Sundance 2010: Can the Small Indie Still Make It at Sundance?
By Mali Elfman
Being and knowing many indie filmmakers going into Sundance, I thought the same thing as everyone else, “they said they were going back to their roots but if so, why do so many of these films star celebrities? How the hell is the Indie filmmaker supposed to have a chance?” After being there, I learned that nothing is that simple. When studios no longer support filmmaking and technology gets to the point where you can make big films for little, things are bound to change, but we are not left without hope or quality films…
Where the Problem Starts…
To begin with, the problem is not that the festival has sold out, but that the film industry no longer supports filmmakers, they support guaranteed money-makers. They would rather give James Cameron a billion dollars than give 100 filmmakers a million dollars to make something original (yes there are exceptions but I’m not getting into those now). Studios used to make 22-30 films a year, now they only make about 10 and need them to pay out in order to stay a float because things aren’t going well for them either. The minute amount of “smaller” films that they do take on either have to have big names OR already be made and loved enough for them to “risk” anything on them. The only films they want are those they know will pay them back.
Hollywood used to be about taking risks, but with studios losing money faster than Avatar can ring up another million, they want things they know will sell. It’s not that they’re the bad guys, they’re in as much trouble as everyone else and are doing the obvious, casting people who will put asses in the theaters. Sadly, they’ve started sacrificing quality for potential quantity and it is clearly biting them on the ass (but that’s not a fight I’m fighting now, lets get back to the point…)
What Happens to Indie Films and Film Festivals?
The result is that a number of films that used to be part of a studio’s smaller selection now have to be made independently. Filmmakers who want to have their voices heard and make something other than a blockbuster have to find or front the money themselves in order to get their projects off the ground. This means, bigger names are dropping into lower categories, and they’re bringing their money and the money around them. They apply the same methods to a $1-3 million film, as the little guy raising $100k does -the “beg, borrow and steal” method. The big names just have a lot bigger sources to beg, borrow and steal from.
That coupled with technology, which allows $20 million films to be made for $5 million, means that big names are signing onto smaller budget projects in order to get studios interested and taking payment once the film gets bought. The big names not only get seen as “indie” and therefore cool, but they also get a chance to work on something other than the token 7 films being made at studios. With so few spots to fill a limited amount of films and many of the same actors being re-cast over and over again, it’s hard times even for those at the top.
All that being said and done, I realized that there’s still a chance for the little guy. Despite all of this and the odds, they can still make it. People always want to be a part of the next big thing, and that can be you…
So How Does the Little Guy Make It?
Make something great. Especially the story and the acting. Good won’t do. People will accept low quality but they need a GREAT story. Okay performances won’t cut it, okay stories won’t get you anywhere… it has to be IT.
What I learned at Sundance, is that although the festival is inundated with A-listers, if you have a great film people will find it, and no matter what your budget or what your subject, your film WILL be a success if it’s really, truly the film you were meant to make.
MY Definition of Indie Success: Get over making millions of dollars. Success is when you get enough prestige and attention to keep doing what you hopefully love and want to do – make movies. If you make good films for long enough the money will come, remember studios want the next big thing, keep working…
My Conclusion…
Yes there are many “big” smaller films at the festival, but that’s only because that’s where the market place is right now. The fact that you have so many A-listers in need of work and wanting to make quality films isn’t a bad thing. A-listers should not be punished for wanting to make good FILMS. And yes, most of the films that they’re in are just that, good. If you’re a small fish, good won’t cut it, and that does suck. It’s not easy seeing films that are just okay are make it in because of names, while other films that might be a little better are left out because they’re full of “nobodies”. Are we missing out on some great undiscovered talent because the smaller films are just not quite good enough? Yes. But we are getting the best of what’s next and with that there is still a chance!!! And honestly, it’s the great indie films that make it anyway, so it just means that once you’re in, you’re probably sold!
Bottom Line…
If you are really a great filmmaker, if you TRULY have what it takes, don’t be discouraged, it may take time, but you’ll make it. The good films have names but the great films don’t need them. The good ones get in with clout but the great ones get in because of just that…
Four different types:
- The Good Enough A-List, That WILL be Bought: Get Low, The Company Men
- Made it in off names: Twelve, The Runaways
- When A-List Meets Quality: Buried, Cyrus, Nowhere Boy, Blue Valentine
- What You’re Really There For: Catfish, Freebie, Tucker and Dale Vs. Evil
Do you agree? Have any other thoughts, suggestions on indie films and film festivals?
