Source: Associated Press (AP)
Indie Filmmakers Get New Forum
Director S. Lee Taylor admits that ""Social Intercourse"", his independent film about a cybergeek looking for love, has limited appeal. But there it is, on video shelves alongside Hollywood's top hits. Taylor couldn't be more thrilled. The film is one of the first 10 movies in Hollywood Video's First Rites program, an effort launched this month to showcase independent films that generally have only been seen on the festival circuit. Hollywood Video picks up the movies as exclusive rentals available only at its stores. Blockbuster, the nation's largest video chain, has been doing the same for the past year. In an indie world where only a fraction of films ever get seen outside festivals - and even those that make it to theatres rarely pack in big crowds - such direct-to-video deals offer filmmakers a new shot at reaching a wide audience. ""I'm assuming I won't garner a following from this. I don't think anyone's going to be looking for the next Steve Taylor film,"" Taylor said. ""But when you have someone really championing your film like this, it makes a difference."" Blockbuster, which bills itself as the biggest independent film distributor, picked up seven films that played at last year's Sundance Film Festival and expects to cut deals for 10 to 12 from this year's festival, which ended Sunday. Hollywood Video also expects to go home with new films from Sundance and is sponsoring a contest during the festival, asking filmmakers to drop off copies of their movies. At least one of those films will be added to the retailer's independent movie catalog. Both video chains have been trolling other film festivals looking for movies, and they receive a steady stream of movie submissions by mail. The companies say adding exclusive independent titles gives consumers a wider selection and exposure to quality films that otherwise might never have been seen. ""We want to make sure our customers are satisfied and keep coming back,"" said Dean Wilson, Blockbuster Executive Vice President for Merchandising. Blockbuster offered 70 exclusive titles last year and plans on 120 more this year. The deals range from outright purchase of movies to short-term contracts where filmmakers receive a percentage of rental fees in lieu of money upfront. Hollywood Video cuts six-month exclusive deals for its movies, offering filmmakers a share of rental fees. After the initial 10 titles, the company plans to add six new movies each month. ""More customers are looking for independent films,"" said JonaeKurtenbach-Woodruff, Hollywood Video Rental Marketing Director. ""They don't just want to see big studio films. People are interested in movies they can't see anywhere else."" While independent filmmakers dream of wide theatrical releases, landing their movies in video stores can bring them exposure and cash that helps get their next films going. ""This sounds really magnanimous, but if I weren't to see a penny, it wouldn't bother me,"" Taylor said. ""My movies gotten exposure, and that's worth it all right there.""