Several web sites & blogs are very deep into the various complexities that indie filmmakers will have to deal with at some point in the future. But, luckily for many of us, the present situation for people who want to make movies outside of Hollywood, distribute them, and run the thing like a small business is still pretty simple - and probably will be so for at least the next couple of years or longer (until everyone stops buying DVDs at least). Stuff I learned about the present moment recently, as it relates to indie filmmaking:
1 - People still like movies, and will pay to see something that interests them, will make time for it
2 - People still buy DVDs
3 - People still go watch movies in movie theaters
4 - The Internet is still free - there are a lot of sites that you can join to build networks, fan bases - and of course you can also blog for the same ends - & blogging is still free
5 - Making movies - real indie movies - is still cheap
6 - Standard Definition shot video can look pretty good if lit well - still - in these days of HD, and can look even better than not-so-well shot HD or HDV when made into a regular DVD, played on a regular TV. Also HD or at least HDV is getting cheaper (saw a great HDV camera for $3K recently, which was and is the cost of several SD MiniDV camera models)
7 - The DIY Path still works well - it is totally possible - still - for someone with a dayjob to make a movie, promote the movie on the web & through word of mouth, set up screenings, make & sell DVDs or pretty much be a working real indie filmmaker.
8 - People are still interested in investing in indie movies.
And maybe, the most important simple fact about the present is that maybe it is not the time period that matters - but the type of person who is dealing with the realities of a given moment - some kinds of people - whether it is the Oscar Micheaux type in the 1930's or the Amir Motlagh types in the tail end of the first decade of the 2000's - find ways to get movies done - regardless of obstacles. So, perhaps what's needed at all times is the simple & overwhelming desire to get movies made & out - & perhaps all else becomes small & manageable. So get that going in your head if you seek to make & distribute indie movies right now - look at the world with a "nothing is too difficult/all things are possible" attitude.
Also, living in NYC or another big city helps :) - lots of creative & personnel options when it comes to making indie movies. Also networking, exhibition options.
So the present situation for making & distributing indie films is still pretty simple. So get working on that movie - it's a brand new year yo. I think this is still the best time period ever for real indie/DIY filmmaking & distribution.
- Sujewa
1 - People still like movies, and will pay to see something that interests them, will make time for it
2 - People still buy DVDs
3 - People still go watch movies in movie theaters
4 - The Internet is still free - there are a lot of sites that you can join to build networks, fan bases - and of course you can also blog for the same ends - & blogging is still free
5 - Making movies - real indie movies - is still cheap
6 - Standard Definition shot video can look pretty good if lit well - still - in these days of HD, and can look even better than not-so-well shot HD or HDV when made into a regular DVD, played on a regular TV. Also HD or at least HDV is getting cheaper (saw a great HDV camera for $3K recently, which was and is the cost of several SD MiniDV camera models)
7 - The DIY Path still works well - it is totally possible - still - for someone with a dayjob to make a movie, promote the movie on the web & through word of mouth, set up screenings, make & sell DVDs or pretty much be a working real indie filmmaker.
8 - People are still interested in investing in indie movies.
And maybe, the most important simple fact about the present is that maybe it is not the time period that matters - but the type of person who is dealing with the realities of a given moment - some kinds of people - whether it is the Oscar Micheaux type in the 1930's or the Amir Motlagh types in the tail end of the first decade of the 2000's - find ways to get movies done - regardless of obstacles. So, perhaps what's needed at all times is the simple & overwhelming desire to get movies made & out - & perhaps all else becomes small & manageable. So get that going in your head if you seek to make & distribute indie movies right now - look at the world with a "nothing is too difficult/all things are possible" attitude.
Also, living in NYC or another big city helps :) - lots of creative & personnel options when it comes to making indie movies. Also networking, exhibition options.
So the present situation for making & distributing indie films is still pretty simple. So get working on that movie - it's a brand new year yo. I think this is still the best time period ever for real indie/DIY filmmaking & distribution.
- Sujewa
