The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna Indie Film Craft 4 | How to Make Your Script Undeniable to an Indie Producer (ft. Julie Waters)
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Aug 28, 2025 Julie Waters, a powerhouse indie producer at Watermark Media, recently produced the acclaimed film 'OH, HI!' sold at Sundance. She reveals what makes a script irresistible to producers and explains the dynamics of the indie film world. Julie discusses the importance of advocacy for queer women in the industry and the collaborative relationship between writers and producers. She also emphasizes the need for authentic storytelling amidst economic pressures, highlighting the evolving landscape of independent film.
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Start In Industry Roles
- Get industry experience early by working at an agency or on set to learn development and build relationships.
- Treat those roles as a rapid-fire graduate school that informs your producing or filmmaking path.
Production Companies Don't Usually Finance
- Production companies usually develop projects to sell to studios or distributors rather than fully finance them.
- That means development often involves shaping material for external buyers rather than funding the entire process.
Vet Partners, Expect Varied Development Pay
- Vet companies by their track record and relationships before doing unpaid development work.
- Expect changes since the industry now shifts what gets paid for in development compared with previous eras.