Like many of you, I’m a struggling independent filmmaker and artist trying to continue making short films outside of film school. From my experience both in and outside of film school, one of the most difficult elements of launching a new, low-budget or no budget video/ film production - no matter how small - is just finding the right people who will be truly committed to a project. I’ve had mixed results posting crew calls on Mandy.com and even BackStage West.

I’m a San Diego-based artist/ writer/ director/ cinematographer trying to find a producer have an experience, along with an AD, and another artist with animation experience. Any suggestions on finding talented individuals who share the passion for making movies when you don’t have the means to pay a crew? Any advice on finding other skilled, experienced artists who have a similar eagerness to move forward and to continue to develop their craft on an experimental short film, even when there is no money to compensate someone for their time? I would love to hear what people have to say about this topic.

friends, classmates, local college students from the theater/film department...look around online to see who is in your area already doing hobbyist filmmaking.  There’s tons of us out there, we just don’t see one another ever.

I’m in the same boat right now. I can find people that want to act in short films but it is hard to find people to help with all the work like sound man , cameraman and everything else since they kinda have to have the same views. unfortunately I live in houston.