Incentives

An independent panel of evaluators will read all scripts and optional supporting materials and select projects to fund based on the quality of the script and feasibility within the Indie Grant's funding parameters. All reasonable efforts are made to make the process fair and anonymous. 

There is a limited pool of funds available to finance short films through the Indie Grants. As part of the evaluation process, independent third-party evaluators will determine the reasonable amount of funds needed to produce each project, and the feasibility of each project's execution within the program's parameters. (If an optional, existing production budget is submitted with the original application, it will be part of this consideration.) That determination will be used by the evaluators and the South Carolina Film Commission (SCFC) to determine the number of projects and the funds each project receives, within the available funding pool. 

Rest assured that all the great work you put into developing your project past the script stage will be seriously considered by the evaluators. There's nothing we like more than to support a project that's greenlight ready. But we also want to give all South Carolina filmmakers an opportunity to produce a project, including writers. So, both project types are seriously considered.

Yes. Writers and filmmakers of all experience levels are encouraged to apply. As mentioned, we are looking for strong scripts and stories. If the selection panel picks your script for funding, we will provide staff and resources to get your film made. 

Love it. Collaboration is great. Please apply, and feel free to include your writing partner or partners as co-applicants. 

Only one project may be submitted by a single applicant. However, that same applicant may be listed as a co-applicant on other projects submitted. 

Funding decisions are tentatively scheduled to be made by August, 2015. Once the independent selection panel makes their decisions, all applicants will be informed of their project's status. 

The Indie Grant is a partial reimbursement grant. Filmmakers selected for funding sign a contract with Trident Technical College, outlining all the terms laid out in the application. After signing the contract, filmmakers will receive 50% of the to-be-determined funding amount. The remaining 50% will be provided as reimbursement. Funded filmmakers must provide all receipts and other documentation showing the funds were spent in the approved manner before the final 50% reimbursement is provided. But don't worry, it's not as complicated as it may sound. And Indie Grants staff will work with funded filmmakers to make the process as simple and seamless as possible. 

Projects selected for funding by the Indie Grants are more than welcome to pursue and acquire additional funding, through other grants, contributors, crowd-sourcing, etc. (We've had several projects do this successfully in the past.) As long as those sources and their specific requirements do not conflict with Indie Grants procedures, including marketing and credits acknowledgments. 

All types. Past projects have ranged from an experimental paper puppet animated short to a documentary about female hunters to a narrative about a 9-foot-tall creature made of old silverware. Creativity is king. Bring your best idea and develop it into your best script. 

A conventional slasher flick? Probably not. But an original idea with an unconventional approach to genre? Now we're getting somewhere. As long as it falls into broadcast decency standards. 

Based on relationships with South Carolina Educational Television and other broadcast entities, Indie Grants films need to be available to be broadcast on public television. So be sure your film takes into consideration the public broadcast audience, using sensible discretion for plot elements such as violence, language and sexual content. But don't fret. Having elements that potentially exceed that in the application stage won't automatically disqualify you, as long as you agree to make adjustments as needed before funding. 

If you can take a section of that feature and turn it into a 15-page script that works as a free-standing story, then yes. And if you are funded and able to use your completed short to help develop the feature version, that's great too. We love to see Indie Grants filmmakers and projects go on to bigger things. 

The Indie Grants program is one of several programs funded by the South Carolina Film Fund, a legislative initiative created to provide training to South Carolina crew and professional development for South Carolina filmmakers. As part of those efforts, these projects are used as real-world training exercises for TTC students. These students are skilled in all departments (especially camera, grip, and electric), and have proved to be valuable contributors to past Indie Grants productions. Typically, Indie Grants shoots employ professionals in all departments, with students working under them. 

You will be expected to use professional, qualified, South Carolina crew across the board. As a community of crew that takes pride in our work, this ensures high production value and a professional set environment for TTC students to learn.