What Do You Say to Filmmakers Who Say Indie Film is Dead?

I asked this question to Joe Dain (filmmaker/distributor) with Terror Films in an interview a few months back.
And he gave a rather spicy answer.

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[astrahcat]

Once A.I handles in-between animation, we're going to see an explosion of small studios making animated films!

Respeecher already allows one person to act an entire show.

[AplhaStarProductions]

So spot on - we are surrounded by opportunity and everything we need is within us! Great to finally put a face to Joe too.

[EugeniaLoli]

Yes, easier to make a film today, absolutely. Harder to make money out of it though (the '90s and early 2000s were the golden age of indie filmmaking, plus 2 years of Amazon Prime in the 2015s when their ad rates were massive). It's not just about the money, but filmmaking is not like taking up painting as a hobby. It requires a lot of money to make it, and a lot of time to finish it. So your art hobby, suddenly becomes your job. As such, money becomes a very important reason, it's not "if you're in it for the money". Instead, it's "I need money back from this, or I'm screwed" (unless you have a trust fund). So it absolutely becomes about money for normal people who follow the filmmaking path.

[sunlightpictures]

Great advice. We really need to keep people inspired; be in it for the long haul.

[danieljohnpeters]

Just posting a quick comment to let you know that what you're doing and sharing is very much appreciated

[DyenamicFilms]

I've been at the filmmaking 'game' a long time (officially started around 1990). It's a tough road. Trust me. One thing I learned over the past few decades is that it's ALWAYS 'doom and gloom' when it comes to 'indie filmmaking'. I went to my first IFP East filmmaking seminar in the early 90's and it was depressing. Watch the late 80's documentary The Heck with Hollywood which I did just as I was starting out. Depressing. It's ALWAYS depressing. You either want to do it or not. Depressing or not.

Anyone starting out today has it EASY compared to 30 years ago. Sickeningly easy and CHEAP in terms of cameras and editing etc. Also, if you read Rebel Without a Crew, do yourself a favor and read Joe Queenan's book The Unkindest Cut as well.

[interstat]

But the quality of indie films is far lower now than 15 years ago because the bar for entry is far lower.