“The myth of the lone genius is exactly that - a myth. Every breakthrough I’ve ever had came through conversations. Creative people need other creative people not because they have the answers, but because they ask better questions. Communities like this create collisions and collisions create ideas.” - Elliot Grove
A few weeks ago, Elliot joined a group of us on a Saturday morning. He was gracious with his time despite being neck-deep in the Raindance Film Festival. After his opening keynote, that would have been enough to inspire us for the rest of the day (or even the year).
But the day was just getting started.
We followed up with two panels:
1 - Building The Ecosystem featuring Ami Vora , Ellis J. Sutton (with Coffeehouse Cinema , Amy Janes and Sean Cisterna (moderated by yours truly) where we showcased how a filmmaker can not only distribute their own film. But create a local community around it.
2 - Money Talks featuring Kristi Ray (of HoneyHead Films), Donny Broussard, Lauren Greenwood and Jon Fitzgerald (moderated by Amanda Sweikow ) where we dove into the specifics of money in film. How to raise it, what tax credits are available, what rates on an low budget film looking like and how to survive.
We ended with a social hour where we (both panelists and audience) just talked about all things NonDē. Where each of us are at with our projects and what we would like to do in the near future.
At the end of this day, our cups were full. Which is exactly what we imagined when four of us go together to create this event.
About 3 months ago Courtney, Jane, Taylor, Lauren and I gathered together with the idea of trying to celebrate non-dependence. Filmmakers talk a lot about the seriousness of this moment. But there’s something missing from the conversation:
Fun.
Are we taking on a giant system in one of the most volatile times? Yes.
Is building an entirely new ecosystem for the hardest art form a fool’s errand? Possibly yes.
Is it the most amazing and fun activity a filmmaker can do at this moment? Hell yes!
So why not create an event that not only gives people the mental frameworks and physical tools to succeed? But also remind them that what we do is a grown-up form of play. Because as Stanley Kubrick pointed out:
Because if we want to welcome people into this movement. It has to be a party.
We had no idea what to expect. But what we received was everything and more of what we hoped for:
Excitement.
Something that we realized between our two panels is this:
Non-Dependence is already happening.
Two of our panelists (Amy Janes and Kristi Ray) have already built their own ecosystems in their localities. Kristi Ray has built not only a successful production company in Wilmington, North Carolina. But also lobbied the state government to create tax incentives for low-budget filmmakers. Amy Janes has built a studio and training facility in Oklahoma that has become the go-to place for local talent and stories. All of our panelists are already doing the damn thing that we write about. And most importantly - we are all now in community with each other.
Embrace the fact that you are already in the NonDē movement.
Join the NonDē 50 Films Project and read the Q2 Report.
Celebrate the success of the Letterboxd Campaign! Our event raised $208 for Elizabeth Joyce and there will soon be a formal bid to purchase Letterboxd. Read the plan for the platform HERE (link).
Connect with artists and organizations in your local area.
Make your movie and share it with all of us.
At all times, have fun.
Because there are amazing milestones happening at this moment. And also:
We are in the beginning stages of planning the next event. And this is where you come in:
What would you like to see next? If you attended or weren’t able to attend, we want to hear from you.
Every new idea is an unexpected connection between two old ideas, and that’s why filmmakers can learn from the blues musicians. Entrepreneurs can learn from painters. Architects can learn from chefs. And the wider you influences, the more original your work becomes.” - Elliot Grove.
What creates a movement of Non-Dependence is community. Each person who provides a platform, tells a story or reaches out to another person is doing just that. While we are creating more events and opportunities to gather. We also want to take part in yours. So if there’s an event you are hosting or a conversation to be had. We are all here to speak and support you.
Thank you for showing up, showing out and continuing to build this new ecosystem. We are all in this boat together.
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