We all have websites, blogs and other online communities we like to frequent and form part of. These communities depend on some sort of budget that keep them online, and some of the ways the good people behind these websites receive funds is through donations and affiliate marketing. Now, visitors are not always able to make donations, which is understandable given these hard times; however it occurred to me that there is an alternative way we can contribute to their budget.

I recently ran across Ryan Koo’s Nofilmschool.com, an incredible blog about jumping into, remaining and eventually making a living as an independent artist; and its fund raising campaign for “Man-Child,” however it had already ended having successfully raised 108% of funds, which I find absolutely amazing. In just over one month, art lovers and creators became one to help a fellow artist realize what I am sure is just one of his many dreams; and one I look forward to seeing completed. On account of the campaign having ended, I was unable to support him. Then, as I continued to work my way through Nofilmschool.com I ran across its earnings post from May 2010, in which Ryan mentioned that the reason the Amazon.com affiliate earnings for that month were so high was because someone had purchased a considerably expensive camera. Then I got to thinking and I realized that there is a way I could help him and his projects, as well as many other artists out there.

I do most if not all of my shopping online and Amazon.com is where I like to do it. Since I could no longer directly support of his project, I thought it would be a great idea to make my purchases using his Amazon.com affiliate link, there by helping him earn his commission. It is not technically supporting his film project but it is helping him, in one way or another. This method allows me to accomplish two things for the price of one, considering I don’t always have spare cash.

If your favorite online destination could use your help, has affiliate links useful to you, or is advertising the very product you are looking for but, you unfortunately cannot spare the cash to directly support it, using their links is an excellent way to help.

I have been looking through Nofilmschool.com pretty much nonstop since I discovered it, and it is immensely insightful. I have already learned so much, and I plan to talk more, in future posts, about it and the lessons it has taught me.

Technorati Tags: websites, blogs, online communities, donations, affiliate marketing, Nofilmschool.com, independent artist, fund raising, Man-Child, art lovers, creators, Amazon.com, affiliate earnings, affiliate link

I have read that the first time you embark on the production of a film, the realities of such a task hit you fast and hard, because it is not until you are in the middle of it that you realize how much bigger than you it is. That is why, to avoid problems with budget and schedule, it is wise to take on a task that matches your level of expertise.

When we think up movie ideas, we tend to go the way of the Hollywood blockbusters; on location shooting, special effects, etc. But helming these kinds of productions can be practically impossible for the inexperienced. You don’t know what to expect or what to do if and when something goes wrong. Not to mention the immense pressure you will have to withstand from financial backers. Think about when you first start a new job, you have the background information, but the experience you will pick up as you physically perform your duties. Instead, we should have our minds set on the opposite; shooting a film that takes place in one location. This will allow you to more effectively run things and, be able to handle any mishaps.

A number of films exist that follow this formula. Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs, I believe takes place in a restaurant for the most part. Kevin Smith’s Clerks and Clerks 2 take place in a convenience store and a burger joint respectively. The best example of all however is Phone Booth, which takes place in…you guessed it, a phone booth.

These types of movies tend to be very character driven and rely on character development to carry the story. This also happens a lot in sitcoms. In fact, on a interview with the executive producers of Friends, I once saw, they mentioned that a great way to keep costs low was to write episodes that are set in one place and rely more on dialogue and characters than on fancy theatrics. So, keep in mind that the first time you embark on the production of a film, not only is the shooting in one location production method good for your sanity, but it will keep expenses in check and your investors content.

Technorati Tags: production of a film, problems with budget and schedule, think up movie ideas, shooting a film that takes place in one location, Hollywood blockbusters, on location shooting, special effects, productions, financial backers, shooting a film, films, Quentin Tarantino, Reservoir Dogs, Kevin Smith, Clerks, Clerks 2, Phone Booth, character driven, character development, sitcoms, executive producers, Friends, keep costs low, write episodes, dialogue and characters, fancy theatrics, shooting in one location, investors