The old ways of doing business aren’t working anymore. DOH! Times past, the artist would compile a reel, portfolio or samples. The agent would have a lunch showing and bring some pizza. The rep would setup the books on a conference room table and have a box of donuts set out. Then they added juice and coffee. The coffee became Starbucks. The donuts got upgraded from Dunkin’ to Krispy and suddenly it became made-to-order crepes served with Bloody Mary’s. The pizza became a private chief carving roast beef with a fresh Caesar Salad served by a tuxedoed dressed wait staff.
Meanwhile, budgets kept falling. Work went away. Opportunities dwindled. And we did more shows. Albert Einstein said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. The business changed while many of our practices didn’t.
Whether you are a director, photographer, artist, illustrator or designer I suggest that now might be a most excellent time to redefine exactly what it is you deliver, how it gets delivered, and how you want to be compensated. The world of Independent film has never been easy or for the faint of heart. Distribution, financing and compensation business models are getting turned on their ear these days. Scott Thigpen, President of Unify Films, rewrote the traditional business model for his “A Powerful Noise” documentary. Read the story…
He is an example of an artist who has completely rethought their business model. While acknowledging that he is an independent film maker, he realizes that he also is in the event, distribution, and finance business. What business are you in?
Mike Morawski
Chief Instigation Officer
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