Jon Kilick and I have a fair amount in common — but we also seem to see the state of the world, or at least our film culture and industry, in a very different way.
We both also recognize — and encourage others to recognize — some really important things about the film world, namely that this is a great time to be a creator. We have better tools for the creation, promotion, and distribution of our work than ever before. Audiences can connect with both us and our work as never before. If you haven’t read Jon’s recent IFP Independent Film Week Keynote speech, you should. It is inspiring. But it doesn’t tell the whole story, and frankly, I think it dangerously clouds our reality.
Early this year, I was asked to write my wish for the future for Good.is. In that piece, entitled “Will Our Film And Media Culture Vanish”, I celebrate the time we are living in, just like Jon did in his keynote. But for all the good movies we have access to, I also point out some of the problems we have, what me must do to solve them, and what will happen if we don’t. It is our own responsibility. Just like I think it our responsibility to truly tell it like it is.
It’s wonderful that a lower barrier to entry has democratized all media, but that gift was given without the balance of an understanding of how to build a sustainable creative practice in a culture of abundance. Our world has changed significantly over the last ten years, and we mush change how we act as a result. Those that have had the privilege of success have a far greater obligation to lead. I made some significant changes in my life to try to help this situation, and I am preparing to do that again soon too.
We have to stop the irresponsible practice of encouraging people to “Just Do It”. We are hurting creators and those that support them by sending them off into a ecosystem that can not reward them appropriately. We are not helping filmmakers to be prepared to maximize the life of their film, or sustain their own careers. It was once almost sufficient for leaders and support organizations to help filmmakers by making their movies better and giving them an opportunity to be seen — but I considered that now a dangerous act. Movies are not licensed for an appropriate fee. Most movies can not be supported sufficiently to gain traction in an overcrowded marketplace constructed around old media attributes. Filmmakers are not utilizing the best practices that could and will prepare them properly for the future. If we look at our film culture with rose colored glasses, we are lining up the lambs for the slaughter.
Jon Kilick is responsible for some of my favorite movies of the last two decades. He has collaborated with my favorite directors. I don’t want him to stop doing what he does so well. I want the audiences to swarm to his work. And I want him to be fairly compensated for his labor. I will work for his and all of our ability to do just that.
I know that there are many future Jon Kilicks working today — but you probably will never get to see their work. Both they and the artists they support will soon be taking construction jobs (if there are any). The money that would have fueled their entire careers will be spent on tech start ups and coffee shops, skinny jeans and craft brews.
We have an incredible opportunity before us. It requires people to be responsible and not think only for themselves. We can build a truly independent cultural eco-system that supports the business of art. For an ambitious creative practice to be sustainable in this era (unless you are already rich or famous) we must recognize that a culture of abundance requires very different behavior than one of scarcity. We do not have to design for the mass market like we once did. We should not be focused on a one-off product oriented business model, but one of relationship and community.
Yes, there are wonderful stories being told. Yes, every year we will learn of another Ryan Coogler or Ben Zeitlin. But for every year that just they are that story, there are 1000 more incredible story tellers whom we overlook and they are unable to gain the traction, attention, support, and cash that will allow them to flourish. The message should not be to build it and they will come. The message should be as I wrote previously:
“(This) is the choice we have before us now: a world deprived of great art and artists, or one that thrives with vibrant diversity. We need people to step up, say culture and community matter, and that we are going to build it better together. We need to move past a culture that only celebrates success, and instead grow transparent with our risks, even our failures. We need to focus on the stories, the form, and the communities that promote them—as part of our cultural glue. We need to do this together. We have to stop waiting for a solution, and recognize that it is in fact us.
Show you value your time and select then next 100 movies you want to see now. Share what you are passionate about with your family and friends and insist they watch it. If you can buy direct from an artist, buy direct from an artist. Support the crowdsource campaign of a favorite or local filmmaker, demand media literacy be taught in public schools, or join a local film society or institute. Don’t undervalue your work by accepting too low an acquisition fee for your work when you could do as well distributing it yourself.”
Don’t just do it. Be responsible. Budget beyond the festival release. Know the value of your work. Don’t surrender your work with out a fair trade in return. Don’t think that your work stands alone; you are building on the success & failure of others. You are in it together. Your fates are sealed by the process you now undertake. Don’t build it believing they will come; build it with all of us already embedded in the process. It is not enough to just create. We must construct the engagement. Cinema is a dialogue, not a shout out into a darkened room.
