Categories
Issues and Actions

A Pledge To Sarah. A Pledge To Safety.

Bad decisions are easily made.  The strength of those around us offer insurance that such choices might be overcome. We all have to stand up for what matters most. Passion industries, particularly like film, are not driven by logic, or often ethics. We want to create beauty.  We want a career doing close to what we love. Power appears to be in the hands of a few specific individuals and often in order to please them, we are tempted to compromise our common sense. We have to protect each other.

If you have ever made a movie, you can imagine what may have happened on the set of “Midnight Rider” when on a pre shoot day, camera assistant Sarah Jones was killed trying to get a shot.  This is not the first time that a similar thing has happened on a set. We have all heard tales of bad choices made by producers, directors, assistant directors, and other crew.  We all know we can do more to limit them from happening again. We have to protect each other. We can do better.

In the wake of this most recent loss, a movement has started.  Please visit

Categories
Truly Free Film

Beer Buzz #3: Audience Building — The Key to Success Building

By Steven C. Beer

In the marketing and distribution of independent films, the most critical and frequently overlooked key to success is the building of an audience. Whether you pursue traditional or alternate distribution platforms, or a combination thereof, your ability to identify, aggregate and mobilize an audience base directly impacts the prospect of your project’s success. Timing your audience building campaign is crucial. According to Jason Ward of Candy Factory Productions, you must begin to target and recruit your supporters the minute you decide to produce a film. Audience building is a slow and steady process that can take many months, if not years, so a multi-step game plan that evolves over time can serve as an audience building blueprint. Here are some tips I learned while moderating the Audience Building Panel at the New York Lounge at Sundance 2014: