State of the Industry
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Nektonic
Veteran
Not surprisingly really shi*ty news.
Sounds like we have to create a new independent film industry if we want to actually show our films to the public and possibly get paid.
Really sucks for those up and coming writers who've slaved away and paid their dues over the years. I think the days of specializing in one form or medium of writing are over... i.e. screenwriting, comic books, novels, TV writing, etc. It's all about the actual nuts and bolts storytelling now. I think those that will survive or flourish will be open to writing everything, including newer mediums like webisodes and video games.
We should also really just admit to ourselves that DIY distribution and marketing of our work is pretty much the most feasible option for awhile. And I'm not talking about just throwing your short film up on Youtube. We have to get really creative and basically figure out the model for independent distribution, because nobody else is going to do it for us.
Sounds like we have to create a new independent film industry if we want to actually show our films to the public and possibly get paid.
Really sucks for those up and coming writers who've slaved away and paid their dues over the years. I think the days of specializing in one form or medium of writing are over... i.e. screenwriting, comic books, novels, TV writing, etc. It's all about the actual nuts and bolts storytelling now. I think those that will survive or flourish will be open to writing everything, including newer mediums like webisodes and video games.
We should also really just admit to ourselves that DIY distribution and marketing of our work is pretty much the most feasible option for awhile. And I'm not talking about just throwing your short film up on Youtube. We have to get really creative and basically figure out the model for independent distribution, because nobody else is going to do it for us.
Martay
Veteran
I agree with this assessment. I'll still be pursuing some form of traditional distribution for my current film but am already planning alternatives as well.
-M
Call me crazy, but I think this is positive for those of us who want to stay on a smaller scale and attempt to make great material. Right now we have little chance of getting a realistic theatrical run of our small films anyway. So let the studios die and get them out of our way. How long can studios make comic book and blockbuster films before everyone tires of seeing the earth explode once again? Is it any wonder people are getting very bored with the current slate occupying the cineplex? The studios could eventually become extinct, because they will not be able to support that overhead and then the great material will rise up to the top once again. Social networks may be your way to market and then put up a screen in your local theatre that isn't being used Monday through Thursday for their plays. There are many places to do it yourself. I like to use Gallager (yes the comedian) as a great example. When he toured the country making millions he rented the theatre himself, sold the tickets, did the advertising all within his own little empire. It can be done...and it shall!
So keep your head up, keep writing, keep filming, etc. and let's do it!
So keep your head up, keep writing, keep filming, etc. and let's do it!
Nektonic
Veteran
I agree.
This sobering podcast just got me a little down when I heard it. I don't hold big Hollywood films above foreign and independent films. All markets and budgetary levels produce good films and crap films, while sometimes delivering a classic.
I am bummed a bit that the chances of ever making a big budget American film are kinda looking non-existent for someone like myself though. Even if I only got to make one film in Hollywood, that is an experience I would have liked to have had, whether good or bad. I won't know until it happens, or not. Not that it wasn't darn near impossible to get the foot in the door already, but now it seems almost futile, especially when about all I might get to do is remakes anyways.
Oh well. Best to look onward and do the best with what we have available to us. Maybe we're entering an era where story and cinema is going to become more pure by having to be boiled down to its essentials, and not overshadowed by bloated budgets, overpaid stars, greedy moguls, corporations, and special effects?
Oh, and by the way, Gallagher kicks ass -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI8QxKTw59Q&feature=related
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We all would like to have that studio deal allowing us to write and make films full of everything we can dream up, but the business is changing fast. I'm not happy to see any doors being shut for writers/filmmakers or for anyone to lose the opportunities that once existed, but the time has come to take matters back into our own hands. I have a few big films that I know will most likely never see the light of a theater so I've pushed those scripts onto the back of the shelf and I'm getting back to small films that I know I can find a way to produce. This forum and others are here to provide the support and answers that will keep us moving forward to realize those dreams. So keep it going!
Nektonic
Veteran
Same here. I've got a few epic budget ideas that I am now thinking of maybe turning into novels instead of screenplays. Seems more logical to me given the current state of things.
I'm also doing the same with my screenwriting efforts. I'm going to try and stick to writing stuff that I can produce independently, either as a no budget HD flick (or on a RED Scarlet someday) or one that wouldn't need tons of money invested to properly produce it. Probably going to try and do a couple no budget ones first over the next 3 years or so, then use those to leverage some investment money in later films.
Sven
Active member
See I'm conflicted from a writers standpoint. It seems as though the idea of High Concept films a.k.a Original, has gone down the pooper. I've personally had an almoust 75% request return on three different High Concept screenplays in the last 2 years from Studio producers. They have liked my scripts, commented positively, even called me to discuss them multiple times over the phone, especially the Mutual Film Company (which was surprising). But I haven't sold one yet. Because everyone is scared to make something new that has no fan base. Especially if it requires over 20 mil to make. So unless you script is based on a toy-line or a best selling novel....good luck.
With this said, I have branched out over the past year , as Nektonic said, and begun turning my screenplays into novels, graphic novel scripts, video game treatments and experimenting with smaller budget stories outside of my comfort zone. And right now it looks like my first major sell is going to come from one of these smaller ideas that isn't honestly my style. And guess who's buying. A foreign market. Not an American one.
Never give up...just try new markets. You might be surprised. Everyone is hungry for a fresh idea...even Hollywood, the sad truth is that they're just not going to make any anytime soon.
(some statistics from personal experience.) I did all of my querying without an agent, my return rate for a screenplay was 11 per 15 queries sent. Now when I queried a book proposal for the same idea in novel format, my return was 2 out of 15 from select publishing houses, but those 2 started a bidding war. Granted I invested in my research materials, spare no expense, having accurate and current information about producers and publishers is a large part of writing.
With this said, I have branched out over the past year , as Nektonic said, and begun turning my screenplays into novels, graphic novel scripts, video game treatments and experimenting with smaller budget stories outside of my comfort zone. And right now it looks like my first major sell is going to come from one of these smaller ideas that isn't honestly my style. And guess who's buying. A foreign market. Not an American one.
Never give up...just try new markets. You might be surprised. Everyone is hungry for a fresh idea...even Hollywood, the sad truth is that they're just not going to make any anytime soon.
(some statistics from personal experience.) I did all of my querying without an agent, my return rate for a screenplay was 11 per 15 queries sent. Now when I queried a book proposal for the same idea in novel format, my return was 2 out of 15 from select publishing houses, but those 2 started a bidding war. Granted I invested in my research materials, spare no expense, having accurate and current information about producers and publishers is a large part of writing.
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Sven and Nektonic are right on the money...we have to be able to change and adapt to the current industry changes or we will become extinct. I was just reading an inspiring story about this mockumentary made by Lucy Akhurst.
Lucy made a feature-length mokumentary called Morris: A Life With Bells On, with what she describes as "an amazing cast and a phenomenal crew." They were an ambitious team; shooting LA scenes in Dorset (which have fooled people from LA), shooting on 35mm, a helicopter shot in their opening titles, no public money or grants and paying everyone, as well as shooting only 5 day weeks.
Having made the film, Lucy and her team were then faced with distributors "who were only interested in the 16-24 year old male demographic" so they faced problems. That was until they were approached by Moviola, a rural multiplex chain in the South West of England. Having spotted Morris on IMDB, they requested a screener and were immediately sold, booking them into 21 venues. Since then, things have only been getting bigger and better for Morris. Lucy was receiving up to 100 emails a day from all over the world from people who wanted to see the film. All the indie cinemas who had shown interest at the beginning of the year and who could show digital were contacted and offered a run. Deborah Allison (Picturehouse/City Screen) even called to say that the first scheduled screenings for Morris had started to sell out eight weeks in advance. They had never seen anything like it. They had created a monster!
The upshot is, that without one penny spent on advertising, in their opening weekend, Morris performed better than The Soloist and Creation. Cinemas are re-booking and extending their runs and they now have distribution in New Zealand and possibly Australia. To end on Lucy's final words..
"It hasn't been easy and I am exhausted. But we have punched well above our weight and seem to be winning." To watch the trailer and or more info: http://www.morrismovie.com/
Lucy made a feature-length mokumentary called Morris: A Life With Bells On, with what she describes as "an amazing cast and a phenomenal crew." They were an ambitious team; shooting LA scenes in Dorset (which have fooled people from LA), shooting on 35mm, a helicopter shot in their opening titles, no public money or grants and paying everyone, as well as shooting only 5 day weeks.
Having made the film, Lucy and her team were then faced with distributors "who were only interested in the 16-24 year old male demographic" so they faced problems. That was until they were approached by Moviola, a rural multiplex chain in the South West of England. Having spotted Morris on IMDB, they requested a screener and were immediately sold, booking them into 21 venues. Since then, things have only been getting bigger and better for Morris. Lucy was receiving up to 100 emails a day from all over the world from people who wanted to see the film. All the indie cinemas who had shown interest at the beginning of the year and who could show digital were contacted and offered a run. Deborah Allison (Picturehouse/City Screen) even called to say that the first scheduled screenings for Morris had started to sell out eight weeks in advance. They had never seen anything like it. They had created a monster!
The upshot is, that without one penny spent on advertising, in their opening weekend, Morris performed better than The Soloist and Creation. Cinemas are re-booking and extending their runs and they now have distribution in New Zealand and possibly Australia. To end on Lucy's final words..
"It hasn't been easy and I am exhausted. But we have punched well above our weight and seem to be winning." To watch the trailer and or more info: http://www.morrismovie.com/