Support Your Local Firemen AND Indie Filmmakers
2005-Dec-29 by Laughcalvin
Movie City News has an alarming post about the current support for true indie film in America. Highly-praised films are making $33,000 in a theatrical release?? Jeez. I know many of us who love indie film wait for the DVD but come on now. Would it kill you or your pocketbook to trot out to the theater and support these films which are often made with blood, sweat, and tears? Nah. See two indie films this weekend and treat yourself to a bottle of bubbly.
2005-Dec-30 - How do we know the figures are accurate? Posted by Anonymous
One of the biggest problems, for me, with any press declaration about the budget or the earnings of a movie are we have no idea if the numbers we hear are actually true. Studios and indie filmmakers have offered very publicity friendly numbers in the past, told half-truths, so it is difficult for me to believe any film distro co. or a filmmaker about a budget or earnings without seeing all the details & receipts, etc.
Given all that, I'll gladly take a $30K earning for a short run of a film. Rememeber, indie films and other special art/entertainment objects such as indie rock albums, may continue to sell on home use formats & through TV, cable, etc. for years to come. A more useful way to look at the earnings question would be to see what a given indie film earned in 5 years, 10 years, etc. People will go see what they want to see, indie filmmakers will make movies about things that they care a lot about, and that's how it should be. Not every movie needs to be seen by millions of people. Good post though. Certainly likely to discourage peeps from getting into the indie film game solely to get rich.
Sujewa
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2005-Dec-31 - Correction
Posted by BlogMaster
S,
You are right. I think it was Foundas, the critic for the LA times, who put together the numbers. I should have said "took in $33K in their theatrical distribution run" as oppossed to "made $33K." I know the numbers are always manipulated by the studios even for indie films. Your best point? Not everyone needs to see a film. The filmmaker and his/her audience make a strong connection that is often its own reward.
LC
