Some of you have asked some pretty important questions regarding your place in the Independent Film Scene [or local "industry"] and I've decided to share some of your questions with followers of this blog and the QSE.357 E-Magazine - All with your permission of course! I'm not tossing out any legal advice, but I am giving some direction [or options] of what to do to protect yourself. As more questions come in and get cleared by the poster, I will add them here until the end of the year. No one is exempt from asking me a question; all I ask is to keep it clean.
So, sit back and drink your morning coffee and enjoy the show!...
LAST UPDATED: 12/17/2023
Dave Q - The indie film circuit is full of professional wanna-be's. Many try to use professional terms on set to give others the illusion that there's some type of industry power overseeing the production; just as I'm sure that there's some jerk-wad looking up the term you posted, trying to figure out what it means. To use movie lingo to try an impress a cast and crew is just so juvenile. Once a member of the production starts talking about "stocks, tax breaks, or percentage revenue upon completion of the film when it goes into distribution" are just a dumb play at power words. Genuine indie actors look for the challenge in a role to take them to the next level of performance, if they get a check for their work that's awesome, if they work just for fun, even better. Some film dumb-dumbs will often cut a check just to try and keep you around for the next film project; a tactic often called "perform again through obligation." Don't fall for it.
Dave Q - I can only guess their actual reasoning. I know that a small handful moved to the Austin area "to be closer to the film industry" there. But IMO I feel that once their chances of actually "making it" through their local connections were all used up, then they had no choice but to leave for greener pastures. A few found their sugar daddies or mommies and still reside in the Houston area, carefully practicing their skills in indie films, but a lot of the bragging and demanding attention for their participation is long but gone.
PIN_Paulie_E - Your July issue of the QSE had an interesting article on self promoting your film and the advantages of straying away from streaming services. Where are your thoughts on getting your film distribution?
Dave Q - Questions to always ask yourself are, (1) Is my local indie film really that good for streaming? (2) Does distribution actually guarantee that I'll make money giving my rights away to another production team? and (3) Should I have had a professional critic review my local indie film before I ever considered doing (1) or (2)? Truth of the matter is with local indie film amateurs, that all submit their films to indie festivals without first having a test audience preview the film and/or have an unbiased film critic give you notes on the strength and weaknesses of your film. A lot of first time directors/producers can't stand the thought of producing a film that requires a lot of fixes and having to hear it from an "out of the circle" supporter of the end product that your film "needs a lot of work." If you can't face the honesty of criticism, then you shouldn't be working on making films anyway. Letting your unproven film out to distribution only shows the ignorance and lack of patience in your knowledge of film development. 
Dave Q - Indie film teams need to be brutally honest about what they expect to achieve within the scope of their productions ultimate goal in formatting their film. In this day and age it's important to always remain realistic and stop trying to be the subject matter expert on matters that won't help the film reach it's full potential. Everyone has opinions on what looks better, so be it hiring actors, trying to develop the right budget to bring in better equipment, or making everyone believe that only one person can keep the entire production on the surface. If you truly want to steer away from failure, stop surrounding your film project with people who have never truly proved themselves with honest success. 
Addley_Moore_EDE - What do you do to evaluate an actor for a project? Is there an audition process you go through to get the right actor into the right project?
Dave Q - Making a decision on an audition is totally based on the producer and casting managers decision. For me, after I've completed a solid script, I like to meet up with the actors that I think could help me bring the script to life. I usually meet them for lunch and read the person that they are. In just the one meeting, I learn a great deal about them; like if they're punctual, how they present themselves, their dress, their manners, their style of communication. If I learn something that I like, I can add what I've learned into the script to help the actor naturally develop their part in the film project. 
Dave Q - During the latter part of the past 15 years, I opened my film making to using different camera lenses and changing filming formats in almost each scene. For new directors I would suggest to never feel like your limited on what angles to use or which equipment to experiment with. Lately, I've been bedazzled with the use of smaller sized equipment to capture movement and fill the screen with epic wide screen pans. With smaller rigs I feel free to move the camera more often, not feeling impeded to stay stationary in a large majority of scenes. But in the end, practice makes perfect, so continuously changing your style of film making in each new film project should be the main goal for any first time director. 
Dave Q - When I first arrived to Montgomery, Texas and got settled in, I remember making a quick search in the internet looking for any established indie film studios in Houston; which was about 58 miles from my location. I made a few contacts and I was actually wanting to do any type of editing work. Very quickly, I learned that being accepted into the local teams was almost impossible as I didn't know anyone in the area and no one wanted to open up the door of trust. I tried for several weeks and then just started my own studio in Montgomery, so I wouldn't have to travel 53 miles just to edit film. 
David Q - If an indie film doesn't have an established producer and/or promotional team to continue to push the existence of the film out to the audiences, most of the time the film sits inside someone's hard drive on their computer. The day of burning DVDs or BlueRay Disc's is just about over, so even if a studio is lucky to have their indie film streamed on some platform, without solid promotion, the whole film just goes to a ghost file and dies.
Dave Q - I've worked with so many actors over the course of 25 plus years. I can say that every project had it's stand out actor/actress who pulled a performance that threw me into instant excitement. To pick just one would be unfair to the entire process of me making projects. I can honestly say that no two actors ever performed in the same manner. All of the teams of actors did their part in making local film history something to brag about. 
Dave Q - It's not that hard, just ask to see some of their previous completed works. Amateur film "wanna-be's" always want to produce the simplest works of films with ideas close to heart, simple logistics, and wardrobe that is easy available. What they all lack is good leadership, a solid script, and years of experience. I find that many actors, who have worked on a plethora of indie films, often think they can emulate what they've seen somewhere on some set. Sure, they know the technical lingo, but they don't have the training on how to use it or how it's implemented in front of the camera. If you think you've got caught up with some of these "studios" just ask for a production outline, and if they don't have one readily available expect cheap talk, just walk away. 
Dave Q - You must not be a current subscriber to the e-mag as we present a special corner of each new issue for the "Felon of the Week." We introduce you to the person in question, the production team and films they partook in and what they were convicted of in court; and to whether it dealt with indie film scams or other nefarious crimes. The list is constantly growing and I am sure that if you are planning to act in front of the camera or help behind it, you'll want to know who you're working with. 
David Q - The actors strike shouldn't have troubled any of the local amateur and indie film productions unless they hired an actor that had a SAG/AFTRA Union card and was current on their dues. Interestingly enough, I stumbled onto a film production in Conroe, Texas, where I witnessed a 25 man production team just sitting around, waiting to do nothing as the actors walked off the set and refused to work in front of the camera until the strike was over. A lot of money was wasted on that production, but the production teams earned their cash whether they sat on their ass and did nothing or capture the actors doing their job.
Dave Q - I'm sure that someday it will be, but it won't become an industry because of one indie film or a director who made a launched film with huge success that made its mark on the streaming service hubs. Houston's best hope is for a popular show concerning Big Oil or some large horse ranch gets top billing and the entire film industry shifts in that direction sometime in the near future.
David Q - I don't do script writer courses, but there are some software choices you can purchase to help you learn how to do things right, which also keep tabs on the time required and budgetary numbers. I've collaborated on set a few times with actors, improvising script changes and additions to works currently in progress. But still even then, always remember you must always have one master script completed that shows those improvised moments updated on it. 
Dave Q - It's been many years since I've watched or viewed porn of any kind. IMO, any model who chooses to step closer towards porn will never have a real career in professional modeling and very view have ever crossed into successful acting. Most of the people I know who have "crossed the line" showing more than skin and selling their nudity have only lasted a few years making cash. Some have crossed over doing full porn and the rest resorted to getting real jobs to pay bills. I've never shot full nudity, even though I was offered good money for it. I would never hire anyone who is working in the porn business.
Dave Q - I have two projects lined up for New England early next year, hopefully during the rainy season. One is a feature film and the other is a short film with possible sequels. If you or anyone else in the New England would like to submit for roles, just send us an email with your resume - if you don't have one, send us an email about yourself and your desire to be an actor - plus a head shot accompanied with a full body shot WITH CLOTHES!!!
Dave Q - The editorial on that issue was tough for me to write. Luna and I chatted quite often about the indie film scene about what had to be done to heal the many rips between the studio teams that were trying to complete films in the proper formats to create respected works that everyone could enjoy. Many directors and actors loved the attention and connections that one could find within the C-47 Houston magazine. I'm pretty sure everyone was in shock over Luna's passing and everyone handled it their own way in silence. There's nothing wrong with that.
Dave Q - Sounds like something we need to look into for an issue next year. 
Dave Q - We were recording internet radio shows long before it was cool. I went through two co-hosts, the first being Kacey Kelly from 2014 to 2016, and after her I was on the air with Barbara Johnston. We were producing weekly shows until Barb got bounced up to management and I was starting to work nights in our real jobs. After that, Barb was traveling often and our schedules have always been off kilter. However, the plan was to always cover news in the local Woodlands, Conroe, an Spring areas, giving updates on events that were happening north of Houston, and then it became something else. We turned it down into segments that need to be produced when something cool has just happened that wasn't reported in the Houston News circuit. The show is still running and we have a special video segment planned for the "Christmas Lights Search" and a "Christmas Parade" preview this December. 
Dave Q - You should only be worried that you might run into those same two assholes somewhere again. As small as the indie film scene is in Texas, there are large pocked of cliques that exist. Hardly any of them mingle together and all claim they know people "in the business." That fact of the matter is, there is no such power in the indie film scene to black ball anyone. Just be on your marry, find a new group to work with and grow, drop the drama, don't name drop and never look back.
Dave Q - For those of you who are unaware of the submitted article, Ashley was part of an action film being produced in Austin. The production team were a pair of film production wanna-be's who placed their hopes on a good looking leading actress that was willing to perform some nude scenes, she was promised payment in deferred status. Towards the end of production, some of her nude scenes were allegedly posted on the internet and even made it onto PornHub. Whether it was a bad attempt at promotional advertising or not, Ashley never signed a Release Form to allow her image to be placed anywhere on the web outside of the film. The two idiots took her to court over it. Paul, she won her case in court and was awarded a substantial amount for damages. The two jerks will probably never work in indie films [at least in Austin] ever again.
Dave Q - Not in this lifetime. however, I am willing to release the scripts to any production teams that would like to look over the screenplay. I'd even be willing to lend my services to help in the production for free. 
Dave Q - I highly recommend that you join a local theater and attend some of the many theater plays in the Houston area. The established theater circuit are always looking for sharp people to not only work on stage, but work behind the scenes as well. There's nothing better for an actor but to learn the ropes in a field that many consider a future profession.
Dawn.Ober - I've been a subscriber to your e-magazine for over four years now. What inspired you to work on this publication? Do you accept contributions to the future issues?
Dave Q - My first three online E-Magazines were inspired by some past productions I was working on. Some fans were asking a lot of questions and I thought to just compile them into an easy to read [liner note edition] editorials and shell them out via email. Better yet, I learned that the actors in my productions were gaining local success and I published a ton of "behind the scenes" photographs so that fans could see their growth over the years. We often accept story ideas and news updates from current indie film productions. At this point, we don't require new writers or photographers; but we never turn down a good story.
Barry_C 901 - What are your thoughts on localized film makers? On many of your blogs you've mentioned that you're not a fan of IMDB or getting films uploaded on streaming services.
Dave Q - On the contrary, I am not a supporter of a film that is listed on IMDB that no one can see. If you list a movie on your IMDB account that you partook in, everyone should have access to see the film in some sort of venue, whether it's on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc. Same goes for "localized film making." If you've made a film and claim it's complete, every person stopping by your IMDB page should have access to view it. Here in Houston, there are a large number of films that have trailers and are listed on IMDB, but no one has access to see the actual full feature film or short that the trailer belongs to; not even the actors.
Amanda_H 9221 - If I've signed a release form to be part of a film production, do I seriously lose all of my rights and the director can just use my image anytime he or she wants to?
Dave Q - Always read what you sign. Better yet, if the release form your signing gives you a strange feeling, have lawyer [or someone else] look at it. Always remember that a release form is a contract [or promise] that you are giving for the expressed right to use your image in the film or photo shoot you're taking part in. But you are in no legal binding condition to yield to any demands tossed at you outside of what is promised. If you feel you want out of a project, be sure to tell those in charge that you are not satisfied with the production and want to opt out, not allowing any use of your work. However, if you've been paid for participating in the film, you might be required to pay back the production team for your time and any re-shoots that required you in the film; so be mindful of what's required in the release of your image.
Anthony_Marcus - With the help of my agent, I've taken so many acting courses and speech training to fill two pages in an acting resume, what am I doing wrong? Why am I not getting acting gigs or being called in for auditions? Is the whole film industry rigged?
Dave Q - Actually, no. But just because you dream to be an actor and your taking all of the required acting schools isn't the instant "shoe in" maneuver you can put all of your hopes on. Definitely don't sit around and wait for your agent to find you a gig. What truly sucks is if you find gigs on your own, you might be required to pay the agent a percentage anyway, regardless of where you found the new gig. I've said this many times; if you're a new actor, stop paying an agent and work in theater first. Cut your teeth on the stage and learn from real actors who have to perform in front of an audience. It's a lot of hard work and the accolades for doing so are far more superior in respect than you might think. Being an actor isn't always about just being in front of a camera.
Pamela_r 831P - I'm really needing head shots for my acting resume, but I just don't have the fundage to pay for top quality shots. What do you recommend that I do?
Dave Q - Remember that there are actually no real formats for head shots. An acting agent will always tell you to use "this" photographer that they "highly recommend;" because the agent gets a cut of the cost. I've seen people take their own headshots with their cell phones and have captured their best sides using some insane formats, so don't be afraid to do the same. Don't pay for professional head shots until you have access to land the big gig. If you're a model, find a first time photographer whose wanting to bolster their portfolio. Either way, you look at yourself in the mirror all the time, so you should know what poses are best for your face. Know what's your best side and the best angle; use that to your advantage and get the first shots out the way you want them to be.
Erin_Lang 33117 - I'm in a real rut in my film making and I need some good advice. I've worked on two films, my first being a complete disaster. My second film required some funding to get it complete. What am I doing wrong?
Dave Q - Professional films have large teams
and people who take care of the funding aspect of a production, so I'm
assuming your an independent film maker doing everything on your own. If you're working in the indie film scene and only have two films under your belt, you should consider producing short films with actors who will work on an "all volunteer" basis. First time film makers always want to make their first films be the BIG thing in town and they fail because they didn't completely think out the funding aspect to reach the end of the films total requirements, so maybe it's time to "think small and miss small" until you find the right team for the right film. If you're lucky enough to work on a real professional film your first time, then take a lot of notes and try not to make the same mistake twice.
O'Martin_L12100 - Earlier this year in the March issue of the QSE, you made mention of selling the rights to a couple of scripts you wrote. Can you share how much money you made on them? I'm a script writer myself and I just can't seem to let go of my ideas so easily, especially if I feel the script is totally original and probably something that could be reasonably a hit.
Dave Q - Most people know that I have a laptop full of script ideas, some partially complete, some mini-series type scripts, and some strange dreams that I type out to make sense of things. I've sold a few plot ideas and some short stories that I thought were good enough to sell. Part of the solid marketing for a good script is the pitch I gave with it. I can't go over how much I've made, but I can say that it's paid of some bills and paid for things that I needed, which weren't cheap.
Kerry_J 0788 - I've worked in Austin for over fifteen years and I've been witness to some crazy shit when it comes to legal ownership of plot ideas. Have you ever had someone steal some of your film plots or story lines? How did you handle them?
Dave Q - It happens a whole lot more than I'd like, especially in the half ass indie film scene where I have worked with actors and director wanna-be's who started working on their film ideas after working with me. Years ago, I used to take it personal and confronted some people, threatening to sue. Now, I laugh over it; knowing that these idiots will gain nothing from stealing an idea here or there. Most of the time, those indie film idiots can't cash in on anything that they attempted to make and just fade away. But I have to respect these people's desire for "instant fame" and what they'll claim they wrote [after stealing ideas] just to be famous for a few minutes.
G_Pyler 5665 - I was on an indie film set a few weeks ago, where there was this clown taking production pictures. After we wrapped for the day I requested to have some of the photos that I knew I was in, forwarded to me via email. The guy claimed that the photos belonged to the production and that I had to go through the director to get copies. Later, the director told me that it was up to the photographer to give me the copies I requested. Then it hit me, I never signed a release with the photographer. What should I do?
Dave Q - There are several questions [with answers to them] that I have to ask. The first question is simple, were you told that there was going to be a photographer, who would worked separate from the production on set, taking pictures? - If that's a no, all the photos belong to the production and the photographer has to release all the photos requested. If it's a yes, then you should have signed a release for him being on set; if this didn't happen, then there is a violation of rights concerning your image, and the photos must be released. Second, remember that the director is only in charge of the film being shot. The producer is in charge of the entire film project. Always feel free to engage with the producer regarding anything that occurs behind the camera.
Bob_Ev 11781 - The July issue of the QSE had an interesting article concerning "sexual favors in indie films and the obligations that follow them as a result." It has been rumored that a lot of that happened in Houston during the 2010 to 2018 filming periods, do you have any knowledge about that?
Dave Q - All I can tell you is that I have never been involved with any of that non-sense within the plethora of film projects I produced. I was exposed to some of the fall out between actors and directors, hearing more about complaints and actually seeing finger pointing between them, but that's about it. As I mentioned before, there are a lot of dreamers out there who want to be in the limelight and taste instant fame in every film they work on; so many are willing to do anything to be in the next big thing. Some go overboard, not realizing that a high majority of the time, indie films are being produced just for fun, a quick buck, or an attempt for an easy lay.
Larry.TomtomBull - I've watched several of your indie films and I am perplexed by the locations you find to shoot your films. What is required for finding and using locations? Is there a specialized release form for the property owner? If a property owner demands a charge for the use of a location, what would be the lower standard pay rate?
Dave Q - If we're talking about indie films, the pay rate is [and should always be] "free for use." If your indie film has a tight budget, I suggest you offer a standard release form with "promise to pay" if the film receives any profitable contract or a serious investor to pay out for the use of the property. But always remember that if you charge someone for using anything that isn't yours, it's wise to have production insurance to cover your ass. If you've used private property on a verbal agreement, don't ever return after the film is complete and ask for the owner to sign a contract; just be sure to add their name to the end credits of the film in the "special thanks to" section.READERS NOTE! - Don't be afraid to ask your question on this blog. All questions are presented in anonymous form and only labeled for quick reference points.
