Researching the indie film process 

Case Study 

The process for making a successful independent short film begins with the developing and financing. In the indie film "Short Term 12", "The project started with the director Destin Cretton, who had worked for a number of years at a foster care facility." 

He pitched his idea to the members of the academy although he was told numerous times that it was "going to be hard to sell". He decided to go for it anyways and after much determination and perseverance, the film was showed at the Sundance festival, where it gained much acclaim and exposure. This is where he began to make connections and where he found the group that would finance the film. 

"Goldstein adds that it is important when pushing an independent film forward to decide on a specific date to shoot the film, even if you don’t make that date. "

After scheduling down all of the specific dates that were needed to organize the film, the production part of it all is the next part of the list. 

"Short Term 12 was shot entirely on location in the Los Angeles area. “Egos were checked at the door,” Goldstein says of production, “we were very prepared and knew the amount of time we had and what we needed to do. No one was a yelling maniac. It was a very focused process, but also a very comfortable creative environment. It is difficult enough to make a film, so it is important to surround yourself with personalities who are in it to do good work”."

In the end things worked out great for Goldstein and his team. The film had substance and it was enticing, but what was most important was that it was heavily supported by being organized and well planned.