What a very arduous and challenging job this is but fortunately, it is also incredibly rewarding, well it is if you ever mange to get your film off the ground.

I am becoming increasingly frustrated at how many amazing projects are just not getting made, due to the fact funding is so incredibly difficult to get and yet watching films has to be one of Britain’s (and possibly global) most popular pass times. What are we going to do about it?

I am fortunate enough to have read copious superb scripts but sadly many have never made it off the page, I know a lot is to do with the people involved in a project and being inventive, tenacious and down right stubborn, however, all those qualities may still not get you the money you need. Alternatively, you can opt to not pay anyone, I have acted in and helped produce many of these but there comes a point when enough is enough, people in the arts have to earn a living as well. Why is it that we train, learn our craft and entertain others, yet people seem so reluctant to pay us for our skills, what exactly is that all about? What makes us any less skilled then a PA? Yet it would seem outrageous and shocking to not pay a PA.

I wish I had the answer, I really do. The beg & borrow approach can be very effective too and don’t get me wrong I have seen some spectacular films made on a very limited budget but these people get so close to losing everything for their dream, or am I missing the point? Is that what drives us to succeed, the fight against losing it all? Even if it is, I am not sure it is either a healthy or necessary way to get our creations out into the world.

On a more positive note, the independent market is such a great place to be. I have always found such a great bond is formed on and off set, the good thing with lack of money is there is no room for divas or indeed anyone with high demands, they simply aren’t going to be there. I have created long term friendships from as little as a day’s filming because we are essentially all on the same page – the script – that we want to see get made and that unity creates something very special.

Crowd funding is without doubt a superb invention for our industry and has helped an enormous amount of projects, that may never have seen the light of day, get made. One in particular springs to mind, I had been in contact with the writer/director for a while and I was lucky enough to get a ticket for the premiere. It was a brilliant film and I was so glad to have been there to experience the emotion in the room. The writer/director had been on a heart wrenching yet inspirational journey and we were all there routing for him.  I am thrilled that the film has gone on to do really well and he has now moved onto more projects.

So what is it that really makes things happen, is it funding or is it the true grit of the people behind the project? I suspect it is a bit of both but would love to hear your thoughts on the matter.I do also wonder if there is something more we can do in joining together to support each others work, there is so much great stuff to be made and seen it would be such a waste of great talent if it wasn’t.

I would like to thank everyone who supports the independent film market and send all of you currently trying to get projects off the ground, the best of luck and if you are, please fell free to tell me about them.