One indie that’s been garnering a lot of positive buzz since premiering in theaters last month is “Frances Ha”, the latest from director Noah Baumbach, who brought us “The Squid and the Whale” in 2005 and “Greenberg” in 2010. “Frances Ha”, shot in grainy black and white, was co-written by Baumbach and Greta Gerwig, who stars as the titular character.

Sarah Polley, previously known for starring roles in movies like “Go” and the “Dawn of the Dead” remake, has spent the last few years directing indies in her native Canada. Her “Stories We Tell” is a documentary about the secrets within her own family, and is currently playing in independent theaters and art house cinemas in the U.S.

Even Matthew McConaughey has jumped into the indie game lately, turning out movies like “Bernie” and “Killer Joe” in 2011 and “Mud” this year. “Mud”, in theaters now, was directed by Jeff Nichols (“Take Shelter”), and finds McConaughey playing an escaped convict who befriends two pubescent boys on the banks of the Mississippi.

One of the best known independent filmmakers has released a rarity this summer in the indie film world – a sequel. Or, rather, a threequel. “Before Midnight” is the third in the so-called Jesse & Celine series that Richard Linklater began back in 1995 with “Before Sunrise”. The latest in this series was recently released in theaters.

Technology means electricity and electricity means heat. When you are shooting a film in Florida any little bit of heat adds up. The saturated air, already brought to a boil by the sun, holds every degree of temperature. When you are filming a movie it can take hours to set up a scene. The lights might be on for that whole time, because it is essential to test them and make sure they look right. Even when you are shooting in broad daylight you still need reflectors and fill lights to give it that perfect torrid look that independent films in Florida are so well known for. These lights make a lot of heat.

Things can get hot on a Florida film set, and the crew does not even have air-conditioned trailers to retreat into. But it is worth all the trouble to show the film world how cool Florida can be.

Photography is all about getting as much light onto the photograph as you possibly can. You can do this with a big, beautiful lens, one that is so big that it catches every stray glimmer of light. The only limits are your ability to purchase it, your ability to carry it, and your ability to hold it still. But even the best lens in the world will not work without a tripod.

The only way for the light soak into the frame is to keep the camera perfectly still. It takes nothing but time for this alchemy to work its magic. Digital and traditional chemical photography are the same; the longer you can hold the camera perfectly still, the better your photographs will look. Nighttime photography is no different from daytime photography, except that the light is less, so the exposure must be longer. The only way to achieve long exposure is through the use of a tripod.

The first thing you should do is go to your local college and visit their film department. College students in the film department are always looking for volunteers to star in their film. You will probably not get paid for your role in the film, but you might get free food. This is a great cheap way to break into the independent film market.

The next thing you should do is find a legit agency that does casting calls. You may have to pay a small fee, but the agency will call you to audition for parts in independent films. You may get to work alongside other famous people if you choose to go this route.

Last but not least, you should check the classified section. Some production companies will put casting calls in the local newspaper to find actors and actresses.

Film support people in Florida are aware of the potential business even a small, independent film can generate in a community, and they turn out. The film commissioner and staff in a typical Florida community can find locations to shoot scenes, solve technical and logistical problems, and provide people to fill positions of every kind. With so many commercials and TV shows shot in Florida it is not difficult to find personnel to handle production demands, provide technical expertise, and fill holes in casting. From pre-production to finished project, Florida film people are a terrific asset.

You can produce an independent film in Florida because the State has tremendous resources. Knowledgeable film people and a variety of locations to choose from will make a Florida film project worthwhile. They can answer any questions that arise and solve any problem an independent film company runs into.