"Direct to audience (I can’t stand the word consumer) art of ALL KINDS is the present and the future. In music, in video games, and certainly in film / video / audio storytelling. I’m intentionally branching this out and also making a confession. I’ll get there in a second so I can catch all of you who don’t know me up to speed."
When the internet took off back in 2005 or so, I called this Pulp 2.0! Glad to see people are catching up to the idea that distribution - the biggest stumbling block for most media creators - has been solved. Now it's time to focus on making and delivering things to YOUR audience. Remove budget from the equation, and make the stuff you'd want to have in your "collection."
Sean, Sean, Sean!! Wow! This essay (or whatever it's called) is the most enlightening, informative and galvanizing I've come across here in Substack since I joined. (Did you notice my choice of adjectives there? Lol) Your life should be a movie. As I read it, I felt like I was riding along with you through each experience. You had me laughing, crying and getting more and more fired up with each paragraph. I'm a producer and have been on this rollercoaster for over 30 years. My career started when you had to get past the Hollywood gatekeepers - something I didn't have much luck with (especially being Black and female). So, I haven't done as many projects as I'd have liked. I've done the work-for-hire thing too and felt the disappointment of a project being watered down by the "money folks.".
Anyway.... I'm just so grateful that you came back to Substack and that Ted allowed you to do this takeover. It made my whole week and gave me inspiration to look at other ways to reach my audience. I'm gonna share your suggestions with my producing partner. He's a 2x Academy Award winning Sound Mixer. But he's heading toward retirement and moving into producing and directing our projects.
Tell your wife I'm thrilled she's in your life and that she enjoys your rants. :) I look forward to watching your podcast!
Thanks for sharing all of this! I’ve also worked directly for studios and also made wildly independent projects, and I think we’re all trying to find ways to keep making meaningful things with good people while keeping a roof over our heads. I’m glad you’re continuing to be open and experiment and find new outlets!
Thanks for these thoughts. I’ve made two feature films now, rogue and renegade. From the heart. What can I do to get them seen? I see a lot of hype around the inspiring ideal of just make something. I’ve done it. What’s the next move? What can I do to get these films noticed?
I auditioned for Mr. Hanley in Dinner in America. The fantastic Sidi Henderson was cast, and my very dear friend Gary Brunner played Lou. Someone in casting knew what they were doing.
"Direct to audience (I can’t stand the word consumer) art of ALL KINDS is the present and the future. In music, in video games, and certainly in film / video / audio storytelling. I’m intentionally branching this out and also making a confession. I’ll get there in a second so I can catch all of you who don’t know me up to speed."
When the internet took off back in 2005 or so, I called this Pulp 2.0! Glad to see people are catching up to the idea that distribution - the biggest stumbling block for most media creators - has been solved. Now it's time to focus on making and delivering things to YOUR audience. Remove budget from the equation, and make the stuff you'd want to have in your "collection."
Loved this!
Great post, Sean! Your insights are invaluable and your enthusiasm is infectious.
Sean, Sean, Sean!! Wow! This essay (or whatever it's called) is the most enlightening, informative and galvanizing I've come across here in Substack since I joined. (Did you notice my choice of adjectives there? Lol) Your life should be a movie. As I read it, I felt like I was riding along with you through each experience. You had me laughing, crying and getting more and more fired up with each paragraph. I'm a producer and have been on this rollercoaster for over 30 years. My career started when you had to get past the Hollywood gatekeepers - something I didn't have much luck with (especially being Black and female). So, I haven't done as many projects as I'd have liked. I've done the work-for-hire thing too and felt the disappointment of a project being watered down by the "money folks.".
Anyway.... I'm just so grateful that you came back to Substack and that Ted allowed you to do this takeover. It made my whole week and gave me inspiration to look at other ways to reach my audience. I'm gonna share your suggestions with my producing partner. He's a 2x Academy Award winning Sound Mixer. But he's heading toward retirement and moving into producing and directing our projects.
Tell your wife I'm thrilled she's in your life and that she enjoys your rants. :) I look forward to watching your podcast!
Thanks for sharing all of this! I’ve also worked directly for studios and also made wildly independent projects, and I think we’re all trying to find ways to keep making meaningful things with good people while keeping a roof over our heads. I’m glad you’re continuing to be open and experiment and find new outlets!
Thanks for these thoughts. I’ve made two feature films now, rogue and renegade. From the heart. What can I do to get them seen? I see a lot of hype around the inspiring ideal of just make something. I’ve done it. What’s the next move? What can I do to get these films noticed?
I auditioned for Mr. Hanley in Dinner in America. The fantastic Sidi Henderson was cast, and my very dear friend Gary Brunner played Lou. Someone in casting knew what they were doing.