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Time To Build

Sep 11, 2026
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Making new film tools = joy!

Pop Quiz, Hot Shot!

What happens when you blend a computer programmer with a filmmaker?

Answer: A nerd who builds filmmaking tools for FUN!

Specifically...

Filmmaker Tools

Last month, I launched the Call Sheet Generator to Friendly Filmmaker members, offering a quick way to make pretty-yet-comprehensive call sheets on the fly.

Last week, I launched the Storyboard Template Generator, to make the process of storyboarding just a bit easier.

Now I'm working on a new way to upload Casting and Crew calls to the Friendly Filmmaker circle!

Launching hopefully next week, you'll be able to directly upload new gigs you hear about, and have them vettted and posted by either me or Alaska (our Community Manager).

This will be a PUBLIC tool, so we want to make sure we put systems in place to root out scams and bots. 

We're working on this, and more, for the Community and beyond.

Speaking of which!
Next week, the Public Launch date for the Community will be announced! Stay tuned!

 

SEPTEMBER 19

"THE LAST GOODNIGHT" PREMIERE AND CANCER FUNDRAISER
MILLBURY, MA

From Out Of Time Pictures, Rob Levinson presents the heartbreaking story of a devoted couple spending one final night together, as one is dying from Pancreatic Cancer. Ian Lyons and René Zara star as Mark and Olivia, give performances that are honest, heartbreaking, and incredibly moving. 

We will also hear from Dr. Stephanie Dougan from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, giving her professional insight into ongoing pancreatic cancer research. And we will hear from pancreatic cancer survivor Martha Gold, who will speak about her deeply personal journey. 

Every ticket purchased directly supports pancreatic cancer research through Dana-Farber and The Jimmy Fund. 

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-last-goodnight-premiere-a-fundraiser-for-pancreatic-cancer-research-tickets-1996095359955

 

SEPTEMBER 19

KIT ANNUAL WORKSHOP DAY: ANIMATION
RETINA CREATIVE LAB, EAST PROVIDENCE, RI

Registration closes Sept 15!!!!
FREE!

A free day of animation workshops!? You better believe it!

This is our big annual KITs event. This year’s theme is animation and we have some great speakers including Allan Neuwirth, Debra Solomon, Ng’endo Mukii, Gina Kamentsky, and a surprise final guest. 

Attendance is free. You must RSVP to attend. This allows us to purchase the right amount of snacks and lunch for everyone. All in Providence, Rhode Island.

RSVP with this link: https://bit.ly/4xk8YeP

This free event is possible thanks to a grant from @risca1967 and our wonderful partner @TongalTeam.

Note: we love our early learners! High school students are welcome to attend, but must have an adult guardian with them.

 

SEPTEMBER 26

LOIS WEBER "SHE, WHO SCARED" EVENT
WEST NEWTON CINEMA, MA
6:00-9:30pm

Join us for THE kickoff to Spooky Season, a killer fundraiser 👻hosted by the Lois Weber Film Festival! 
The Night's Festivities include...
* An incredible Panel Discussion titled "Miss-Represented: The Importance of Gender Equality and Queer Representation in Horror" (moderator: author Annamaria Veneziano
panelists: Amelia Favata, Julia Tutko-Balena, Jason Lake, & Brody Bellamy)
* Horror Film Screening
(films: "Fortune Teller", "Mother Grimm", "Manic", "Peel", "The Chexorcist")
* Costume Contest!
* Raffles (hundreds of dollars in prizes!)
* Tons of fun and networking

All proceeds support the Lois Weber Nonprofit's Mission to highlight and celebrate equality in the film industry! 
The goal of the night is to raise $10,000 for the year!

EVERY TICKET IS 100% Tax Deductible 
An official tax reciept will be emailed to you after purchase!

Ticket Link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/she-who-scared

 

NOVEMBER 17

WIFVNE ANNUAL MEETING AND CONFERENCE
GBH, 1 Guest Street, BOSTON MA
11am-5:30pm, and optionally 5:30pm-9:30pm

Join us for a day of networking and workshops!
Extensive details and tickets here:
https://wifvne.org/event-6791899

 

Annual Shawna Foundation fundraiser

$10+/$10K -- fully funded in just two weeks!

Ending soon!

Shawna Foundation founder and director Skip Shea and his team run an annual fundraiser every mid-August to mid-September, to honor the life and independent artistic spirit of Shawna Shea.

The Foundation funds scholarships, three film festivals, poetry events, screenings, and other programs (you should sub to their newsletter if you haven't yet).

All donations are tax deductible, and fuel the programs for the entire year, and beyond. Visit the Shawna Foundation's PayPal link here: https://www.paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/1392300

 

***If you have any filmmaking fundraisers you know about, let us know!***

 

CASTING

Send headshot/resume/inquiries to [email protected], and don't forget to confirm day rates.

 

GAFFER

🚨Urgent GRIP/GAFFER Needed for micro Budget films 🚨

Location: Upstate, NY 

Pay: $150 Daily 

18th - 22nd September (5 days) 

*Must have drivers License. 

Looking for someone who is experienced in either gaffing or gripping, as there can be overlap between the two roles. No equipment is needed, as we already have our own equipment.
There is also an additional $350 stipend for anyone with a valid driver’s license.

Submit info to: [email protected]


CREW - multiple

PAID ISO: Local Crew in Storrs, CT (UConn Main Campus)

Hi all!

Working with an independent documentary team who will be filming 4 days in the CT area, Sept 29 - Oct 2.

Would love to connect with local CT folks or people who can work as locals in the following positions:

1. B Camera Op (w your own gear) - $800/10

2. AC - $650/10

3. G&E - $850/10 (w equipment if possible)

4. PA - $250/12

Email [email protected]


HMUA

NYC - looking to connect with HMU people available for a shoot Oct 23-25 for very simple, natural looks. 

3 actors total. 

Rate is $750 + kit fee (this is out of the director's pocket for a very modest budget short film; if it is not your rate, no worries). 

Hope to connect!

email [email protected]


INTERNSHIP

Flirt Films is currently offering a PAID student mentorship to an exceptional post-secondary student to learn about film production, film markets, film development, and who can work out of our Montreal office. Starts at $20/h. Ideally 30h/week or part time. 

Do you know any currently enrolled students to be part of this incredible Montreal-based mentorship?

[email protected]


CAST AND CREW

Haunted Gallows in RI is hiring!

Be part of a live immersive horror experience! Haunted Gallows is hiring for a variety of roles including scare actors and hair/makeup artists. 

For more info, apply directly on their website here:

https://hauntedgallows.com/employment/


CASTING

(PAID, $250/day)

Filmmaker Amina Razgui will be directing the short film Clerical Error.

Logline: A diligent library archivist uncovers a dark secret about his town, he just needs to find someone who will listen to him.

Shoot Dates: October 2, and October 5

Location: Brockton, MA

Genre: Dark Comedy Thriller

Nonunion

Roles:

Steve (Lead): Male, 20’s/30’s (Oct 2 & 5)
A diligent archivist that struggles to stand up for himself.

Creed: Male, 50’s/60’s (Oct 5)
The tired director of a library. Tough, but fair with his employees.

Officer Murphy: Male, 40’s/50s (Oct 2)
A grumpy bike cop who just wants his shift to end.

Jill: Female, 40’s/50’s (Oct 2)
A town councilwoman determined to stay in power.

If you are interested please send headshots to [email protected]. A reel or recorded monologue is appreciated!

 

CAST & CREW CALL

Haunted Gallows in RI is hiring!

Be part of a live immersive horror experience! Haunted Gallows is hiring for a variety of roles including scare actors and hair/makeup artists. 

For more info, apply directly on their website here:

https://hauntedgallows.com/employment/

 

CASTING

Project type: short film for MFA thesis project

Character: Jude (25, female) - a vampiric creature who blends into society, but chooses to live a solo, nomadio life. She is inherently a people-pleaser, but she puts on a tough exterior.

Logline: In the wake of a blood borne plague, a vampire and a mutilated girl search for life beyond the power lines.

Location/Dates: Providence, RI in Mid-October

Non-union

Payment TBD (likely a flat rate)

IMDb/meals and transportation covered

Email [email protected] with a headshot and resume


CREW

CALLING ALL FILMMAKERS ⭐️🎬

KGD Studios is seeking a Paid Line Producer / Unit Production Manager (UPM) for our upcoming feature film shooting in NYC/CT in Summer 2027!

You like Bottoms? Booksmart? Crush? This project is for you!

This is a combined role. The ideal candidate has a strong background in low-budget indie filmmaking, local NYC/CT vendor relations, and building efficient, positive sets.

Project: Logline
Format: SAG-AFTRA Ultra Low Budget Agreement
Production Dates: Summer 2027
Location: Connecticut / New York City
Distribution Target: SVOD/VOD Streaming Platforms

About the film:
Two best friends with opposite personalities accidentally land themselves in major trouble after a school mishap. Forced to pay off their debt by working in the neglected drama club, they find themselves in over their heads dealing with friendship challenges, unexpected romances, and self-discovery in this comedic coming-of-age feature film.

Key responsibilities:

  • Lead budget optimization, create initial breakdowns, and maintain rigorous daily cost tracking.
  • Recruit and hire below-the-line crew.
  • Source and negotiate competitive rates for equipment, locations, and vendors.
  • Manage day-to-day physical operations.
  • Secure necessary municipal permits in NYC/CT.
  • Oversee the master production schedule.
  • Ensure strict adherence to the SAG-AFTRA Ultra-Low Budget Agreement parameters, payroll guidelines, and general legal/safety compliance.

Interested? Send all resumes to:
[email protected]

 

CASTING

Short film: HOT DANCING GRANNY in search of a Script Supervisor fluent in Mandarin (read/write in Simplified) and English. 

Production dates are currently a 2-2.5 day shoot between 10/1-10/4. Stipend available. 

Please send us an email at [email protected] 

You can learn more about our film here: https://tinyurl.com/fundhdg 

 

    

**As always, if you know of any paid local gigs, reply to this email and I’ll share with the rest of community!**

 

 
               THANK YOU!              
 

As always, tell your filmmaker friends to sign up for this free Newsletter. Spreading the word helps the community and network grow!

 

Friendly Filmmaker Community

Closed for renovations! Public Launch date is October 1st!

Friendly Filmmaker CHECKLIST 

Reminder! “The Friendly Filmmaker Checklist” is still in the Preorder phase! The preorder window is being extended due to a delay with the printer, but we will be shipping soon. If you haven’t ordered your copy yet, pick one up today!

Thank you so much to everyone who has preordered already!

 Coaching Calls 

Wanna pick my filmmaker brain?

https://www.friendlyfilmmaker.com/coachingcalls

Plus, even if this might not help you specifically, if you happen to know someone who's just starting their filmmaking journey and wants to save hours of pain and frustration, share this bounty!

 

Happy filming!

Julia

🎥 🎬 🎞

Friendly Filmmaker
Make Movies Reel Good

 

 

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