The Business Of Film
Film is a business. But people get so star-struck about movies that they don’t even realize this important fact. What it means for independent filmmakers is that everyday people who would love to assist with the making of a film do not need film experience to contribute. In fact, they have an advantage if they’ve got a business background. Let the filmmakers do the film part, while you do what you do best. There are a number of ways for you to Be A Millie:
One of the best contributions you can make is to Spread The Word About Millies! Buzz is the single most necessary and desired item you have the power to give us. Email our web site address to your colleagues, family and friends across America who would be interested in this story. Connect us with people you know who would be very likely to support our cause. Add a blurb about Millies to your newsletters, updates and blogs. If you are local, attend one of our Events. If you’re just extremely interested, local or not, Host a Fundraising or Buzzraising Event for us!
Millies is a grassroots film. Its success absolutely depends on YOU sharing this story with others who will join our mailing list and support the movie. With independent film, the AUDIENCE is the best marketer of all. Now, start blogging!
Donations/Contributions
Millies continues to be grateful for private contributions and donations, and has now made it easier for you to do so right here and now through our secure PayPal connection.
Gift cards for restaurants, markets, convenience/hardware/office supply stores are also gratefully accepted. If you have in-kind donations you wish to contribute to the film, such as those on our Needs List, please contact the director.
Here is just a sampling of the seemingly “non-film” specialties Millies will need to succeed: marketers, networkers, lawyers, non-profit employees, financial advisors and most importantly, Grandmas who like to bake. We invite you to come on board because you want to be a part of something bigger than each of us alone, because you love film, because you’re a Millie. Click here for our ever-changing Needs List.
If you are eager to participate in the making of Millies but feel like you don’t fit into the aforementioned categories, don’t count yourself out -- send us an email. We are confident we can find a way to use your generous help to make Millies a reality.
Back to top
Location, Location, Location
While Millies is in large part a story about a mill owner and mill workers, the mills themselves are an important silent character in the film. It is the director’s goal to showcase these behemoths of history in ways that are visually compelling while moving our plot forward. If you are a mill owner, store owner, resident, or historic building owner in Lawrence and you are willing to let us transform your space for the film (and restore it to your space again), please contact us immediately.
We will be filming throughout the city of Lawrence, Massachusetts but our primary locations will be the Interior and Exterior of a mill yet to be determined. This will play the main character, Danielle’s, mill building. We need big, empty mill space, preferably not too modernized. In reality, Lawrence is undergoing a terrific renaissance that has renovated some strike-era mills to the point that they’re too modern for the film! What a wonderful dilemma! Great for the city, but a location challenge for the film since we would like to shoot the majority of Millies within the Lawrence city limits. While the film will employ visual techniques to evoke the past, our story takes place entirely in the modern day, and it is not necessary for us to recreate 1912 in any location.
The director may have even already contacted you for use of your space, but if she hasn’t, if you are a hidden gem in the city, if you haven’t had the funding to renovate your building so a few old windows are still broken, the floors are still dirty and full of nails, the place looks like it hasn’t been touched for years – you’re the perfect Millie for us!!! Please contact us and talk to each other to spread the word that we have a GREAT NEED for these types of mill locations. The more locations you provide us, the better.
Back to top
Apply to Join The Millies Cast or Crew
We are now accepting professional head shots, resumes, and reels from actors. Electronic submissions preferred, please email your information to Millies Cast with "Millies Cast/Your Name" in the Subject line.
We are also taking rate sheets, demo reels, and resumes for technical crew members for Millies. This set will be maintained as a positive, team-oriented, gripe-free zone for diligent people who love their job of making movies. If you are prone to nicking walls with c-stands, disrespecting others, or that tired industry cliche of drug use, this is not the film environment for you and we kindly suggest you select another project.
If, on the other hand, you are a technical perfectionist who thrives in a cooperative, demanding, respectful environment on an equal level with your film-loving colleagues, and who is cool with a director who may occasionally burst into song, we would like to hear from you. Send the requested information to Millies Crew with "Millies Crew/Your Name" in the Subject line.
Both cast and crew applicants should include an email/cover letter stating why you'd like to participate in the Millies film project. Please give us your availability, rates, transportation, lodging and any food issues or other situations we should be aware of. Thank you for considering applying your expertise to our project.
Back to top
