We’ve seen and heard on the first two episodes of ReInvent Hollywood how technology and desire are changing the nature of the film form as well as how artists consider their work and relationship with the business. Barriers to entry of both creation and distribution have been crushed. Platforms abound for a wide variety of formats, aesthetics, and engagements. As a result we are all overwhelmed by an abundance of culture and leisure time options, challenging both business and consumption models. How do these same changes effect things on the side of the audience? In tackling that issue on “ReInvent Hollywood: The Audience”, I found a new way to explain what the Film Industry must do in our era of transition.
Tag: Anne Thompson
To think I once got to see movies when I went to film festivals…
I had one film to share with folks this time around, Sean Durkin’s MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE, which I had the pleasure and good fortune to Executive Produce — even still I did not plan to see any others. I knew I was going to be too busy with the work that festivals have become for me.
The reception for the film was great — which has generated a lot of meetings (and which has yielded some nice announcements ). I forgot to read the latest Exec Prod job description though and did not realize it now means moderating press conferences. Check out the video here, and let me know how you feel I did.
When I wasn’t dealing and celebrating Sean’s movie, I was doing my part to aid in the promotion of indie film.
Christine Vachon and I have been doing this talk show on and off now for several years, now dubbed KILLER / HOPE. Hulu’s got it up on their Sundance page. Please check it out while you still can (at least in all its glory). New episodes will be added daily throughout the festival. Additionally, we were invited to talk to Eugene Hernandez for the local NPR station. Gotta get the word out, but man does all that yapping, make for some seriously dry mouth.
But man, what a test of will power it is. I admit I am an addict
It’s become a routine of mine to spend Sunday clearing my laptop of all my half finished articles, podcasts, and videos. I often have twenty or more windows open and I have to find a new system (yes, I use and love InstaPaper, but I need more tools!). I want to find a way to put my bad habits to good use. This is that try.
New Year’s Resolutions For Filmmakers – Scott continues his high level of great posting. Twenty years in, I still find all of Scott’s recommendations useful. Perhaps that is not in spite of, but because of…
Can Art Houses Attract Youth Audiences – Okay, maybe it seems like I am reading my own press (which this is), but with Sundance approaching, I am still thinking of this problem the film biz faces.
The Web Is A Customer Service Medium – Brian Newman tipped me to this latest “Medium is The Message” dispatch from Paul Ford.
Today’s guest post is from the star of 2009 SXSW Grand Jury Prize Winning film MADE IN CHINA, Jackson Kuehn. I had the good fortune of being on the jury (with Scott Foundas and Anne Thompson) that year and was delighted how ambitious, inventive, funny and moving the film was. As great all of those qualities were, the film also was centered by Jackson’s comic and committed star turn. Jackson and Judi (Krant — the director) are both the real deal. I will make a point of watching whatever they do. And lucky for you: MADE IN CHINA is now up on IFC VOD. If you love Indie Film, if you believe in ambitious film, if you want a diverse & unique film culture, if you want some good laughs, or just want to see how much can be created with very limited means, PLEASE make sure to watch MADE IN CHINA this month (and tell all your friends likewise).
‘One Hundred Year Old Egg’
by Jackson Kuehn
I was suffering from gastric pain, malnutrition, hot weather conditions, incoherence of thought, so three Lomotil pills later, I decided to stand up for myself and address the situation to Judi Krant during the casting process of our beloved Dorothy. I let Judi know that agitation had gotten the better of me and I felt that at any moment I was going to die in Shanghai, China; commonly known as the Paris of the East. At that precise moment, Judi’s highly concentrated eyes shifted my way like a famished, bloodthirsty wolf who had one last shot to feed her babies and to get it through my head that she’s the leader of the pack. She said, “Jackson, now is the time to fight through it all. I don’t want to hear any more excuses. You need to toughen up now.” I nodded my head and agreed. Then she said, “For the next three weeks, you’ll be sharing the queen sized bed with Mr. James Choi.”
You probably already read how Anne Thompson suggested the specialized film companies move into the niche business. Me, I hope the mini-majors stay exactly where they are, and some of the great minds and visionary capital I have been speaking to recently claim the true niche as their own instead.
That said, there is a logic to what Anne suggests. There also some great comments to her post.
I felt real solidarity with what we have been discussing from Mark Lipsky:
There *is* a new model and it’s online. One of the primary problems moving forward is that Anne (until this column) and her colleagues in the media have continued to blindly promote the myth that Weinstein and Miramax and Focus and Searchlight have anything at all to do with independent film. In this column and at long last, Anne asks the most relevant question to come out of the trade media in years: What if the future is about more narrow-niche movies…?” Bingo. The future for what’s left of the genuinely independent film community will remain bleak until it can win back the indie film label, rebuild the indie film community, re-educate film-goers and the media about independent film and then spread the gospel to the hundreds and thousands of independent-minded filmmakers out there who don’t even try because they think they have to raise millions of dollars and cast Brad Pitt in order to succeed.
But read Anne’s post and check out the comments for yourself.
I hope to get a breath to give my thoughts on all this, but it more likely will come in the form of short subject posts, but I am really impressed with the wrap ups that greeted me this morning.
As much as I hope to address this in the weeks ahead, I am even more excited to hear from those that weren’t there. I have heard a plethora of solutions and reasons for hope in recent weeks — but from those in outside the film biz industry and those who have not been ordained into the establishment.
I am more energized than ever as I feel that although the business has changed we have a wave of new leaders about to claim ground. It won’t be the same old cinema, the same old festivals, the same old windows that it has been.
Sure it may mean my way of doing business is dead and I will soon be out on the street with my tin cup, but I guess that’s the price for thinking I was doing it right for too long. On the other hand, we have some movies going and I know my next group of films are even better than the ones I have made before so maybe I will get a few more years before execution.
Anyway, I would love to hear your responses to these articles.
1. Toronto Wrap: Indie Bloodbath – by Anne Thompson
http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2009/09/19/toronto_film_festival_winners_and_losers/
2. 18 Actions Towards A Sustainable Truly Free Film Community – by Ted Hope
http://trulyfreefilm.blogspot.com/2009/09/18-actions-towards-sustainable-truly.html
3. Exploring New Routes to the Indies – by A.O. Scott & Manohla Dargis
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/movies/13darg.html?_r=1&ref=movies
4. Declaration of Independence: The Ten Principles of Hybrid Distribution – by Peter Broderick
http://www.indiewire.com/article/declaration_of_independence_the_ten_principles_of_hybrid_distribution/
5. Movies, Now More Than Ever – by Eugene Hernandez
http://www.indiewire.com/article/eugene_hernandez_movies_now_more_than_ever/
6. Toronto Festival Challenges Indie Film to Evolve – by Anne Thompson
http://www.thewrap.com/article/toronto-brings-chance-indie-film-evolution_6718
7. Roundtable: Indie film marketing specialists – By Stephen Galloway and Matthew Belloni
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i34ed7d659fd02963dc0e951b9b59b4af
7. Roundtable: Indie film marketing specialists – By Stephen Galloway and Matthew Belloni
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i34ed7d659fd02963dc0e951b9b59b4af
8. How To Survive Indie Producer Hell – By Ted Hope
http://trulyfreefilm.blogspot.com/2009/09/ten-steps-plus-one-for-how-to-survive.html
9. Indie Alert Level: Severe – By Roger Ebert
