Wanna make movies? Here’s a way to start for a dollar.

You know the horror film currently creeping the crap out of audiences? The one that was made by a twentysomething YouTuber and has gone on to make $371.1 million globally (so far)? You know the one I’m talking about (BECAUSE I WROTE ABOUT IT LAST WEEK).

“Obsession.” Yeah. That one. It’s an indie film.

An indie—or independent—film is one created, produced, financed, and often distributed outside of the traditional Hollywood studio system. They’re not made with the support of massive commercial studios like Disney or Paramount. Instead, they’re often created with a minimal budget (about $750,000 in the case of “Obsession,” which, compared to something like the “Scream 7” budget of $45 million is considered Ultra Low (that’s an actual union designator).

It turns out that making a feature film is expensive as f*ck—and also, by the way, really challenging, which is why it’s so cool to celebrate and support indie filmmaking (reach out if you want to know where to send me money for my next project thank youuuu).

That’s why I love organizations like Film Independent (#notsponsored).

Film Independent is a non-profit organization that helps filmmakers create their movies and build an audience for their projects. They hold over 250 annual screenings and events, offer development programs and fellowships, and host The Spirit Awards, a premier awards event featuring indie film and television.

The org is now inviting 100 U.S. military veteran filmmakers or actors—working or aspiring—in the entertainment industry to receive a Film Independent Membership for a contribution of just $1.00.

There’s actually a rather robust community of military veterans in the entertainment industry. Whether on-camera or behind it with careers like screenwriters, directors, producers, technical advisors, and, well, any member of the crew, veterans not only bring authenticity to military stories onscreen, they can offer the kind of discipline and teambuilding effort required to get a project made.

And for the third year in a row, Film Independent is celebrating those veterans and helping them to succeed by offering an annual Film Independent Membership for only a dollar—a savings of $104.

“It is so essential that our veterans have avenues to bring their incredible talent and experience to the independent film landscape. We’re thrilled to be able to provide this wonderful opportunity,” Evan Ward-Henninger, Film Independent Director of Membership, told We Are The Mighty.

He invited me to the Film Independent headquarters in Los Angeles and we spent an hour chatting about the organization and all of its awesome opportunities for filmmakers. Talking with Ward-Henninger, I got a sense of where The Spirit Awards got their name; he was infused with a spirit of creativity. The entire office was.

I asked him why they chose to highlight veterans as one of their diversity initiatives and he told me that it’s a way of not only thanking vets for their service but of opening doors to get their stories up on the screen.

It isn’t a natural conclusion to realize that our time spent in the uniform was time that our civilian counterparts were already building their careers. In a competitive environment like the entertainment industry, that could mean starting four, eight, twenty years behind other filmmakers. These kinds of initiatives help us catch up and bring our real-world experience to set.

For vets interested in this career field, a membership at Film Independent is a great way to get your foot in the door, watch some excellent films, meet in person and network with other creatives, and start building your experience and community.

Again, I remind you, I’m not sponsored. I wish I was. I just really, really recommend taking advantage of this opportunity.

If you are a U.S. Military veteran and would like to become a member, please complete this simple application now.

Only the first 100 eligible applicants will be able to receive a membership for $1.00, so don’t wait to apply. Please also help spread the word with your friends, family and colleagues who are veterans and would benefit from joining Film Independent’s vibrant community. Together, we can create a lasting impact and provide veterans resources to move forward in their careers in the entertainment industry.

Please Note: To ensure an equitable opportunity for all veterans, those that have previously received a Film Independent Membership through this promotion may not apply twice. Only first-time applicants are accepted.

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