Interview with American Film Director Keith Sutliff

My name is Keith Sutliff. I am 29 years old and originally from Tampa Florida. I have a BS. in Criminal Justice from UCF Orlando Florida. I went to a trade center in East Los Angeles almost 3 years ago for filmmaking and opening my production company shortly after before making this feature.

Why did you get into filmmaking and screenwriting?
My love for film as a child.

Early test run for the theatrical release and premiere. #TheMasonBrothers pic.twitter.com/lzjds5MtH6

— KS PICTURES LLC (@kspicturesllc) November 26, 2016

How does an indie filmmaker distribute his/her film?
Well, that is the tough part. You can either do it yourself on self streaming platforms like Distrify to put on your website, you can put it on Amazon and some other online streaming sites yourself, or go through a aggregator like Distribber that will distribute it for u but u keep 100% percent profits and have 100% control. You tell them what platforms you want it on. Or you go the traditional route of getting a distributor to everything for you.

Keith Sutliff on Making the Indie Crime Thriller The Mason Brothers

At what period does an indie filmmaker need to start planning for distribution?
At the very beginning before pre-production on of a film.

How do I get my film in theatres with such a budget?
Negotiate a split with a theatre or a theatre where the four wall rental fee is not too high. There are a lot of theatres in LA or anywhere that are independent film based theatres and are easier to get into vs one of the big name theatres.

How can filmmakers finance their projects?
Over a million ways. That’s the saying in Hollywood there is no one way to finance a film. Investors, a production company, distribution company, a studio, other producers, grants, government loans, crowd funding, personal money, etc.

What films have you written?
I write all crime thriller/ action films for the most part. All my work can be seen on my imdb. Mainly shorts but this is my first feature (The Mason Brothers) that is out in theaters in LA now.

Keith Sutliff’s feature debut the Mason Brothers redefines crime drama

What are the films that you have made?
Crime thriller/action based.

Talk to us about your concept on collaboration?
I collaborate with all my crew and cast on every project and they are all very specific in their talents. For instance I talk to my DP (Cinematographer), music composer, sound guy, the actors, etc, for each film on what the vision is I have and how to bring it to life. Same with their ideas for the film and what they think.

How do you find the process of filmmaking as an indie filmmaker?
Very challenging but rewarding.

Describe your recent work?
Well it all start with the idea. The Mason Brothers I wrote in 4 weeks. Did 7 months pre-production with 2 months rehearsals. Shot it for 12 days over a 3 and a half week period. Then did about 8 months post production and two months of marketing leading up to the theatrical release to include a premiere at the Egyptian Theatre, bus ads in LA on the metro bus line, social media marketing, and reviews of the film.

What are your future goals?
I wanna make this next film I am writing now about these group of criminals that all converge into one area trying to accomplish this one goal in mind.

Keith Sutliff on his film, The Mason Brothers dubbed crime-thriller of the year

Tell us about what you think indie filmmaker need in today’s world of filmmaking?
A good business sense of mind. That is huge.

Briefly write about your career?
A: My career started as a actor mainly then I branched off into writing/directing after attending a film school called the East Los Angeles Skills Center. I opened my production company after that and made many short films before making this feature. This has opened many doors for me.

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