Posted by Liz Nord / Twitter @lizfilm
The Conversation
March 27, 2010
Columbia University, New York, NY
I have to admit, I’ve been a bit jaded at independent film events lately, where the overwhelming sentiment seems to be, “We’re screwed.” I am therefore over-the-moon happy to report that The Conversation was no such day. I guess I should have expected a little something different from the mini-conference, subtitled, “Social Media, Digital Distribution, and the Future of Film,” as it was established by out-of-the-box thinkers like Scott Kirsner, Tiffany Shlain and Lance Weiler.
I most appreciated the positive, playful and experimental spirit that dominated the day’s events, as exhibited in the following tidbits that got me, for one, thinking in a new way. One was from indie wunderkind Arin Crumley. While the day was heavily focused on how we can use social media to market and promote our work, he expressed that he was even more excited about how we can use these tools to help MAKE our work differently, and all of the new storytelling possibilities offered by them.
One such example is the world of interactive gaming, which was included in the conference and was an enlightenment for those who see gaming as having little to do with independent film. As Wendy Levy of BAVC so aptly put it, “I believe in games because if you want to change the world, you have to play with it first.”
My only bone to pick (aside from wishing that I had more time with my envelope-pushing colleagues) was the same ol’, same ol.’ For a conference full of innovators with an audience of at least 50% women, it was disappointing that white men heavily dominated the panels & presentations. In fact, of the first 13 panelists that preceded lunch, there was only one woman. I know I’m not the only one who gave this feedback, and I’m sure the organizers will be more cognizant next time.
Anyway, The Conversation encouraged further research, exploration, and well, conversation…so in that spirit I give you a list of links that were mentioned throughout the day so that you can do these very things on your own.
DIGITAL & MULTI-PLATFORM DISTRIBUTORS, PLATFORMS OR DISTRIBUTION-ENABLERS
THEATRICAL/DVD DISTRIBUTORS
Though these companies fall on the more “traditional” distribution side, the fact that they were represented at this conference indicates to me that they are forward thinking.
MONETIZING NON-THEATRICAL SCREENINGS
These sites facilitate filmmakers doing independent tours outside of the dwindling theatrical circuit. I would have loved to have access to these resources when planning the Jericho’s Echo world tour a few years ago!
Good Screenings
Helps determine an appropriate screening license fee and make arrangements for non-profit orgs to screen social-justice films
OpenIndie and Crowd Controls
Web services for filmmakers to track audience demand for their films around the world in order to create a feasible distribution strategy.
Film Sprout
Consultation and strategy for grassroots, non-theatrical screening campaigns
LOCATION-BASED
Lots of “conversation” centered on how location-based/geo-tagging tools are being used for promotion to drive people to physical locations, and how mediamakers can take advantage of them to rally audiences. I have to admit, I still find the whole notion a bit creepy, but am intrigued nonetheless.
GAMES
I already mentioned that the gaming world was represented at the conference, mainly by the charming Asi Burak of Impact Games. He had us all ooh-ing and ah-ing over one of his early projects, PeaceMaker.
Impact Games
Asi Burak’s company
A video about the PeaceMaker game
Games for Change
An org and conference that promotes the creation of digital games for social change. Asi Burak recently joined as Executive Producer.
ONLINE FUNDRAISING
TOOLS
Kaltura
Open source video platform & communities
VODO
Enables filmmakers to distribute their work for free using file-sharing sites that in return help promote the films
Hootsuite
Allows you to manage multiple social networks in one place
GREAT USES OF SOCIAL MEDIA WEB FOR FILM PROMOTION
Life 2.0 premiere
Jason Spingarn-Koff’s documentary Life 2.0 held “mixed reality” SXSW premiere event that occurred simultaneously in Second Life. He used Second Life as a fundraising and promotional tool throughout the entire production of the film about Second Life. Talk about Meta.
The Returning Home Project
An amazing, interactive companion piece to Gita Pullapilly’s documentary The Way We Get By, created at BAVC’s Producer’s Institute for New Media Technologies
“How Would You Feel?” Fundraising Pitch
At a lunchtime session with Slava of IndieGoGo, he mentioned that a successful fundraising pitch video is more than just a trailer; it tells its own story. He gave this one as an example.
Hunter Weeks’ Ride the Divide
For this doc about a mountain bike race, Weeks partnered with LiveStrong to benefit the foundation and capitalize on Lance Armstrong’s Twitter following: it’s a win-win.
RESOURCES/ MISC.
Workbook Project
Site facilitated by my new creative hero, Lance Weiler, and described as “An open creative network that provides insight into the process of funding, creating, distributing and sustaining from one’s creative efforts.”
Fans, Friends and Followers book
Conference organizer Scott Kirsner’s new book on “building and audience and a creative career in the digital age.” Check out the “Extra Stuff” page for lots of useful links and tips.
Infinicine
Digital distro and rights management info for indie filmmakers
Brian Chirls
Nerdy (but hot, if you’re into that kind of thing, which I am) tech talk as it relates specifically to film, from the dude who’s bringing us Crowd Controls.
Next New Networks
Online TV platform producing & distributing entertaining webseries
IndiesLab
“ITVS-PBS initiative designed to help filmmakers navigate the digital marketplace and to generate revenue streams while also having a social impact.”
Spout
Online movie community for both mainstream and indies.
I’d love to hear what you find useful and for folks to add their own Conversation takeaways in the Comments.
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