in the september issue of wired (available online sept 1st but for now you'll have to find a dead tree copy), is an article by erin biba entitled "netflix presents." if you're an independent filmmaker it's a fascinating read.
[update: the article is now available online]
netflix has begun getting dvd distribution deals and even targeted theatrical runs for small independent films like the puffy chair. last year they acquired four titles from sundance and this year are in negotiations for twelve. eventually they're looking at producing films themselves. remind you of anyone? it should. bahman naraghi used to be executive vp of finance and operations at miramax. now he's the new vp of original content at netflix.
but then things get interesting.
listen to ted sarandos, netflix's chief content officer in charge of all dvd purchases and overseer of an $100 million annual budget:
"eventually we'll be coming to sundance and saying, 'we can buy everything.' there's a deal for every film."damn. that's quite a statement. but it gets better.
netflix ceo, reed hastings wants to take things one step further:
...(hastings) also outlines a scenario that outstrips sarandos' lofty vision of acquiring every picture that plays at sundance. "about 3000 films are submitted; only 100 or so get in," hastings says. ultimately, netflix wants to be able to pick and choose from the 3000 submissions, he explains, and maybe even allow moviemakers to circumvent the festivals altogether.heady stuff. and more evidence of the democratizing effect of the the long tail.
as the article concludes:
soon the only barrier to success for filmmakers will be lack of talent.
amen.
more articles about red envelope entertainment:
businessweek: netflix
hollywood reporter: mailboxes, etc.
3 deep thoughts:
That's an interesting prospect.
Close your eyes and repeat, "There's no place like home...there's no place...." Okay, you actually haven't left Kansas. And Netflix is not going to save the indie filmmaker. Films with a theatrical release will find a home on video (Hotel Rwanda did 2 million Netflix rentals because it sold 3 million tickets at the local multiplex, not in spite of it.) Netflix will not pay significant dollars for non-theatrical release films. Selling off the ancillary rights early without a theatrical release still leaves all but the sub-$100K production in the hole. Netflix is a solid company with a good business model, but it does not radically change the numbers for aspiring filmmakers.
lol. well be a pessimist if you will (or realist perhaps), but i disagree. we're only seeing the very beginning of this change. for right now sure, it's not making a huge impact (unless you're ifc or the producers of 'comfy chair'), but it will.
and regardless, there are a large number of aspiring filmmakers who aspire to make sub-100k films, and that goal is getting easier and easier by the day.
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