The ten-part series The Beginner's Crash Course In Film Distribution distills some of the information contained within The Insider's Guide to Film Distribution into a useful mini-guide for independent filmmakers.

Part 3: Creating a buzz during production

So all elements are in place -- story, financing, cast -- and you're ready to commence principal photography. During shooting, the first and foremost thing on your mind will be just getting the film shot and dealing with all the problems that come along with making a film along with all the joys of seeing your vision coming to life. But aside from shooting the best film you can, during production is actually a great time to start the work of marketing your film and creating a buzz. There are two things you want to be sure to do at this juncture which will help you greatly down the line.

Take film stills Film stills are still photographs taken during the production. A professional photographer should be used on set for this purpose since these will be very important down the line. If you cannot hire a professional photographer, make sure you study some professional film stills so you know exactly what to emulate. An Internet search will certainly put you on the right path, but if all possible visit a movie memorabilia shop where you'll find bins and bins of stills. These will more than give you the idea of what a proper still looks like. It is important to make sure you have a good, professional-looking set of stills, not some 5x6 snapshots slapped together, cause these will be considered part of your "deliverables" to a sales agent and/ or distributor. The inclusion of these stills will generally be non-negotiable, they're needed for marketing purposes. Basically, you have to cough them up.

Create a website or blog The ideal way to start getting the word out about your film is by utilizing the Internet. If no one knows about your film, no one will ever see it. And as an independent filmmaker you are responsible for securing your early audiences, whoever they may be. Start early. It takes time to build an audience and generate traffic to a site. The more audience you accumulate early on, the more attractive you will be to distributors later. Why? More built-in viewers means a quicker path to revenue. Start a website early on in production. It doesn't have to be extensive, a single page will do. If a website just isn't in the budget, a blog is a fantastic alternative. They're easy to build and update and best of all, they're free.

Ideally, the website or blog is a sales tool which should function on several different levels. First, it's a tool to get audiences interested in your film. Second, it will be used later by distributors for checking out the basics of your film and to watch the trailer. And third, it's a place where potential investors can be referred if you're still raising capital during production or post. A quick Internet search will turn up some independent film websites which might give you a better idea of how you may (or may not if the case may be) want your site to look. Additionally, links are provided to some good sites that proved effective with distributors in The Insider's Guide to Film Distribution.

You should include a production diary as part of your site or blog. If possible upload production stills or video clips. Draw an audience into the film, the making of the film, etc. Use your site to get the visitors excited about seeing the film. Once you've cut a trailer, put it up. The Internet is a great tool for building a buzz around your film -- use it!