Dangerous Ideas & Big Debates Are Needed To Improve & Protect Our Film Ecosystem
We've all been complacent far too long
The Film Industry has a bit of a stand-offish relationship with “disruption. It’s fascinated and fearful simultaneously. That’s understandable, as the Studio System got lapped by the digital FAANG companies and the Gaming Companies, as they failed to protect, refine, evolve or transition their companies. When they climbed on Streaming’s bandwagon it was too late; the party had ended and they hastened their own demise by playing catch up in a game they should never have entered – or at least not entered if they were going to play by other’s rules. Sure, they were tempted by a decade of free money to fuel the folly, so there’s that. Even the straightest among us might have a hard time resisting that vacation house of free drugs, wild parties (w consent forms of course), and oysters & caviar – or whatever the proper metaphor for a lack of restraint and foresight would be. I mean, we all know where that story goes.
If getting lapped and decimated by other’s good ideas wasn’t enough, the FKA The Film Biz has sickened itself from within countless times too. We’ve previously discussed the Dumbass Decisions done by on a regular basis by the most powerful. When someone offers a new idea for the industry, shout the magic word “Quibby” and you’ll have them silent and shaking like a leaf. We’ve put ourselves into a cowardly spot that limits change and growth and we need a solution. And to be doubly clear, it ain’t just the suits. The creatives, with their scarfs and berets, got their loafers stuck in the same mud. We’ve lost all our glorious blowhards, rebels, and radicals which once were willing to “go there” — and we need them back stat!
Remember the Future Of Film Summit? And its sibling, the Best Practices Brainstorm? Or their crazy cousin, the True Facts About Film soiree? Let’s also set the How To Have A Sustainable Life In The Creative Industries powwow. How about we add another day to the collection for the “What’s Your Dangerous Idea To Disrupt The Film Industry?”. I’d go to that. I’d go to all of them. What a week!
I’ve had the pleasure of being in the room where it happens. And you know what gets said? Not much! There are moments, sure. Sometimes you have to be a total fool to miss that everyone wants a change or there is an opportunity to do something different. But mostly there’s small talk. You know how some of your friends are bashful to talk about art? They think they don’t know enough to engage, even when it is all about the feelings things summon – their feelings. People seem hesitant to offer an opinion unless it has already been published and somehow confirmed. My hope of social media was that it would change that; boy, was I wrong on that one. People love to shut folks down, but I think all ideas are good ones – or at least fun ones to talk about, with the ones that have learned that it doesn’t have to be a fight. Agree to disagree. That’s alright in my book, but we have to get the ideas out there if we are ever to find the path.
If we get the ideas out there, something will happen. We will start to develop a healthy resistance to the status quo. We might determine some “First Principles” we require to do our work well. Maybe we’d come up with some Tenets Of True Independence. Frankly, it would be awesome to have a couple of offensive talks – provided they are serious; that would be brave. What else would be brave? Maybe we can give out The Brave Award…
I imagine a 20 minute presentation with a ten minute Q&A on each subject. Maybe a carefully selected rebuttal presentation before the Q&A. Let me know who your nominees would to present each section – or the topic you want to recommend (or present). Maybe there’s some super charismatic host tying it all together. Sounds fun to me. What would be your idea? I have some to share, shall I?
We Need To Talk About…. Big Transformative Ideas For Our Film Industry
Redesign the entire film ecosystem to support the artists.
Create an ethical film ecosystem.
Worker-owned production & distribution companies.
Require Amazon, Apple and Google all to divest of their video businesses, and most importantly their production arms. Whether they become platforms only, or have be fully stand-alone video companies, the debate can hash it out.
Time To Break Up Hollywood (#Must Read Matt Stoller’s piece).
Full transparency all the time: salaries, employment histories, data on all releases.
Give someone else a chance for a change: Ban _____ from making movies for 2+ years (this could be men, old folk, the wealthy, or the opposite! It could be you. It could be me. Maybe we all need to take a break).
The FilmBiz is neglecting the young. What would real support of them look like?
Films indoctrinate to suppress rebellion, encourage conformity, and solidify power & status quo: male gaze, hero’s journey, false romantic ideals – what would the alternative look like?
Require No-Budget filmmaking from all participants. 1:4 films you make should be no-budget. We will all learn new tricks.
Hey Oscars! Level the playing field. Institute campaign finance limits/reform for award races. Set some First Principles.
Stop the tokenism on DEI. Walk the walk.
Creators must own their data. Filmmakers should be entitled to all the data their works generate.
Stop support states/countries with filming that have sexist, racist, classist policies. Or similiarly, Hollywood should not allow their films to show (or do business) in places with human rights abuses.
Equal Time access on global streaming for indies!
Length/time/size limits: Scripts must be under 125 pages and films under 2 hours
5 year term limits at all corporate jobs.
Mandatory CEO retirement at 60. End the Grey Succession Ceiling.
Seriously, imagine if we did this for the next five years. The Film Biz may not change faster than it does now but it would change with a better focus and from a different direction. WE determine what we make. WE determine how they find audiences. WE determine the system we are part of. Or at least we could. Don’t you want to?
To add to that - I want to see more accessible talent incubators. Like, radically accessible. The bar to get in and try yourself out is way too high. Create programs/workshops/incubators that let more people in - the selection will happen naturally. Spend some of that wild money that’s being thrown at IP projects on funding a 100 (or a 1000) micro budget projects per year from new people. See what happens. I’m speaking from a writer’s perspective, after having studied at two acclaimed film programs and participated in a few professional workshops in Europe. Everywhere I go, I meet amazing talented people who remain on the margins of the industry and struggle to get noticed and their projects made. Women struggle especially. If you are not already in, for whatever reason, you spend years knocking on doors and feeling discouraged. People make it sound easy - like you just have to get out there and make your film - but it’s not realistic for some of us who are caregivers, introverts, immigrants, have day jobs, live in places where the industry is less robust, etc. The lone (male) filmmaker way - to just get your iPhone out and shoot - doesn’t work for some of us. People want to work with people. People are inspired by people. Having mentorship and support is crucial - it can make or break a career. We need more direct accessible pathways for new people to join the industry.
Hi. Though I appreciate young filmmakers need support so do marginalized filmmakers, such as female filmmakers over 40, who on their own have created three or more feature films with no real funding or support from the industry. I think there should be a push to bring in people with experience and creative ideas who have been ignored. Time and again, I see grants and support for first time filmmakers but there is very little given to people with proven abilities who have been overlooked for decades. I would love to present on this topic.
Thanks for opening this conversation.