tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20539850.post5457937230020410115..comments2023-09-26T11:13:44.207-04:00Comments on SpringBoardMedia: Future of Film - Punk Rock or Classical Music?BNewmanSBoardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804966250954053044noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20539850.post-57770796531245402932010-01-25T08:18:04.520-05:002010-01-25T08:18:04.520-05:00So much white noise.So much white noise.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20539850.post-14258080074009588032010-01-11T17:41:17.277-05:002010-01-11T17:41:17.277-05:00All great thoughts in these comments. To answer An...All great thoughts in these comments. To answer Andrew's questions - <br />I think that it helps to develop your own Plan A for distribution. This might be Plan B for you, since you've already been trying to sell, but in theory you build a Plan A that includes all the things you can do for yourself in DIY distribution. How much time can you spend, what resources do you have, what are you good at doing, etc. Then guess reasonably what your returns might be, you can do this by comparing with other self distrib stories online. This is your Plan A. As you speak to distributors, whatever they offer is Plan B, and if it's better than Plan A you consider their offers.<br /><br />In devising a Plan A, I think the best resources, in no particular order are:<br />Peter Broderick and Paradigm Consulting - read his blog and writings<br />Jon Reiss - read his book "Think outside the Box Office" for great ideas, numbers and strategies. Read his blog for further advice.<br />Ted Hope's blog "Truly Free Film"<br />The Workbook Project - a website, blog and podcast with lots of resources.<br /><br />There are more, but that's a start for figuring this all out. My feeling as far as playing fests looking for distribution is that once you've played a few major fests, and with a doc that includes places like Hot Docs, IDFA and Silverdocs as well as the usual suspects - and with an agent, and you haven't sold, you aren't going to sell. I haven't seen your film, but I would recommend looking into alternate DIY strategies from what I can tell from your question.BNewmanSBoardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07804966250954053044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20539850.post-68258401734498482642010-01-11T12:29:36.861-05:002010-01-11T12:29:36.861-05:00Yes, how can we save (the barbershop quartet/ dixi...Yes, how can we save (the barbershop quartet/ dixieland jazz/ the horse and buggy) indie film? I know, we will adapt the methods of religion, the temperance movement, museum culture and nudist colonies! Or something...<br /><br />Everyone is searching for answers and I commend them all. The state of things is bad by the terms we've grown used to, certainly. And that's the question most unasked: is most of this weeping and wailing and FUD (fear, uncertainty and dread) a nostalgia for a bygone past that needs to pass away in order for the birth of a new art form? <br /><br />Most of us are "here" because we love cinema, which in its essence is mechanically reproduced moving images seen with a crowd in the dark, with an artistic or at least craftsman-like intent to give us a shared experience that reminds us we are all human. <br /><br />Most vulnerable element of that is the audience aspect. In 1932 everyone (in the USA) went to the movies once a week, more or less. It was cheap and easy and the productions were better than anything else going. <br /><br />In 2009 an incredibly paltry number stood in line and scooted into a seat in a darkened room with strangers. We're fighting a losing game with less and less resources if the goal is mass communication and mass participation on a physical level. <br /><br />Maybe it is time to re-examine some of these central tenets of American cinema. Smash the chair and learn to sit on the floor, or make a three legged stool without a back... but quit trying to save the barbershop quartet. <br /><br />Maybe the element that has to be jettisoned is the idea that one can earn a living by making cinema. Maybe that's a good thing. <br /><br />Or, perhaps the effort to gather a public audience is the aspect that needs to go. Broadcast networks are dying, and good riddance I say but what can take their place and bring enlightenment to their living rooms? Say that dirty word.. television... or is it YouTube?<br /><br />Or, maybe it's time to stop serving up fantasies and concentrate on making films that challenge audiences. (When is the last time you saw a film about an American who acted like a man and not a boy?) <br /><br />I don't have the answers, but I encourage all to be ruthless in asking the questions. Rome wasn't burned in a day.JeanDodgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08308453388559592068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20539850.post-73677739666512095302009-12-22T20:56:29.114-05:002009-12-22T20:56:29.114-05:00Getting the films on the road sounds very old fash...Getting the films on the road sounds very old fashioned in an extremely cool way. I suppose you mean not just the festivals, but really going at in small venues and getting Q&A's going in towns that usually wouldn't get that kind of personal attention from filmmakers. Not just building audience but discovering what the audience likes/doesn't for future projects. Now booking something like this... There's a job.Alonso Mayohttp://www.afmayo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20539850.post-50403923640282860532009-12-22T12:14:46.568-05:002009-12-22T12:14:46.568-05:00Excellent article/proposal - thank you for the ide...Excellent article/proposal - thank you for the ideas. I think though and I think you said this - that there is room for punk rock and classical (and jazz and blues) models. Would love to connect. <br /><br />Jon ReissUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16840367556402072373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20539850.post-84800992438959247842009-12-21T22:54:56.729-05:002009-12-21T22:54:56.729-05:00Excellent post with some very meaty ideas to ponde...Excellent post with some very meaty ideas to ponder... my mind is reeling now (no pun intended), both in how we as "indie filmmakers" can enact some of these ideas in the very near future and how I, myself, can be a better film supporter/promoter/enabler/fan.jeremy wilkerhttp://www.triumph67film.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20539850.post-39504939706780661932009-12-21T21:47:22.052-05:002009-12-21T21:47:22.052-05:00wow, a really great post! I'm going to pass th...wow, a really great post! I'm going to pass the link around.Sheri Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05140350294074291150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20539850.post-52755413198898048902009-12-21T20:26:46.082-05:002009-12-21T20:26:46.082-05:00Niche is just another word for rut.Niche is just another word for rut.wynnsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20539850.post-8997086205430135072009-12-21T19:50:43.758-05:002009-12-21T19:50:43.758-05:00Great post Brian, lots to read & consider. He...Great post Brian, lots to read & consider. Here's hoping for an awesome 2010 for indie films, makers, & fans.<br /><br />- SujewaSujewa Ekanayakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02909587996837967673noreply@blogger.com