by David Geffner
The image of independent filmmakers as lone riders, surging into creative territory few studios or mainstream Hollywood types would dare tread, is accurate up to a point. Under assault from an industry rife with recession, consolidation, and a glut of product, even indie directors know change comes faster when it is propelled by like-minded souls. So it is that the Independent Directors Committee (IDC) enters its third year within the Guild with some impressive achievements under its belt.
First things first. Who are these dedicated filmmakers in the Guild who have worked so hard to make the IDC not only a force within the DGA, but a group with ever-growing prestige (and, yes, some clout) in the industry at large?
Currently the IDC is comprised of Allison Anders, Michael Apted, Miguel Arteta, Charles Burnett, Duane Clark, Christopher Coppola, Julie Dash, Tamra Davis, Stephen Gyllenhaal, George Hickenlooper, Leon Ichaso, Spike Jonze, Jeremy Kagan, Rick King, Mary Lambert, Doug Liman, Alexander Payne, Bobby Roth, Steven Soderbergh, Penelope Spheeris, Michael Uno and Gary Walkow.
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Directors Steven Soderbergh and Euzhan Palcy. (photo by Robert Hale)
Click picture for larger view.
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A diverse list of filmmakers, to be sure. But therein lies the strength of the IDC, and what its members have managed to accomplish in the last few years. Highlights from the IDC list of achievements include educating the independent film community about the DGA's comprehensive low-budget agreement that protects the director's creative rights and residuals while allowing for wide flexibility range in salaries and staffing. There is also the consistent and visible sponsorship at key indie film festivals like Sundance, Slamdance, and Los Angeles Film Festival as well as the "Under the Influence Series" where a young filmmaker discusses a classic groundbreaking film with its master director who has continually pushed the creative envelope and whose work serves as an inspiring force to independents.
One of the IDC's most effective initiatives has been the "Director's Finder Series," which tackles the most challenging issue facing independents to date: getting their often unique and offbeat films distributed. Initiated two years ago, the series provides Guild members the opportunity to screen their "orphaned" films in the DGA theater at no cost with the intent of attracting distribution and acquisition executives. The screenings are publicized in the DGA members' calendar and by the individual filmmaker. Since its formation, the "Director's Finder Series" has helped secure distribution for Guild members whose films were languishing without any channel of release. (To read about two recent success stories click here)
One of the committee's highlights in 2001 was an IDC-hosted event in mid-September, where members like Steven Soderbergh, Mary Lambert, Penelope Spheeris and Bobby Roth talked with other Guild indie directors about the issues they are facing.
At the September event, Soderbergh detailed a two-pronged goal that is at the heart of the IDC philosophy. "We want to get the word out about the Committee and publicize things we have going on: the 'Director's Finder Series' and 'Under the Influence' screening series and seminars, like the upcoming panel on Independent Distribution that will use Memento as a case study." "That film was turned down by every indie distributor in the business, and was ultimately self-distributed by the production company to the tune of a $25 million domestic gross. The second, but no less important goal, for these types of events, is to get the word from you as to what's happening out in the field."
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TIPS - Neil LaBute: The beauty about the industry is there is no clear road to personal success. You don't have to follow the way somebody else did it to get where you want to be. The damning thing is there is no recipe — go to school, pass the bar, and become a lawyer-type approach. Your greatest weapon is that no one would direct a scene exactly like you. It's the way you personally see the world that's so special and that's what will rise up and get noticed. |
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The seminar on indie distribution Soderbergh referenced back in September came to fruition a few months later, in early December. Entitled "Distribute This!" (in-depth coverage follows on this page), the event brought together hundreds of independents to hear a veteran panel talk about success stories from the casualty riddled field of independent distribution. Moderated by New York Times film critic Elvis Mitchell, the panel presented "outside the box" tales of success against overwhelming odds. Films like Memento, Croupier, Things Behind the Sun and The Decline of Western Civilization: Part III were dissected by a panel of producers, acquisition, marketing and distribution execs, and two IDC filmmakers, Allison Anders and Penelope Spheeris, who are two of the most successful and dedicated female directors in the industry.
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