate for changes to the U.S. government and culture that they truly believe would save people's lives and our planet. It makes sense why not getting the desired election results can feel like a complete loss of control or powerlessness. If...
4 months ago • 1 min read