Dive into the archives.
- Open Source- coming to a laptop/portable/mobile device near you
The Internet Archive hosts something they call Open Source Cinema, which is difficult at first pass to distinguish from YouTube in terms of content- though it is less fun to navigate. Apparently, all the media they host is user generated, with a Creative Commons license, so that it not only is free to download and watch, but presumably to use in other noncommercial projects.
A few feature-length films have been created in an Open Source model- one coming up in December is called THE LAST DRUG. I can’t say this approach has yielded films I’d… [more]
- Electracy: Brian Newman in London
At Power to the Pixel, Brian Newman explained the mission of ReFrame, which largely seems to be to deliver films by independent producers to the educational market… [more]
- Take 12 - government subsidy for online distribution development
Over at Truly Free Film, Ted Hope mentions Take 12, an initiative by the UK Film Council and the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) in the UK ” to encourage independent film companies to embrace new digital technology and use it to build new revenue streams.”
Basically, the government will provide about $75,000 of consulting money for 12 companies to help them develop new revenue streams in the digital marketplace.
It’s an interesting idea but I can’t help be a little cynical about it, both because I have worked with goverment organizations on several occasions… [more]
- Digital China- so good so far but what’s next?
On Wednesday, Warner Brothers announced it would be the first studio to distribute new release films into China via VOD. Filmmakers in Asia were among the first to successfully embrace digital technology for making films- Ben Cho has an interesting feature in Moving Pictures about some of the Chinese directors who have used digital creatively over the last decade and made innovative strides in the look and approach in the medium. Asia is not a homogenous market by any means, and digital delivery will look very different in a market like Japan that is supersaturated with advanced mobile… [more]
- Fox Searchlight Searchlab catches film talent early
Fox Searchlight has managed to have some stunning successes in the world of “independent film” in the last few years, and they are staying on the curve’s head with their website, which features lots of value-added material for their feature films like interviews and lectures in addition to trailers and other marketing info. They also offer short films, from the Searchlab imprint, which comprises both commissioned and user generated content. Very intelligently, they have created a community where filmmakers can get script advice, connect with others, and add this to your Facebook. And they will… [more]
- Variety: the digital revolution doesn’t pay
Variety reported last week that the digital distribution “revolution” is starting to seem more like the Seven Year’s War as filmmakers and distributors see little to no revenue online. While there have been a few highly-trumpeted success stories, even the most advised course of non-exclusive deals with a number of high-profile online markets can yield little in the way of revenue for independent filmmakers without the marketing and exposure of a big theatrical or television release.
There are two points to take away- number one, think about traditional media first. Don’t ignore online & VOD but make sure your… [more]
- Caachi Vidget snags trailer sharing
Snag Films has been out for a bit now, and I’m not sure how they are doing, though I have noticed Snag-related stories and promotion around the internets. When they launched, I wrote to them to suggest using the technology for trailers as well as full-length films. For me, the chance of making money in a scheme where revenues are tied to people watching the whole film (Snag monetizes the films with a series of interstitial ads, and the filmmaker gets something like $.10 if the viewer watches the whole film) and this is a streaming situation, even… [more]
- Distribution, Downloads, Democracy and Doubt
I was at a NYWIFT event the other night talking with some filmmakers about the necessity of distribution today- as in, is it time to toss the whole concept out with VHS and Pluto being a planet. It seems to me that distribution is responsible for my knowing about most of the cool films that I do- that without it people in the US might have remained blissfully unaware of the French New Wave, of Takeshi Kitano, or Down By Law. Now perhaps the magical internet has made everything different, but I wonder if some of the… [more]
- Know Your Digital Rights-Panel @ IFP September 17
I’ll be moderating a panel at the IFP “Independent Film Week” next week and I hope you’ll come out and and join us.
Know Your Digital Rights
How much are digital rights worth to producers and filmmakers? And which rights should filmmakers consider retaining or exploiting in this proliferation of new distribution outlets? Learn the deal structures and benefits for independent filmmakers from the experts.Wednesday, September 17th, 10-11 AM
FIT, 7th Ave between 27/28th, NYC
Panelists:
Steven Beer, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig
Janet Brown, COO, Cinetic Rights Management
Charles Choi, Founder, Caachi
Karol Martesko-Fenster, Head of Film, Cinelan
Joe Swanberg, Director… [more]
- New Distribution at TIFF
Going to Toronto and think you might not be entertained enough simply by watching movies (or gawking at celebrities?) Though TIFF may be the last monument of big theatrical distribution strategies, there are a couple events dedicated to the encroaching digital form.
At Meet With… at Match Club, on September 6, 11AM-12PM, Janet Brown AND Matt Dentler of Cinetic Rights Management talk to Shane Smith, Director of In-Flight Entertainment for Air Canada (it appears clear that CRM:digital distribution as Peter Broderick:self-distribution, appearing on every panel a film festival offers on the subject).
At Doc Roundtable, on September 7… [more]
