DIY Filmmaker Sujewa is the the blog of DC-based low-budget filmmaker Sujewa Ekanayake. His current project is a film about Indie Film Bloggers.

[I]nfinicine: What do you think the biggest challenges have been for filmmakers in the past in distribution and getting their films out to the public and making money in the process?

Sujewa: I think the challenges for indie (working outside of Hollywood) filmmakers, when it comes to distribution, have always been pretty much the same; it takes a lot of money and a lot of work to properly or widely distribute a movie – at least theatrically, and then followed by various home entertainment options. However, few indie filmmakers (that I know of) have done theatrical distribution successfully. And many more have done distribution on DVD, etc. successfully. So both are possible to do.

[I]: What aspects of the internet have been the most beneficial to independent filmmakers?

Sujewa: I would have to say access to information – how to do things, and being able to easily connect with other people – through message boards/groups, e-mail, websites, blogs, etc. – you can find collaborators that you need in order to get projects done.

[I]: Do you see any drawbacks to the “digital revolution” for independent filmmakers?

Sujewa: No. Right now seems like the best time ever to make & distribute movies outside of Hollywood or independently, largely thanks to the digital revolution.

[I]: What do you think is the best model for filmmakers who want to make money with their films online now?

Sujewa: I do not know what the best model for that is (Scott Kirsner might know though). I am focused on marketing screenings & DVDs of my movies through the web & making money that way (through DVD sales, etc.). I am sure in the next 12 months I’ll experiment with online selling of movies & will see where things are – as far as making money through that process is concerned.

[I]: What kind of knowledge do filmmakers need to have about technology, distribution, and/or marketing strategies today? Can they “just be filmmakers”?

Sujewa: Being a filmmaker includes having all the knowledge necessary to make the movie, market the movie, and distribute the movie. Just as being a good chef, at some point in your career, may mean figuring out how a successful restaurant is run. These things (tech stuff, distribution, marketing) are not some closely guarded secrets – all the knowledge anyone needs is available on the web, in books, and through experienced people (many of whom openly discuss their perspectives & opinions on the web, in books, at film festival panels, etc.) The key thing is to break down the process, step by step, figure out the information needed to get through a step, and then repeat until you’ve completed your movie & made it available for potential customers/viewers to purchase.

At present a very simple filmmaking & distribution process would be: 1. make the indie film on a digital format, 2. submit to festivals, 3. submit to indie theaters, 4. set up screenings of your own, 4. look at other distribution options (internet VOD, cable VOD, selling the movie to a distribution company for theatrical & home, etc.), 5. start selling the DVD. Secret to success may be over-simplification

[I]: How has your blog and being online helped you as a filmmaker?

Sujewa: Operating the blog & keeping in touch with other bloggers makes me a part of the community of bloggers; meaning access to information, people to hang out with when I am in a city other than where I live, etc. – good stuff. Blogging has helped me get screenings, promote my work, and also promote other ideas – ideas that may not be related to film very directly but stuff that I am interested in exploring/discussing/promoting – saving the world stuff or far less important stuff like being a fan of a certain movie or something. Also, blogging for a couple of years gave me the idea to make the documentary that I am working on at the moment – The Indie Film Bloggers http://indiefilmbloggersmovie.blogspot.com/, and that project is possible due to the cooperation of my blogger friends/other bloggers.

As far as being online, pretty much all businesses & special interest groups are online now, so, being online makes it easier to get many things done.

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