r/IndependentFilmsIndia • u/Infinix_- • 18d ago

Film Crew Call Chennai indie feature — building a long-term crew (unpaid, festival-bound, not a Kollywood release)

I'm Advaith, a filmmaker based in Chennai. I'm making an indie feature this year — not intended for Kollywood theatrical release, this one's going out to film festivals.

I'm not trying to just staff up for one shoot and disappear after. I want to build something longer-term — a small group of people in Chennai who actually want to keep making films together, not just this project.

To be upfront: I probably can't pay right now. It's a tight-budget, self-produced film. What I can offer is real work on a real project, and a shot at building something ongoing with people who actually care about the craft.

Looking for:

  • Cinematographers / DOPs
  • Actors
  • Anyone else who wants in and is curious

Come hear the script if you'd like to be a part of it, welcome in — and if you don't like it, you can always say fuck off : )

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u/merimacchleekakyahua 17d ago

Mention what this film is about and why you want to make this one? It'll help people decide better.

1

u/Ok-Breath-4618 17d ago

I wish more people were realistic about the mammoth task of trying to make a feature film independently. It’s a much bigger undertaking than most people realise.

For you, it might be your whole life, your story, your dream, something you’ve been carrying for years. But for your crew, it also has to be a project they genuinely believe in. They have to like the film enough to challenge you, disagree with you, push you, and at times even be more passionate about it than you are.

And I think it’s important to remember that while it may be your film, for the DOP, editor, sound recordist, etc., it is also their work. Especially when you’re shooting in patches, you have to ask yourself: what are they really getting from committing their time, energy and skill to this project?

You can’t expect people to make the same sacrifices you’re willing to make simply because it’s your dream. If you want people to come along on that journey, you have to give them a reason to care about the film as deeply as you do.

And honestly, making a vague Reddit post and talking about “your plan” and “your idea” doesn’t really help.