Good news, bad news, and a cure for what was formerly known as the "indie" blues

Links, ponders, and wonders 10.22.24

Links, Ponders & Wonders 10.22.24 Edition

Today’s LP&W Contents

1. The Webinar that you shouldn’t miss

2. A NYC theater that needs your help

3. The necessary basics of Direct/Active Distribution

4. The solution to the documentary crisis?

5. Operational Improvements needed for theOwned Marketing Tools

6. Please don’t let this be a trend!

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1

Something GREAT is happening in what we once called Indie Film

There is another new wave of bold experimentation flowering alongside a necessitated cinema of poverty. There’s a million reasons why you might want to make a movie for next to no money, but first and foremost, no one is going to tell you what you can or can not do. You can do it your way. And know what? wWe are here to help you make the most of it.

Even if you are planning to get the chance of directing the next Dune-esque franchise, you need a weapon in your pocket. What’s the weapon? The ability to say “no!”. The ability to say if you have to wait a year for the actor, you are going off to Bulgaria to shoot a movie for pennies. The ability to say you are traveling the world, writing your masterpiece, but along the way you are also exercising your muscles and making a film.

HopeForFilm is teaming up with The Industry to bring you a full series of webinars on how to make the most of a little. Freedom is more than just another word for nothing left to lose, baby. Freedom to do it your way is something everyone deserves to experience.

And the skills that come from thinking your way out of a jam when you can’t use money to solve problems, that becomes a superpower you are going to rely on over and over again.

Check it out — and it’s not just me: it’s Christine Vachon, Ross Katz, Crystal Moselle, Derrick B. Harden, and Josh Mond. We’ve all been exploring this realm and want to share with you all we’ve learned.

The Non-Dependent Filmmaker - 5 Part Webinar Series with Ted Hope

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2

And you CAN help an old flower bloom again.

You may have heard that THE METRO THEATER in NYC is back — or rather well on it’s way. And you can now turn that bouquet into a real garden. I asked Ira Deutchman who is spearheading the campaign for an update and he shared this:

“We are the very beginning of a capital campaign to buy and restore the building. You know most of the details about the vision. Almost all the details are on the web site, which is at http://uwscinema.com .

We are trying to recruit an early supporters group to jump start the fundraising. For a $2500 donation, we are providing a limited number of named seat opportunities at a discounted price. If the theater project moves ahead, donors would get to pick out their seat and we would have a plaque attached to that seat in their name or in the name of anyone they designate.

The $2500 is, of course, fully tax deductible, even if we don't manage to purchase the property. If the project is never completed, we obviously can’t name a seat. Prices for seat-naming will go up once the property is purchased.

Donations of any size can be made at https://uwscinema.com/donate.”

When I went to NYU Undergrad film school, I lived up by Columbia as the rents were better. The Metro was then my go to theater. I took my Betacam rig into the theater to film the finale of THE WILD BUNCH to insert into one of my student films. I saw IN THE REALM OF THE SENSES there, as well as many others. It was a beautiful theater then and the plans for it will make it even more so when it reopens… hopefully with a seat with your name on it.

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3

But before you can be Andy Warhol, you need to know how to paint.