If you’re the makers of one of the most popular films of all time on Hulu, what’s your next move? For writer Stevie Long and director/producer Joel Viertel, the answer was simple: Keep a good thing going.

The independent film Strictly Sexual arrived on Hulu in 2009, at a time when there were far more TV series than movies available on the service. However, Sexual premiered strongly, ranking as one of the top five most-viewed movies on the site — and more importantly, it stayed that way. According to Viertel and Long in a phone interview, Sexual has been in Hulu’s top 10 pretty much every day since 2009, and has also enjoyed enormous success on Netflix and other digital platforms — a remarkable achievement for a film whose most-recognizable star is Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s Amber Benson.

Viertel admitted that Sexual‘s provocative title might have helped people discover the film initially, but that “if you don’t have a good product it doesn’t really matter — at the end of the day, if it’s not a good movie people aren’t going to watch it or recommend it to their friends.

“And the title is ironic,” Long said, “because the movie’s really about people falling in love and having relationships.”

The film’s success has lead to the creation of an original series that premiered on Hulu this week. Shot in 18 days on a Canon 5D (an improvement on the camera used for the original film), each 30 minute episode continues the story of Joe (Johann Urb), Stanny (Long) and others looking for love in Los Angeles.

Hulu has a six-week exclusive on the series, after which episodes will be available on Netflix, Amazon Prime and other platforms. “It’s going to be everywhere,” Long said.

That will also include the rest of the planet: Content Media Corporation, which acquired worldwide distribution rights to the series, will be pitching the show at content market MIPCON for broadcast and digital platforms.

Viertel and Long are both actively working on other projects — Viertel was a co-producer on The Adjustment Bureau, and Long is developing a script with Christopher McQuarrie — but look forward to them potentially creating a second season of Strictly Sexual for the web, depending on the first season’s success. The plan is that the first season will pay for the next.

“Web TV is rooted in character, and indie films are rooted in character — people identify with that and want to see it. [The web] is a viable way for indie filmmakers to make a living putting their content out there — the new home for the next big indie hit is Netflix or Hulu,” Long said.

Of course, what’s key is the budget. “If the movie had cost 10 mill, it would be a very different scenario,” Viertel said. “There’s a cutoff for how much something can cost before it stops making sense.”

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Because of so many new technologies altering the way movie reviews and filmmaking are done, the financial environment of independent cinema in Hollywood is changing. It used to be private placement memorandums, and 900+ film financing distribution and production partners investing in Indie Films. Today it could be any willing investor.

This influences several areas: 1) There are now online schools where aspiring filmmakers can train and work with a mentor. 2) Traditional fundraising methods to secure film distribution are becoming outdated, while new funding opportunities for independent filmmakers are emerging.

Big productions are favored by international financiers. To fund blockbuster film projects in the past, New Zealand subsidies and German tax shelters have been used by many large studios. But what of the independent filmmaker? Where does funding come from for these projects?

The digital revolution is changing both the distribution of films and how they’re made. Independent filmmakers no longer need a large distributor because faster broadband now allows people to watch movies from their computer screens. Some films are simply available for anyone to purchase from the film’s website online. “The Fall of America and the Western World” is one such film.

In the future these changes will expand all of the opportunities for independent filmmakers who are hoping to receive funds for their film projects.

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When it comes to online websites for filmmakers and investors, the way it typically works is that the filmmaker submits a description of their project or film for consideration. There are many investors registered on the website who can then access the list of projects at their own pace, and review those projects that are in need of funding. Because they can contact the filmmaker directly, the middlemen of old are no more.

Independent filmmakers are also assisted by some non-profit organizations to locate financing and distribution for their projects. They offer fiscal sponsorship to filmmakers, but don’t fund them. Sponsorship allows filmmakers to receive funding from sources that limit their funding to nonprofits.

Independent producers can also post website ads and information abour their projects on other websites that link them to investors.

I am making an independent film and will need to place/paste some 3d characters I have made with Autodesk Maya into the live action scenes. I have created the 3d characters with Maya & Motionbuilder and will be using Adobe for all the video editing. What programs can I use to place the 3d characters into live action film? Can After Effect do that? Also any websites or articles with info about this procedure. Thanks for help.

Because of so many new technologies altering the way movie reviews and filmmaking are done, the financial environment of independent cinema in Hollywood is changing. It used to be that only a little over 900 production and film financing distribution partners invested in Indie Films through private placement memorandums. Any willing investor could do it today.

Several areas have been influenced: 1) Filmmakers now have online schools where they can get training, learn about filmmaking, and locate a mentor in the industry to work with. 2) Traditional fundraising methods to secure film distribution are becoming outdated, while new funding opportunities for independent filmmakers are emerging.

Internationally, financiers favor big productions. In the past, many of the large studios have used German tax shelters, New Zealand subsidies, and pre-sales to fund big blockbuster film projects. But what about the small independent filmmaker? Where can he get funding for his projects?

Right now, the digital revolution is not only changing the way films are made, but how films are distributed. Independent filmmakers no longer need a large distributor because faster broadband now allows people to watch movies from their computer screens. Anyone can purchase some films from their websites. “The Fall of America and the Western World” is one such film.

Independent filmmakers who are hoping to get their film projects can look forward to the future when these changes increases their opportunities.

There are also online companies that match filmmakers with distributors and/or investor nowadays. Filmmakers from small towns can make use of these kinds of services.

It also helps when an independent filmmaker has good movie reviews from film critics for past film projects. These movie reviews lend credibility to filmmakers when they are seeking investors.

The filmmaker would submit a description of their film for consideration to these online websites. There are many investors registered on the website who can then access the list of projects at their own pace, and review those projects that are in need of funding. They in turn can directly contact the filmmakers, which cuts out any middlemen as was popular for film financing in the past.

Independent filmmakers are also assisted by some non-profit organizations to locate financing and distribution for their projects. They don’t fund filmmakers, but they do offer fiscal sponsorship. Sponsorship allows filmmakers to receive funding from sources that limit their funding to nonprofits.

Independent producers can also post website ads and information abour their projects on other websites that link them to investors.

I imagine most new yorkers are used to the crazy artists than run around the Village. I’m not quite that jaded yet, so I still have to stop and stare at something like this. If you feel like wasting fifteen minutes of your day, come take a look.

I was walking next to Washing Square Park when was stopped by these two very strange creations. One van seems to have close to every film camera ever made located somewhere on the body. You Polaroid nerds can fact check it for me. Some of them work, letting this guy act like his own Google Maps crew. The camera van homepage has a full bio.

The other is a van covered completely in brass trinkets. Belt buckles, coins, diving helmets, statues, daggers, everything. Guess the story is that these guys are promoting the independent film Automorphosis from coast to coast. Check the link for screening info if you’d like.