Above the common question “How long is a short film?*” should be the more significant question, “Why a short film?” Good short films are enjoyable and moving, with stories that can have an impact as strong as good feature-length films or powerful TV series. You can laugh, cry, and be inspired watching a good short … Continue reading My Bumpy Road through “Hollywood” — THE BLENDED SCREENS: WHY SHORT FILMS?
Crowdfunding
KICKSTARTER steps up for corporate responsibility, becomes new Benefit Corporation
If you follow business issues, particularly corporate entity structure and how the existing incorporation laws require companies to ignore the common good in favor of shareholder profits, then you may have applauded the recent creation of a new corporate entity form: the Benefit Corporation (also referred to as a "B-Corporation"). The popular current corporate structure … Continue reading KICKSTARTER steps up for corporate responsibility, becomes new Benefit Corporation
My Bumpy Road Through “Hollywood” — THE MEAN STREETS
I spent a lot of time on the mean streets of Hollywood. I lived there, worked there, had friends there, I walked them a lot. My screenplay for the feature film EVERYBODY SAYS GOODBYE—The Story of a Father and Son is set there, in 1998. The sketchy stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard between La Brea … Continue reading My Bumpy Road Through “Hollywood” — THE MEAN STREETS
Equity Crowdfunding is dead for us. What’s next?
If you remember that there once was a glimmer of hope for more sustainable financing for innovative small business (and, for my concern, an indie film industry) through "Equity Crowdfunding" as demanded by the JOBS Act of 2012, the fact is that it's not going to happen. It's already far past the Act's imposed deadlines … Continue reading Equity Crowdfunding is dead for us. What’s next?
The independent filmmaking industry needs a new relationship with investors [UPDATED]
Prolific indie film producer Ted Hope, who spent the past year as Executive Director of the San Francisco Film Society (as of June 2015, a Production Executive at AMAZON STUDIOS), recently posted "Towards A Sustainable Investor Class: Accessing Quality Projects" as a call to build a healthy independent filmmaking industry. As always, he makes an … Continue reading The independent filmmaking industry needs a new relationship with investors [UPDATED]
My Bumpy Road Through “Hollywood” — CROWDFUNDING SUCKS.
CROWDFUNDING SUCKS. In the past two days, I've had some conversations that remind me that there is no "fun" in crowdfund. It is a necessary evil, borne of the collapse of the economy, possibly the only chance for the art of filmmaking to continue. That's versus the marketing channel that is the current Hollywood studio … Continue reading My Bumpy Road Through “Hollywood” — CROWDFUNDING SUCKS.
From Slated.com: “The new ‘soft’ money” for making indie movies
This is very important information for filmmakers seeking funds for their movie projects, and explains the approach that has been surprising and frustrating for those indie filmmakers who are not interested in ROI ("Return on Investment") or the investment aspect of filmmaking. (See my earlier blog, "Crowdfunding and 'Hey Zach Braff STFU and pay for … Continue reading From Slated.com: “The new ‘soft’ money” for making indie movies
Crowdfunding and “Hey Zach Braff STFU and pay for your own movie” [UPDATED January 2014]
Why is there controversy about projects such as Rob Thomas's VERONICA MARS and Zach Braff's WISH I WAS HERE going to crowdfunding for the money to make their projects? The surge in Perks-based Donor Crowdfunding over the past few years was primarily built on the concept that creative projects dreamed up by common folks with … Continue reading Crowdfunding and “Hey Zach Braff STFU and pay for your own movie” [UPDATED January 2014]
The JOBS Act of April 2012 is a Failure for America.
THIS IS A MAJOR JOBS PROBLEM AND NEEDS OUR ATTENTION:America needs good jobs. Joblessness and low-wage jobs have crippled the survival and prosperity of millions of Americans, and are a drag on our entire economy.The promise of the JOBS Act, signed into law a year ago and supported by the most bi-partisanship effort in recent … Continue reading The JOBS Act of April 2012 is a Failure for America.
FILMMAKERS, IT’S 2013. DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR JOBS ACT IS? Part 1
1 FILMMAKERS, IT’S 2013. DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR JOBS ACT IS? Part 1 of 2 Written by Michael R. Barnard Michael R. Barnard is a writer and filmmaker who has been researching the American JOBS Act since it was first proposed. Barnard is currently working on creating an independent feature film, A FATHER AND … Continue reading FILMMAKERS, IT’S 2013. DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR JOBS ACT IS? Part 1
FILMMAKERS, IT’S 2013. DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR JOBS ACT IS? Part 2
1 FILMMAKERS, IT’S 2013. DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR JOBS ACT IS? Part 2 of 2 Written by Michael R. Barnard Michael R. Barnard is a writer and filmmaker who has been researching the American JOBS Act since it was first proposed. Barnard is currently working on creating an independent feature film, A FATHER AND … Continue reading FILMMAKERS, IT’S 2013. DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR JOBS ACT IS? Part 2
EQUITY CROWDFUNDING RULEMAKING APPROACHES SOON.
I was at a seminar this week that purported to be about the new EQUITY CROWDFUNDING, but sadly, the panel was populated by finance professionals whose disdain for those of us who are not "high end, high net worth" made the panel useless. These types of professional fundraisers, coming from the status quo investment community, … Continue reading EQUITY CROWDFUNDING RULEMAKING APPROACHES SOON.
Michael R. Barnard's Thoughts & Discussions. 