Today we’d like to introduce you to Martina Webster
Hi Martina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born in Germany, I finished my dance degree at the Vienna State Opera in Austria. We emigrated to the USA in 1977. I had a dance studio mentoring young dancers and actors for over 34 years. I started getting involved in the movie industry at that point. Our daughter was a child actress and so were many of my students. Working several film festivals, local televised events and putting on international talent shows, I started getting into producing. “The Wind of Heaven” Music video by Justin Hayward from the Moodie Blues, and several shorts including “Evie’s Christmas Gift”. the feature “Turnover Movie” with Paul Guilfoyle and Donna Mills, the music video “This is All I Want for Christmas” by Sir Earl Toon (from Kool and the Gang), Donna Britton Bukevicz and Dalea Faulkner and finally the Christmas Feature “Hashtag Blessed The Movie”.
Starting the Show Low Film Festival in 2018 now in its seventh year, we are constantly working on expanding the festival as well as the industry workshops mentoring young filmmakers. Currently, there are several features in our lineup, waiting on funding. “Fly the Movie”, “The Christmas Witch”, “Coop”, “Ziggy and Moon” and several others. Darmar Production is run by our family, my husband Daren and our daughter Dalea Faulkner. Dalea and I are a producing and writing team and also run Shield Maiden Moon Publishing, which publishes her books in the Amberlight Valley Series. It is our goal to launch a book, and then make it into a script. “The Christmas Witch” is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and will be the next Christmas Movie we are filming. “Lost in Time” book 2 is also out and will be the next script we are writing.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Covid, of course, threw a wrench into everything, as for so many. It was like starting over with the film festival and getting actors for our Christmas film, which was also challenging. And, of course, funding – a real dilemma; investors want big names in the film, and so does distribution, but an Indie film can barely get the funds together to make the movie. And to make any money for your film, you have to make it for as low of a budget as possible to be able to do that. So we mostly seek out philanthropists and just lovers of films to help with small donations and request grants. We also do profit shares with people who are not just looking to get their money back but rather mentoring indie films.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love photography, and I started with Istock and Getty Images. They now carry many of my photos for commercial downloads. This and creating crystal art pictures is my Zen time and a way I work around stress. Winning numerous art awards and having my pictures published as magazine covers and in articles as well as being displayed in art galleries is something I am very proud of.
I really don’t think I am special, just a 65-year-old wife, mom, and grandma who loves being active.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
This would be a long list. I would advise volunteering at film festivals if you are an actor; this will put you in front of producers and directors directly and give you a chance to interact personally.
For filmmakers, try getting an internship with a film or production company. Working a set will give you more than any school ever could.
Pricing:
- Books $10-$30
- Film festival $25-$125
- Hashtag Blessed Free on Tubi
- Producer’s fee depends on Budget
- Screen writing is negotiable
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.darmarproduction.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martinawebsterproducer @martinawebsterproducer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/martinawebster @martinawebster
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@darmarproduction
- Soundcloud: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/sirearltoon/this-is-all-i-want-for-christmas
- Other: https://www.showlowfilmfestival.com
Image Credits
Mike Mahoney
Samira’s Luxury Gala
Sir Earl Toon
