Grit, Hustle and Self-Distribution: Learnings From Team Behind ”Anchorage”

2023-09-01

The feature film, Anchorage, is a true indie film that was shot in 5 days and created on a self-funded, budget of only $54,000. The film, which was originally planned to be a short, has gone on to receive 11 awards and 10 nominations across 17 festivals. The film’s team has been independently producing a theatrical tour, across the US and in the UK. In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with Scott Monahan, Dakota Loesch, Erin Naifeh, and Spencer Showalter to discuss: Getting coverage in big publications like The Guardi...

The feature film, Anchorage, is a true indie film that was shot in 5 days and created on a self-funded, budget of only $54,000. The film, which was originally planned to be a short, has gone on to receive 11 awards and 10 nominations across 17 festivals. The film’s team has been independently producing a theatrical tour, across the US and in the UK.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with Scott Monahan, Dakota Loesch, Erin Naifeh, and Spencer Showalter to discuss:

Getting coverage in big publications like The Guardian
Developing a short into a feature using the same budget
Selling family heirlooms in order to finance the film
The process of shooting in the high desert for five days
Letting actors move around and do what they wanted to do
Putting your crew together based on personality not talent or budget
Learning how to do an assembly cut before bringing on the editor
Cutting and editing depending on what feels right to the story
Playing at Music Box Theater alongside Oppenheimer and Asteroid City
The 3 most powerful words you can say as a director

Memorable Quotes

“The movie changed from a short to a feature, but the budget was the same.” [7:40]
“We had structure but we also had freedom to improvise and be organic.” [9:35]
“Sometimes it’s more important what other people bring to your project than what you are bringing to your project.” [35:07]
“We’re not good will hunting, we are bad will hunting.” [41:37]

Resources:

Anchorage | Official Trailer

Anchorage IG/FB/X: @anchoragemovie

Anchorage | Deeper Into Movies Screening (FREE)

YES, Manchester | September 6th 7:30pm

https://dice.fm/event/gax26-anchorage-qa-6th-sep-yes-the-pink-room-manchester-tickets?lng=en-US

Anchorage | Deeper Into Movies Screening (FREE)

TT Liquor, London | September 9th 3:30pm

https://dice.fm/event/l5d6r-anchorage-qa-9th-sep-tt-liquor-store-london-tickets?lng=en-US

Anchorage | Curzon Q&A Screening

September 12th Curzon Hoxton 6:40pm

https://www.curzon.com/ticketing/seats/HOX1-12139/