Online Resources

DIY Video Resources

Video University
This site contains resources on many factors in video production. Also contains a detailed video and film distributors' list.

New York City Mayor's Office of Film
This site gives you bureaucratic guidelines to the legal procedure of shooting a film in New York.

Distribution/Funding

Independent Feature Project
IFP is a not-for-profit service organization dedicated to providing resources, information and avenues of communication for its members: independent filmmakers, industry professionals and independent film enthusiasts. It is committed to the idea that independent film is an important art form and a powerful voice in society. It offers news on the industry, a filmmaker?s library, forums, a networking center, and sponsors grants.

New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA)
NYSCA is a funding agency that supports the activities of nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in New York State and helps to bring high-quality artistic programs to the public. NYSCA invites nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that meet basic eligibility requirements to apply for grants.

Docuclub
The mission of DocuClub is to facilitate filmmakers in the making of their documentaries within a non-competitive, supportive community. DocuClub's programs help enhance the quality of documentary films produced, from the pitch through to the completed work, by offering filmmakers constructive feedback and a chance to network with their peers. Docuclub hosts screenings and workshops for filmmakers.

Youth-based Organizations:

EVC
EVC is a nationally recognized model of a media arts education program that makes a difference in the lives of some of the most hard-to-reach youth. EVC is dedicated to the creative and community-based use of video and multi-media as a means to develop the literacy, critical thinking, and work preparation skills of inner city youth.

Youth Channel
The Youth Channel is a channel that is programmed and governed by youth affiliated with the Manhattan Neighborhood Network. Anyone under 25 is encouraged to submit their video work to be broadcast on the network.

Peer Organizations

Women Make Movies
Women Make Movies is a multicultural, multiracial, non-profit media arts organization which facilitates the production, promotion, distribution, and exhibition of independent films and videotapes of all genres of and about women. Their internationally recognized distribution service is their primary program. They also have a production assistance program and lost cost media workshops that can focus on hands on technical training or the business side of the film industry. They have many feminist media links on their site.

Third World Newsreel
Third World Newsreel (TWN) is an alternative media arts organization that fosters self representational independent film and video by and about people of color and developing nations. They have a distribution program and curate film and video exhibitions. Every year they also have an intensive, highly selective, five month film and video production workshop that takes the applicant through all the production stages. They provide production and technical support with continual fiscal sponsorship of 25 projects.

Manhattan Neighborhood Network
MNN is responsible for administering the public access cable television services in Manhattan. Their purpose is to ensure the ability of Manhattan residents to exercise their First Amendment rights through the medium of cable television and to create opportunities for mutual communication, education, artistic expression and other noncommercial uses of video facilities on an open, uncensored and equitable basis. MNN offers access to video production equipment, holds various video production workshops for free, and funds grants to non-profit organizations and individuals.

Paper Tiger TV (PTTV)
PTTV is an open, non-profit, volunteer video collective. Through the production and distribution of their public access series, media literacy/video production workshops, community screenings and grassroots advocacy PTTV works to challenge and expose the corporate control of mainstream media.

Bay Area Video Coalition
BAVC was launched in 1976 as a way to make emerging video technology accessible to independent mediamakers. Today, with that mission still at its core, BAVC has evolved into a media arts "teaching hospital."