https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnPgU_Frzbo

What is our underlying why

  1. A big part of the work we’re doing relies on knowing why we’re doing it.
  2. Thinking through WHY is a large part of how change happens. IF we’re going to be changing the industry, creating sustainable film careers, and shifting the culture around art artists and audiences, then we need to each know why we’re doing it.
  3. Non-dependent filmmaking is not dependent on the Hollywood studio system, but rather takes responsibility for the distribution of the film, connection to the audience, and holds onto the rights and profits.
    1. The ND50 Films Project is an organizational body for the non-dependent wave of filmmaking. It’s
      1. It is not just an educational resource, even though we do bring in experts to help filmmakers gain more institutional knowledge
      2. It is not just a community, even though we do offer opportunities to connect with other like-minded filmmakers going through similar processes
      3. It is not just marketing leverage for individual films, even though being in a cohort like this gives you context and better positioning for your individual fundraises, marketing, and even distribution
      4. ND50 is a mobilized collective of artists, organizing to build a new cinematic ecosystem that supports…
        1. FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE CAREERS
        2. DIRECT AUDIENCE RELATIONSHIP
        3. AMBITIOUSLY-AUTHORED FILMS

The findings from the Q2 report

  1. Big headlines: 230k+ follower reach, $1.86 million raised, 26 states and 15 countries
  2. What that tells us: there’s a huge benefit to coordinating in each of those markets.
  3. If we each build up the market in our specific location — what do we get?
    1. A theatrical touring road map with built-in audiences in each location
    2. A national mission and values system, but deployed at the local level — responding to local needs, embedding in the community in an authentic and word-of-mouth generating way
    3. Access to institutions of support in those communities
      1. tourism bureaus - to help with press
      2. local businesses - to help with in-kind donations
      3. family offices - fundraising
      4. location-specific grants - fundraising
  4. So how do we build up our markets?
    1. Partner with other filmmakers on screenings and events as they come through, or put together an event in your city
    2. Go to speak with the tourism center, get connected with the film commission, tell your city you want to put them on the map with non-dependence
    3. REMEMBER: filmmakers are underrepresented economic actors
  5. Aaron’s takeaways from his non-dependent theatrical road show for Withdrawal

Big picture changes for ND50

  1. Ideally, ND50 is organized into chapters which was a suggestion from Eric Foss. We have a national/international mission, but each local chapter is organized and led by a local leader.
    1. So think about: are you that leader for neighborhood?
    2. What does your local area need? How can ND50 support that local need?
  2. DFOS — setting up a private internet space so if you’re not on Substack or you’re not subscribed to FSDD, you can still catch up with everything. It’s a place to chat with each other and we can set up local chapter chat groups there as well so everything is connected.

Actionable takeaways

  1. Reach out to ONE other filmmaker in your area or neighborhood — check the ND50 directory and start there
    1. Get together and talk. Decide what is possible and what your area needs under the framework of ND50.
  2. We will organize into chapters so it’s more formalized, but if you know you want to lead — DM Courtney Romano on Substack.
  3. Also: we need to support Aaron Strand Withdrawal, if he’s coming through or you know someone in that area, connect him and help get the word out.

    1. who can you share this film with?

    2. can you post about it?

    3. Reach out to Aaron here: [email protected]

    4. Here is his current schedule:

      • September 11th: Haven Haus, Memphis TN
        • Chozen (local rapper and IG follower)
      • September 14th: Hyperreal Film Club, Austin TX
        • We Are Those People (Local Non-profit focused on Addition Narratives)
      • September 16th: Kan-Kan Cinema, Indianapolis, IN
      • October 9th: Skin and Bones Durham, NC
        • Two Beer Cinema Club (Local movie hosts, they are awesome)
      • October 15th: The Alban Arts Center, St Alban, WV
        • Jen Ogrin (Local Filmmaker)
        • Salwa Amin (Program Director for Help4WV)

      Potential Venues that have yet to confirm dates:

      • The Grand Illusion, Seattle, WA
      • Spacy, Dallas, TX
      • The Slab, San Antonio, TX
      • The Terrace, Charleston, SC
      • Central Cinema, Knoxville, TN
      • Sidewalk, Birmingham, AL
      • Fine Arts Theatre, Asheville, NC
      • New York City (trying and struggling to book a venue)
      • Uprising Theatre, Chicago
      • Greenlight Cinema, St.Petersburg
      • The Heights, Minneapolis
      • Circle Cinema, Tulsa OK
      • The Delancey, San Francisco
      • Digital Gym, San Diego
      • The Broad Theatre, New Orleans