Turning Vision into Reality: Indie Filmmaker Insights for Funding in Uncertain Times
by Carole Dean
For independent filmmakers, the act of creating is often a spiritual undertaking—digging into the soul of a story and uncovering truths that can’t be told in any other way. On The Art of Film Funding Podcast, we had an extraordinary creative visionary, Jason Eric Perlman, who shared his filmmaking journey.
Named one of LA Weekly’s Top 10 Entertainment Professionals to Watch in 2023, Jason is an accomplished screenwriter, director, producer, and editor. He’s worked with major studios like Warner Bros., Sony, and Lionsgate, and his work has screened at prestigious festivals such as Sundance and South by Southwest. A WGA screenwriter known for creating high-concept, emotionally rich narratives, Jason’s latest feature, Site, is a mind-bending sci-fi thriller that challenges our understanding of time, reincarnation, and human potential.
This conversation went far beyond the usual talk of loglines and production schedules. It was a deep dive into creativity, karma, historical memory, and how to fund a visionary film in an uncertain world. Indie filmmakers—prepare to be inspired.
The Origin of Site: A Personal Journey Through Time
“As you get older, you start to see patterns repeating themselves. There’s a psychological reason for that. But I believe there’s something deeper too.” — Jason Eric Perlman
Every great film begins with a question. For Jason, the genesis of Site came from an inner exploration of karma and recurring life patterns—those unshakable loops we find ourselves in.
“I started writing the first draft of Site in 2015,” he told me. “It was a very personal journey. I was trying to understand why certain challenges or emotional patterns reappear over time—sometimes across generations. Is it just psychology? Or are we brushing up against something metaphysical?”
The script emerged from years of research into spiritual philosophies and mystical traditions: reincarnation, Kabbalah, and Eastern mysticism. Jason crafted a protagonist, Neil—a relatable, everyman commercial real estate inspector—who stumbles upon a decommissioned particle accelerator from the 1970s. After entering it, Neil begins to see into other timelines, places, and even alternate versions of his loved ones.
“It’s not the kind of superhero story you’d expect,” Jason explained. “The true superpower here is inspiration. The courage to reach beyond our limits.”
Real History, Real Pain: Recalling Forgotten Atrocities
“We wanted to ground this sci-fi story in real history—especially parts of it that are too often ignored in the West.” — Jason Eric Perlman
What makes Site especially resonant is its brave invocation of real-world historical atrocities—specifically, the 1931 Japanese invasion of Manchuria. For many in the West, this is a forgotten chapter of World War II history. But for Jason, it was essential to bring it into the light.
His executive producer is from Indonesia and of Chinese descent, and they had long conversations about the trauma and legacy of that period. “We chose that event very consciously,” Jason said. “Not only because of its historical weight, but because our protagonist—like many Americans—knows nothing about it. He’s forced to confront a piece of history that is entirely outside his cultural frame of reference.”
And for Jason, this hit close to home. “My wife is of Chinese and Japanese heritage,” he shared. “That combination is rare because there’s still deep generational resentment between those cultures. Seeing that dynamic firsthand gave me another layer of understanding that shaped the story.”
As a filmmaker, you have a responsibility to tell the truth—even if it’s uncomfortable. Especially if it’s uncomfortable.
From Page to Screen: The Long Road to Realization
“Filmmaking is a marathon, not a sprint. And sometimes it’s a ten-year marathon.” — Jason Eric Perlman
Jason began writing Site in 2015. It took a decade of revisions, setbacks, and pivots before cameras rolled. That’s a powerful reminder to every indie filmmaker: the journey may be long, but the story is worth it.
The story underwent numerous rewrites and recalibrations—not just to enhance character arcs and pacing, but to ensure it could be executed on an indie budget. “We had to be clever,” Jason said. “We wanted to depict different periods of time and parts of the world without spending a fortune. That required a lot of narrative sleight of hand.”
The real breakthrough came in 2020, when Jason’s core producing team came together. “That’s when things started to gel,” he said. “Having the right collaborators is everything.”
Funding a Visionary Indie Film
“When you’re raising money, you need someone who feels the story. Not just someone who understands it intellectually.” — Jason Eric Perlman
Of course, even the most brilliant screenplay needs financial fuel to come to life. Jason’s funding journey was as complex as the story itself.
Just as they were preparing to secure financing, the pandemic hit—and potential investors withdrew. “Everyone was scared,” Jason said. “Understandably so. Nobody knew what the world would look like.”
But as fate would have it, Jason connected with an executive producer who deeply resonated with the themes of the story. She saw her own family’s history in the script—and that emotional connection changed everything.
“She didn’t just understand the project; she felt it in her bones,” Jason recalled. “That was the turning point. From there, we were able to bring on a casting director, attach talent, and start building momentum.”
This is a lesson for all filmmakers seeking funding: find the champions who believe in your why—not just your what.
Creating Other Worlds on an Indie Budget
“Constraints force creativity. We had to get very smart with how we built these worlds.” — Jason Eric Perlman
Site may feature reincarnation, time travel, and glimpses into different centuries, but it was shot entirely in North Carolina—far from the Chinese landscapes that appear in the story.
So how did they do it?
With ingenuity.
“We rented a massive, un-airconditioned warehouse—an old textile mill—and built our sets there,” Jason said. “We constructed partial interiors of traditional Chinese architecture and used green screens for the rest.”
The visual effects team played a crucial role in bringing authenticity to scenes set in historical Manchuria. Some shots were completed using licensed archival footage, but many were created from scratch with CGI.
And they did it all with a fraction of the budget a studio would have spent. “It was hot, it was hard, and it wasn’t glamorous. But it worked,” Jason laughed.
The Indie Filmmaker’s Call to Courage
You have to hold the vision when no one else sees it. That’s your job as a filmmaker.
What Jason Eric Perlman’s story teaches us is that independent filmmaking is a sacred act of vision-holding. Whether you’re drawing from historical trauma, metaphysical philosophy, or your own personal heartbreak—your story matters.
Site is more than a movie. It’s a meditation on time, memory, and the mysterious ways we are all connected. It’s a story that challenges viewers to look beyond the present moment—and maybe even beyond this lifetime.
For the indie filmmaker reading this, wondering if their story is “too weird” or “too complicated” or “too ambitious”—I say, go for it.
Because the world needs bold, original, truth-seeking storytellers now more than ever.
Final Words from Jason
“We don’t need more superheroes who punch through walls. We need stories that help us break through ourselves.” — Jason Eric Perlman
What a beautiful reminder. At its core, storytelling is an act of healing. Of connection. Of looking into the abyss and choosing to reach for meaning.
Site may be science fiction, but its emotional roots are as real as they come. It took ten years, a pandemic, and an unshakable belief in the power of story to bring it to life.
And that, dear filmmakers, is the path you’ve chosen.
Keep going. Keep creating. And never forget—your voice has power.
If you’re working on a project and need funding, mentoring, or community, visit From the Heart Productions. We believe in independent voices, bold visions, and the filmmakers brave enough to chase them.
Subscribe to The Art of Film Funding Podcast for more interviews like this.
Carole Dean is president and founder of From the Heart Productions; a 501(c)3 non-profit that offers the Roy W. Dean Film Grants and fiscal sponsorship for independent filmmakers. She is creator and instructor of Learn Producing: The Ultimate Course for Indie Film Production. Essential classes for indie filmmakers on how to produce their films.
She hosts the weekly podcast, The Art of Film Funding, interviewing those involved in all aspects of indie film production. She is also the author of The Art of Film Funding, 2nd Edition: Alternative Financing Concepts. See IMDB for producing credits
