Distribution Does Not Equal Marketing and Sales

Reid Rosefelt of IndiePix went on a near rant about the recent semantics used to describe the distribution transactions involving Youtube and some of their features. He makes it clear: "distribution does not equal marketing and sales." Check out his passionate, yet self-promotional piece below:



"The distribution business is a very valuable part of the American economy. Railroads are in the distribution business. UPS is in the distribution business. Trucking companies are in the distribution business. People that make movies are not in the distribution business. Let’s talk about the difference in detail.

Distribution happens when you move something from point A to point B. The way you do that, if you are a trucking company, can be very sophisticated. You can have major loading docks and distribution shipping points. You can have full load and partial load (LTL – Less Than Full Load) shipments. You can back the truck right up to the dock at its destination. In the US economy, physical distribution is so efficient that in many respects and for many product types, it rivals electronic distribution. (It is a lot cheaper and even faster to ship a terabyte drive than to try to ftp the same quantity of data to a partner, for example!) And your product (a DVD for example) can appear simultaneously in stores and shops and in mailboxes uniformly around the country.

This totally has parallels in the electronic network business. You can have points of origination. Along the way their can be routers, and switchers. You can have repeaters and intermediate storage points (like Akamai). And yes, your program can appear simultaneously on screens everywhere around the country (where the bandwidth is high enough and demand doesn’t overwhelm switching capacities).

But that’s not what the filmmaker means when he says: “I want distribution for my picture.” The DIY people are the worst at this! “You can distribute your film yourself!” they say. I guess if what they mean is that you can call up Fex Ex and ask them to pick up a disk from you and take it to your Aunt Mary, that’s right. Or I suppose you could drive it over to her on a Sunday afternoon. But that’s not really what the filmmaker meant. Or wanted."

The rest can be found HERE.

"One Hour 2 Live" Actor on Sundance Channel Series

Our friend, lead actor in the anti-gang violence play "One Hour 2 Live" Jiwe Morris appears in the Sundance Channel's documentary series "Brick City" (executive produced by Forest Whitaker), which re-airs beginning tonight @ 7pm, and the next 4 Tuesdays afterwards. This fascinating series will leave you hooked - it got me within the first 15 minutes.

Acclaimed author of "War of the Bloods in my Veins" (A Street Soldiers March to Redemption), Dashaun "Jiwe" Morris was known on the streets as "Machete" from Newark, NJ. He is a reformed member of the Bloods, and a full-time gang consultant. He seeks to end the cycle of gang violence through Juvenile Intervention work. A sought-after lecturer, Jiwe speaks throughout the United States as a spokesperson for The Stay Strong Foundation sharing his unique experiences and the horrible truth about living a gang lifestyle with kids and parents in an effort to inspire them to make better life decisions. HERE is Jiwe's official website.

Jiwe can be seen as more of a focal point in Season 2, which is filming now. For more on the show visit the official website HERE. In the meantime, here is the critic trailer to this amazing docu-series:


Brick City Trailer - Celebrity bloopers here

http://www.onehour2live.net/

Rochelle Aytes Sexy FHM Spread

Our good friend Rochelle Aytes, lead actor from one of our upcoming feature films, has an interview and a hot new spread in FHM. Rochelle can be seen on "The Forgotten", following "Lost" on ABC, Tuesday @ 10pm. Check out her interview and some photos after the jump:

The Forgotten's Rochelle Aytes Steps Out of her Detective Gear

Rochelle Aytes plays Detective Grace Russell in ABC’s The Forgotten. We catch up with her and talk dead bodies, awkward co-stars and sexy women.

One of FHM’s employees went to school with Lady Gaga and won’t shut up about it. You went to the same school as a number of far more famous people than that. Do you brag about this?

I don't brag about it, but Alicia Keys went to my high school. I also know that Wesley Snipes attended my College for a few years.

Given your schooling, it looks like you were always heading for an acting career. Is this all you ever wanted to do?

I actually went to school for dance. I got a BFA in dance from Suny Purchase College. I transitioned into acting after a brief, yet satisfying dance career.

Favorite acting role to date?

Definitely Detective Grace Russell, my character on The Forgotten.

And anything exciting coming up?

Right now, The Forgotten is the main priority. When I get some time off I can focus on other projects.

Which acting role do you really really wish you’d got?

There have been a lot of roles that I've wanted, at the time, but looking back on it, it wasn't my time or the right one for me. That dream role hasn't come up yet.

So what is the dream role? Who would star opposite you and who would direct it?

I would love to do an action flick with Matt Damon, directed by Martin Scorsese.

Favorite fellow actor and why?

Meryl Streep. I admire her talent, skill, and her ability to adapt to any role. My goal is to have versatility and longevity in this business, which she has truly maintained.

Anything bad (or funny) you can say about any of the people you’ve shared screen-time with?

I worked on a project once with a very difficult person. One day they were nice and the next day they wouldn't talk to me. I also know that they were talking about me behind my back. It was an extremely challenging and frustrating experience, but throughout that time I tried not to feed into it. That was a real test of my character and without that experience I would have never known that I could handle something like that.

Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?

I would find an unknown. That way the audience can only focus on the story being told.

Any non-acting career aspirations? Music? Presenting? Singing?

I would love to sing and perform In the musical, Chicago!

Starring in The Forgotten, do you ever get grossed out by the gruesome scenes you act in?

I've been grossed out once or twice while looking at a dead body. Even though they are fake, they make them look so real!

What motto do you live your life by?

Be thankful for each day, for tomorrow is not promised.

If you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be and why?

I wish I could have the power of healing. I would cure my mother's handicap and any illness our people are faced with.

Ever been on the receiving end of a brilliant, terrible or hysterical pick up line?

Yeah. A guy stops me in the street and says, "Are you ok?" I say, "Uh..yes. Why wouldn't I be?" Guy says, " Well, I was just making sure you weren't hurt when you fell from heaven".

A quick office poll found that we thought your eyes were incredible – which part of your body gets the most attention from guys?

Why, thank you! Well, I guess most guys would agree with your poll. My eyes.

And finally, who’s the sexiest woman in the world?

Salma Hayek

To view the original article visit FHM Online.

Is Acting Art?

Actors Nicolas Cage, Colin Firth, Morgan Freeman, Stanley Tucci, Peter Sarsgaard, and Christoph Waltz debate their answers to the question: "Is acting art?"



www.backstage.com

Its Time to Blow the Whole Thing Up

Recent comparisons to the 70's Golden Age of American movies and today's new, digital era in indie cinema are becoming more and more common. Most have found parallels in the former's crumbling system, and today's lack of a usable structure as it relates to indie distribution. In other words, at some point, "they" (the current infrastructure) didn't know what to do then, and once again, they aren't quite sure what to do now. One cannot help but find this incredibly encouraging, including this writer, as the limits that the current system force on us indies, are also catalysts for the ultimate creative, as well as financial freedoms. If indie producers keep costs low and expectations in check, we could soon be actually reliving the single greatest era in cinema.

Manohla Dargis details why in a recent NY Times article on the DIY Revolution. Here is some of it below, after the jump:



“'IT is time to blow the whole thing up.' In September 1960, when those words were lobbed at the world by a New York-centric, off-Hollywood circle of malcontents called the New American Cinema Group, there was no mistaking their radical urgency. Given the cold war times — one of the first large ban-the-bomb rallies had been held in Madison Square Garden some months earlier — this call to annihilation might have seemed tasteless. But for this group, whose numbers included the film critic, later filmmaker Jonas Mekas and the not-yet-director Peter Bogdanovich, the time for a free American cinema, one rooted in personal vision and liberated from censorship and the distribution and exhibition strangleholds, was now.

The time may have come once more. In the last few years American independent cinema has been rocked by seismic changes — including downsized companies and emerging technologies — that have altered this world more profoundly since 1993, the year that the Walt Disney Company bought Miramax Films. In the ensuing years the other major studios followed suit (Sony already had a boutique with Sony Pictures Classics), building specialty divisions, snapping up talent and writing bigger and bigger checks. It was an industry shift that soon resulted in a studio-indie infrastructure that had its own auteurs as well as its own producers, agents, lawyers, managers, publicists, festival programmers and journalists. Together this world gave indie movies “buzz” and minted new stars, some of whom hit it big, going from Sundance to Scorsese."

Read the full piece HERE.

Exclusive Interview with Jace Nicole

We caught up with our good friend, actress Jace Nicole for an exclusive conversation about what she's been up to, and how she got there. Several times, we have affectionately referred to our company as "the house that Jace built," following her critically acclaimed performance as Carmen in our first feature Cookies & Cream. We asked her several questions and tried to find her secret to getting so much work, and advancing her career. Here it is, after the jump:



OneWayTV: What have you been working lately?

Jace: "Well, I was working on finishing a film called 'Sleeping with Fate,' but unfortunately it still is being held up for reasons I’m not sure of. So I am shooting 'The Charl(y)ie Factor' with Richard Johnson. He did some major alterations, so now it’s just a center piece on 2 people, which are myself and Michael Alban ('Sleeping with fate,' 'Razorblade City'). So instead of me getting the chance to play an assassin, I am playing a girlfriend whom feels betrayed. And I got the awesome news that I will soon be acting alongside Michael Beach ('Waiting to Exhale,' 'Crazy as Hell,' 'Lean on Me'..etc,) very soon in a project called 'The Registry,' which is a story about a father whose two children were killed by a sexual predator. We shoot that in May. I'm very excited about that! Richard Johnson is directing that project."

OneWayTV: People seemed amazed at how often you work. How are you able to work so much?

Jace: "Well, I have been blessed you could say to have made a lot of great choices in my career so far. I have linked up with some of the greatest directors ever in my opinion, directors like Richard Johnson, Princeton Holt, Chris Clanton, Kent Sutton - to name a few - who just happen to be very 'film family' oriented. Also I try to bring a positive attitude with me to the set, and I guess I end up bonding with people and get to work with them repeatedly. I also remember that before I got started with my films, I would do a lot of research on my favorite actors, whom I look up to. I would take note of how they handled their careers, and career choices. I also watch other known actors and watch what they do, and where they screw up at so that I know not to do it (laughs). I learn a lot from watching others and how they handle things. You’d be surprised at what you can learn by doing that. Also I peruse Craigslist, Mandy.com, and different search engines to find auditions. But recently, thank God, I haven’t had to go look anywhere for projects. Now I just get personal calls to do projects. That’s where having a wonderful rapport with great directors and fellow actors comes in handy."

OneWayTV: And we understand you have interest from agent/manager types as well?

Jace: "As far as representation goes, I have a couple people I have worked with who just recommend me to their people. Doesn't always work out right away, but I have a great person in mind whom I met through my friend Danny Doherty from 'Cookies & Cream,' who has reached out. All in all, I’m positive I will find the perfect representation. That I’m not worried about."

OneWayTV: Here's a favorite topic on this blog: SAG vs Non Union. Based on your personal opinion and personal experience:

Jace: "Wow, the golden question. YES (laughs)! In my opinion and personal experience, stay-non-union-as-long-as-you-can! I say that because I got the chance to do so many projects and build up my filmography through indies. I love the freedom of non-union. You aren’t limited to just SAG projects, which from what I have seen from actors around me that are SAG, are few and far between. If I want to do a project that sparks my interest, hey guess what? I can just up and do it without worries of being fined or someone finding out and me getting in trouble because big brother SAG is watching. Non union – freedom, vs SAG – restraint. Hmm...give me non-union (laugh)! And contrary to popular belief, yes I do get paid. Of course its not a hundred percent of the time, but more times than not, I get paid. I mean, I will become SAG one day soon when the time is right and I am ready for it, but I am definitely not in any rush whatsoever. I'm too much of a free film spirit for that. So SAG is definitely in the future for as long as I can help it."

OneWayTV: You are definitely a maverick (not just in that rhetorical, Sarah Palin sort of way), and a free spirit - thats one of the reasons we love you as an artist. But I remember you saying that wasn't the only reason you work alot. What we found interesting is that there is also a unique state of mind you have. Please explain that:

Jace: "Well, thank you (smiling)! My state of mind is one that is full of big pictures. I have a very vivid imagination, and I am constantly thinking of positive things. Not to be cliche', but I try to stay positive as much as possible. It seems that whenever I concentrate on a specific thing, and I speak of it as if it is happening right now (although it may not be), it will happen shortly thereafter. I don’t let anyone or anything deter me from getting anything done. If I want a project, I dwell on it, I speak and think of it constantly. I always go back and read my acting books as if I am preparing to go on a set the next day, even though I may not have a project lined up until the following 2 months, etc, things like that. And you cannot let 'stigmas' rule you. You have to be a 'norm' breaker. Break the norm and let the world and people know 'I am the exception to every rule.' I remember when I was pregnant, I said to myself, 'Well, I still want to work. I still want to do projects. And if not possible, I will resume my films and projects afterward, but-I-will-work,' and Viola! I worked on a few projects while I was pregnant. And another thing, I know that a lot of women freak when they become pregnant because they feel that their careers are done. Uhhh, no, your career isn’t. Only you can rule and decide if and when your career is over! 'Matter of fact, and this is where having a great 'film family' comes in handy, one of the directors I work closely with said to me 'Jace, I don’t care if you were 20 months pregnant, I will always have something for you to do. You’re an awesome actress, and I want you in my projects, regardless of your condition. So you will always work and have a role of some sort as long as I can help it.' I thought that was great, and it made me feel awesome, and it was just a reassurance that having and keeping a certain mindset about your career can take you anywhere, whether you are pregnant, not pregnant, sick, etc, etc. You have to stay focused, positive and 'stigma' free. And it will come. Sooner or later. But it will come (smiling)."

OneWayTV: For fellow actors, what are some of the best kinds of projects or people to work with?

Jace: "To me, the best projects to work on are 'family' oriented projects. Projects that don’t just concentrate on certain people, but everyone in a project. The best people to work with are people who communicate with you. Talk openly with you, even though it may not always be things you want to hear. As a director, you should be able to come to me and say 'Jace, you know what, this is not really working for me. Let’s try it this way.' Or, 'Jace, the character is not being portrayed the way I need it to be, lets try it that way now.' I Love directors who do that. It shows me that they know what they are doing, and are into making a wonderful piece of art."

OneWayTV: What are the kinds of projects they should stay away from?

Jace: "The projects people should stay away from are the ones that will portray you in a negative light, and quite possibly fuck up your career. I remember getting a call for a project where the guy who wrote it wanted me to be a stripper who got knocked around. And that was all I would have been seen as (laughing)! I was like ‘Uhh, No thank you! I need a little bit more meat in my roles' (laughing). The people to stay away from are non-communicators. And 'Yes Men.' I despise Yes men. I want whatever project Im working on to come out as good as it possibly can, and if you don’t talk to me and tell me whats really going on in your head, then there is nothing I can do. But I will concentrate more on the positives, on what I'm looking for, instead of what I don't like. My favorite people to keep working with are those who are collaborative from beginning to end, right up until the festival premiere. It's not a hundred percent necessary, but it sure is fun. And you naturally are inclined to do more for them, and recommend the work at that point. At the end of the day, the indie film world is a crazy one, ya know? You just have to watch your own back."

OneWayTV: What do you have coming up or being released we should look out for?

Jace: "Definitely, keep an eye out for 'Razorblade City,' which should be released on DVD soon, 'The Registry' and 'The Charl(y)ie Factor.' And I’m still waiting to hear from OneWay - hey thats you guys (laughing)! - about some cool 'Cookies & Cream' DVD news and more upcoming work."

OneWayTV: Where can we follow you, your progress, and your future projects?

Jace: "You can follow me on Twitter, Myspace, Facebook, and my official website www.jacenicole.com !"

Diverse Thinkers in the New Era

Recently, producer Princeton Holt was mentioned in the discussion at SpringBoard Media's blog about the lack of cultural and gender diversity in panel discussions about the new era of distribution and DIY filmmaking. Brian Newman posed the problem by writing,

"I’ve been spending much of the last few years on the road speaking at numerous panels about new models for film, new media and distribution. I’m continually peeved to find myself sitting on a stage with a bunch of other white guys talking about the future. Usually, there’s not even a woman on the panel. I often bring this lack of diversity up publicly, because I find it so odd to find a bunch of white guys talking about the future - when we are decidedly not the future. What gives?

I found myself thinking about this again at Sundance in the panel entitled “The Doctor’s in the House” on distribution. Besides the moderator, Eugene Hernandez, there was no diversity on the panel. Now, I’m not faulting Sundance here - while their track record isn’t great when it comes to diversity, they aren’t the only, just the most recent example of this phenomenon. It’s much broader."

Later on, in the comment section, blogger/filmmaker Sujewa Ekanayake offered the following:

"Great post Brian. To many people seeing someone who looks like them doing something interesting will make that action more relevant. 2 filmmakers who are making & releasing DIY movies that might be of interest to a panel discussion re: future of indie film are:

- Princeton Holt(you can find his prod. co's blog here: http://onewaytv.blogspot.com/)-- he's produced & directed in at least one instant - around half a dozen features, most are available on DIY DVD releases..."

Ekanayake went on to name several more "ethnic" filmmakers that have taken steps in the DIY filmmaking and distribution direction. See the entire highly informative post with the comments HERE.

Thanks to Sujewa for the shout out! You can read his main blog HERE.