As one of the few truly dynamic independent film producers in the US, Ted Hope has in recent years been on a crusade to identify and address problems and obstacles to indie film production. His blog Hope For Film is a treasure-trove of good shit on Story, Business, Audiences and the Future of cinema.
Recently Ted wrote n a post on Truly Free Film entitled 38 More Ways the Film Industry is Failing and it followed on from a similar post a year ago – 38 American Independent Film problems and Concerns.
These little dittyies caused quite a stir on the inter-web. From a Transmedia perspective he clearly expresses a powerfully succinct notion that:
“The film business remains a single product industry. The product may be available on many different platforms, but it is still the same thing. For such a capital-intensive enterprise to sell only one thing is a squandering of time and money. Films can be a platform to launch many different products and enterprises, some of which can also enhance the experience and build the community.”
Similarly Ted makes another point regarding filmmakers ‘owning’ audiences which seems to tap into the intrinsic power of on-line communities and multi-platform delivery.
“Filmmakers don’t own their audiences yet (and few even attempt to). What will happen when agents start to cut deals for their clients who have 1 million engaged fans, people who will pre-order their content, promote it passionately, and deliver more of their friends? There is a shift in the balance of power about to happen, and those that have prepared for it, amassed their followings, will be able to change the conversation significantly.”
Taking this broad collection of 38 things Ted Hope has articulated, Mike Ambs has created an online MindMap of the 38 ways the film industry s failing and opened it up to contributions from readers. Its a though provoking document that may grow into something quite comprehensive.