Ed Burns To Make A New Short Film Each Month In 2013, With Help From Twitter Followers
from the neat-experiments dept
We're always interested in neat experiments concerning creativity. We've written about filmmaker Ed Burns, who has plenty of "big" Hollywood credits to his name, but last year went "micro" with a $9,000 budget film. It appears he's still continuing down that inexpensive indie route. His latest plan, as announced on Twitter, is to release a new short film each month in 2013 telling a longer story in four separate arcs: winter, spring, summer and fall.To make this happen, he's made it clear that he's going to rely on his Twitter followers for help, from acting to scouting locations and more. It's clearly an experiment, but certainly fits into the kinds of thing that "the internet" does well. We've seen musicians release a "new song every week" or "a new song every day" or something similar. So why not have a filmmaker build a movie in chapters, somewhat serially? And, of course, it only makes sense to make it happen while involving his biggest fans.
Every time we see stories about how the changing market has made it more difficult for artists to create, we see stories like this which suggest the exact opposite. It's easier than ever to create. It's all about figuring out cool ways to embrace all of those opportunities.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Filed Under: connect with fans, ed burns, short films, twitter followers
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
[ link to this | view in thread ]
So, tell me, does anyone remember both an artist and a SONG from one of these song a day / song a week things? I think mostly they are an exercise similar to daily writing for authors. They don't really produce much of true value, but like running on a treadmill, they burn calories.
Perhaps it's the best way to sum up the internet thing: Lots of motion, and then a puffed up empty result.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
Yes. I've only ever followed one of the "song a week" things: Jonathan Coulton's. I can not only name, but sing, at least half a dozen of those songs.
Oh, I can also relate many of my favourite jokes from The Show with Ze Frank.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re:
"can any NORMAL people..." ;)
Sorry, but as soon as you mention Ze Frank, I know you ain't normal! :)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re:
When I say "anyone" it's a rhetorical question. Yes, I am sure there are a few who do, but for the most part, it's the hype and the instant activity and not the actual product that mattered. I sort of think of it as a sad commentary on artistry as a party trick rather than an end to itself.
How about you try not being angry and actually consider the other view for a minute?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Oh, and I notice that you've changed your IP address meaning that the snowflake changed. Did you come up with a magic solution for me to tell you morons apart so you don't get offended when I mix you up next time?
"I sort of think of it as a sad commentary on artistry as a party trick rather than an end to itself."
As opposed to soulless corporate product reduced down to the lowest common denominator so that it can be treated as units to be shifted rather than actual art?
I know which I'd prefer, and I don't see the problem with artists doing things to get themselves noticed. Please, name an era where artists haven't had to do this to some extent - artists as opposed to manufactured products, I mean. Everyone from The Beatles to Lady Gaga has had to use some gimmick to get noticed at first, and they're signed to the labels that control the marketplace. There's also only an opinion that this is the wrong way of getting sales - if artists are happy and their fans are happy, what's the problem? Do you have any data that you're basing these opinions on, or are they just bare assertions that depend on personal opinion?
That other people have a different opinion doesn't mean that yours hasn't been considered nor that they're not willing to discuss it. You just have to explain why you hold the other opinion and present what you're basing it upon. Do you have any points that don't boil down to a subjective opinion you're not prepared to justify, or am I just "angry" for being tired of people who don't?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
kthxbai
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
You need to learn what ;) means. Take a chill pill.
"Oh, and I notice that you've changed your IP address meaning that the snowflake changed. Did you come up with a magic solution for me to tell you morons apart so you don't get offended when I mix you up next time?"
Easiest way is to not get pissed off at everyone. My ISP requires a redraw for an IP every so often, blame them. I can also disconnect and reconnect for a new one as well. I can do that every post if you like.
"As opposed to soulless corporate product reduced down to the lowest common denominator so that it can be treated as units to be shifted rather than actual art?"
Why must everything be a bizarre absolute for you? Why do you think my dislike of something means that I have a 100% opposite view?
Is there no middle ground?
My only issue is when the "how" is more important than the product. At some point, it is a real issue. In reality even Mike highlighted the issue with Facepalm and Kickstarter. People are focused on the Kickstarter deal, and not the music. It's the deal that got all the attention. That's the problem.
When the art is no longer the reason, and just a side show, then you have a problem.
"Do you have any points that don't boil down to a subjective opinion you're not prepared to justify, or am I just "angry" for being tired of people who don't?"
I don't have to justify anything to you. Deal with it.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
So, you're aware that there's literally no way I can differentiate yourself from any other AC, let alone keep track of your comments, but then you complain that I get you people mixed up? Not the ISP's fault for that...
"Why must everything be a bizarre absolute for you?"
That reading comprehension sure is difficult for you, huh? How do you read my words and come to the exact opposite conclusion of my real position so often?
You've not explained your position, and have outright stated that you'll refuse to justify it. Fine. But all you've done so far is question and criticise, you've certainly not applauded anything. I only have your words to go on, and since you refuse to even differentiate your position from that of other people, don't start whining that I'm getting your ideas wrong.
I simply wanted to point out that the criticisms you've had so far of Palmer's work are applicable everywhere. If you know this, why are you criticising the "new" models without any word of recognition that this is a universal problem (albeit one that manifests itself differently in other parts of the industry)?
Let's put it this way: did Palmer's sales & funding tactics take away from the creation of her art? If so, I agree we have a problem. If not, who really cares? She got exposure to a lot of people who may not otherwise have discovered her. She's sold more copies of her art without being forced to compromise it or sell the rights to a 3rd party. Many of the people she's attracted will enjoy the art and seek more, while others were existing fans who were waiting for this one.
Unless you can explain why this is more of a problem than with other models, I can't help but wonder what it is you're trying to get at. Yes, in order to sell art, artists sometimes have to get noticed in other ways. This isn't new.
Shock, horror, Ed Burns is going to make some films with direct fan involvement, and might attract people who aren't as interested in the end result as they are in the process to make them. Is this really a problem? If so, why?
"It's the deal that got all the attention. That's the problem."
Would you have preferred Palmer to sell virtually zero records but be happy that the handful of people who actually noticed her album do so due to the art? If not, what's your solution? Sign with a label and let them do it for her? Spend lots of time and money trying to get radio airplay and other exposure that's going to get drowned by major labels anyway?
"I don't have to justify anything to you. Deal with it."
Then I suggest you do the same. Start by dealing with the fact that making unsupported blanket statements isn't going to go unquestioned.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Call Tracking
[ link to this | view in thread ]