Many magazines, both online and in print, cover the current independent film-making scene. So give yourself an independent research assignment: find one of these journals, read through several issues, select a topic of interest and write a 3-5 page paper on it. This assignment reflects one of the problems faced by independent filmmakers—namely, maintaining motivation without either structure or the promise of certain success. As a general guide, bear in mind that your topic may be biographical (the life and career of a contemporary filmmaker), economic (a current issue in independent film financing), technological (new developments in film equipment that facilitate small, independent productions), or any category that strikes your interest.