What is the situation in New Mexico for young amateur/independent film makers- do they have a chance to exchange experience, have some workshops, get professional supervision and platform where to show their work?Or is it non existent at this level?

 THERE ARE SEVERAL INSTITUTIONS (UNIVERSITIES AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES) THAT OFFER FILM STUDIES.  OUR STUDIO THEN TAKES THE MOST QUALIFIED OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE AS INTERNS AND LET’S THEM LEARN ON THE JOB.  THE BEST GET HIRED BY THE FILM PRODUCTION COMPANIES THAT WORK IN NEW MEXICO.  

Can young aspiring film makers ask for financial grants from ministry or some board or they have to seek support and money elsewhere by themselves?

THE INSTITUTIONS HAVE BUDGETS FOR STUDENT FILMS --- THE INDEPENDENT FILM PRODUCERS CAN ACCESS PART OF THEIR BUDGETS THROUGH THE STATE INCENTIVE PROGRAM WHICH RETURNS TO THE PRODUCER (FILM MAKER) UP TO 30% OF THE MONEY SPENT IN NEW MEXICO.

How do you view  independent filmmakers?

A VERY DIFFICULT CAREER CHOICE BUT ONCE MADE IT IS THE PROVING GROUND FOR FILM MAKERS. NONE OF THE ANSWERS BELOW –

a/ as a need for society to keep focus at real art and deep ideas in this consume society THERE CAN BE REAL ART IS IN EVERY MOVIE.
b/ as loonies who try to look interesting but haven´t got a clue what and how to do it
THEY DON’T MAKE IT

c/ people who are fighting a lost battle but have your admiration

 NOT A LOOSING BATTLE IF THEY CAN MAKE FILMS THAT ARE FUNDED AND ARE ABLE TO BE SCREENED IN ANY KIND OF MEDIA.

d/someone who doesn´t want to be told what and how to do it and wants to have complete control over every aspect

 THEY HAVE TO BE RICH ENOUGH TO MAKE THEIR OWN MOVIE.

e/someone whose artistic ego and thinking is so different and big that he can´t fit into any form anyway?

 SEE (D)

How did you start with film, what was the first project you worked on and how did you gain experience?Did you seek any help or you tried to be yourself from word go?

AS AN INDEPENDENT FILM MAKER --- I DID NOT SEEK HELP ONLY COLLABORATION.  I HAD TO RAISE THE MONEY, CONVINCE THE CAST, DIRECTOR, AND DISTRIBUTORS.

What would you advice someone who would come to you and say that he has script and wants to make a movie? Do you have some kind of routine answers or you take it from case to case?

FIRST QUESTIONS: WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO GET THE FINANCING?  WHAT MAKES YOUR FILM SPECIAL?  WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT SOMEONE WANTS TO READ IT AND THEN SEE IT?  

Obviously producer wants to make some money,What is the criterium you look at when funding films.

 FIRST THING IS IF I LIKE THE STORY --- THEN IF THE STORY CAN BE A COMMERCIAL SUCCESS --- THEN HOW DO WE GET IT FINANCED AND DISTRIBUTED.  

With all technique and internet …. Do you think that independent film maker doesn´t have to worry about festivals, he can have audience all over the World on internet?Do you think they have bigger possibilities and freedom than say in 60´s and 70´s?

A FILM MAKER THAT IS SAVY CAN GET A GREAT DEAL OUT OF THE INTERNET, BUT SHOULD ALWAYS LOOK TO FESTIVALS AS WELL.  YES, I DO THINK THAT IT IS MUCH EASIER TO MAKE A FILM TODAY THAN IN THE 60’S AND 70’S – IT IS MUCH CHEAPER AND CAN BE MADE WITH VERY FEW PEOPLE --- HOWEVER IT IS HARDER THAN EVER TO MAKE A COMMERCIAL FILM THAT REQUIRES LARGE FINANCING.
When producer helps independent filmmaker, he obviously has some say in it.Can we still call it independance, when filmmaker has to respect the rules set by producer?  

INDEPENDENT IN THE USA MEANS THAT THE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR (FILM MAKER) HAS OBTAINED INDEPENDENT FUNDS, NOT FROM STUDIOS OR DISTRIBUTORS AND HAS BEEN ABLE TO MAKE HIS/HER FILM WITHOUT THE RULES OF ANY STUDIO.  OBVIOUSLY IF HE/SHE IS A WRITER/DIRECTOR AND NEEDS A PRODUCER TO FINANCE THE FILM, HE/SHE WOULD NEED TO RESPECT THE PRODUCERS DECISIONS.

Thank you very much

Eva Csölleová and Vítek Formánek