Ted’s notes: Today begins the 3rd in our offerings of detailed glimpses at how filmmakers are now looking beyond themselves to find solutions for all of us (the others being the Kinonation and IndieStreet columns). I spoke with the BondIt team and was very impressed with what they are offering and the path they’ve taken to launch it. We will all benefit and learn from their efforts. We can build it better together ( (and now ARE).
By Matthew Helderman & Luke Taylor
The shifting of the global economy in 2008 changed the film business in obvious ways — budgets were slashed across the board, distribution outlets faltered internationally and multi-national conglomerates that owned and operated studios no longer saw a viable risk in the intimate, quirky and character centric independent films of the 1990’s and early 2000’s.As the recovering economy slowly progressed towards the “new economy”, the film business saw smaller productions at the $500,000 and below range begin sprouting up intensely. From a few thousand films produced per year in the early 2000’s to nearly eight thousand feature films produced in 2013 — there was a major increase in content creation and with it a slew of production issues.
Do you want your film to change the world? Do you want to make money so you can make your next film? Do you have something to prove to yourself? An honest answer in the early stages can do wonders for a filmmaker in finding a workable distribution path, uncovering a forthright story, and figuring out an appropriate amount of money and energy to expend on the project. (Please note: An answer like “I am creative and want to express myself” misses the scope. This is a reflective question for professionals or budding professionals who live in the reality of scarce resources and time who will express themselves creatively regardless of their path).
