Adventures in Self-Releasing: Hollywood vs. Indiewood

by Jeffrey Goodman | Published July 31, 2009

As I mentioned last week, I’m gearing up for another two-week run of The Last Lullaby beginning July 31. After this run, that’ll be nine weeks that we have been in theaters. I think that’s a pretty respectable accomplishment. Sure, I wish we had done better numbers in certain places, and there are a couple of changes that I’m now making to my approach, but 63 days in theaters? I’m proud of that. And hopefully there will be another stop or two before it’s all over.

I should probably clarify now that, in general, when I make statements here, they’re in reference to the independent movie world and not to Hollywood. The independent world is the world I’m working in, and the only one I feel halfway qualified to discuss. Okay, as I mentioned last week, we are facing major challenges right now. As IndieWIRE reported, “Hollywood seems to be doing fine… overall 2009 box office is tracking 10 percent above last year.” But Indiewood isn’t having such a stellar year.

Once again, according to IndieWIRE, “…at this point last year, the top five specialty releases… had grossed roughly $50.5 million (which was in itself a disappointment over the year prior). This year, that number stands at only $26.5 million.”

So why should you care?

If Hollywood movies are producing enough content each year to satisfy you, then you shouldn’t care. But if part of your movie diet depends on independent movies, then the statistics above should probably give you some pause.

In the last year or two, several of the key family-owned restaurants in the Shreveport area (where I live) have closed their doors. And it scares the hell out of me. I’ll eat a McDonald’s hamburger once in a while with the best of them, but I sure as hell would feel it was a generic existence if my only choices for food ended up being the national chain restaurants.

And, sure, independent movies aren’t going anywhere. In fact, you can find more of them than ever before on places like Netflix or on VOD or through digital downloads. But don’t we all agree that nothing compares to seeing a movie on the big screen in a dark room with a bunch of strangers?

At the rate things are going, we might risk losing the opportunity to see something other than Hollywood movies in our hometown theaters. We lost three major indie distributors last year, and already one of the major new players, Senator Distribution, has closed its doors this year.

All of these statistics definitely worry me, and I hope we’ll see the numbers go up again soon. Here are a couple of things that might make a difference:

1. Independent distributors and moviemakers coming up with better ways of marketing their movies.

2. Audience members pushing themselves to support independent movies in the theater, knowing that seeing them at home is simply not the same experience. You’re right, I can mail order a slap of ribs from the famous Charles Vergos’ Rendezvous restaurant in Memphis—and I like having that option. But nothing compares to being inside the restaurant, with a bunch of strangers, all sharing in the experience together.

After living in Los Angeles for seven years, Jeffrey Goodman returned to his hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana to direct The Last Lullaby. Co-written by the creator of Road to Perdition, and starring Tom Sizemore and Sasha Alexander, The Last Lullaby was filmed entirely in and around Shreveport and financed by 48 local investors.

COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT

Comment by Mike on 7/31/09 at 1:23 am

Aren’t indie theaters kind of a rare treat though?

For most people there’s no such thing in their hometown, especially not on par with local restaurants. It’s not a loss as they’ve never had it.

While seeing an indie film on the big screen is great, it’s never been the norm for indie films, I don’t feel like. They’ve always had more success in the formats that can reach a broader audience.

And most people I know, even if they have access to an indie film theater only see the major indie releases in theaters. Seeing as you could generally buy the DVD for the price of two tickets, most people I know reserve their movie-going experiences for the big movies which you really want to see on a big screen with surround sound and everything. Indie film has never seemed to justify that for me or my friends.

In my experience it’s rare to find the everyday moviegoer that loves indie film on the big screen. For most people it seems to be more naturally a DVD kind of format and that’s also where indie film tends to do best.

Occassionally I’ll go to an indie theater for special screenings of cult favorites, but rarely do I go for new indie releases. The irony is that often the cult favorites are Hollywood hits of yesterday.

But surely, with your film playing in some megaplexes, it’s occurred to you that you’re the odd man out, and that while you claim to be separate from Hollywood, you’re certainly dipping your feet in its water opening against Xmen and whatnot.

I feel like even now with all the effort you’re putting into getting your movie out there, some of it’s wasted until you get a DVD out there. For example, your following here, unless we happen to be in the city you’re screening in are an interested audience you can’t really exploit. I don’t have any way to see your film.

I think a lot of the indie audience is probably like that. We’re here online, but we need access. If it’s not there when we first hear about you, we might forget or write you off and you’ve missed some potential customers. On the internet especially, you rarely get a second glance.

My 2 cents.

Comment by hunter on 8/02/09 at 1:21 pm

Jeffrey, found two blog posts that might interest you and your readers:

A guide to getting an approved vendor that will get your product into all the major outlets (Blockbuster, Amazon, iTunes, Target, etc.)

http://trulyfreefilm.blogspot.com/2009/07/diy-distribution-tips-use-dvd-rental.html

A lit of blogs that will review undistributed/self distributed films

http://trulyfreefilm.blogspot.com/2009/07/list-blogs-that-will-review.html

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 8/02/09 at 3:57 pm

Hi Hunter,

Thanks for both of these links.  I hadn’t seen the first one but had come across and printed out the list of blogs that will review undistributed/self-distributed movies.  Yeah, I encourage everyone interested in independent movies to follow Ted Hope’s Truly Free Film blog.  It is definitely one of the most helpful I have found. 

I really appreciate the info.

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by Dominic on 8/02/09 at 11:47 pm

Indie films are doing great efforts on the big screen.  Actually, I’m much more interested watching Indie movies for just some reasons.  One, the story is much more interesting. These films usually tackle true to life situations that most people are not aware of.  Second, indiewood actors act more natural in comparison to hollywood actors.  Well, that’s only my opinion.

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 8/03/09 at 7:35 am

Hi Dominic,

Thanks so much for your comments.  I think many of us feel the same. 

I hope that you’ll continue to follow along.

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by Budapeste on 11/06/09 at 3:20 pm

The numbers you give here about independent movies is really scary! I hope there will be a way to survive despite this difficult situation. I like your ideas for improving independent movie sales a lot. I hope the audience will give a strong support.

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 11/06/09 at 5:14 pm

Hi Budapeste,

Thank you so much for your comments.  It is scary, but I’m confident that we will eventually find a way through it. 

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by Skivakantie on 11/08/09 at 3:55 pm

Thanks for the links you posted, @hunter. Very interesting to read.

Comment by Ocean Sounds on 11/17/09 at 7:51 pm

Jeffrey, what was your inspiration for this film?

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 11/18/09 at 9:55 am

Hi Ocean Sounds,

So many things, really.  Are you asking what specific film or event inspired me? 

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by g5g5.net on 1/29/10 at 5:36 pm

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Comment by Joshua Williams on 2/12/10 at 11:08 pm

Not all people loves indie film.  However, it’s not because they don’t like the story nor the actors and actresses.  The few of the reasons are the limited # of theaters where they can watch the movie and lack of advertisement.  They don’t have enough funds to support all their needs in order to reach out their potential movie viewers.

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 2/13/10 at 9:04 am

Hi Joshua,

Thank you so much for your comments!  I couldn’t agree more. 

I hope that you’ll continue to follow along.

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by porno on 3/30/10 at 2:09 am

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Comment by Online-İzle on 3/31/10 at 1:26 pm

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Comment by liseli sikiş on 4/20/10 at 5:29 pm

Jeffrey, found two blog posts that might interest you and your readers;
A guide to getting an approved vendor that will get your product into all the major outlets (Blockbuster, Amazon, iTunes, Target, etc.)

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 4/20/10 at 6:19 pm

Hi liseli sikis,

Thanks so much for your comments!  What are those two blog posts you reference?

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by sarah levine simon on 1/20/11 at 6:41 am

Here is my attempt at self releasing and opera music video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Npak-N8ZK-Y
Love to have feedback.

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 1/22/11 at 5:41 pm

Hi sarah levine simon,

Thank you so much for sharing.  It’s a great, little piece.  Keep up the good work!

All the best,

Jeffrey

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