5 Coolest Indie Producers You Need To Know

As a producer, I am a fan of those people who can push films with the passion of a director. What I mean by that is, its more common for a filmmaker to champion a film they directed - they know exactly what the film is about, why they made it, and can speak at length about all of its ins and outs. These days, nearly every filmmaker has to muster up their courage and put on a producer hat to get their film into this crowded atmosphere. Because of this, sometimes those producers who take on the often-times thankless job of producing work directed by others, can be overlooked. DIY filmmaking encourages directors to "do-it-yourself." But sometimes a passionate producer comes aboard and helps the filmmaker toot their horn, and push the film into the marketplace. Most on this list also are out there doing the grunt work - the uncelebrated but very difficult task of actually working with investors - locking down this, the nuts and bolts of the indie- filmmaking process. These are my new heroes.

Here, as promised, is my list of the 5 coolest indie producers.

Paul Osborne

Paul side-stepped Hollywood interest and produced his first feature film on his own. He understood that the best way to get your first feature script produced is to do it yourself, and he wisely hired a director, and went to work producing it, from development thru post. He followed that up with a documentary he produced and directed exposing the film festival process. I admire him for his contagious energy and ability to enthusiastically promote his projects, even when he is not the director.

I got a chance to meet Paul personally and hang out a bit, when our films played the Idaho International Film Festival in Boise last year. Boise is a small, relaxed town, but Paul worked it like it was LA - speaking everywhere and anytime he could about not only his film Official Rejection, but also a film he produced Ten 'Til Noon. If you tried to corner Paul about his film festival documentary alone, he would almost always find a way to make sure you knew to check out Ten 'Til Noon. In fact, Ten 'Til Noon, a narrative, was actually the catalyst for Official Rejection. The ordeal of Ten 'Til Noon on the film festival circuit, is what is documented in the film. Awesome films, and some not-so-bad cross promotion.

Mynette Louie

Along her journey, Mynette has given us fellow producers several gems of knowledge. Among them, she reminds us that "film is a face-to-face business. A filmmaker is the best sales person of the film.” She also warns that DIY distribution will suck up a lot of your time and your other projects will be neglected. She often gives us the occasional gut check we need, while exposing the constant realities and pitfalls that producers should be aware of. Her tweets and updates are often uncensored, humorous notes and comments that most of us are thinking but few of us say aloud.

The New York-based independent film producer co-produced Andrew Bujalski's Mutual Appreciation, which made several 'best films' lists, and ventured into the brave world of DIY distribution. She followed it up with Tze Chun's award-winning Children Of Invention, which premiered at Sundance 2009, played over 50 film festivals, won 17 festival awards, and was released theatrically in 8 cities in 2010. IndieWire recently announced her current project "The End of Something" which is featured at IFP this week.

John Paul Rice

The epitome of a selfless producer, John is a supportive, generous, and down to earth multitask-er, who bravely wears multiple producing hats. At times he has to be a day to day production coordinator. Other times he is often what we now define as a producer of marketing and distribution, from time to time speaking or writing publicly about reaching our audiences in the new age. He seems to enjoy this phase, which is very encouraging to fellow producers, and I'm inspired by his ability to personally engage his audience, explore the new terrain, and make it look fun in the process.

In 2008 John produced One Hour Fantasy Girl, and under his company No Restrictions, he self distributed and marketed the project. Skillfully seeking the further discussion of the work, he doesn't ignore feedback - from the high end critic to the blogger. John understands the benefit of having other people talking about your project. He is currently working on the upcoming The Magic Stone, which looks like it is shaping up to be another strong effort. The project has been making its way as an Indiegogo feature.

Corey Williams

Corey is easily one of my favorite fellow producers. Anyone who simultaneously shares my job title, my belief in professional follow-up, my favorite NBA team (Go Lakers) and my ethnicity is a rare, rare find, and a god-send. We met through a mutual working relationship we both have with actress Jace Nicole, who after doing Cookies & Cream with us, went on to make several films with Corey's Baltimore-based Golden Tiger Productions. We became acquainted after Jace urged us to meet, after which Corey and I, while expressing an individual respect for each other, became friendly and soon became collaborators. We are now co-producing a project next year.

Corey and Golden Tiger Productions have cranked out numerous, back to back, noise-making pictures including Hangman, Torn (which was released by RSquared Films), and the recent, celebration-of-genre feature Razorblade City (which will be released by Maverick Entertainment in December). He often selflessly collaborates with the ever-evolving, inventive director Richard Johnson, whose film The Charl(y)ie Factor was nominated for online festival awards, and also starred, you guessed it, Jace Nicole. Corey's directorial debut Cant Complain is also now available on DVD.

Andrea Ajemian

The single most important person to my growth as a producer, Andrea is also a personal friend. Having often cited her as my mentor, Andrea is a true trailblazer, and probably the most hard working, honest and courageous producer I know. I most admire her for getting her films seen by any means. I have personally seen her self-book no budget films into multiplexes, when they were made for less than 5 grand. That my friends, is the epitome of a producer. She knows her target audiences and she goes after them. She has taught me a hell of a lot.

Having produced over 7 films (5 of them features), Andrea produced Rutland, USA for around $4000. The film had a small theatrical run in her home town of Worcester, Ma. Her films have played several film festivals all over the country and won awards. She's been featured in many newspaper publications, and is now also a public speaker and local TV producer. Her recent, major production Boyband, had its premiere at Showcase Cinema, also in Worcester. It is now gearing up for its theatrical run. You can find out where by visiting the film's blog.

- Princeton