Jason at 2011-02-21 14:04:23:

The idea that once this final wall, distribution, is conquered that there will be a tidal wave of incredible films flooding the marketplace is a total myth. It’s curious that the article mentions how technology has affected production (specifically cinematography, although I imagine that Dp’s would take offense to the idea that ” shooting a movie no longer required skilled cinematographers ), editing, financing, and distribution but it failed to mention the most important factor in the success or failure of a film – the script. There’s a reason that a studio or a producer is willing to pay 6 sometimes 7 figures for 120 pages of 12 point courier. And there’s a reason studios spend millions every year in the purchase and development of screenplays (and yes it’s easy to make the argument that the quality is of less importance than the script’s box office potential). Hollywood doesn’t throw barrels of money at writers just because the can, it’s because a great screenplay is hard to come by and no technology has ever solved the riddle on how to write a great script.
99% of independent are terrible with 97% of that 99% being absolutely unwatchable. The movie viewing going public only sees the best of what independent films have to offer. There are filters in place called film festivals that do us all the favor of sifting through the submission deluge. This year’s Sundance festival selected 115 films out 3800 submissions. And lets’ be honest how many of those Sundance films have you sat through bemoaning the fact that you’ll never get those 2 hours back. I get it, you come from a dysfunctional family and you’re emotionally scarred. Now get on with it.
This “final wall” idea is an easy article to write because technology is quantifiable and tangible. The creative side of filmmaking is much more elusive and hard to articulate in words. As William Goldman famously quipped, “Nobody knows anything”. Distribution isn’t preventing great movies from reaching the viewing public, it’s the lack of great storytelling. If new avenues of distribution inspire fledgling filmmakers to go out and make a film then I’m all for it, but the portrayal of a wellspring of untapped talent being forever pinned behind the wall of distribution is ludicrous. Technology is a tool, not a magic wand. The filmmaking industry is already a democracy - one that is based on talent and persistence.

Scott at 2011-02-21 15:36:29:

Jason, as you can imagine, I resonate strongly with this comment:

"Hollywood doesn’t throw barrels of money at writers just because the can, it’s because a great screenplay is hard to come by and no technology has ever solved the riddle on how to write a great script."

I would have to guess that most of those "I just wasted 2 hours of my life on an obscure indie movie" movies [as you mentioned] are not abominations because of poor acting, lousy directing, and crappy production values, but rather primarily because of a bad story.

I suppose looked at one way, the fact there is so much bad storytelling out there puts a premium on good storytellers.

Gary Cottontail at 2011-02-21 17:43:48:

EXT. DISTRIBUTION WALL - NIGHT

JEFF STEELE takes a break from climbing and looks down to the climber below.

JEFF - You know what's on the other side of this wall, Jason?!

Jason stops climbing and looks up.

JASON - I'm hoping a McDonalds. All this climbing is making me thirsty.

JEFF - Democracy, Jason. Democracy!

Jeff turns and looks up at the rest of the large crumbling wall as pieces fall down like melting icicles.

JEFF (mumbling) - Wait till they see my goddamn movie. Just wait you barrier-to-market bastards!!!

Meanwhile Jason repels down the wall, walks through the YouTube opening in the bottom of the wall, grabs a coke at Mickey Dee's and watches some crappy feature film on vimeo.

Somewhere in the night, the loud booming echo of Jeff's voice cries out from the top of the wall...DEMOCRACY!!!!

Lazzard at 2011-02-22 06:10:50:

It might not be the final answer but democratization of distribution is what we need here in the UK. Those of us who hanker after a proper UK film industry (rather than an appendage hoping for crumbs from the rich man table by pretending it's American) need a way to get films seen. Currently it's impossible outside London Arthouses - screens are too busy showing 4-quadrant blockbusters - and why wouldn't they? More screens equials more opportunity and the possibility of a UK scene approaching the kind of thing we have in Europe.

Gary Cottontail at 2011-02-23 08:44:35:

Here's a related article about theater chains producing their own movies.

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/opinions/view/opinion/Movie-Theaters-Are-Thinking-About-Making-Their-Own-Movies-6950

at some point every major city will have sound stages and movies will be produced like local theaters. we'll always have broadway but we can also have good stories being made at a smaller local level. and the filmmakers can come to the showings and live in those towns.

the quest should not be about large profits but sustainable profits that can support moving picture storytellers who want to also have families and live middle class lives.