Declaration of Independence.

Dear voice of independent film,
Spoiler Alert: You aren't speaking for me, like you think you are!

Lions, Tigers and Structure, OH MY!

Structure is not the enemy! In fact, it's just a word. A word that is defined by inter-related components, a relationship to a community or entity, often intangible.
The idea that a structure is just one thing, is completely absurd and certainly not a defining characteristic of the subject. In short, don't be afraid to be part of something, cause you already are, and guess what?...it might be completely different than what I'm part of...and they are both structures!
The indie film community, or whatever clever marketing word is produced as a tool for the media, relies on the structure of it's collaborators. In defense of the lone do-it-yourself auteur, your subject can be considered your collaborator. A community relies on the participation of the individual. This is a structure. A community has a structure. Now, I don't mean a business plan or a mission statement. This is not a battle between the suits and the artist's. Those things are for dramatic circumstances in your next brilliant screenplay. This is about understanding who we already are, and perhaps where we can go. Keyword: WE.
I would like to suggest that we consider this an observation on the "D.I.O" method, rather than the slowly leaning towards a negative connotation "D.I.Y." method. "Do It Ourselves", seems far more appropriate for the community that I feel like I'm a part of. In fact, I dare say "D.I.Y" doesn't even belong in the filmmaking vocabulary anymore. I mean sure, someone can write a script, shoot it all, star in it, edit it, and sell it --but why the hell would you want to do that? From my perspective, the joy of filmmaking is the collaboration process, when you get to be involved in your community, and share the creative process. I don't want to get too caught up in vocab here---I just want to give you some perspective.

DISTRIBUTION doesn't have to be your day job!

Distribution, is the art of sharing. The process requires an individual to share an entity with another individual. This is a the beginning of a structure and relationship. The mainstream approach to media distribution is the relationship between an artist and a network of revenue channels. Usually a broker seals the deal between the artist and it's network. The network goes from being the buyer, to the seller. It distributes the work, using its revenue channels to share the media. Self distribution is the marriage between the artist and the network. This requires the artist to continue to create work while creating a network in which to hustle the work. At the most basic level, the middle man is no longer required. Not every self-distribution method requires the creator to promote, sell, package and mail the work. New technology and media business now allows the creator to maintain control of the work, while dictating a percentage of the labor to an outside source. This process may cut into the percentage of profit that the creator makes, but the labor is also distributed accordingly. Some people complain of the outside source not being transparent enough, but from my experience, it's as obvious as many other forms of business.
Independent film distribution doesn't always involve a brokered deal and an advance, but on the split side, It also doesn't mean you have to promote, sell, package and mail your own work. There's a huge spectrum of method's and each film requires something specific and thought out. There is no defining perspective on this idea. It's just important to remember, at it's most basic, distribution is about sharing something with someone else.

Creativity requires artistic integrity!

As a great filmmaker once told me, "the audience doesn't know what you were going to do, they only know what they see." It's important to approach the work with integrity. We must be pure in our intentions. Respect your audience enough NOT to consider them while you are creating! There is a really good chance that what you've made isn't beyond them, no matter the subject. When it comes down to it, film is about watching humans behave, sometimes within the context of a narrative. Stories are older than words, and so is human behavior. Film is about the observation of humans, not the creation of them. This should take the weight off of our shoulders.
Within the industry, and even with the self proclaimed rebels against it, there is the pressure to think of the audience. In fact, I was once called an "amateur" filmmaker, for not considering the audience ahead of time. The need to please is a huge mistake! Be true to your intentions, not your need for acceptance---that's artistic integrity.

It takes TALENT not MONEY to make great work! Talent is the art of believing in your creative process and constantly working to fully realize it.

Recession is a word, not a boundary. If I want to make a film, I'm going to do it. If I want to make a film, put it in a major film fest, and sell it, then I'm going to do everything my heart tells me to do, to make it happen. If I want to make a film with friends and self distribute, there are many roads to take and luckily for me, none of them are wrong!

Independence is the very spirit of art. To make films, requires one to find that independence. Don't you dare accept anything besides true artistic integrity.

Dear voice of indie film---there is nothing wrong with the independent film structure, except for you and your vocabulary.

Sincerely,
Ryan
Director of CARTER.
www.carterthemovie.com