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For all of you who worried that MovieMaker is going to “change” in the future, I want to set the record straight. The answer is yes... but that’s
only because, as every high school physics student knows, an object in motion tends to stay in motion. For all living things—including magazines and their editors—appearing stationary is just an illusion. We’re moving at all times; the trick is to be sure that the movement is in a forward direction and the changes are positive ones. I think we have a pretty good track record in that regard. We’ve evolved with each issue since our first, in 1993, and we’ll continue to do so. We’ll continue to try to advance in a direction you, our readers, prefer—but you’ll have to be the arbiters of that. So keep the letters coming. Especially if you’re a subscriber, new or old, we really appreciate the feedback.
One change you’ll see in coming issues is our recommitment to film festival coverage. Festivals have always been important to me, not only because, as a moviemaker myself, they’ve given me the opportunity to introduce my work to the public, but because they represent a classic cross-section of MM’s readership. Who attends festivals? Independent moviemakers and their very knowledgeable fans, who are often aspiring moviemakers, as well—and that’s a good definition of our readership. Our new “MM Film Festival Cooperative” will provide readers with more and better festival coverage each issue.
With this Spring ’04 edition we’re also pleased to introduce our new legal column, “Indie Counselor,” which I think you’ll enjoy. Beverly Hills-based attorney David Pierce has not only seen it all when it comes to helping moviemakers achieve their dreams legally, his writing is breezy, entertaining and packed with solid information.
Another addition to our editorial line-up next issue will be a “Tales From the Trenches” department. MovieMaker has always published war stories from indie moviemakers, of course, but as with our expansion of “Festival Beat,” we’d like to do more of what we do best. If you have an interesting or outrageous production tale you can tell in less than 500 words that you think other moviemakers can learn from, just e-mail it to tales@moviemaker.com along with a great photo, and we’ll share your story and give your film some international exposure.
As we enter the fourth month of our 11th year, what we do here at MM in many ways seems more relevant than ever. Thousands of people will enter the independent moviemaking ranks in 2004, film festivals are thriving and proliferating and brand new technologies designed to make moviemaking and viewing more user-friendly amaze me on a daily basis. I’ve said it before, but this is an incredibly exciting time to be a moviemaker. This issue we’re running a feature on the late Orson Welles. What would Welles be doing with the technology available to all moviemakers today? We know this—he’d be using it. What do you suppose John Cassavetes would be doing? What would his output as an artist be like today? Scary.
Every issue of MM has a subplot, and often it’s not apparent to us until the editorial content has been collected and looked at as a whole. The “A” storyline this issue is screenwriting, but the “B” storyline is more subtle, more mystical. That theme is “Hollywood Independents.” The iconoclastic Welles may have been the first “crossover” film artist, but his spiritual sons and daughters are alive and well and continue to create some of our most daring, interesting cinema. This issue’s coverboy, Mark Ruffalo, is a good example. He’s the quintessential MM story, really. From working class, self-made roots, he has come to straddle—and conquer—both the indie and Hollywood worlds. He’s as comfortable behind the camera as he is in front of it, and he usually does work that’s personal and meaningful to him. Philip and Charlie Kaufman are also Hollywood independents. These folks are moviemakers who do it their way, and although it’s not a slamdunk for them every time out, they have satisfying, successful careers and are able to look at themselves in the mirror each and every day. They’re inspirations, and inspiration is something we believe in here at MM. Happy moviemaking—hope you enjoy #54. MM