The Filmmaker's Notebook

Hey Reader, Have you seen Moneyball? There’s a moment in the film when Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) sits in a meeting with his scouts. The team is failing, and the scouts keep suggesting the same players with the same criteria: guys who look the part, play the game the way it’s always been played, and fit the mold of a “real” baseball star. Beane stops them cold with this line: “If we try to play like the Yankees in here, we will lose to the Yankees out there.” Sound familiar? That’s...

Engage Niche Communities: The Not-So-Secret Weapon for Indie Filmmakers One of the biggest mistakes indie filmmakers make is trying to build an audience from scratch. You pour time and energy into creating a masterpiece, only to release it into the void and wonder why it didn’t take off. Here’s the truth: your audience is already out there. They’re online, right now, gathering in niche communities to discuss films, genres, themes, and creators like you. The challenge isn’t finding them—it’s...

Hi there, The year’s winding down, and while the days are getting shorter, my gratitude list keeps getting longer. It’s funny how life works, isn’t it? Sometimes, the best things sneak up on you — like a crowdfunding contribution, or a new movie project out of the blue, or even the perfect setup/shot you weren’t sure would work out, or a quiet moment that reminds you why you started this wild filmmaking journey in the first place. So, here I am, reflecting on 2024, and I wanted to share what...

When people think of fraternities, they often picture social events and lifelong friendships—and while that’s true, my time in a fraternity gave me something even more valuable: soft skills and an entrepreneurial mindset that directly shape my work as an independent movie producer. Leading and collaborating with a diverse group of people taught me conflict resolution, team-building, and the ability to rally others around a shared vision. Whether it was planning events or navigating challenges...

Why Every Filmmaker Needs a Yearly Review (And How to Use It for an Amazing 2025) It’s December. A month of reflection, celebration, and if you’re like me, maybe a little bit of creative daydreaming. It also happens to be my birthday, which always prompts a mix of gratitude and goal-setting. As 2024 winds down, I want to share a process that has been invaluable to me as an independent filmmaker—the yearly review. This isn’t about writing New Year’s resolutions that will be forgotten by...

December 2024 Newsletter Hello Reader, This month has been all about momentum—both in our film projects and in the incredible communities that support them. Here’s what we’ve been up to, and what’s on the horizon for Habethy Films.-Helena & AnthonyPssst! If you like what you read here — pass it on to a friend by hitting "Forward" in your inbox. The Kelty Foundation "High Stakes" Fundraiser / Making an Impact Together Last Wednesday, we joined forces with the Kelty Foundation to support...

Consistency. It’s the thing we’re all told is the secret to success. “Show up every day.” “Stick to the plan.” “Be disciplined, determined, unwavering.” But here’s the thing: Life doesn’t work that way. Especially not for filmmakers. James Clear said it best: “In theory, consistency is about being disciplined, determined, and unwavering. In practice, consistency is about being adaptable. Don’t have much time? Scale it down. Don’t have much energy? Do the easy version. Find different ways to...

Networking is often misunderstood. It’s not about asking for favors or sending a generic message like “Hey, got any jobs?” Instead, it’s about building genuine relationships by first offering value. Here’s how independent filmmakers and crew can do it effectively: Do Your Homework Before reaching out, research the person. What projects are they working on? What challenges might they be facing? Do they have a crowdfunding campaign, a new film release, or an event they’re promoting? Watch one...

When a caterpillar spins its cocoon, it’s not beautiful. It’s clumsy, awkward, a tangle of silk and effort. When you plant a seed, the first shoots that push through the soil are fragile and pale, barely hinting at the tree to come. When clay first hits the potter’s wheel, it’s just a lump, spinning wildly, unshaped and undefined. When you’re lost in the forest, every tree looks the same, and the path ahead feels uncertain. Only when you climb to a clearing can you see where you’ve been....