Putting Together an Indie Production

ABOUT THE EVENT: 

Every successful film starts with a solid foundation. This panel brings together experts from across the industry to outline the essential resources and strategies independent filmmakers need to set up their productions the right way. From contracts and compliance to payroll, travel, union rules, and financing logistics, our guests will cover the practical pillars that keep a project on track. Featuring voices from trusted companies and experts, this conversation will demystify the nuts and bolts of production so you can focus on bringing your vision to life.

ABOUT SAGINDIE: 

SAGindie promotes the working relationship between professional actors and passionate independent filmmakers. Since its formation in 1997, SAGindie has been traveling to film festivals, trade shows, and conventions spreading the word: Just because your film isn’t produced by a studio doesn’t mean you can’t use professional talent. As a free resource, SAGindie offers filmmakers clarity and kinship by guiding them through the SAG-AFTRA signatory process, making it even easier to hire professional actors, regardless of budget.

ABOUT THE MODERATOR:

Noah Morse

Director and Producer

Noah Morse is a director, writer and producer from Johnston, RI. He is one of the co-founders of sogbots, a production company based in Los Angeles, as well as one of the co-founders of LA’s Rich and Successful Film Festival. Formerly, he worked as assistant to Larry Charles on A24’s DICKS: THE MUSICAL as well as assistant to the head of the Literary Division at WME. Noah is a recipient of the 2024 Big Sky Film Grant for his upcoming film, BUT I’M YOUR BROTHER.

PANELISTS INCLUDE:

Natalie Metzger

VP of Production & Development, Vanishing Angle

Natalie Metzger is a Spirit Award-nominated producer and Vice President of Production & Development at Vanishing Angle, where she champions bold, genre-defying independent films. Her films have earned acclaim across the world, premiering at top festivals like Sundance, Cannes, Berlinale, SXSW and Tribeca. Notable credits include IT AIN’T OVER (Sony Pictures Classics, WGA Award nominee), THUNDER ROAD (SXSW Grand Jury Award winner), WEREWOLVES WITHIN (IFC), GREENER GRASS (Sundance), THE WOLF OF SNOW HOLLOW (MGM/Orion), THE BETA TEST (Berlinale), SPOONFUL OF SUGAR (Shudder), POOF (Cannes), THER ROBBERY (Sundance), Alden Ehrenreich’s SHADOW BROTHER SUNDAY (Tribeca), and upcoming Tina Romero’s QUEENS OF THE DEAD (Tribeca Audience Award). She is currently in post-production on UNDER THE LIGHTS (Lake Bell, Randall Park, Mark Duplass, Nick Offerman) and KILL ME (Charlie Day, Allison Williams, Giancarlo Esposito, Aya Cash). Metzger holds an MFA from CalArts and graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Emory University.

Eugene Park

Co-Executive Director and Founder, Full Spectrum Features NFP

Eugene Sun Park is Co-Executive Director and Founder of Full Spectrum Features NFP, a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to harnessing the power of cinema to create and inspire more inclusive cultural narratives. FSF’s core services include film production and impact distribution, as well as educational and field-building initiatives. Full Spectrum’s films have screened at hundreds of festivals, micro-cinemas, museums, galleries and alternative screening venues around the world. Notable recognitions include the NEXT Special Jury Award at Sundance (Desire Lines), Grand Jury Prize for Best U.S. Narrative at Outfest (Signature Move), Best Indie Series, Streamy Awards (the T) and Outstanding Public History Project, National Council on Public History (The Orange Story). As a filmmaker and producer, Eugene works in narrative, experimental and hybrid forms (complete credits). Eugene has received numerous distinctions for his work in film and the nonprofit arts sector, including his selection as a Community Impact Scholar of the Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Chicago, a Distinguished Service to the Arts Award from the Lawyers for the Creative Arts and the Cicero Fellowship at the Newberry Library. Described by Newcity as “essential to the film world of Chicago,” Eugene was an inaugural inductee in the magazine’s Film 50 Hall of Fame. Eugene is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied finance and literature. He holds an MA in Philosophy from California State University, Los Angeles. He is a former PhD candidate in Philosophy at Indiana University.

Feras Alfuqaha

CEO, Shamel Studio

Feras Alfuqaha is a film producer and director with over a decade of experience spanning development, production management and accounting. He holds an MFA in Producing from the American Film Institute and a B.S. in Animation from DePaul University. Feras recently directed the feature film LIFELINE, starring Josh Stewart and Judah Lewis. He is also the co-founder and CEO of Shamel Studio, a lightning-fast platform for film scheduling and budgeting that automates script breakdowns, budgets and union rate calculations. Used by studios, independent producers and top film schools, Shamel Studio helps filmmakers save time, reduce costs and stay organized while bridging creativity and technology to empower the next generation of storytellers.

Eliza Hajkova

Manager of Development, SAGindie

Eliza is an LA-based writer/producer in addition to Manager of Development at SAGindie. Her duties with SAGindie include traveling to film festivals, speaking on panels and at seminars and interacting with independent producers worldwide in order to demystify the SAG-AFTRA Low Budget Agreements.