In any business there are interesting people you listen to that make a lasting impression while sharing information that makes you a little better at what you do. Norman C. Berns from ReelGrok.com fit that bill after his interview with Movie Biz Coach.

I am a writer first, then movie director and producer, so I am a person that digs words. If I do not know the meaning of a word I want to find out. Reel was easy, but the word “grok” was all new and foreign to me. Turns out it pretty much means to understand so thoroughly that the observer becomes a part of the observed. Think in terms of watcher and watched dancing to (insert your favorite song you boogie to).

I’m currently reading “The White Company” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I am grateful there are footnotes along with a glossary to explain what certain words mean like “tonsured.” Knowing what “grok” means lets me understand what I think ReelGrok.com is all about.

It’s an international community for filmmakers that focuses more on blue-collar areas of filmmaking as opposed to glamour areas. There is no doubt in my mind celebrity is what drives the entertainment business from A list directors and actors. There is also no doubt in my mind that some first time independent filmmakers get caught up in that.

Norman C. Berns is a details person. He understands how to budget and schedule a movie from idea to distribution deliverables. What impressed me most is he has found that rare balance between being creative and business savvy.

ReelGrok.com looks like it’s embracing a digital revolution that wants to fold in filmmakers from all genres with no exclusion. This is not a shameless plug for Norman C. Berns or ReelGrok.com (it’s not even a approved post). It’s simple. I liked what he had to say in his interview. The craft of film budgeting is CRUCIAL to starting and finishing a project.

If you listen to Norman C. Berns you will learn how to work within your budget to finish your movie. You will be exposed to new digital distribution outlets through the ReelGrok.com film community.

A casual acquaintance in this crazy movie business recently emailed me, “Is your blog about your rants on making movies?” I really hope not. I like to think it is about sharing whatever I find interesting to help indie filmmakers stay on track. I see the Slice Of Americana Films blog as a buffet. Eat as much as you want, but eat what you take. This indie is filmmaker Sid Kali typing JUMP CUT: