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can train and work with a mentor. 2) Traditional fundraising methods to secure film distribution are becoming outdated, while new funding opportunities for independent filmmakers are emerging.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.

Current trends include companies online that are helping filmmakers finance their films by matching them with investors and/or distributors. 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.

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.

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.

In case you’re wondering, you’ll be able to adjust pretty much everything: ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. This removes one of my major issues with the 5D’s video; its method of forming the image is still questionable and will likely remain so, but this manual exposure control makes it a much more viable tool for filmmakers and amateurs alike.

The update doesn’t seem to apply at all to the T1i, but hopefully it’ll reach that poor creature as well. Although I doubt they’re going to fix the fact that it only shoots 20FPS in 1080p mode. I still can’t believe they let it out the door like that. It’s like trying to sell half a horse.

You’ll be able to get it starting June 2nd, for free of course, since it was their bad not to include it in the first place. Here’s the news in their words:

With the introduction of the EOS 5D Mark II, Canon revolutionized the video industry with the ability to shoot Full HD Video on a 24mm x 36mm sensor. This provided depth of field characteristics that were previously unseen in any video camera.

The EOS 5D Mark II has been met with incredible enthusiasm by major motion picture studios, independent filmmakers and professional videographers. The consensus was that the EOS 5D Mark II is a phenomenal tool but needed to include manual exposure control within video to be fully utilized.

After months of extensive engineering and testing, Canon is please to announce a free downloadable firmware update that enables manual exposure controls while shooting video including: ISO, aperture and shutter speeds.

This update transforms the Canon EOS 5D Mark II into the first full frame 24mm x 36mm DSLR with manual exposure control, creating an amazing tool for the video and motion picture industries alike, leaving no need to compromise with inferior workarounds.