Hi I am Itai Guberman. I grew up in Israel up to the age of 14. Just prior to my 14th birthday my parents decided to move the family to Melbourne, Australia. I was heavily into sports, literature, music and film from a very young age. I was always artistic and creative. While growing up, I considered studying film as one of several options, but after finishing high school, I ended up studying Business at university. It seemed the “smarter” choice at the time. I completed my Business Degree at La Trobe University in Australia. Over the years, I worked many jobs as well as ran my own internet sales business, but film always remained a hobby. In 2007, at the age of 33, a friend and I wrote and produced a short Australian comedy, “The Collector”, which I also co-directed. That was likely when the seed was planted.
Third Temple (2014) Trailer from Itai Guberman on Vimeo.
I (Itai Guberman) returned to Israel in late 2009 and in 2011 decided to go to film school. I completed my Masters in Film & Television at Tel-Aviv University in 2015. It was there that I met Asaf Angel, who later became my partner in the production company. We assisted one another on several projects, until we eventually decided to work together and form a partnership. We co-wrote our first two short thrillers together.
The first, “Third Temple”, is an Israeli Political Thriller which stars some fantastic Israeli talents in Ben Sela, Tomer Lev Tov, Neta Bar Refael, Amitai Kedar, Josh Sagie and Moshe Shachar.
The second, “Dolphin”, a short thriller, stars the amazing Inbal Eizenberg, Asaf Angel (Asaf started as an actor) and Daria Ilein. Asaf and I also co-wrote a few feature length scripts which are still in development.
In 2015, we completed a five-episode season of our web series, “The Bruised Spring’s Teens”, a wacky comedy. It was a great experience as we completed it with only Asaf and I (Itai Guberman) working as a two-man crew and two very talented Israeli actors, Zach Cohen and Tomer Shechori. It was a lot of fun.
“Third Temple”, with Ben Sela, Tomer Lev Tov, Neta Bar Refael, Amitai Kedar
Earlier this year, I officially started MyIndie Productions Pty Ltd. While the film production company is out of Melbourne, Australia, we work wherever the projects take us, which currently is mainly Israel.
We are currently in post-production of a short English-speaking Psychological Drama/Horror/Thriller, “Ivy”, starring Dan Shaked, Gita Amely, Zach Cohen, Einav Markel and Debbie Levin. We hope to complete the film within the next couple of months and release it to the festival circuit.
We are also working on a horror feature film idea, as well as toying with the notion of doing a second season for “The Bruised Spring’s Teens” or even a “Bruised Spring’s Teens” movie.
So far it has been an interesting journey. The independent film industry is filled with hardship and difficulty but at the same time I cannot see myself doing anything else. The work allows me to be as creative as I can be and I am constantly writing and developing new ideas.
How did you get into filmmaking and screenwriting
Basically, I don’t believe I had a choice. Earlier on I stayed away from a career in film or in writing. I worked as a personal fitness trainer, I ran my own internet sales business, and basically worked in areas which were far removed from the arts. I think the need to create eventually caught up with me. Once I was involved with writing one script, then directing it, I could not stop. The ideas just keep coming and I need to provide them with an outlet. Perhaps it is my calling.
“Dolphin”, a short thriller, stars Inbal Eizenberg, Asaf Angel and Daria Ilein.
I get all kinds of request from filmmakers, but the most prominent question I often get is ‘How does an indie filmmaker distribute his/her film’?
Well, that really is the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Independent filmmakers work in a very tough, competitive, rarely financially rewarding industry. We work so hard to get these films done only to later find out that most are simply released online for free with very little fanfare. Then we need to work out how to get the next project funded. With online streaming came new opportunities for indie filmmakers, but they are still not easy to come by. Distribution can take on many forms. You can use sales agents to sell your film to various regions, sell the rights to streaming VOD sites, TV and Cable Channels, Cinemas, or even sell it yourself via online VOD. Independent artists need to scrape and claw and keep pushing until hopefully somewhere down the line we find a way to make some money from these films just to keep going on to the next project.
When in the filmmaking process, does an indie filmmaker need to start planning for distribution?
When being an indie filmmaker, the difference between what we need to do and what actually ends up happening can be quite substantial. We need to start planning for distribution very early on, I believe even in the idea conception stage. One of the most important, and possibly hardest, things to do is to pinpoint your target audience early on, as your distribution strategy will depend on that greatly. However, as most of us are more artists than business people, it is very easy to get lost in the process and just “make our art” and worry about strategy later. As an artist, it is very difficult to discipline oneself to think like a businessman as money is not our main motivation for creating. Also, even with the best of plans for distribution, things will not always go accordingly. Film is a very dynamic thing and sometimes the film you thought you wanted to make early on ends up being very different from the film you decide to make during production or even in post. Art can at times take you on a journey and sometimes you need to let it. Of course, when it comes to feature films, usually there is some outside investment involved and you don’t have the choice but plan from very early in the process as you need to show potential earnings to your investors.
IVY stars Dan Shaked, Gita Amely, Zach Cohen, Einav Markel
Indie filmmaking is a model based on zero-budgeting or no budget. How do I get my film in theatres
That is a great question which I don’t believe I have discovered the answer for myself yet. Basically, it can vary greatly from one film to the next. A lot of it will depend on luck or contacts you make along the way. As most indie filmmakers deal with such low budgets, most end up making short films. Shorts are very difficult to get on cinema screens. You need to get your short out to festivals, succeed there, and then maybe you’ll get your chance.
With features, and sometimes with shorts as well, you can self-distribute online these days, but the results vary greatly. We basically need to become very skilled at using social media to promote and market and create buzz for our projects.
How can filmmakers finance their projects?
Well, that depends to some extent on where you are geographically. For example, personal investors are almost non-existent in Israel. Independent filmmakers rarely find funding from independent sources. Almost all the films in Israel are funded through Government funds. Government funding is also very difficult to come by. Sometimes having an experienced producer or famous actor attached to the project can help. Other times it is really all about who you know. Contacts are very important in this industry and it can be an uphill battle if you don’t have any. In the U.S., I believe, most independent films are funded via personal investment. In Australia, I believe, it is a mixture of the two. So, while it can largely depend on where you are located, it is not an easy proposition either way.
“The Bruised Spring’s Teens”, a wacky comedy with, Zach Cohen and Tomer Shechori.
Another way which is increasingly popular these days is crowdfunding. Filmmakers now can turn to websites such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo in the U.S., Pozible in Australia, and Head Start, Jump Starter and Mimoona in Israel, when attempting to raise funding for their projects in various stages of production.
What films have you written?
I co-wrote “The Collector” with Peter Angel, it is a short Australian crime comedy in 2007. That film is very difficult to find online as the footage that was uploaded was quite degraded when it was uploaded to YouTube. We didn’t have the same equipment back then as what exists today or the technological know-how. I am working on improving its quality and might upload it to the MyIndie Productions website once it is up and running.
More recent titles include:
“Third Temple” (2014) Political Thriller, 28 minutes (co-written with Asaf Angel) which is streamed on Stream Now TV and Stream Now Pro, see the trailer: HERE
“The Bruised Spring’s Teens” (2015), a crazy, wacky comedy web series which is currently on YouTube and Vimeo and will soon be on the MyIndie Productions website. Please be advised of adult themes and language on the show. Watch Episode 1
“Dolphin” (2016) Thriller, 12 minutes (co-written with Asaf Angel), also on Stream Now TV. See the trailer.
“Ivy” (in post-production, due early 2017) Psychological Horror/Thriller. The trailer is below
Ivy – Teaser 1 from Itai Guberman on Vimeo.
There are several scripts of varying genres, which I have written and are in various stages of development awaiting production.
Talk to us about your concept on collaboration
Well, if you want to make films, in most cases, you must collaborate with others. You cannot do it all on your own. Asaf and I worked out that we work well together soon after we met at film school, while assisting one another on our personal projects or on crews assisting other people. We continued collaborating on writing for certain projects and now we produce together. It is all about finding people you are comfortable working with who are interested in making films and getting projects done and not getting into battles of egos. So far, I have been mainly lucky with the people I worked with. Most experiences have been very positive. Today, where filmmakers can communicate online through various groups on Facebook, for example, I try to offer my assistance wherever I can. If my experience and know-how can help others trying to do similar things to what we are attempting, why not help them get ahead as well? The upcoming MyIndie Productions website will also offer indie artists a place to showcase their work and hopefully find a way to survive in this industry.
How do you find the process of filmmaking as an indie filmmaker
I find it difficult, but personally rewarding. It is a lot of hard work for sometimes no pay at all. I’ve invested money into projects that I have yet to recoup and am struggling much like most filmmakers to find funding for future projects and distribution opportunities for my work. Unfortunately, that is the reality for most. However, the creative outlet is what keeps me going. I am constantly thinking up new script ideas and writing a lot, so I do feel like I get a lot out of it and I do believe that with hard work and perseverance, it will all eventually pay off.
Describe your recent work, through pre-production production and post production. Marketing too
Our most recent production, “Ivy”, is a short psychological horror-thriller. It started off with an idea I had. I then wrote a treatment and discussed it with Asaf. He loved the idea, so I wrote the script in a few days. We then showed to a few people and got some feedback. Once the script was locked in, we pushed on with pre-production. We locked down a location and started looking for actors. Once we cast, we organized everything else, from wardrobe to equipment and crew. We shot the film in a city called Netanya, in a great apartment with an ocean view. It was a three-day shoot and for the most part it went very smoothly. Once we wrapped production, we started working with an editor a few days later. The initial editing is now almost complete and once it is done, the film will be delivered to our sound editor. We are looking at having a finished film early in 2017 and will then start submitting it to festivals. We have created a Facebook page for the film and are slowly posting information on there to hopefully create some buzz. We have thus far posted some pictures from the film and a short teaser. Once the MyIndie Productions website will be up and running, we will continue promoting the film from there.
What are your future goals
My future goals don’t involve fame and fortune. I’d like to basically make my living strictly from filmmaking and not have to worry about paying the bills. I also hope to reach the point where I can have my projects funded easily and not have to constantly look for money to get a production going. In addition, my dream is to be able to help other artists make a living off their art, which I hope to start doing via the upcoming website.
Tell us about what you think indie filmmakers need in today’s world of filmmaking
I think first and foremost you need two things: talent and drive. Second, you need to develop a thick skin and the ability to accept rejection and criticism. That is why you also need to have enough confidence and believe in yourself. For the moment, if you have these, you need to keep working and not give up.
INTERVIEWS
more interviews
