Scary Cow Productions

Amazing community of Filmmakers. From beginners to professionals, Scarycow runs the gambit of low budget filmmaking. Whether you’re a fan of Stanly Kubrick, Stan Brakhage or Stan Lee, there is something here for you at Scarycow Productions.

I’m so glad I joined Scary Cow. I’ve been trying to get movies written and made on my own for years. I wished I had joined 5 years ago as I’d probably be rich and famous now. This group of passionate film makers are really making a difference in the Indie Film world.

This is the best DIY film school ever and in the best city. Life long friendships, cheap dues, made three movies of my own plus crewed on others. My reel and IMDB page are getting shinier and my producing and directing skills are improving. I love how I get what I put into it… I can be chill for a few months or hyper busy, it’s on my terms. And unlike LA, women and people over 50 get just as many ops and wins as the younger men… not because of any policy, but because its that fine of a group of smart people.

I’ve been a member for two years now and I’m a complete addict. I’m not great at networking, so having the networking process formalized, structured, and automated has allowed me to get involved in many more projects than I would have otherwise. It’s well worth my monthly dues for the ability to be as involved as my schedule will allow.
There was a recent panel of perhaps a dozen scarycow filmakers who had produced absolutely amazing films. What blew my mind was that only one of the dozen or so had actually attended film school. Everyone else had learned by doing rather than through classes. Their films were much better than most film school projects I’ve seen.
This is a place where you get what you put in. You do still have show people that you are interested and/​or skilled enough for project owners to want you on their film.
Jäger who runs the coop is brilliant at organizing and has amazing abilities to deploy web technologies to keep us all connected. His skill and enthusiasm is why I have no doubt that this is the best volunteer film coop in the world.
At five years old, most everything has been very well optimized. There are a few niggling issues that are very hard to solve, like the lack of legal liability framework or insurance for most scarycow shoots and the occasional selfish producer who join scarycow to get free labor for their project then leave.
A problem with having so many resources available is that there is a culture that producers rarely rent equipment, instead on relying on the equipment of the people who want to work on their projects. If members could rent their equipment out to scarycow producers at low rates to pay for maintenance, that would allow more new people without equipment to get more deeply involved, but the culture and rules currently discourage that.
Don’t let these very minor issues stop you from getting off the fence and getting involved in making your dreams happen. Just be prepared to spend all your weekends on film sets!

For a few years I struggled alone trying to make films with my friends, and not sure what I was doing. After going to the orientation meeting I realized Scary Cow was what I’d been looking for all along. This co-​op has stood the test of time with members helping other members to reach their goals.
In the last film cycle I was able to pitch a story I wanted to film, and received interest from people just learning and people who’d been in the business for years. Together we made a film that I’m going to send off to film festivals across the country.
Like anything in life, you get what you put into it. If you volunteer to help others, put yourself forward, and have a great attitude you meet others in the same place as you. And together you work on your dreams. Don’t come in looking for a handout. It’s hard work, but you’re planting seeds in fertile soil.

What started as simple words on paper, became an award-​winning film screening to thousands of people from cost-​to-​coast in just a few short months. How? Scary Cow, that’s how.
I’ve been a member of Scary Cow since nearly the beginning (2007). During that time, I have worked on dozens of film projects, learning new techniques along the way. Yes, you might find a few people who rub you the wrong way (and vice-​versa), but that’s true of life, right? Personally, I have found the vast majority to be extremely friendly and supportive through the years. Whatever aspect of filmmaking you want to learn, Scary Cow is like having a private mentor for everything. And in my case, I’ve made some dear friends along the way too.
And when you’re ready to make your film, the possibilities are endless. I’ve produced/​directed two already, and they have both won budget awards and then been featured in film festivals. In the last film, I was able to promote the little-​seen work of a playwright friend, and then launch a full production through the resources of Scary Cow. Our film has now been screened 8 times, and been featured in international film festivals with red carpets, Q&A, media interviews — the whole mind-​blowing deal.
The real joy is that we’ve been able to share our simple but much-​loved story with audiences across the USA. This would not have been possible without Scary Cow.
So if you have a story to tell, be scary… make movies.

Scary Cow is a great community to be in if you want to learn about and make films.
Over all it is a very welcoming group. As a new person, you have to be willing to just jump in, help out in whatever capacity is needed; you will make a lot of connections and those same people will in turn help you out when you have a project. The amount of experience and talent available is incredible. Additionally, there is a commitment to mentorship of members new to the field, or maybe just learning certain aspects of production.
Beyond the hands-​on experience, there are classes, get-​togethers and on-​line discussions that are very valuable towards your overall film making knowledge.
I totally recommend Scary Cow to anyone wanting to get some real world experience in indie film.

This organization has changed my life. I’ve spent years dreaming about the possibilities of becoming a filmmaker, but it wasn’t until I ran into Scary Cow that it became a reality.
SC is like the real world, except everyone is invited, provided they pay their dues. Beyond that, there is some ladder climbing to do, but as a creative individual I have not had trouble gaining popularity and my first short won a member award last round (#15). If you’re not so much on the writer/​producer/​director front, that’s great too — you make your way by being dedicated, punctual and friendly. You don’t even have to know what you’re doing because there are dozens of people around you who will help you do your job well. After a few shoots you’ll be a pro.
Anyone who is thinking about wanting to become a filmmaker but who doesn’t have a lot of money to spend or the ability to go to school (or even if you have both of these things) I recommend to start here. I am a single mom living off school loans and government assistance, and my SC dues are first priority. They are high but well worth it. They make the the organization as professional as it can be.
FYI I just lobbied for interns to be exempt from dues, and it’s been approved that students 22 and under can intern on SC shoots for free. Woohoo!

Scary cow is a GREAT place to meet like minded people with a passion for the art of making film. Everyone I’ve worked with has been generous with their knowledge and patient with my questions. I have learned so absolutely much and I only joined this year. As a stage director, actress, writer, musician; I feel my talents are appreciated and that the best is yet to come!
Suzanne

Scary Cow is a great place to make movies, meet people with a passion for filmmaking, and see up and coming new films. I joined in June 2010 and have been involved in the making of a half a dozen independent film projects, including my own short film Destiny’s Lance, which premieres at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco on October 10, 2010.
As a writer, producer, and development executive who worked for years in Los Angeles waiting for the studio heads to make decisions, I am glad to now be a part of this dynamic group of Bay Area filmmakers who are actually making movies on a regular basis.

what an amazing group! i was cast in a sexy fun film for this group and was surprised by how professional and talented the entire crew was! great creative people and a very amazing final product! i am so happy to have the film «Grand Delusions» on my reel!
actress and local SF native,
christina marie

There are many reasons not to leave Bablyon by th bay. For example, Great food, mild weather, amazing hiking opportunities, all those pretty ass buildings… but for me, some of that stuff is just a trap (ok sans the hiking), and the real reason I stay in this city, at least for now, is entirely due to the awesome things I’m doing with Scary Cow Productions.
Now what is Scary Cow Productions? It’s a society oranized around preserving creative individuals from flakes and making their dreams come true. With a monthly membership fee, you are motivated to keep working on films. No one is going to hold your hand necessarily so the membership fee is your real kicker to get your booty moving as well as a great incentive for your team members not to flake on you when its your project. Once you sign up, there is a pitch meeting with all members of the co-​op. You either pitch or join a team. Once that’s done your team has about 4 months to complete your project. Your completed project will then be screened at the Victoria, AND if people like your movie. you could win budget and make an even better one.
So that’s what it is, and here’s why I like it. I started with Scary Cow about a year ago, and have gone from a Production Assistant to an Art Director and then a Director in this time. Throughout my experience the deadlines pushed us to work quickly and efficiently, and with dedication.
Making my first big movie — which everyone told me was shot well, it was also shot on shotwell street funny enough — was one of the most thrilling experiences of my life and Scary Cow made the whole process so much easier to organize. Not to mention, I made some pretty amazing friends as a result.
So am I leaving SF right now? As far as Scary Cow is around, it’s going to be hard.

A wonderful organization. I’ve been a member for 2 years and I find it a wonderful place to meet fellow filmmakers and make films.

I joined two years ago, having a lifelong interest in making films and absolutely zero experience or action toward that goal. Since then I’ve worked on numerous films and had the chance to be a screenwriter, producer, production assistant, script supervisor, costuming and set manager and even Best Boy, and now I’m directing my first project. You really can go from 0 to 60 here, and I’d recommend it to anyone. Besides being full of the most fun, creative and supportive people, it’s also a marvel of organization. Join– it won’t be lame and you will have a chance to do things you’ve always dreamed of!

Just another example of altruism and community in San Francisco, Scary Cow Productions is about as creative and fun as you can get.
I joined the Scary Cow co-​op of creative folks earlier this year in what is now it’s third year of «business.» And the business is show business. Jäger and his gang of helpers aren’t in this for the money. It’s all about the great experiment of community film-​making.
The money we pay as our monthly dues helps to fund the film-​makers awards and pay for administrative costs of renting theaters, halls, classroom space and for printing dvds of our work and all the stacks of forms and marketing materials needed to move the co-​op along.
We are provided a forum and a structure for accumulating time, equipment, skills, experience and talent into a film production of our own making. Small projects, if well done, can turn into big ones. Along the way we gain more skills, more resources and hopefully, more talent. I’ve added the work I’ve done as transferable skills on my resume and it’s spiced up the interest hiring managers have in me. We certainly gain a lot of friends and working relationships with great people we would otherwise never meet.
I’m having a blast and in just 6 months have worked on a documentary, a romantic comedy and a relationship film and am about to start on my fourth project with others waiting in the wings. I’ve attended classes about film production taught by people actually working in the business and will be attending a screen-​writing class soon.
It is very cool to see your name up in lights at the screening, which is held in a movie theater so your friends and family can see it on the big screen… what a hoot. Can’t recommend Scary Cow enough to someone who wants to stretch and grow into a more creative lifestyle!

I’ve been a member for a couple of years now and I’ve learned so much. I’ve been a part of some wonderful productions and some not so wonderful productions but every one has increased my film-​making knowledge. It’s been a great experience.

Great organization for getting some good films made

just joined last round.
Great!
You get your films screened and if you dont make your own, you can join someone’s team and learn skills to pay bills. (maybe)
Join up and have fun.

Scary Cow is a very unique and awesome concept! Community based movie/​dream/​film making by people of all degrees of experience. If you have always dreamed of making a film or wanted to be a part of one but really had no experience, Scary Cow is where you come to get involved!
The way it works is every 4 months, 6 — 10 minute short films are created by teams of people. At the end of the 4 months, there is a screening held at a big theatre in SF and the films are voted upon. The teams/​films that win, get funding from Scary Cow to produce the next film to essentially learn from their past experience, work with a team that they are familiar with and make a better film!
**EVEN** if you are not a member of Scary Cow (which I currently am not a member but am considering becoming one), I recommend coming out to see the films that are made!!! It’s amazing to see all the creativity and effort that are put into these films. Just sign up for the email list as I did and come out to the screenings to vote on these films! I attended the last 2 rounds of screenings and I am definitely going to continue going back!
The people of Scary Cow have built such a great core of talent that it just keeps getting better and better. Keep up the great work Scary Cow!

I have been a member with Scary Cow since it started. I had no idea what role I could play in film when I started but quickly learned that there were many roles that worked for me and that they were all highly addictive. I have worked in various capacities on more than a dozen film projects in this last year. Of the dozen films, I have seen six up on the big screen with more coming! If you really want to make films it is totally possible. Check out the Scary Cow!
warning: making films can be habit forming.