Control the road

As culture becomes more global, personal stories become more important. With current and future video and computer technology, moviemakers can tell the stories that would otherwise never be seen on television, in festivals or in multiplexes. These movies can focus on the lives of people outside of the stereotypes of Hollywood and PBS. The people making these movies don't have to kiss up to studio executives or grants organizations, but can instead follow their own interests and impulses.

Yes, people with these tools and a little money can go make some really bad movies. People with a lot of money have been making really bad movies for years. Bad movies are the price we pay for taking a chance. But one day there will be a movie that will brighten a dark corner of our culture, one that doesn't fit the marketing needs of a studio or network, a great movie that would otherwise never have been made without these tools.

But will you ever see it? While the technology becomes more powerful and affordable, maybe we should reexamine the most unfair aspect of the entertainment industry: distribution.

The United States is a huge exporter of culture, but we're not real good on the opposite side. How many British sitcoms do we have on prime time? How many Pakistani films play at the local cineplex? When was the last time you heard a Polish pop song on your Top 40 radio station? If your answer is Big Fat Never, then you win. Please see the man behind the curtain for your prize.

While we cry out against protectionism in international markets, when it comes to importing culture, our borders are closed. Unless, of course, we can rip it off.

This is also  true of independent movies made in the United States and where Hollywood couldn't copy, they bought. Independent directors and producers have succumbed to the lure of Hollywood and who can blame them? I don't know if I could resist, but then I've never been tested. In the interests of science, I'd be happy to entertain multimillion-dollar studio offers, swimming pools and movie stars.

While I sit here holding my breath waiting for that to happen, let me end with this.

The real revolution in independent moviemaking is not in the tools of digital video and desktop nonlinear editing systems. Controlling the means of production is not the road to freedom. You can rent the means of production. You want to be independent? Control the road.