I started to write only three short years ago. I was told by a teacher in grammar school that I was not a writer and I believed her, so I told stories instead of writing them down. I have a BFA in acting and directing from Ithaca College from more than 35 years ago, but went on to pursue a career in business. After a recent marriage that brought me to New York, I decided it was time to jump back into my creative side. I wrote and filmed 12 episodes of a web series, The Real Page Turner. I wrote and co-directed, Patiri In the Promised Land, my short film, currently on the festival circuit. I am in post-production with a sitcom I wrote called Exit Zero, that I also co-directed, with my then producer, Dana Marissa Schoenfeld. I have come to my passion late in life, but I’ve definitely arrived! The answers below represent me as a work in progress. I am not an expert on any of this. I humbly share what I know, so far.
#exitzerothemovie filmed on location at Exit Zero! @MNightShyamalan pic.twitter.com/2WJkwDQRsd
— Page Cooper Anderson (@pagecanderson) April 16, 2018
indieactivity: Why did you get into filmmaking and screenwriting?
Page Cooper Anderson: I’m a story teller by nature and do so at most social events. The idea of screenwriting never occurred to me. Up to this point, I had only written essays in a class room setting. I was encouraged by several mentors in the last three years, such as Bill Timoney (TV actor and coach) and Kristin Hanggi (Broadway director and coach), to put those stories down on paper. I first had to teach myself how to write in the Final Draft format, of course. Once I had the screenplay and a strong vision of what it would look like if filmed, I simply had to see it realized. I found a crew and just started to film what I saw in my head. I’m going broke doing it. Exit zero may be my last project for a while, even though I have a beautiful .
indieactivity: 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’?
Page Cooper Anderson: I’ll tell you when I find out. I’ve decided to believe in God. I hope that works. Seriously though, PATIRI recently got into ITVF in VT. A wonderful TV festival. They set up a “network notes” meeting at their market place during their festival for accepted films. Your goal is to get that kind of meeting. The more people who know about you, the better.
indieactivity: At what period in the filmmaking process, does an indie filmmaker need to start planning for distribution?
Page Cooper Anderson: I have prepared Patiri In the Promised Land and Exit Zero prior to their screen debut in festivals. My one sheet, show bible and electric press kit are complete as soon as I am well into post production. It’s like getting your homework done before it’s due. You need to be prepared to be asked for any of the above in a marketplace meeting or at a festival during a casual meet-up. You never know who you might meet.
Page Cooper Anderson in Patiri in the Promised Land
indieactivity: Indie filmmaking is a model based on zero-budgeting or small budgets. How do I get my film in theatres with such a budget?
Page Cooper Anderson: First things first. Learn how to write a great story. I’d get a mentor to achieve that. I use JK Studios. In order to get your indie film on a big screen you are going to need to make a lot of bad short films. I’d also say not to make a feature until you have made all your bad shorts. No one wants to watch your feature length bad film. Then, when you get into an academy award level festival, with a strong short film, which I have not… YET, then… you can attend that big screen debut, at Sundance!
indieactivity: How can filmmakers finance their projects?
Page Cooper Anderson: Small budgets are really big budgets when they are mostly from your own pocket. As one possible donor once said to me, after an ask, “it’s not my job to fund your dreams.” Ouch! Yet, I had another donor recently donate large sums, to Exit Zero, three times! I use GoFundMe, but it’s mostly $5 here and $20 there. GFM donations when all is said and done, usually pay for the crafty (food) for one week on a shoot. Eventually your friends and family get tapped out. I get that. I don’t know the best answer to this question. That is why it has been an out of pocket career, for me.
Clyde Baldo and Page Cooper Anderson
indieactivity: What films have you written?
Page Cooper Anderson: Web Series: The Real Page Turner (2016-12 episodes), Short/Pilot: Patiri In the Promised Land (2017-2 episodes), Sitcom: Exit Zero (2018-3 episodes), Pilot: The Barber of Seaville (2018-2 episodes)
indieactivity: What are the films that you have made?
Page Cooper Anderson: I’m three for four! Web Series: The Real Page Turner, Short: Patiri In the Promised Land, Sitcom: Exit Zero. They are all in post or on the festival circuit and cannot be seen anywhere on line.
indieactivity: Talk to us about your concept on collaboration?
Page Cooper Anderson: It’s exciting. You meet the most talented driven people, as you go. Other people’s ideas and advice pretty much blow my mind. I’ve worked closely with Dana Marisa Schoenfeld (co-director, producer,) Sam Winter (AD), Clyde Baldo (director, actor) and Toru Nishikubo (DP) on all three filmed projects, in one way or another. They are an example of people whom I used as trusted advisors in my projects.
indieactivity: How do you find the process of filmmaking as an indie filmmaker?
Page Cooper Anderson: I. LOVE. INDIE. FILMMAKING. I was told, at Cannes to make a short film every 4 months. Short films teach you how to be a better writer and film maker. If you can say it in 25-30 pages… well done. If you can say it in 7-15, WOW! My most recent short, not produced yet, is 7 pages long and tells the sweetest tale. I think it’s my best work to date. THAT is the one I’m dying to make.
Brandon in Patiri in the Promised Land
indieactivity: Describe your recent work, or film, take us through pre-production production and post production. Marketing too?
Page Cooper Anderson: I worked with J.K Studios (look them up) on Exit Zero. It made a cool idea, an excellent, clean screenplay. Don’t film feeble attempts. I’m a part of The Actors Green Room (AGR-look them up next). This is a supportive group of actors, producers, DPs and everything else you could ever need. We as a whole, make about 10-15 films a month as part of a film challenge. Patiri’ is an example of that. I ask for what I need on social media within the AGR network and people show up. Amazing people. Post production has proven tricky. It takes time to build a network of trusted and loyal teammates. It is a process that involves a lot of growing pains and hard lessons. Lastly, I market like a mad woman on social media platforms. I seek out interviews, get on covers of magazines and talk about what I’m doing to anyone who will listen. Don’t be a secret agent at parties! Selling is not bragging. It’s promotion and a part of your job!
indieactivity: What are your future goals?
Page Cooper Anderson: I want Exit Zero on TV. Its’ funny, charming, clever and completely unique. I want to be in that writer’s room as a showrunner. I want to direct 3-4 episodes a season. I want more money because I have so many more stories to tell. I’d also like more closet space at home. Everything I do, I do for the dream of more living space. Truth!
indieactivity: Tell us about what you think indie filmmakers need in today’s world of filmmaking?
Page Cooper Anderson: We need support. We need financial support and support from our team members. We need people who believe in the arts and stand behind the “I support the arts” phrase, so easily said, so rarely funded generously. We need more daylight hours. We could use a few hugs, too.
Vongai in Patiri in the Promised Land
indieactivity: Briefly write about your career?
Page Cooper Anderson: In these three years as a filmmaker, I have discovered a healthy way to channel my inner boss. I love to run the show. I love the show, itself. I think I’d go mad if I didn’t have a say in the directing. The best part of being an executive producer, for me, is the art of exercising your right to the final say. My dear Friend and mentor, Clyde Baldo, who just won Best Actor for his part in Patiri, told me to get a hat that says, “because I’m the money”. Not to remind others but to remind me! I have also learned how to tell a better story. If I can’t do that, then nothing else that I’ve said above, matters. A side note: Vongai Shava and Clyde Baldo, my two leads in PATIRI, have both won two or more awards for their character portrayals. I discovered what it feels like to write a part for an actor and see them breathe life into my words. THAT is humbling.
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