First-Time Filmmakers: A Practical Guide to Writing, Producing, and Selling Your First Feature Film
First-Time Filmmakers: A Practical Guide to Writing, Producing, and Selling Your First Feature Film In 2023, I directed and produced my first feature film, Blood Star , a desert road trip thriller staring John Schwab and Britni Camacho. It was a fully self-funded independent film—a true passion project that became both a trial by fire and an invaluable education in the realities of filmmaking. While we managed to keep production costs relatively low compared to most films, the financial return so far has been minimal. This is a hard truth many first-time filmmakers face: you might never make your money back. That being said, I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. Blood Star has since been sold in several major territories, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and the USA. It now exists as both a piece of entertainment and, more importantly, as proof of concept—a calling card that demonstrates ability and vision to the wider industry. If you’re thinking of making your first feature, my biggest piece of advice is this: only risk what you are prepared to lose. Consider whether your ultimate goal—proving your skills and storytelling ability—could be achieved with a short film or a tightly crafted 20-minute project. Still, if you have the hunger to make a feature film, don’t let me stop you. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. So, how do you start if you want to write, produce, and sell your first feature film—and maybe even get it onto platforms like Amazon or Netflix? Let’s break it down. Step One: Adopt the Right Mindset This might sting: you’re not just creating “art.” You’re creating a product—a film designed for mass consumption. The sooner you understand that, the sooner you can make strategic choices that position your project for success. Your movie must be: Unique in the marketplace – Something distinctive that makes it stand out in press releases and festival lineups. Universally resonant – Themes, ideas, or emotions that audiences can connect to. Easily pitchable – Your poster, logline, and script should each have a clear hook that excites people in one sentence. Think of your film as both a creative work and a business proposition. Step Two: Writing a Technically Sound Script Many independent filmmakers worry: How do I know if my script is “technically correct”? The truth is, you’ll never get it perfect. Instead, focus on structure and iteration. Study and outline similar scripts – Identify beats and pacing from successful films in your genre. Create a framework – Even if your story evolves, having key beats mapped gives you stability. Test it in real-world scenarios – Do table reads, rehearsals, storyboards, and animatics. Bring your script to life before production so you can identify weaknesses early. Above all, be the conductor of the orchestra—guiding not only the story but how others engage with and challenge it. Step Three: Producing and Funding on a Budget If you’re self-funding (like I did with Blood Star), you need to minimize everything: Minimal cast Minimal crew Minimal locations Minimal shoot days Focus instead on maximizing storytelling and performance. Great performances and clever twists cost nothing. Imagine sitting by a campfire—if the story grips your audience, they’ll lean in. Actors are often hungry for opportunities. Find emerging talent eager to prove themselves. Work with them, let them ask questions, and give them the space to bring their best. Step Four: Post-Production This stage takes time. Patience is key. Many talented editors, composers, and VFX artists are open to working for portfolio material (“for their reel”), especially on indie projects. Surround yourself with collaborators who share your passion. Step Five: Selling and Distribution Here’s where many first-time filmmakers get disillusioned. You may dream of putting your film directly onto Amazon Prime or Netflix—but the reality is you’ll still need a distributor or sales agent. And here’s the truth: distributors and sales agents will always try to take as much of the profit as possible. That’s their nature. Think of the fable of the crocodile: it helps a bird cross the river, but once they’re safely across, the crocodile eats the bird. It’s just what crocodiles do. You can’t avoid distributors, but you can protect yourself. Always: Have a lawyer review your contracts. Insist on a Minimum Guarantee (MG) being binding. No sales should occur below that threshold. Include penalties for late or missing reports. Stipulate clear payment terms (e.g., “payment within 30 days after each quarter”). Don’t sign blind—contracts are full of traps designed to disadvantage you. Final Thoughts for First-Time Filmmakers Making Blood Star taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, creativity, and the business of filmmaking. If you’re a first-time filmmaker, remember: Treat your film as both art and product. Focus on story, performance, and efficiency, not expensive gear or locations. Be ready for the long game—financial returns take time, if they come at all. And most importantly, remember that even if your first feature doesn’t make money, it can still be your calling card. Proof that you can deliver a vision, manage a team, and tell a story that resonates. If you’ve enjoyed this article and believe in supporting independent filmmaking, please watch Blood Star. Independent film reviews, ratings, and even simple views on platforms like Amazon Prime matter enormously. While the royalty might be a laughable $0.001 per stream, the visibility and positive reviews on IMDb etc are what truly keep indie films—and filmmakers—alive. Writer/Director/Producer – Lawrence Jacomelli
