Author: Ted Hope

Categories
Let's Make Better Films Truly Free Film

Does The World Need Another Decent Movie?

By Julien Favre

With the world economy on the brink, the current environment has rarely been so tough for independent filmmakers. To get our films made and, even more so, to see them sold and/or distributed, is getting incredibly challenging. Foreign sales estimates for low budget independent films are a tenth of what they used to be pre-2008, and let’s not be fooled by the numbers. We will be happy if we sell at all, even for symbolic numbers. From a filmmaker’s perspective, we have entered a dichotomous world: a shrinking pool of independent films do well; most don’t make any significant business. It is now as if there is only room for one indie hit per year. If you are not that film that everybody wants, you barely exist and your business footprint will be close to zero.

Now, you can look at this situation in two different ways. One way is to

Continue reading “Does The World Need Another Decent Movie?”
Categories
Let's Make Better Films Truly Free Film

10+ Things To Think About If You Want To Make Better Films

(photo by Ted, art from the street)
(photo by Ted, art from the street)

I watch a lot of films. I think I watch about 250 a year. I also watch a lot of films that never come out, that most audiences never get access to.

I learn a great deal from the “noble failures”, the films that have ambition but just miss the mark fully in execution. I honestly like these films and find pleasure in watching them, but I also know that most people like their entertainment and culture to be in a more perfectly realized state — even if most of us don’t have the resources to bring our work to that state. I think most people’s taste is shaped by their training; we learn to like what we get — unfortunately.

Yet I also think there are some things that

Continue reading “10+ Things To Think About If You Want To Make Better Films”

Categories
Truly Free Film

Film Society of Lincoln Center and Hope for Film presents : Indie Night Screening Series – KID-THING – TONIGHT, Tuesday July 17 @ 8:00 pm

Dear film friends,

This is sort of urgent.

Good films don’t get seen. Let’s face it, the system is not working. Every summer I experience that same sensation: “there just aren’t any movies that I really want to see”. My 80 year old mom just went to see MOONRISE KINGDOM for the second time because there was nothing else to see. She does not live in NYC… but you do. You have entertainment & culture economies relatively based on choice & super-abundance (versus scarcity & control).

You can vote for the culture you want with your dollars. Simple acts have surprising results. What would happen if we refused to keep supporting a bland corporate culture based on test-marketing, remakes, and pat emotional response engineering? What if we demanded a cinema that still surprised us, took risks, and aimed for something a little more complicated and complex? Well, I for one think it would make the world a better place.

So I write to you now, for that reason. Don’t let the heat get to you. Come out tonight (Tuesday) and see a good bit of bad behavior told with a desire to learn and not prove, with an empathy for people despite their faults, and a love for the absurdity that lingers in truth. Support indie film. Keep indie alive and help it thrive. We can build it better together.

I have been putting a lot of work in to my hopes that all I say above is true. I scour through DVDS and links searching for the best that indie has to offer. The Zellner Brothers’ KID-THING is just that. They are flying in to our town to speak to you about it. How often can one due their duty but have fun doing it? Well tonight you can.

Read about what I said about this film here.

Order tickets: www.filmlinc.com/films/on-sale/kid-thing
Like KID-THING on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/KID-THING/191535430930013
Check out the website: www.kid-thing.com
You can see another collaboration between the Zellners & Aguirre on this music video here: www.vimeo.com/7201463

See you Tonight, Tuesday July 17th at 8:00 PM at the Elinor Bunin Monroe Film Center at the Film Society of Lincoln Center.

Q&A after the film with the filmmakers!

Tuesday, July 17
8:00 PM
Elinor Bunin Monroe Film Center
144 W. 65TH St
New York, NY 10023

This night is made possible by the continued support of our sponsors: Royal Bank of Canada & Fandor. Thank you!

Please mark your calendars for upcoming Indie Night screenings:
Wednesday, August 1, 2012, 8 PM: FRANCINE
Wednesday, September 5, 2012, 8 PM
Wednesday, October 17, 2012, 8 PM
Wednesday, November 14, 2012, 8 PM
Wednesday, December 19, 2012, 8 PM

Most sincerely, and forever hopeful about film,
Ted

Categories
Truly Free Film

Kickstarting for Theatrical Distribution: Pro’s & Con’s

by Sara Kiener

One day we’ll say “I remember the film industry before crowdfudning existed,” and newcomers will drop their jaws in disbelief. Kickstarter has made a quick and lasting impression on the industry, opening doors for filmmakers who have reached the end of their fundraising and grant writing ropes. Countless movies have been made that wouldn’t have been made without Kickstarter – many of which have left a significant mark in the festival circuit, in theaters and in our homes. One of the more recent trends that I’m intrigued by is the bevy of films Kickstarting to raise funds for theatrical distribution. Urbanized, My Reincarnation, Tchoupitoulas, Detropia and, more recently, Taiwan Oyster, Starlet and The Waiting Room (the latter 3 are currently active) have been green-lighting their own theatrical releases. With their success, I’m sure many more filmmakers will follow suit in the coming months.
Whether you’re raising funds for a portion of your budget or you’re trying to get your movie seen on the big screen following a robust festival reception, here are some factors to consider before you launch:

Continue reading “Kickstarting for Theatrical Distribution: Pro’s & Con’s”
Categories
These Are Those Things

Do What You Love, Love What You Do

Good advice from Ray Bradbury.

Hat Tip to Cultural Weekly.

Categories
Truly Free Film

Film Society of Lincoln Center and Double Hope Films presents : Indie Night Screening Series – KID-THING – Tuesday July 17

Dear Film Friends,

This month’s cinematic mystery is: “What allows for a great and truthful performance by a child?” I recognize that it is not an easy question to answer, beyond “I know one when I see one.” The good news is I know you will see one when you come next Tuesday to see The Zellner Bros. KID-THING at “Indie Night” — the monthly screening series I curate at The Film Society Of Lincoln Center. Sydney Aguirre delivers an incredibly cool, intense, and outright miraculous performance as Annie, the kid at the center of this “thing”.

Continue reading “Film Society of Lincoln Center and Double Hope Films presents : Indie Night Screening Series – KID-THING – Tuesday July 17”

Categories
Truly Free Film

Five Lessons We Learned While Making STARLET

by Blake Ashman-Kipervaser (producer)

As a film producer I find that each production I work on has its own unique set of challenges and the process can feel a bit like a roller coaster ride at times. Yet somehow things always seem to work out, and hopefully after its done you feel you’ve learned something or become stronger at what you do. With STARLET undergoing finishing work and getting ready to be released later this year I’ve thought back on some of the recent close calls and other experiences we survived during the making of the film and how fortuitous many of them seem to be in hindsight.  Here are five examples which I hope will help other filmmakers in some shape or form. 

1. The right place at the right time 

While developing another project STARLET director Sean Baker,

Continue reading “Five Lessons We Learned While Making STARLET”