Welcome to the first newsletter from the new website!
NEW SITE, WHO DIS?
We did it! After months of work, the new website is up!
KEY FEATURES
New key features that are being launched with our site update are...
- Updated (free) site with a fresh look and streamlined resources.
- Free accounts! If you choose to create one, the bonus is that you get access to older Newsletters (going forward). So if you ever have trouble finding older news/gigs/links in your inbox, you can now find them on the site itself!
- The Blog I used to run on Ko-Fi is here! (You don't need an account to see blog posts, though there will be some for members only.)
- SOFT LAUNCH of a new Closed Community. (Details below.)
- SOFT LAUNCH of new Coaching Calls. (Details below.)
I'm so stoked. Thank you to Sara who helped me build this over the past 4 months, and thank you to everyone who is continuing to help me test it. There will be updates continuing on throughout the year. If you ever have a suggestion, I'm here! I am very excited to see what you all think!
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Friendly Filmmaker Community?
You read that correctly! In two weeks, we will officially launch the brand new Friendly Filmmaker Community portion of the website! Doors Open Monday June 30th!
"What did you do, Gulia?", I hear you say...
Glad you asked!
It's the realization of a decade-long dream to build a quiet, safe nook where independent film friends like you can gather and chat about film stuff, without having to deal with algorithms, ads, or trolls.
My team and I have built (and are building) a tiny corner of the internet to grant you access to each other in a more convenient way.
We had many conversations about how to build a place where you can brainstorm ideas, ask film questions, share cat memes, get and grant first dibs at building projects and teams, and just generally create new art together.
It mattered to us to get away from the trappings of social media, while keeping thoughts and posts organized so it doesn't turn into another channel you never check.
It also matters to us to keep this group small, so the conversations you have together are more fruitful, and long-term quality and reliability is maintained.
The price of the membership will be $2/mo, which is just enough to cover the cost of the platform. While the button is already active on the site (thus, "soft launch"), please know that it's a ghost town until official launch, and please know our moderators and community managers are still setting things up.
Lastly, all current Ko-fi supporters will be hearing from me individually and directly before launch to recieve a special coupon code as a thank you for supporting Friendly Filmmaker for so long already. I could NOT have done all this without your faith and support.
I am VERY excited to bring this community online to you all, and I'm incredibly proud of how it's shaping up already.
Coaching Calls Soft Launch?
Yes!
Also available right now on the site is the ability to book a package of two 1-on-1 filmmaker coaching calls with me!
I realize that if you're on this Newsletter list, you might not be the target audience for this, but I wanted to fill you in on what that button does.
Basically, if you've ever experienced the feeling that picking the right brain at the right time could have saved you weeks of frustration, you know the exact problem I'm trying to solve.
So even though this might not help you directly, if you happen to know someone who's starting their filmmaking journey, and wants to save considerable time by having me coach them through/over some of those inevitable bumps along the road, send them my way!
FRIENDLY FILMMAKER CHECKLIST
Quick reminder! âThe Friendly Filmmaker Checklistâ is still in the Preorder phase! The window is being extended due to a delay with the printer, but we will be shipping soon. The prices won't change until that time. If you havenât ordered your copy yet, pick one up today!
Thank you so much to everyone who has preordered already!
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SAVE THE DATES
Aug 3
FRIENDLY FILMMAKER âHALLOWEEN IN AUGUSTâ EVENT
BOSTON, MA
Sept 27
âAWAKENINGâ FILM FUNDRAISER DINNER EVENT
WOONSOCKET, RI
Oct 23-26
ARLINGTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
ARLINGTON, MA
CASTING
CASTING CALL
Project Title: Jane Doe
Production Type: Feature
Union Status: SAG (Low Budget)
Production Company: KevinlMartin.com Productions
Director: KL Martin
Shoot Dates: February 2026
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada (ask if they will cover travel)
Logline
After a group of vigilante cops execute an anonymous stripper suspected of being the notorious âSmile Moreâ serial killer, she rises from the dead as a faceless force of vengeanceâdismembering her way through Las Vegas, reminding the city that forgot her who she is in blood.
GENRE: horror /supernatural
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ROLES BREAKDOWN
Tim â Male, Age 50sâ60s
A cocky, seasoned, seen-it-all veteran cop who masks insight with bravado. Feels the world only makes sense through his lens. Sarcastic, sharp, and unafraid to bulldoze others with his authority.
Chad â Male, Age 20â29
A green, eager patrolman trying to prove himself. Loyal but naive, often mimicking Timâs style before gradually finding his own voice. Has a bachelor pad energy and youthful optimism that hasnât yet been crushed by the job.
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AUDITION DETAILS
Audition Type: Self-Tape
Submission Deadline: Wednesday, June 18
In-Person- Invite only Call Back: Saturday, June 21
Final Decision made on the 22nd
Location for In-Person: Provided upon selection
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SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Submit to: [email protected]
Subject Line: âROLE_NAME â Jane Doe â Your Nameâ
Include:
⢠Headshot & Resume (PDF)
⢠Reel or sample clips (if available)
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NOTES
⢠This is a paid SAG Low Budget production
⢠Seeking local and regional talent, both Union and Non Union can apply
⢠Must be available for shoot dates and callback schedule
CASTING
CASTING CALL â MALE ACTOR
Role: Jack (Male, Age 18â28)
Shoot Date: Sunday, June 22
Location: Melrose, MA
Time Commitment: Approx. 4â5 hours
Compensation: $100 (flat rate)
***ASTERISK FROM JULIA - THIS IS SLIGHTLY UNDERPAID FOR WHAT THEY ARE ASKING IN TERMS OF SHOOTING TIME AND INTIMACY REQUEST. KNOW THAT THE MINIMUM SAG WAGE IS $125/DAY, AND ANYTHING OVER 4 HOURS COUNTS AS A FULL DAY. SO IF YOU CHOOSE TO APPLY, DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK IF THEY WOULD GO UP TO MATCH THIS RATE. ESPECIALLY YOUNGER ACTORS GET TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF SOMETIMES, SO KNOW THE WORTH OF YOUR WORK.
Casting for Jack, a lead role in a dramatic, emotionally grounded short scene being filmed for actorâs demo reels. The tone and writing are inspired by series like Ginny & Georgia and the film All the Bright Places. The final scene will be professionally shot and edited â and youâll receive a polished clip for your own reel.
Jack is in his early 20s â intense, guarded, but deeply empathetic. The scene is a quiet two-hander with naturalistic, layered dialogue that builds to a vulnerable emotional moment.
Requirements:
¡ Age 18â28
¡ Comfortable with intimate, grounded drama
¡ Prior acting experience preferred
¡ Non-union or union
To Submit:
Please email your headshot, resume, and any relevant reel or footage to [email protected]
Subject line: JACK SUBMISSION â [Your Name]
Selected actors will be asked to send a short self-tape or join a brief video audition.
CASTING
Casting Notice:
Seeking Non-Union, Non Speaking
Talent for Local Health System
ROLE DETAILS
Project Description: Local Philadelphia Health System
Seeking: All roles non-speaking, paid, playing patients
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Patient #1 - Male, 45-60, GERD (reflux) patient. On the heavier side, but not unhealthy weight. Black or Caucasian
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Patient # 2 - Male, Caucasian or Hispanic, age 60-75, shorter and perhaps on the heavier side but not obese.
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Patient #3 - Female, age 65-75, slim, on the shorter side (under 5'10"), darker complexion with gray or graying hair. Caucasian or Hispanic.
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Patient #4 - Male, age 40-50, Caucasian, blue collar.
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Patient #5 - Female, age 30-40. Flexible with ethnicity, dark complexion, perhaps Hispanic or Mediterranean
PROJECT DETAILS
Rate:
Half Day (up to 5 hrs) $450
Shoot Dates: Wednesday, June 25th, Half day (5 hours)
Location: Philadelphia, PA area (Travel expenses not included.)
Usage: Internet, Website, Social Media
Term: 2 years
Submission details and contact information here:
https://mailchi.mp/wicklinecasting/healthsystem
CASTING
Casting âCAMP CLEARWATERâ Slasher horror film. Filming Aug 17 â Sept 1 in Three Rivers, Michigan. Actors would need to be available for a few days-1 week depending on the role.
Lead roles:
CATHERINE, Female, 20âs. Pretty, long dark brown hair.
HALEY, Female, 20âs, Pretty Blonde.
MICHAEL, Male, 20âs, Handsome. Light stunts is a plus. Must live in Los Angeles.
CHARLES, Male, 30s-40s. Villain, Skinny, tall, long-haired is an option. Must live in LA.
MADISON, Female, 20âs, Pretty. Must be comfortable with a brief topless scene.
DALLAS, Male, 20âs, Handsome Jock.
SEQUOIA, Female, 20âs, Pretty, Asian/ Latin.
JACOB, Male, 20âs Lovable nerd. Glasses.
ROMAN, Male, 20âs, Handsome, Latino
Roll Rates: $125.00/day + Accommodations, meals. Non-Union.
Submissions: [email protected]
Include Role. Name, age, city, IG link & photo.
Sam Rhima | Casting Director | @samrhima | linkedin.com/in/samrhima
**As always, if you know of any paid local gigs, reply to this email and Iâll share with the rest of community!**
Old Friends
Allison Rothwell is a first time producer who has partnered with John Keough of Hollywooot to create a unique film with âO-Townâ's Trevor Penick! Allison's commitment to doing it right, and providing for her crew, has led to a talented group of filmmakers coming together.
The shoot went great. Help support the post-production efforts! And/or check out the comedy event if you can make it to that!
You can support the project here: https://www.hollywootfilmgroup.com/films/production/old-friends
3 Thousand Letters
Fellow local independent filmmaker, Lyria Garcia, is making a documentary â3 Thousand Lettersâ â a story following the plight of JP, a Brazilian immigrant who arrived in 1999 only to face the complex U.S. Immigration System.
After years of dead ends with lawyers, he took matters into his own handsâwriting 3,179 letters to the White House, pleading for amnesty and reform.
Check out Lyriaâs truly beautiful project website here:
https://www.3thousandletters.com
And please consider making a donation here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/unseen-voices-immigrants-in-america
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THANK YOU!
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As always, tell your filmmaker friends and fans to sign up for this Newsletter. Spreading the word helps the community grow!
Happy filming! Julia đĽ đŹ đ Friendly Filmmaker |
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