Great Films! But what about distribution?
By consider | November 18, 2008
I recently saw two fabulous gems of film, Slingshot Hip Hop and Waltz with Bashir. In both films there were times when I was mesmerized by the reality that unfolded on the screen. Both films deal with a struggle to comprehend the harsh reality of what has happened, as well as what continues to occur. Slingshot Hip Hop is the story of rap and its rise in Palestine within the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Its story is one of empowerment within crushing circumstances. People need to see what is happening behind the large walls. Waltz with Bashir is the story of trying to understand the reality of what may have occurred, so horrible that the mind shuts it away in order to deal with the trivial necessities of regular life. Both films, while different, were brilliant in their presentation of real events, of history, within a moving narrative. Slingshot Hip Hop tells the story of Palestinians, while Waltz with Bashir is told from an Israeli perspective. The films are very different in personality and are dealing with different modern time frames. One is an animation. (But don’t let that mislead you. I’ve never seen anything like it.) Both are documentaries, and a strange similarity is that both indirectly seem to question a similar authority or power.
Now, my question and concern is this: how can these films get out to a wider audiences? They are both winning accolades and great praise on the festival circuit, but how can they be seen, by say, the average American who might not have the chance to travel? I think it’s fairly accurate to believe that the average American does not get that much international news or information from the broadcast news. Even when it is a more objective news source, for one reason or another, we may not be able to get news. Last night as I was checking news (online) and saw a short video clip from the BBC that showed that reporters have not been able to get into the Gaza Strip in order to report on events. That’s a slightly different topic though.
It seems that everybody is talking about how film distribution has fallen apart. Surely we can figure something out in order to get films out to be seen by wider audiences. There are audiences out there. There are films to be seen.
Topics: Filmmaking, Media Questions, DIY! | No Comments »
Bailing Out the Private Automobile Industry?
By consider | November 17, 2008
I really question the theories driving our policy. Are other people out there doing the same thing? It seems that not so long ago, the manufacturing sectors shouted, “Let the free markets work! The strongest and best will survive! Do away with regulation. It only hampers us and holds us back.” So then our lawmakers and policy makers started deregulating industries. When the rest of the world worked to lower emissions standards, (the automobile industry really fights against these types of standards) the United States, under the Bush administration, succumbing to strong lobbying pressures snubbed the rest of the world and the Kyoto Protocols and backed out.
Largely ignoring logic, science, and the common good, U.S. auto manufacturing built large, inefficient cars, hired large marketing firms and sold inefficient vehicles first for battle - (which it’s debatable as to the merits of why the U.S. continues to have a large, economically draining presence in Iraq, but that debate is for a different day) then they sold the large vehicles to the U.S. public. They pushed for NAFTA, arguing that it would level the playing field, that it would stop illegal immigration into the U.S., that it would give jobs to those who need it the most… except those that lost their manufacturing jobs in Detroit… So then, my question - what entity is driving U.S. policy? Because the opposite of what they said and say seems to happen.
A lot of people voted for change in November. Perhaps we could start conversation about creating policy that benefits the American people. Does it seems as though no matter who gets into Congress or the White house, that something else, some other force, or thing, is behind the scenes and pushing policy? Why is it that Pelosi is advocating for a automobile bailout? Could it have something to do with corporate lobbying? Perhaps we could start a Peoples’ Party. We could start talking to one another and also start looking toward solutions.
I don’t think we should bail out the automobile industry. I think all Americans should have basic healthcare (remember, we’re the only ones that don’t have it. It’s just us, and the rest of the developing, third world) before we bailout any more of the private sector. Let’s also remember that we do pay into Medicare. Somehow they convinced consumers that it’s for the old and the poor. Now how could they have done a thing like that?
Topics: Politics | No Comments »
Should Corporations Have More Rights Than People?
By consider | November 12, 2008
If ever there has been a time to discuss corporate politics, that time is now. It is disgustingly appalling that our lawmakers largely did not know about certain changes that continue to be made and inserted into policy and law by the current Bush Administration. There was a recent change to tax code 382, that apparently most lawmakers and representatives did not know about. This has already had massive effects on our economy.
Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson does not seem to be creating policy for the good of the American public. The Bush Administration is successfully continuing to break apart the U.S. economy because it has fallen prey to the desires of corporate profit and policy. Can this currently be denied? At a time when a large portions of the American public are facing very difficult economic times, Wells Fargo Bank has been allowed to take over Wachovia, and the Federal Reserve met on a Sunday to approve the transaction. What’s even more shocking is that Wells Fargo is being allowed huge, mammoth tax breaks, as the same time the American public paid the bill for a private corporate banking bailout. Let’s also remember that this comes at a time when news agencies have recently cut their investigative staff. This is partially why it is so very difficult to understanding what is going on. News agencies were allowed to buy up one another, and partially since they are still paying back interest on their (ridiculously large) acquisitions, (changes in government policy allowed the acquisitions to happen in the first place) and since the media CEOs and management are able to take ridiculously large salaries, there weren’t enough funds to keep the investigative journalists. These separate incidences have huge social consequences.
While I am outraged by the lack of awareness from our legislators, they are not the true cause of our problems. They are currently pawns in the system. We need to look at what entity is profiting the most from our socioeconomic and political crisis. We need to look at the system, because it has been engineered so that lawmakers have limited power and influence. Lawmakers are reacting to a system of strong, powerful corporate lobbies that have intertwined themselves with the financial, defense, insurance, healthcare and media corporations and enhanced movement from the corporate world into political administrations positions to create policy that seems to clearly not benefit the American people. We as people need to start talking about the phenomenon of corporate personhood and corporate rights versus Peoples’ rights and the common good. What would the framers of the U.S. Constitution think of our current situation? (Oh my, there so many things…)
We need to start educating ourselves and the American public needs to begin talking about these issues. Here are some links to information.
The U.S. Economy - The link will take you to This American Life and will enable you to listen to a radio broadcast on the economy from Chicago Public Radio. Oct 2008
A Quiet Windfall for U.S. Banks - This link will take you to a Washington Post article. Nov 2008
Fed Approves Wells Fargo’s Takeover of Wachovia - This link will take you to a Bloomberg article. Oct 2008
We as People need to start learning about and talking about these issues. The financial bailout is a symptom of the direction that we are headed in and unfortunately, our tax dollars will be offered as financial bailout candy unless we begin looking at causes in order to adequately address these complex financial, social and political issues. (Reaganomics is a good place to start. What are the underlying assumptions of Reaganomics? Learning this will start to untangle this very tangled web.) So then, should corporations have more rights than People? Who was the Constitutions written by and for? How does it start? What entity does currently policy seem to benefit most? Where are our tax dollars going? Why do we pay taxes? (Usually people pay taxes to toward things that benefit society like to build and maintain roads, schools, infrastructure, healthcare - well, not so much in the States… in other countries they do though.) What entity does our healthcare system currently benefit the most? People or profit? Ask the same question to all the other things that taxes go toward. For example - should school taxes go toward people or profit? Then move onto roads and all the other things that taxes are used for. And so on and so forth. Why is the United States so very different from all the other developed democracies? They all also have capitalism, but their policy is very different. Something to think about…
Topics: Politics | No Comments »
Veterans Day
By consider | November 12, 2008
Thank you to all the veterans out there, who have served the country in different capacities. It is my hope that we will have national and international policy that will benefit veterans in a more humanistic way. Whether that means protecting veterans in their overseas missions by creating policy that keeps them safe, giving them the tools they need to protect themselves, and equally important, having leadership that will engage in strong and intelligent diplomacy enabling a safer world and environment. I also hope that veteran healthcare, after returning to the States, will also provide veterans with high quality, caring services. Thank you.
Topics: Politics | No Comments »
Oil’s Demise?
By consider | November 8, 2008
I recently saw a rather shocking documentary, “A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash”. It is a beautifully done documentary, yet brutal in the view of reality that it leaves in its wake. Its interviews, its recounting of history and formulated argument are are carried out like clockwork. It is the ticking sound that we can faintly hear, but is amazingly absent from the mainstream corporate media; it is a message that gets either buried or is drowned out by other sounds and distractions. Yet the oil crash, combined with other difficulties ,will soon impact our society, the world, and will affect us all in more ways than we would like it to.
Yet, and thank goodness, there are things that can be done. I also recently saw “The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil”. It recounts what happened in the island nation of Cuba when oil importation suddenly dropped after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. They did what needed to be done. When they did not have fuel to put in their tractors, they went back to using oxen. Since none of the younger people knew how to use oxen in the fields, they recruited the older guys to teach classes on the farms. They no longer had fertilizers, so they began growing worms in troughs to produce castings and used this organic fertilizer. They began using renewable energy because they had to. It is something that we in the United States need to take a serious look at.
The United States is very dependent on oil. Our cities have been developed with the car in mind as the main source of transportation. Our box stores get their products delivered by semi trucks. Our chain food stores get their deliveries also by trucks. Our grocery stores also get their food delivered, often by truck. Our mail arrives to us through a vast network of cars, trucks, planes, walking and perhaps more driving to pick it up, - or get it delivered. I’m thankful for what gasoline does for me, (I do like being able to move around and go places when I need to) but realistically, with population on the rise, with fewer large oil discoveries, because it is a finite source that takes millions of years to create, it probably would be really good and smart to start to anticipate this shift. It is starting to occur, although it will need to accelerate.
Slowly, things are happening. Local farmers’ markets are beginning to be more commonplace. There are more people opting to live without a car. (Most of the people I know who do this live in large cities. But some also live in large cities and only ride a bike or walk!) Houses that are close to the cities’ center are gaining in value as people try to avoid a long commute. People who see this oil and gas shortage coming are building houses that are more energy efficient. People are building houses with alternate sources (straw bale) or are building houses for solar gain and using passive solar techniques. People are starting to have gardens and grow their own vegetables. (I’m going to try to learn canning next fall.) All of this and more is needed. Smart energy co-ops are encouraging alternative sources of energy (and buying it back!) because they realize that soon they will not have the capacity to support a growing population. There are other shortages coming as well.
Natural gas, which has been rather plentiful and inexpensive will be more difficult to access. As I have been traveling across the nation and reading papers, it seems that the norm for increasing energy prices this winter is anticipated at 20 to 40 percent. We as humans also need to shift the way that we react to this information. We need to become empowered to act and help one another, as opposed to passively saying that things are depressing. It’s depressing only if you feel that you are powerless. Take power. Be smart and creative. Talk to people. The more people that do know, and act, the less the impact it will be. (Because it will be quite the impact.)
Topics: Lobbyists and Corporate Power, Americans, Work and Leisure, Politics | No Comments »
A New Administration!
By consider | November 5, 2008
Yes! Thank goodness.
Here’s a link to the reaction around the world. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7710949.stm
Yet, there’s a lot of work ahead. Let’s start to define the change. Let’s start bridging America’s polarization and start talking to one another. We as People need to communicate to one another, because the systems within the U.S. are still the same. For example, I saw this rather ridiculous thing this morning on television. One morning show was featuring a psychologist who recommended that people not talk politics with others who may think differently. This is quite silly, as we need to move forward together, as one nation. Here’s a link to yesterday’s historic vote by the BBC.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7710093.stm
We need to start moving toward solutions, and we must do so together, as one nation. Be nice to others who may have voted differently than you. Perhaps bake cookies for them and start talking about what the other developed countries do for healthcare. There are working solutions in the world and perhaps the U.S. can move in a similar direction that the other developed democracies have taken. (I did check U.S. based PBS for links, and they had some, but were limited in scope and the website was limited in functionality. Media issues are another topic to discuss! Why does this great country have not-so-good public TV?)
While changing the administration and the party of Congress is a good change and a step in the right direction, the system is still the same, and lobbyists will descend upon them. The spin machine will create its fear as they have done so throughout the election. We need to start open communication and talk and listen to People who may think differently. Be nice to them and listen and scrutinize your own sources of information. Is it coming from the perspective of People, of and for the People, or perhaps is it in the interest of multinational corporations? Just something to think about. And discuss!
Yes!
Topics: Politics | No Comments »
The Fall Screening Tour - DIY Thoughts
By consider | November 3, 2008
Whew! What an experience. Driving and screening a film on a tour that lasted over 7 weeks and went over 11,000 miles was quite the experience. Thank you to the people who helped to organize or book the film, came to the screenings, got DVDs and to those who are continuing the discussion. I’ve learned a lot and am really thankful for the experience.
The rational for the screening tour was to get the film and its topics to audiences as quickly as possible before the elections. I wanted to try to book screenings in a way that I could drive to them, one after another, and interact with audiences. I think that arranging a tour in this manner is another way of getting a film to audiences, but in doing so, I didn’t submit the final version to that many film festivals because I didn’t have the funds or extra time and because the festivals are scattered throughout the year in different locations. That said, the film could and would not have been booked if it hadn’t gotten into and screened with certain festivals. It won an award at Big Muddy Film Festival and screened well with a summer screening with Sedona Film Festival, and without those screenings, combined with a couple of key reviews, the film probably wouldn’t have been seen by programmers and would probably still be in the pile of DVDs in somebody’s office waiting to be watched. I do respect film festivals and really enjoy the experience at film festivals. I will submit it to film festivals in communities where it hasn’t screened. Film festivals are still really great venues. I love going to them, I love seeing the curated films and I’m always inspired when I see intriguing and/or beautiful works on the big screen. I’m heading to the Denver Film Festival in a couple of weeks to see some films, my point is that the world of distribution is shifting and they are no longer the only way of getting a film out to audiences because a shift in the delivery of images and information is taking place.
The documentary, independent and film world as we know it, is one that is going through various cuts and funding shortages. While I was traveling and talking to programmers, filmmakers and distributors, they all spoke of a shift that is taking place. As an example, people mentioned big film studios like Paramount shutting down their independent film, art and/or documentary houses down. I was surprised, however, that in midst of this, the process of booking and doing a screening tour can make a film more visible to an audience, as well as to other distributors, and in a way, can drive demand for the film.
The process of booking screenings for your own film is one that takes a lot of effort in the sense that when I started out, I wasn’t sure how best to do it, or who first to contact in the community. For every booking, there were probably 3 to 5 other contacts that didn’t work out. In order to get in touch with the person or programmer that would give the “okay”, it sometimes took many, many phone calls and a lot of persistence to book the film. People hadn’t heard of the film, they didn’t know the filmmaker, and it only had a few festival screenings. But I wanted it to get out to an audience, I didn’t have the time to wait for festivals, and I was quickly running out of funds. I had heard that it was possible to tour and sell DVDs, and come out ahead, so I thought I’d try it. (In order for that to happen, I did stay with friends or other really nice people, and I did sleep in my car.) There are many things that need to be done in order for the screening to go well. Marketing is essential.
After booking a screening, it’s also really important to get people to the screening. There are many things that can be done in order for this to happen. Sometimes the theater or group showing the film helped with promotion, but it’s a good idea to do some promotion yourself. I usually did websearches, or people told me what newspapers and/or radio stations to contact. I then would email and/or call them. Once contact was made, I would ask if they had time to see a press kit with a DVD for review. Usually about three press kits per community were sent out. You’re lucky if one of them prints something in the newspaper, or for the web, but it’s really essential to try. Also try to set up interviews with the local radio station, because radio interviews also help out. There was one instance in Portland where screenings in three different cities were promoted, and I think it made a big difference in turnout because people came to the screening and said that they had heard an interview on the radio. Also keep in mind that if a programmer or potential reviewer said that they are interested, you need to send the DVD or the press kit out as soon as possible. I go the post office almost every day.
It’s also important to prioritize your actions. Because I am just one person, there were some things that didn’t get done. Once I started driving, I tried to do some things from the road, but there wasn’t enough time, and I didn’t want to be calling people as I was driving, only to have the phone cut out. The DVD was also available online, so people were purchasing it from the website. This is a really great thing, but it was sometimes difficult to find a post office in a town along the way. I had a small computer, so I would sometimes pull over and search for a post office online, but because screenings were also booked and were located hundreds of miles apart, I didn’t want to be late for a Q&A. In DIY distribution a person learns how to juggle different jobs right away. A few things inevitably will get dropped. While the screening tour really was a lot for one person to do, in looking to the bright side, it did happen. And what an experience it was. There are other filmmakers who are also self distributing and I really admire them. David and Ashley, who have started Carnivalesque Films, continue to make and distribute films. I’m amazed at how much they get done. While the fall screening tour is done, the process of distribution is continues. While DIY stands for Do It Yourself, it’s not possible to do totally alone and I am thankful to the programmers, the audiences, the crew and other distributors and organizations who continue to make the whole possible.
Elections are tomorrow. Vote!
Topics: Screening Tour, DIY! | No Comments »
A Letter to Mr. Rush Limbaugh
By consider | November 2, 2008
I’ve been driving across the U.S. screening the film “Considering Democracy”. It’s a large country and at times, I’ve turned on the radio to take a break from the music that I’ve heard over and over again. I listened to an AM conservative radio talk show and was really amazed by what I heard. So, I’m writing a letter.
Dear Mr. Rush Limbaugh,
I was listening to your radio show as I was driving across the country. As I listened, I realized that you are very good at creating divisions in the American public. Some of the political advertisements were also spinning information in a misleading way, while other information consisted of lies. I love America and I think that you’re twisting the use of the U.S. Constitution and using the love of country against those who questions unconstitutional actions by the Bush administration and speak out about it. Please stop, because by creating emotional, hateful divisions, you’re hurting and dividing the United States. America is filled with good, hardworking people who are being misled by what you say. I know that you’re getting paid a lot of money, to be more exact, 38 million dollars a year ($38,000,000) or 400 million until the year 2016, but please stop dividing us. In essence, you have benefited by increased media consolidation because your show is syndicated on Clear Channel. You also benefit by the Bush administration tax policy because really rich guys like you aren’t paying as much tax as a high tax bracket used to pay, and really, should pay. I did some quick math, because it’s really hard for me to comprehend making $38,000,000 dollar a year. If you take the weekdays and two additional weeks for vacation, that’s 50 weeks, times 5 weekdays per week. That’s 250 work days, to be divided into $38,000,000, which equals $152,222 dollars per work day that you make for doing what you do. Interesting.
I hope that you’re healthy and no longer taking the prescription drugs OxyContin/Hydrocodone/Vicodin. If you’d like specifics about how you create divisions, spread fear, hatred and lies, I have some written down, but would also listen to more of your programming and give you examples.
Thank you,
A loyal and concerned American
Topics: Media Questions, Americans, Work and Leisure, Politics | No Comments »
What an Experience! And a few thoughts…
By consider | October 30, 2008
I can’t think of a different title, as better words currently seem to elude me. After traveling on the road and screening the documentary Considering Democracy for about 7 weeks, it’s nice to be back in once place. I started on September 12th and began moving toward the east coast, and drove and screened, drove and screened, then headed back toward the west coast, drove and screened.
Looking back, I’m really thankful. There are a lot of really good people in the States and around the world. Here’s one example. I have been traveling, and yes, I’ve been sometimes sleeping in the car (ah, independent filmmaking) but I do like to shower in the evening. I stopped at a truck stop and asked the woman behind the counter if they had showers and how much they cost. (I might have looked really tired, because I started driving right after the screening last Sunday, slept in the car, woke up and drove, and this was the second straight day of driving.) I left to get some things out of my car and went back into the truck stop and another person said that he had taken care of it. I probably gave him a really puzzled look, but he explained that he had filled up his tank, so when that happens, a person can get a shower. I think I was still looking puzzled. He made sure the woman behind the counter understood, and I said thanks, then the trucker turned around and left to go back to driving.
I took the shower and was thankful, so I bought some sodas and left them at the counter and asked that they be given to the next tired truckers that came in. We do, as humans living together in society, rely tremendously on one another. Not just for kindness and civility, but also because we live together in society. Being nice to one another creates tremendous empathy for others, but it also got me thinking about how we do all drive down the same roads, get groceries or gas at similar places, and we rely on very basic services for society to function. I was thankful for the state patrol trooper who was stopped at the rest stop, checking things out. It made me thankful that I do pay taxes and that some of the taxes get allocated toward social things that benefit society. Is this socialism? Yes. It is. We live in society, we pay taxes, and those taxes get allocated toward things in society that benefit all people. Most civil countries do this because it helps society function. Most civil countries also have capitalism. They are two systems that often work together and exists side by side.
Healthcare is something that is seen as a necessity by all the other civil, developed countries. They think it’s good for all their citizens. Most working Americans even pay a Medicare tax, but have been convinced by voices in the media that only certain segments in society deserve healthcare - only those in government, old people and poor people. Think of the widespread, national, coordinated campaign that happened in order to convince the American people of this. (What was used? Radio, TV and other media forms. Is it liberal then? Probably not, since certain debates and investigations are missing from the major media corporations. Although they do like to call themselves that and sometimes create that contradictory spin.) We also currently live in a different world than 30 years ago and airborne viruses and bacteria can do devastating things to a country that has a quarter of its population as either under-insured or are not insured medically.
It is something to think about. I’m very thankful to the services that help society function. I did call 911 on this road trip because at one point, as I was driving on the interstate in the pouring rain and I noticed that there was a sheep dog and two sheep next to the interstate. They all had gotten past the fence, and the only thing keeping the sheep off the road, was the dog. I didn’t want another family, or any other driver to run into two sheep and a dog in the pouring rain. So, I called 911 and reported it. I have probably benefited from these types of social services and not even have known it, because I have traveled safely and arrived at my destination. I went to public schools and am somewhat educated (although there might be grammatical errors, as I’m tired but wanted to write this). I have driven down roads that previous generational taxes have paid for, thus, I’m thankful for the socialized services that we have. It would really be horrible to have them privatized, nor would it make sense. I like that the fire department will respond to a fire without checking for insurance first. Some insurance is a good idea - like car insurance. (I also like that I have AAA insurance, because I did even use it on this trip too.) These are just things to think about. I’m tired and I’m going to sleep, but I did listen to AM conservative radio on parts of my drive and have some thoughts on that…
Topics: Politics | No Comments »
Polarization of the United States
By consider | October 26, 2008
I’ve been driving across the United States screening the documentary Considering Democracy. Screenings were arranged, then I’ve been driving to them then do a Q&A session afterward. I figured it was the fastest way to get the film out. It has been a fantastic, odd, exhilarating and exhausting experience. There have been other emotions, for sure, but while it was fascinating to travel outside of the States to do the film, it has been a most fascinating experience to screen the film to American audiences.
In driving across the country and engaging with different audiences, there are amazing patterns of similarities. I find it an odd polarization when both sides of it (yes, there are other aspects, but they are more subtle) say that they will leave the country if the other guy gets into the presidency. This is a fascinating phenomena because it seems to illustrate a vastly different perception of reality. Yes. It’s oddly true. Obama supporters say that they will leave if McCain gets in. McCain voters say that they will leave if Obama gets in. Will each side choose similar countries or will one side go to the developing world, while others choose industrial developed countries? Where will they go? I think both sides should just start talking to one another. Nicely. Then perhaps we could get some stuff done.
It has been an odd experience because the filmmaking process is at times a very solitary experience. The post production and editing phase was the longest phase, and one that I spent thousands upon thousands of hours by myself with a computer. There were many times when hours would pass, the sun went down, meals went by, as I sat at the computer - editing. This is a huge contrast to the experience of driving sometimes 9 hours to a screening, sometimes turning on my laptop to get directions to the screening on the way in - then I get up in front of people to do the Q&A for the film. So in this sense it’s a very extreme situation to be the filmmaker, then to work on distributing the film. Ah, the digital age. Gotta love it. But it’s also odd that it’s kinda working. Okay, must sleep soon. More later…
Topics: Screening Tour, Filmmaking, DIY!, Americans, Work and Leisure | No Comments »