DISRUPT CONNECT CREATE

Independent Films. Shared Success

Filmmakers
Find the elite independent talent your project deserves. OpenFilmmaking connects directors and producers with professional cast and crew who are ready to fully invest in your vision.

By utilizing our unique hybrid model, offering a baseline day rate combined with backend points, you instantly filter out the noise and attract a higher tier of dedicated professionals. Post your project for just $25 and build a production team that is motivated to see your film succeed from script to screen.
I am a writer

How It works

The cost of filmmaking is astronomical. Lower the filmmaking barriers and slash costs by utilizing AI tools or talented creatives to help make your film a reality.

Production Talent
Are you an actor, crew member, or creative looking for your next independent project? OpenFilmmaking is the only directory designed to give you a true stake in the films you build.

We believe talent should share in the success of independent cinema. When you join our community and apply for gigs, you aren't just working for a flat rate, every project listed here offers baseline pay alongside backend points. Build your profile for free, discover high-quality indie projects, and secure your piece of the upside.
I am cast/crew

COSTS OF INDIE FILMMAKING

  • Cast (25%): This includes paying actors and any associated expenses like travel, lodging,
    and per diems.
  • Crew (30%): This includes paying for a director of photography, camera operators, sound
    technicians, production designers, editors, and any other key crew members. It also covers
    any equipment rentals and associated expenses like insurance and transportation.
  • Production (10%): This includes location rental fees, set construction, props, costumes, and
    any other expenses associated with the actual production.
  • Food (15%): This includes craft services and catering for the cast and crew during
    production.
  • Post-production (10%): This includes editing, sound design, color correction, and any other
    post-production expenses.
  • Marketing and publicity (5%): This includes creating marketing materials like posters and
    trailers, as well as any expenses associated with promoting the film.
  • Distribution (5%): This includes expenses associated with getting the film into festivals or
    securing distribution deals.

 

How open film making works

01

Problem

Film are too expensive for most to make well and raising money is a huge obstacle for aspiring / indie filmmakers..

02

Problem

Cast and crew want a bigger piece of the pie and projects they are involved with to see the light of day.

03

Solution

Slash up to 75% of the cost of your film while giving talented creatives equity and increased incentive to champion your film.

OUR TEAM CAN SOLVE EVERYTHING

Openfilmmaking.com seeks to be a disruptor in an industry that clings to out dated ideologies and fierce gatekeeping. We thoroughly vet every project to make sure it is production ready. If it’s not, we can help get it there to be eligible for pitching to our talented members looking for projects just like yours. That includes coverage, breakdowns, scheduling, budgeting, pitch decks, etc. Once your pitch is polished, has attracted talent willing to invest sweat equity, and you have chosen your partners, we can also help facilitate the necessary contracts and guides to protect all parties.

View Story

FILMMAKER SPOTLIGHT!

This month’s filmmaker spotlight gives shine to Thomas Lorant from Los Angeles, California.

Yeloo Tan

ZAP ZAP

Writer

Dezera Page

Writer

Ariel Snapp

Writer

Frequently asked question

This month's filmmaker spotlight gives shine to Thomas Lorant from Los Angeles, California.

OpenFilmmaking promises a sustainable movie by leveraging a Hybrid Paid + Points model. By requiring a baseline, affordable upfront day rate coupled with backend equity, you dramatically lower your initial production costs by up to 75%. This structure keeps your upfront cash requirements manageable while ensuring your cast and crew are legitimately compensated and deeply motivated to see the film succeed
While you can drastically reduce your costs, you cannot make a film entirely for free. You will always have baseline hard costs like food, transportation, and equipment. When it comes to cast and crew, OpenFilmmaking operates exclusively on a Base Pay + Points model. To list a project on our platform, your baseline pay can be set well below standard union day rates, but it must meet the legal minimum wage requirements for your filming location. This policy ensures your production remains legally compliant. OpenFilmmaking allows you to slash your upfront labor costs while attracting top-tier, highly motivated talent without taking on legal risks. However, keep in mind that there is only so much equity to give and you will likely want to retain some ownership of your project. Additionally, offering fraction of points to everyone who works on your film may prove difficult to attract talent. Openfilmmaking.com aims to help you reduce up to 75% of the cost of filmmaking by eliminating the bulk of upfront costs (cast and production and post production crew). For example, a $30,000 film becomes a $7,500 film.
Filmmakers do not receive any monetary investments from cast and crew. They receive talent/services in exchange for giving away equity / points in their film.
-Cast/crew are typically paid by filmmakers monthly or quarterly once the film has been distributed. Filmmakers are required to provide closed financials and updates every month, quarter, semi-annually or annually depending on its distribution model and contract details.
-Filmmakers set individual terms / equity points for roles in their projects, which cast/crew should read thoroughly before applying. Once the filmmaker and cast/crew have agreed to work together they will enter into a contract. We recommend filmmakers set generous terms such as paying cast/crew from gross profits since the success of their film is due largely in part to the cast/crew's hard work.
-We provide contract services to make sure all parties are protected and in agreement.
Points are shares of a movie. They translate into a percentage of ownership. When the film makes income or a profit, those with points make money based on how many points they have and whether they are paid on gross or net profits. A “point” is one percentage point. Five points = 5%.
Many independent films don't make money because they have to spend so much upfront to get the movie made. However, the openfilmmaking.com model drastically reduces the cost of filmmaking so that it is easier for a film to turn a profit and for cast/crew with points to make more money than they probably would have if paid upfront rates (especially non-union rates) that most independent filmmakers can afford.
Our mission is to connect creatives to get films made! As such, Openfilmmaking.com requires production-ready projects only. We want to present serious and prepared projects to our cast/crew members so as not to waste anyone's time with a project that has very little likelihood of getting made.
This means you need to have a finished script, synopsis, pitch, script breakdown, top sheet / budget breakdown, schedule, casting breakdown, marketing plan, and equity offering / terms in place.
Ideally, you would also have a pitch deck, one sheets, existing financing proof, and bio / breakdown on the creative team already involved. The more preliminary work you have done instills confidence in others to invest their time and talents in your project.
If you need help in preparing your pitch for prime time, we are here to help. Check out our services and resources page to help prepare the necessary documents or let us do it for you.
We are filmmakers and therefore while many features on this site are free, we offer a range of premium services to help bring your project to the best place it can be, such as breakdown, budget, and scheduling services, pitch deck services, script coverage and consultations, payroll services, and contract templates).
Additionally, while projects that are submitted and approved are distributed via email to our list of cast/crew members for free, filmmakers' projects can live on our website in our “vault” and be readily searchable and accessible by members until the filmmaker wants to remove it.
We also offer advertising options in our direct emails that go out to our members daily. If you would like to advertise, click here.