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Christopher Schiller's avatar

I think there's a key aspect in your descriptions that's missing. When you say, we do the work not looking to make a profit I think the key unsaid element is: we're not expecting to! I think the freedom of expectation of the possibility allows creatives to stay true to the "Let's do it because..." mentality that drives the unique visions without alteration. Pulp Fiction feels like a film that never thought it could make a dime, felt like it was surprised it was completed at all. Ever since its success I've never felt that way about Tarantino's films since. I think the reality of *potential* financial success eats away at the tendency to do it because it's the right thing to do in the film. We second guess, even if only subconsciously, when a misstep can cost us that financial reward.

We need to find a way to ignore those inner voices that suddenly care about losing money and get back to thinking making money isn't the point. Making movies is. Knowing human nature, though, that's a very big ask. But at least we can try.

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Siona's avatar

So beautifully said.

I would venture that this is non-unique to film, as I've heard similar lamentations in the fields of music and other creative / human / innovative arts. It seems to me a symptom of living in a culture and country built on extractive capitalism, more than a failing on behalf of audiences or creatives. Because I do know that we-- i.e. others who don't care about getting rich, and who just want to be able to continue doing good work; and audiences who are hungry for genuine depth and meaning-- are still out there.

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