tagged w/ Ted Hope
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38 Ways the Film Industry Is Failing Today
A year ago I wrote a blog post " 38 American Independent Film Problems/Concerns." Unfortunately, all of those problems I listed a year ago still stand today; four or so from that list have made some real headway, perhaps, but they certainly remain issues. Of more concern is that the list keeps growing and growing. I can contribute another 38 even more pressing issues today.
In fact, there is no one to blame for this list but ourselves. It is our inability to be proactive that his brought on us this terrible state. What once were problems or concerns have grown more pressing. You do the math: we now have over 70 things wrong with our industry that we are not taking action to fix.
Ask yourself what you currently are concerned and frustrated about in terms of where both film culture and the film business are today. Where is our industry capable of being and how does it compare to where we actually are? Do we really have the capacity to sit and wait to get there? Isn't our silence delaying the trip?
I must admit that I am a bit disappointed that I had no difficulty adding another thirty-eight items to this list of where we are currently failing. The exciting thing about this (and why #38 of last year 's list was "lists like this make the foolish despair") is both these lists demonstrate a tremendous opportunity for those willing to break from the status quo and do things a bit differently. Things may be wrong, but they could always be worse. From here, we just have to work together to make it better. It is that simple. Every deficit is an opportunity for the creative entrepreneur, right?
So how has the film biz continued to reveal itself to be terribly troubled this year? What do I suggest we start to focus on, discuss, and find solutions for? This list is a start, and I wager we will expand it substantially in the days ahead.
Read the the rest of this post, including Ted's "38" by clicking the link above.
Pericles Lewnes
Current Indie Film
@PretentiousFilm
@loopmovie38 Ways the Film Industry Is Failing Today
A year ago I wrote a blog post " 38... more
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Earlier this year, while looking at Atlantic Magazine's list of Brave Thinkers across various industries, I started to wonder who are of this ilk in our sector of so-called Independent Film.
What is it to be "brave"? To me, bravery requires risk, going against the status quo, being willing to do or say what few others have done. Bravery is not a one time act but a consistent practice. Most importantly, bravery is not about self interest; bravery involves the individual acting for the community. It is both the step forward and the hand that is extended.
Frankly though, I think anyone that commits to creating film, particularly independent film, and specifically artist driven truly free film, is truly brave ... or at least, insane. It is a hard road out there and growing more difficult by the day.
All filmmakers getting their work made, screened and distributed deserve recognition, support, and something more significant than a good pat on the back from the rest of us. As great their work is both creatively and in terms of the infrastructure, it's easy to lose sight of how fragile all this is. Our ability to create and screen innovative and diverse work is consistently under threat.
I know there are those whom I've forgotten that deserve to be included here. This list, although it includes many artists, is about those who are working and striving to carve a new paradigm, to make the future safe for innovative and diverse work, to build an artist-centric content economy.
These Brave Thinkers lead equally with their ideas, actions, and generosity. They set examples for all of us and raise the bar. These are indie films true new leaders, and for those that think they are in power, those that are just starting out, or those that want to find a new angle on industry you work in, you should make sure you meet these folks in the coming year, because they are redefining the way we fund, develop, create, define, discover, promote, participate, curate, and appreciate that thing we still call cinema.
Read on for the TOP 21...
http://www.thewrap.com/blog-entry/21-great-free-thinkers-free-film-12272?page=1Earlier this year, while looking at Atlantic Magazine's list of Brave Thinkers... more
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A two hour panel of some well known people in indie film right now discuss the current state of indie film distribution through DIY (do it yourself) and DWO (do it with others) channels. Indie filmmakers largely reject the tradition distribution companies, especially when they demand you turn over your copyright to them for 20 years. In today's world of spiraling internet and other technology, filmmakers are finding readily available ways to self distribute and build audiences. Yet there are many hurdles and challenges.
Ted Hope talks about how many good indie films never get seen because of the challenges in distribution. Arin Crumley talks about the available technology out there that filmmakers have to learn to deal with and customize for their own purposes. Making a film and self distribution adds a new phase to filmmaking. Beyond pre-production, production and post, we now often have to take on self distribution if we ever want our films to be seen. That means learning how to use internet websites with technological tools, among other things. It all depends on your project and where you want to go with it. There are endless choices to be made. Artist filmmaker types tend to shy away from business and technology. But these things are just as important as having a camera if you want anyone to see your film.
One example is this website, Current, where you can post your own short films and instantly be in the running for a paid shot on Current TV.
There's a lot of information in this talk presented very fast. You might have to rewind a few times like I did to get it all in.A two hour panel of some well known people in indie film right now discuss the current... more
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Ok, so I have been a bit distracted lately. I do take pride in curating the Indie Film Group, and lately, I have been very busy. But part of that has been about starting my own Indie Film screening series in Maryland and I have been looking around for movies.
You see, Independent Film and filmmakers are struggling and a grassroots movement among independent filmmakers is doing it's best to take shape.
Independent Producer and all around mensch, Ted Hope runs the Truly Free Film blog at http://trulyfreefilm.blogspot.com/ is sort of the de facto leader of this movement (IMO) and has aggregated a tremendous wealth of information for independent filmmakers there.
But that's another story. A buddy of mine, Ronny Carlsson runs an off beat specialty movie site in Sweden - FilmBizarro - http://www.filmbizarro.com/ which is both fascinating and incredibly disturbing. I am a fan of the site and go there often to be both repulsed and informed.
Recently, Ronny posted a review about this movie -- Neato Mosquito -- which he almost apologized for as he gave it a good review -- which you can read here - http://38.108.70.66/~dsrevolution/filmbizarro/design/view_review.php?review=neatomosquito.php
Now in my search I have already run into "ink" which is my favorite indendent movie -- EVER!
http://current.com/items/90164304_with-help-from-current-users-ink-may-be-this-years-scifi-fantasy-breakout.htm
But I really want to share this with you. Please take a look at this Indie Film Trailer here:
http://www.neatomosquitomovie.com/
One to watch...Ok, so I have been a bit distracted lately. I do take pride in curating the Indie... more
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I never did get to my 38 Reasons but I did get one good answer in. Peter Guber got my questions (but man, is he GOOD! He answered the challenges questions better than I could of) and Marina kept getting my other questions...
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From Ted Hope's Truly Free Film Blog
http://trulyfreefilm.blogspot.com/2009/05/ted-hope-live-on-fox-business-network.html
*****************************I never did get to my 38 Reasons but I did get one good answer in. Peter Guber got my... more
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Ok, this is the deal. I have shot my mouth off so much about Independent Filmmaking here, that I was able to con Current into letting me curate their Indie Film Channel.
That's right... ME!
Pericles_Lewnes, the user formerly known as Pericles1978.
I am a "fringe of the fringe" filmmaker (and I'll talk about that some other time) hoping to expand your mind and personal culture by introducing you to what's going on beyond the Cineplex... maybe in your city... maybe right next door...
Here on the Current Indie Film Channel together we will explore the mighty and the mini of Independent Film. You will learn about Mumblecore, Schlock, Homebrew, Guerrilla and DIY filmmaking. You will get the skinny on the latest gear, the latest gossip and experience art and entertainment beyond the bounds of visual viral hyperbole.
We will now operate below the radar, and experience new minds and ideas... and we will have fun...
So to kick this off I am going to link you to a blog run by a man named Ted Hope. Ted is a veteran independent Film Producer whose most recent movie, "Adventureland," is currently in theaters and enjoying critical praise.
He has a few blogs that have been instrumental in sustaining and advocating independent filmmaking. His "Truly Free Film" blog is a tremendous resource for the independent filmmaker, but I want to share a very special piece he posted from his THESE ARE THOSE THINGS Blog. This is where Ted shares little gems he happens upon.
Please click through to take a look at David O'Reilly's "PLEASE SAY SOMETHING" to kick off my first post on Current's Indie Film Channel!
http://thesearethosethings.blogspot.com/2009/03/wow-this-is-great.html
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My Twitter User: loopmovieOk, this is the deal. I have shot my mouth off so much about Independent Filmmaking... more
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