"Lost Sight of their Original Goals"

Tom Bernard of Sony Pictures Classics makes an excellent point in a recent keynote address to the filmmaking community.


"As a group you need to reach out to all these organizations that say they are there to help indie filmmakers and urge them to come up with programs and resources to empower filmmakers with the information and tools to guide your films through the marketplace.  These organizations spend so much time looking for nonprofit grants they have lost sight of the original goals established when they were formed.  IFP, Sundance, F.I.N.D.,  Women in Film, DGA, etc., should all have mentor programs, data on deals, fees and feedback on sales agents, PR companies and distributors as well as programs that can explain the different distribution opportunities – the pluses, the minuses and the financials. They should create courses that can be taught at colleges that deal with and explain all these issues."


In terms of getting our film CALVIN MARSHALL produced and released over the past 4 years -- all of these organizations (and many more) have been completely irrelevant in our journey from pre-production through distribution.  


I know I don't speak for everyone, but I believe the system is not only a racket, but it's broken and won't be fixed any time soon.  Money drives 99.9% of any decision making which greatly effects the world's most expensive art form.  Any kind of altruism or mentorship in the independent film business is as difficult to find as financing.