21 Great Free Thinkers of Indie Film
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.
- Franny Armstong -- After making "The Age of Stupid" via crowdsourcing funds, Franny also looked to the audience to help distribute her film, creating IndieScreenings.net and offering it up to other filmmakers (see The Yes Men below). By relying fulling on her audience from finance to distribution, Franny was able to get the film she wanted not just made, but seen, and show the rest of us to stop thinking the old way, and instead of putting faith in the gatekeepers, put your trust in the fans.
- Steven Beer -- "A Decade of Filmmaker Empowerment Is Coming." Steven has always been on the tip of digital rights question, aiding many, including myself, on what really should be the artist's perspective. Yet it remains exceedingly rare that individuals, let alone attorneys, take a public stand towards artist rights -- as the money is often on the other side.
- Biracy & David Geertz -- Biracy, helmed by Geertz, has the potential to transform film financing and promotion. Utilizing a referral system to reward a film's champions, they might have found a model that could generate new audiences and new revenue.
- Peter Broderick -- Peter was the first person to articulate the hybrid distribution plan. He coined the term, I believe. He has been tireless in his pursuit of the new model and generous with his time and vision. His distribution newsletter is a must have for all truly free filmmakers and his oldway/newway chart a true thing of beauty.
- Tze Chun & Mynette Louie -- Last year, the director and producer of "Children of Invention" decided that they weren't going to wait around for some distributor to sweep them off their feet. They left Sundance with plans to adopt a hybrid plan and started selling their DVD off their website. They have earned more money embracing this new practice than what they could have hoped from an old way deal. As much as I had hoped that others would recognize the days of golden riches were long gone, Tze & Mynette were the only Sundance filmmakers brave enough to adopt this strategy from the start.
- Arin Crumley -- Having raised the bar together with Susan Buice in terms of extending the reach of creative work into symbiotic marketing with "Four Eyed Monsters," along with helping in the design of new tech tools for filmmakers (FEM was encouraging fans to "Demand It" long before Paranormal Activity), co-founding "From Here to Awesome," Arin launched OpenIndie together with Kieran Masterson this year to help empower filmmakers in the coming months.
- IndieGoGo & Slava Rubin -- There are many web 2.0 sites that build communities, many that promote indie films, many that crowd source funds, but Slava & IndieGoGo are doing it all, with an infectious and boundless enthusiasm, championing work and individuals, giving their all to find a new paradigm, and they might just do it.
- Jamie King -- The experience of giving away his film "Steal This Film" led Jamie to help build VODO -- an online mechanism initially built to help artists retrieve VOluntary DOnations for their work but has since evolved to a service that helps filmakers distrubute free-to-share films through P2P sites & services, building on this with various experimental business models.
Comments
maryagirl Says
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maryagirl Says
Thank you for sharing.
David Says
I ran across this new site that supports indie film making. www.imadeamovie.com. They seem to be financing new small budget films. The site is confusing but you kind of have to read through the material to really understand. If they change their site to something more user friendly they should be a big factor to changing the way indie films are made.
Mary-Beth Taylor Says
I was thrilled with the mention of Steven Beer by Ted Hope in his article "21 Great Free Thinkers of Indie Film". I've been very fortunate to work with Steven and have benefited from his guidance for many years. I always count on and appreciate his insight and judgement.
mark l. lester Says
Mark L.Says:
In regard to comments about Steve Beer. I think he is right
to advise his client about the WGA. They are no friends to
investors, since the residuals come out before the investors
have even recouped their investment. This union is also
against the independent filmmaker against you agree to their terms. They have little to do with art.
Mynette Louie Says
Thanks for the kind shout-out, Ted! This is a great list and we're honored to be on it. We're particularly big fans of Peter Broderick and Scott Macaulay, who gave us guidance on CHILDREN OF INVENTION. We'd also like to thank Becky Glupczynski, producer of Corey McAbee's STINGRAY SAM, for her helpful tips. Also, producer's rep Nguyen Tran, writer-director Dave Boyle (WHITE ON RICE), and Dylan Marchetti of
theatrical distribution company Variance Films (http://variancefilms.com/), for their invaluable guidance on DIY distribution. These 3 guys have been doing/helping DIY efforts for several years now, and really understand how to self-release with limited resources. Last but not least, thank YOU for all your support this year! And here are the rest of the folks we'd like to thank for making 2009 a great year for CHILDREN OF INVENTION:
http://childrenofinvention.com/thanks.htm (many of these folks aren't on the screen credits b/c they helped after the film was finished, with fests/promo/distrib). Thanks again and let's try to save indie film in 2010!
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Richard Vetere Says
I just wanted to add one more comment. The WGA has protected me and will protect you and your work. They are there to make sure your rights are protected and that you will be fairly treated.
Richard Vetere Says
I must take exception with the mention of Steven Beer as someone helping artist. Last April I introduced an investor to a film company, CAVU Films, who was interested in producing a script of mine. CAVU was looking for financing and the investor liked my script. The investor was represented by Steve Beer. To my shock, Mr. Beer annouced to the room, that he did not want my investor to invest in my script because I was a member of the Writer's Guild of America. Mr. Beer gave false information to the investor by stating an outrageous precentage he would have to pay in residuals. I had just been nominated by the Guild to run for Council and I reported this action by Mr. Beer to the WGA and wrote about in the newsletter. I want to ask now, if Mr. Beer would treat a veteran, well produced WGA member as myself like this, how would he treat a struggling artist or member of a fellow guild as SAG or DGA? Not only would I not recommend any writer to work with Mr. Beer, I would also go as far as warn them to stay far away from him. His insulting and false remarks made in the presence of witnesses are on the record. If anyone wants to know more about my experience please feel free to contact me. When an attorney like Mr. Beer insults a writer/artist with false accusations as he did, he is insulting every writer, artist in the businesses.
indiemaven Says
I agree that Ted is missing from the list, but probably implied as he is the author. Also painfully missing is the Artemis Eternal project. Arguably wiser, more skilled and exciting, and with far more merit than any of the bring-your-film-to-us-for-crowdfunding or crowdsourcing sites. Artists direct with audience and no new gatekeepers (in other words, the same problems) created. The artist/filmmaker behind that big idea is JM Stover. http://www.artemiseternal.com http://www.jessicastover.com and the audience involved are a diverse group called "The Wingmen" of which I count myself one.
There are two others missing from here which also I believe arguably are of more merit, but no list is perfect and I'm glad to see some attention on the matter from someone whom the indie community respects. :-)
Lisa_L Says
One of the most important people missing from this list is Ted Hope himself. He has been a rainmaker in the indie film industry and an inspiration to filmmakers all over the world for many years, and his body of work just keeps getting better.