When we started working on this project almost a year ago, our goal was to create a new kind of film magazine, one that would be of value to cinema artists and audiences alike. We believed that a new media literacy had given birth to an enthusiastic, knowledgeable breed of moviegoer who shrugged their shoulders and rolled their eyes at much of the fan pap being offered by the "major"movie mags; but whose eyes also glazed over while thumbing through the trades. We believed there were plenty of readers interested not only in the personalities behind the movies, but the entire, almost miraculous creative process that happens each time a movie is made. We thought that this audience of serious film fans, many of whom have at least considered what it might take to shoot his or her own film someday, would devour a publication that spoke to them in a way that was reasonably intelligent and fun.

We also saw a gap in the coverage being given to independent filmmakers, who too often represent the only original voice in cinema. Our aim was to give these artists an entertaining editorial mix that would also be of some benefit to their careers. In past issues we've run articles on financing features, new film stocks, marketing, and distribution, as well as interviews with some of the top directors, actors, screenwriters and cinematographers in ;he world. We've also published plenty of copy about talented independents you've probably never heard of, but whose work may soon be coming to a theatre near you.

From the feedback we've gotten, you like what we're doing. We could not be more pleased with the reception MovieMaker has gotten here in Seattle, and with this issue we're gambling that readers all over the country will have the same positive response.

We'd like to welcome all our new advertisers this month, especially New York Dailies, Tobin Cinema Systems, Entros and ICBM. Special thanks go out to Hart Brewing, Scarecrow Video and The Wherehouse for their steady advertising support. Please contact our office for more information and ad rates.

We hope you enjoy this issue. Next time we'll have interviews with Walter Hill and Lina Wertmuller; articles on virtual vision and what distributors want from indies, along with plenty of other surprises. Let us know if there's anything in particular you'd like to see in these pages. In the meantime, thanks for picking up MovieMaker, and don't forget- go see the little films, too.