nofilmschool » tedhope

Learn How to Be an Entrepreneurial-Minded Filmmaker with Tips from Ted Hope

V Renée — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 00:30:09 +0000

Independent filmmakers are a bunch of rebels. We like to write stories that inspire us and film our movies our way. We like to keep our costs low and visions pure. However, even though many indie filmmakers are incredibly skilled and proficient creatively, we must remember one important side of filmmaking that often goes overlooked: the entrepreneurial side. Independent film producer Ted Hope shows us how to adapt to an ever-changing industry that requires great creativity as well as business savvy. (more…)

17 Things About The Film Biz That Should Significantly Influence Your Behavior

Guest Author — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:02:53 +0000

The film industry has changed dramatically over the past decade, and trying to make a living from movies is getting more difficult as independent films (and films in general) fight for a smaller piece of the viewership pie. That’s where people like Ted Hope come in. He has been working tirelessly to make sustainable filmmaking careers a reality, and he’s written a tremendous post that should be an eye-opener for anyone trying to survive as a filmmaker.

This is a guest post by Producer Ted Hope. (more…)

Get Paid: Ted Hope Launches A2E Distribution Lab

Oakley Anderson-Moore — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:00:14 +0000

Since the signing on of truly-free-film’s Ted Hope as Executive Director of San Francisco Film Society, a lot of people have been excitedly awaiting for something cool to happen. Last week SFFS announced the unveiling of a new program called the A2E (Artist to Entrepreneur) Digital Distribution Lab and this may be Hope’s first coup. The pilot program promises to come up with fresh practices for filmmakers through big ideas and tech world entrepreneurs. How do I sign up? Read more about the upcoming distribution experiment below. (more…)

'Dark Horse' Reddit AMA with Ted Hope, Plus Why Film Looking Forward is DRM-Free

Dave Kendricken — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 01:00:50 +0000

In the future of film and the internet — the marriage of which is certain, and ever-expanding — there are some things that are uncertain, such as how major studios and large productions will or won’t quickly adapt. Small startups and independent filmmakers, on the other hand, can be more in touch with the underground pulse that could become the mainstream heartbeat, and able to maneuver accordingly. Indie producer Ted Hope isn’t new to adapting to ‘what’s new,’ and is also a vocal indie-industry web presence. On his own blog and through a Reddit AMA he and few other cast/crew members held for the newly VHX-released Dark Horse, Ted has highlighted several key things up and coming filmmakers should be keeping in mind — including why DRM has to go. (more…)

Join Producer Ted Hope and Writer/Director Todd Solondz for a Reddit AMA December 19th

Joe Marine — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 02:23:47 +0000

Ted Hope and Todd Solondz are both gigantic names in the indie world, and they are about to release the new film Dark Horse DRM-free on VHX online VOD. The film was just coming to theaters when Ted Hope had his talk at the Vimeo Festival back in June, and now the two of them (Hope and Solondz), are going to be participating in a Reddit Ask-Me-Anything on Wednesday in celebration of the VHX release. Click through for all of the details. (more…)

Ted Hope on the Change-Challenged Independent Film Industry and Where It's Going

Ryan Koo — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 20:25:36 +0000

Three years ago I shared a quote about the independent film world that I found telling: “Europeans know how to fill out forms. Americans know how to sell.” As indie superproducer (and now head of the San Francisco Film Society) Ted Hope shares below, this is because “[America] is one of two countries in the industrialized world that doesn’t see fit to fund film art as part of its job stimulus, as part of its cultural exchange.” While indie filmmakers can always apply for grants, the fact is to have an actual life-sustaining career in today’s industry, each and every one of us must know as much as possible about producing, marketing, distribution and in general The Business. Let’s check in on the state of independent film producing, circa 2012. (more…)

Failure FTW with Ted Hope and Ed Burns at the Vimeo Festival

Joe Marine — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 20:50:08 +0000

At the Vimeo Festival and Awards this past weekend I got to sit in on this interesting talk with actor/writer/director Ed Burns (The Brothers McMullen, Nice Guy Johnny, Newlyweds) and producer Ted Hope (American Splendor, The Savages, 21 Grams). Failure FTW (or For the Win, for those not in with the lingo) was a a talk not about failure, but about working through the problems that all creatives must face. It’s very easy to get lost when things aren’t going right, but those who become successful find ways to persevere regardless of the circumstances. Be sure to watch the video embedded below, as Failure FTW is a lesson in finding what made you fall in love with this industry in the first place. (more…)

Five Ways Filmmakers Can Use Pinterest

E.M. Taboada — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 02:52:33 +0000

It’s more likely than not that you’ve heard of Pinterest — the fast growing social media network that lets folks create an online scrapbook of images they can share or re-share with others. Being such a visual medium, it’s no surprise many filmmakers are exploring ways in which they can put this new social media tool to use. With that in mind, here are 5 ways filmmakers can use Pinterest to their advantage: (more…)

Producer Ted Hope Tweets 24 Tips for Independent Filmmakers

Joe Marine — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:16:02 +0000

If you are one of those people who can’t stand any more 5D Mark III news (there are new leaked photos by the way), then Ted Hope has some filmmaking tips that will bring us back to what really matters. If you don’t know who Ted is, he works tirelessly as an independent film spokesperson and he writes a blog that always contains insightful or meaningful content. Ted’s goal is to make film accessible to everyone, and to help remove the shroud of secrecy that surrounds show business. He gave some great tips for independent filmmakers while speaking at the Athena Film Festival, and in a move common for Ted, he graciously tweeted that information to the world. (more…)

Here's a Discount for the Producing Masterclass in NYC with Ted Hope and Christine Vachon

Ryan Koo — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:55:00 +0000

21 Grams. Far from Heaven. In the Bedroom. One Hour Photo. Boys Don’t Cry. American Splendor. I’m Not There. Happiness. Adventureland. The Ice Storm. These are just a few of the independent films produced by superproducers Ted Hope and Christine Vachon, and the two of them are banding together to share what they’ve learned with other producers and aspiring producers on Saturday, November 5, 2011 here in NYC. The masterclass focuses on the important stuff: “get your movie made, make it well, make it great, get it seen, and survive to do it all over again.” They’ve also created a discount code for NoFilmSchool readers: “NoFilmSchooler125″ will save you $25. For would-be indie producers, this is a must-attend workshop, and you couldn’t pick a better pair of producers to learn from. Here are the full details: (more…)

Ted Hope's Job Opportunities in Indie Film

Ryan Koo — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 06:40:25 +0000

Ted Hope should need no introduction but a jaunt to IMDb will reveal his storied career as an independent producer. Here, Ted talks about some new ways of thinking about distribution and marketing. (more…)

Independent Film Titans on New Film Distribution Paradigms

Ryan Koo — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:27:27 +0000

This panel from the Woodstock Film Festival features Richard Abramowitz, Bob Berney, Edward Burns, Ted Hope and John Sloss (for their bios, see this page and search for “New Distribution Paradigms”). It offers not only an opportunity to listen to industry titans talk frankly about the changing distribution landscape, but also to relay their own past experiences. Could you get all these guys together to give a guest lecture at a film school? Probably not. But here they are free thanks to the internet and the Woodstock festival: (more…)

Live from the Vimeo Festival + Awards: Making it Happen

Ryan Koo — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 19:17:05 +0000

This weekend’s Vimeo Festival + Awards has been jam-packed with screenings, panels, and workshops (you can follow the goings on with the Twitter hashtag #vimeofest). I’m just now breaking out the laptop, however, for the Ted Hope/Brian Newman panel Making it Happen. Here, then, are some notes from the panel. (more…)

Ted Hope's 38 Ways The Film Industry Is Failing Today

Ryan Koo — Tue, 11 May 2010 20:41:58 +0000

Great food for thought today by producer @TedHope on his indispensable Truly Free Film blog. 38 More Ways The Film Industry Is Failing Today contains a hundred quotables — and could be 38 blog posts, really — but the quote I’m pulling has to do with my own forthcoming DIY feature. While I’m not planning on the traditional greenlight route (instead employing a crowdfunding aproach), the 14th reason still applies: (more…)

Seen: PressPausePlay - Ted Hope

Ryan Koo — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:00:07 +0000

Independent producer Ted Hope (Adventureland, 21 Grams, In the Bedroom, and seemingly a thousand other films) is expanding the perception of what “independent film” is and how it should be distributed. I had a chance to sit down with him at Power To The Pixel, where he gave me some very valuable advice; we share the same view of independent film, that with crisis comes opportunity. Ted’s been very generous on his Truly Free Film blog by sharing advice like Ten things to do before you submit a script and Display your value: you are different from them, as well as asking pertinent questions such as What defines an event? In short, his blog is a must-read for independent filmmakers. Here, he answers some questions for the forthcoming film Press/Pause/Play. (more…)

Virtual Sundance

Ryan Koo — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:00:27 +0000

Didn’t make it to the Sundance Film Festival this year? For the flavor of what took place January 21-31 in Park City, you can rent some of the films shown, read a brief wrap-up, or watch a collection of videos filmed at the festival. Here are several behind-the-scenes vids. (more…)