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Sunday, November 30, 2008

Indie Theaters Bring Hope

Truly Free Film: Art House Theaters Unite!

Here is an entry from Ted Hope's blog Truly Free Film. Ted Hope is one of the most successful independent producers today. He has produced or executive produced a number of films that we all would consider premier independent films (21 Grams, In the Bedroom, American Splendor -- to name a few). I worked on one of his productions (Todd Solondz's Storytelling) when I was working in film production in NY. He is a smart, hardworking producer who brings high integrity to his work. I certainly aspire to be like him.

In this blog entry, Hope lists theaters that are interested in working toward increased opportunities for indie films to be screened theatrically. This is a great development in the changing landscape of indie film distribution. It's very hard for independent films to compete for screen time at theaters. Most theaters work solely with their own bookers and these bookers and theaters usually prefer to have a blockbuster studio film on all of their screens than to share the space with a smaller film that may not attract as large of an audience (thus less box office money). This is exacerbated by the fact that independent films can't afford the kind of stars or marketing that a studio blockbuster can. 

But there is hope on the horizon. A lot of work is being done right now to improve the conditions of independent film distribution as the distribution deals are nearly nonexistent right now for indie films and the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) distribution has become an essential part of every indie film's plan for survival. I'll comment more on this state of the industry in another blog entry. But for now, take note of the theaters Hope lists and hopefully we will see your film on their marquees in the near future.

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