Member Since March 2022
About
Kelly Schwarze is an Emmy Award © recipient filmmaker, author and entrepreneur who has successfully produced and directed eight feature films, three TV documentaries, and scores of commercials. Throughout his career he has also served as a cameraman and DP for A&E Networks, History Channel, ABC and Scripps Networks. Additionally, Kelly is co-owner of the Las Vegas-based film studio Indie Film Factory, which was founded by his wife Charisma Manulat in 2011. Since then, the studio has facilitated over eight independent feature films, and a variety of popular TV shows from NBC, ABC, Disney, Amazon Studios and EOne. His areas of expertise are in micro budget filmmaking. He specializes in films ranging from $30,000 to $100,000. He works primarily with ITN Distribution for the release of his titles, but also maintains self-distribution rights through his own licensing company. His latest film Darkest of Lies is schedule for release early 2023. In addition to filmmaking, Kelly is the author of three books on the topic of filmmaking including What Film Schools Don’t Tell You, A Filmmaking Mindset and Filmmaking for Kids. Recently, Kelly launched his new kids chapter book series Myron Pesky. Starting with the first book, the Basketball Nightmare, the series takes readers on a hilarious journey with the socially awkward middle schooler Myron Pesky. The second book in the series, the Horrible Bully comes out later this year.
Kelly Schwarze
Published content
expert panel
Being deliberate and strategic about your content marketing efforts will yield far better results than a series of unrelated posts. Using social media or a blog to promote your brand isn't as simple as posting for the sake of it. Having a solid content strategy takes the guesswork out of what to publish and ensures that the content will resonate with your audience. Successful content strategies should consider the needs and demographics of your audience, the mission of your business, the purpose of publishing the content and more. Here, a panel of Rolling Stone Culture Council members share their No. 1 tips for creating an effective content strategy for your brand and why these tips work so well.
expert panel
As with any other relationship, trust between business partners is paramount for mutual success. When it comes to business partnerships, the right one can often lead to a whole host of new opportunities, such as attracting new customers, diversifying your revenue streams or helping your teams innovate through challenges. When working with someone new, however, there must be a level of trust involved so that each partner feels as though they have skin in the game. Establishing trust takes time, but there are steps leaders can take to help foster that trust from the very beginning. To help, a group of Rolling Stone Culture Council members share their best advice below.
expert panel
As the amount of e-commerce channels and online competitors increase, businesses must choose the right tactics to stand out. The e-commerce landscape has evolved rapidly in recent years as more and more "shoppable" digital platforms emerge. Instead of only being able to make online purchases on a company's website or Amazon page, consumers can also buy products directly through popular social media apps like Instagram or Facebook. Though there are more avenues than ever to get discovered by potential buyers, there may also be a smaller chance of getting noticed among a growing sea of competitors. To help businesses stand out, 10 Rolling Stone Culture Council members share their top tactics for getting the most online sales possible.
expert panel
Any employee who interfaces with customers should have the right skills to properly and effectively represent your brand. Hiring for any position is rarely an easy task, and it can be even more difficult when you're filling a customer-facing role. Not only does the person you hire need to be a match for your company culture, but they also need the right personality and skills to effectively represent your brand to the general public. Below, a panel of Rolling Stone Culture Council members share 10 specific skills or traits they look for when hiring for a customer-facing or public role, and explain why each of these qualities is so essential to an employee's success in this type of position.
expert panel
Staying autonomous as your business scales up requires a strong understanding of yourself and your mission — and trust in your team to carry out that mission. If you're an independent creator, you may be considering scaling your business. While scaling is a great way to increase your presence and profit, it also often requires bringing other people into the mix — a significant adjustment when you're accustomed to working independently. Fortunately, it is possible to grow your brand without losing sight of your original creative vision. To help, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share 11 tips to help you scale your business while still maintaining your autonomy.
expert panel
Truthful feedback from your team — both positive and negative — is essential for continued growth as a business leader. Honest and transparent teams are likely to succeed for the simple fact that they value an open dialogue. If your team isn't on the same page about your plans, projects will suffer and the business may lose the momentum it needs for growth. This is why, as a business leader, it's critical to ensure you're receiving constructive and helpful feedback from your team. To help you make this a priority for both you and your business, 12 members of Rolling Stone Culture Council discuss their best tips for leaders.
Company details
Indie Film Factory
Company bio
Indie Film Factory is a video production agency and motion picture company located in Las Vegas Nevada with its mission to empower the next generation of filmmakers. The company was established in 2011 by Emmy©-Recipient filmmakers Charisma Manulat and Kelly Schwarze. In addition to the movies IFF has produced under its entertainment wing, the company also services as a video production resource for businesses, network television and marketing agencies. It offers clients affordable video production options including marketing videos, brand films, commercials, and social media videos.