Guten Tag!

When somebody says “low budget indie film” people tend to think either Horror, Action or possibly a Comedy…

Because us indies need to maximise our budget, we often end up making the same sorts of films and setting our films in the same locations; a wood, an abandoned warehouse (I’ve been there with both).

There is a LOT to be said for using resources that you have available to you and making your film as produce-able as possible… but don’t feel you can’t be imaginative and original! If you just do the same old thing that everybody else is doing, it will be hard to stand out.

(Yes, I just made up the word “produce-able” but let’s move on).

Germany has some incredible modern cinema, full of originality and creative flair (my personal favourite being “Run Lola Run”). A few years ago, I heard about “Iron Sky”…

It blew my little English mind. For those of you who haven’t heard about the film, it’s about a secret army of Nazis who are residing on the dark side of the moon. Has anything ever been so original? Who didn’t want to see that film the second they heard about the idea?

At over 8 million dollars, it’s not a low-budget film by my standards, but it certainly is by Hollywood’s. It’s money that was very well spent and the results on screen far outweigh the actual cost.

I think a lot of us could do well to remember that a successful film is often down to an amazing idea. If you can come up with something as original and interesting to audiences as the concept of “Iron Sky”, then they will flock to see it. It doesn’t have to be as wacky or comedic, but there is huge value in standing out from the crowd and daring to be different.

During writing my book, I’ve been very fortunate to chat with Oliver Damian, who Produced “Iron Sky”. Oliver is a really nice guy and kindly had this to say about our book:

“In times of a rapidly changing industry, Andy’s book is a great, inspiring tool for all filmmakers to think outside the box. I love it.”

I’m really looking forward to the sequel to “Iron Sky” called “Iron Sky: The Coming Race”. This time, we have DINOSAURS as well as NAZIS… OK, tell me you don’t want to see Nazis riding dinosaurs?!

Find out more at: www.ironsky.net

Oliver’s company website is at: www.27films.biz/en/team.php

Let your ideas blossom, think outside of the box and reach for the “Iron Sky” with your filmmaking!

Auf Wiedersehen!

P.S. I’m visiting Berlin and Munich this August with my fiancee. I can’t wait to sample some German beers… 🙂

P.P.S. I’m quite sure my jolly German feelings may wane a little if and when they beat us at penalties in the European Football Championships. For my American readers, that’s Soccer…