Our Current Projects:
WHAT IS THE FILM CULT?
I have personally struggled with the film industry, I have struggled with my physical and mental health to the point where I had to question whether there was a space for me in the industry. After realising I am not alone and that this is the majority experience, I'm now passionate that we ought to take up a space of our own. We can make The Film Cult that space.We believe that the current industry practice of filmmaking is harmful to those who participate, inaccessible to most and hinders the cultural potential of filmic exploration.Instead we can foster the exploration of transformative, expressive, and revolutionary film if we can find a way to facilitate filmmaking in an accessible, diverse and healthy environment. In nurturing the voices and stories previously locked out from this medium we can evolve the artform.The Film Cult has formed due to a need for this alternative environment. We have come together to build a bright alternative to the current filmmaking practice so we can reveal what is possible.Here's to a better world of filmmaking,
Cult Member Rowen
No one belongs here more than you...
1. Attend a Cult Orientation
Learn more about The Film Cult, our aims and the different ways you can get involved at an orientation event.Sign up for our next initiation!
2. Working Groups
Get directly involved with one of our working groups.Equipment Share
Fair Film Production
3. Attend Cult Meetings
Take part in group decision making, research and action at our wider cult assemblies.Other ways to be involved?
Fair Film PROJECT
Fair Film
Badge
No Filmmakers were Harmed in the Making...
We are developing the Fair Film Badge which will work as our guiding principles.All our work will require a stamp of approval meaning we've stuck to our values. We will also be opening this up to other film productions who want to show their commitment to a better world of filmmaking.The badge will promote the use of a new filmmaking framework where creativity is nurtured and talent is protected. We will set out guidelines as well as rewards once this is further developed.
Our Proof Of Concept
We are making the films that couldn't otherwise exist under current conditions and we are doing it in a safe and non-exploitative environment.For this project we are planning to bring together a large group of filmmakers for a residential filmmaking experiment.
Ideas we're currently planning to explore:
- Following our Fair Film Badge Shoot Requirements
- Staggered call times / shift work to allow for shorter work day
- Day off in middle of shoot week to allow for relaxation and reflection
- Experimental filmmaking processes
The Film Cult
Equipment Share
Film Equipment For Everyone
What we are doing:• Making the tools of filmmaking affordable to everyone!• Facilitating the creation of film projects• Reducing waste and promoting sharing
Together we've saved creators:
£5,695
By pooling our resources for common good the expensive filmmaking ladder has been brought down a peg or two!
By providing access to:
£17,664
worth of film equipment rented out since our launch.
Supporting:
22 Projects
since October!
Support the pay it forward fund!
Some of our community still cannot afford to access our equipment. We have a pay it forward fund for anyone struggling to afford equipment for their project.Those of us with more means can support the fund through the 'pay it forward' account on the share website.Email us to see how we can support you if you are struggling!
F&Qs
Where is the equipment share?
The Nexus Room
9, St Peters Buildings,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9PG
Film Cult!
The Film Cult is built around the concept that your environment influences creative work and that the current environment pushes most individuals out of filmmaking. Our main ambition is to create an environment that does the opposite. This alternative to screen culture will allow access to a sustainable form of filmmaking that doesn’t inflict health.
We believe having a physical space will allow us to have a larger influence on our environment. A long term goal of ours is to have a location which inspires healthy filmmaking.
Very ominous and mysterious - we know. Let us do some other culty stuff first as we develop this long term proposal.
BE PART OF THE STORY
No one belongs here more than you.
Support the cult in whatever capacity suits best.
🕒
Time
The most valuable thing of all. We would love to get you involved as a member of decision makers in our group organisation!
💸
Money
Some of your money can be turned into direct action towards a world you want to live in.View our transparent spending
🔨
Resources
We are on the hunt for:
- Film Equipment
- Anything else we might be able to use!
🤝
Solidarity
If you are part of a group, organisation or business with simular principles or goals we would be keen to create solidarty with you!
💡
Skills
You could support us by offering your valuable skills - are you in the industry? Trained in something? Or an experienced community organiser?
1. Attend a Cult Orientation
Learn more about The Film Cult, our aims and the different ways you can get involved at an orientation event.Sign up for our next initiation!
2. Working Groups
Get directly involved with one of our working groups.Equipment Share
Fair Film Production
3. Attend Cult Meetings
Take part in group decision making, research and action at our wider cult assemblies.
Working Groups
Working Groups are subgroups within The Film Cult formed around areas of interest, such as a programme like the Equipment Share, or tasks like social media. Working Groups organise autonomously and use consensus decision making to ensure all members have an equal say on decisions which will effect them. Groups report back to the wider cult on a regular basis.
Equipment Share
Building a bank of affordable film equipment, similar to a tool library, Edinburgh Based
Fair Film
Production branch, exploring and facilitating fair productions
Vibe Guardians
Protecting cult morale, needs and accessibility
Brainwashing Department
Outreach and social media masterminds
Help us build something new
Support the world you want to live in and show there is a desire for a more progressive and sustainable world of filmmaking.
Why Donations?
Our commitment to find solutions without waiting for government support makes it harder for us to secure funding than other charities and non-profits. This means we rely on, and are beholdant to the people who make up our community.
Our Track Record and Numbers
A small amount goes a long way with us. We managed to start an equipment share, a project which should have cost us 10-30K for a much smaller £3,000. This project is on track to save indie filmmakers £41,600 by the end of next year by providing access to £148,164 worth of equipment - a serious impact.See our Transparent Spending
What we will spend it on
After the successful launch of our equipment share our resources for other projects are pretty much at zero. In order for us to pull of another project we need to build up donations.We are also keen to get more equipment for the share project as our most common feedback is that we need more!
Monthly Support
We've reached a point where our small numbers are bottlenecking what we know we can do.Be the first to commit to a monthly donation to really ignite this group.
Keep us anti-corporate by buying some art :)
Here's this years run down:
Total Expenses: £2,581.65
Total Income: £3,816.80
RESOURCES
Tools and materials to aid the alternative.
INDUCTION PACKS:
Information on how we organise, roles and values.
Digital Launch Zine
Cult Members Handbook
The Film Cult Manifesto (coming soon)
What is my role? 🧚 Responsibility PacksCult Meeting, Organisation and Decision Making Guidebook (Being Updated)
PROPOSALS:
Ideas for change within the cult.
CONSENSUS RESOURCES:
Consensus Agreement Explained - Seeds for Change
How Consensus Democracy Works - Andrewism Youtube Video
^^ These first two resources are a great intro into consensus
Community Organising Guide - Neighborhood Anarchists
^^ A series of zines on consensus and conflict resolution
On Conflict and Consensus: a handbook on Formal Consensus decisionmaking
^^ The consensus bible, any questions still? This is your answer
Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the Next) - Dean Spade
^^ A book on community organisation and mutual aid groups
USEFUL REPORTS:
Looking Glass Report 2022 - Film and TV Charity
Production is Broken Report
Albert (Sustainability in Film and TV)
BRAND RESOURCES:
We're stronger together, use the graphics as you please!