Sometimes it can be difficult to define the term “independent filmmaker.” Over the years it has been applied to a mixed bag of filmmaking efforts, from low-budget productions to costly undertakings outside of studios. It has become a hodgepodge category for films and filmmakers. Although independent filmmaking can include a variety of films and a wide spectrum of budgets, Dogbyte Films is a company that provides a perfect illustration of what independent filmmaking was meant to be in its purest sense.
Dogbyte Films is a completely self-funded film production studio owned and operated by Chris and Amy Penney in Grand Rapids, Michigan. While the principals maintain full-time careers outside the filmmaking world, Dogbyte Films has produced five full-length independent feature films; the most recent is Small Change.
Meet Dan Hastrey, founder of Nightwave Music Media and professional video producer. Hastrey started his career composing music and managing artists. In 2004, he founded Nightwave Music Media and started directing and producing music videos. Hastrey quickly found success creating professional music videos and expanded into documentaries and corporate videos.
Dan Hastrey
Eddy Bee
Meet Eddy Bee, a professional musician who has been writing and performing his own music in bands and as a solo artist since the 1980s. When he created his second CD, “Looking Back” this year, Eddy recorded it entirely on his own, played all the instruments himself and mixed it in his home studio. To coincide with the release of the CD, he created music videos for several of the songs, his first foray into video production.
