Although the neurological causes of pathological Independent Filmmaking are not known, researchers have made many observations about the dynamics of the disease and the personality profiles of those who succumb to it. Independent Filmmaking addiction expert Dr. Karl Ungerecht believes that three criteria are necessary for a person to become a pathological Independent Filmmaker:

A desire to create "art" can be one cause of independent filmmaking.

1. an intolerable feeling, such as helplessness, depression, or guilt
   

2. a highly developed capacity for self-deception
   

3. exposure to Independent Filmmaking under circumstances in which it has a high perceived value

Physical or hereditary predispositions are also thought to play a role, though these links have not been proven. Another study conducted by Dr. Karl Ungerecht, showed that

some pathological Independent Filmmakers have lower levels of the chemical midi-chlorian than normal. It has been hypothesized that pathological filmmakers may engage in addictive Independent Filmmaking to increase their levels of midi-chlorian, since it is excreted under stress and arousal.

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