👋🏽 One of those filmmakers that made a movie off social media 11 years ago. Gotta say it truly is a struggle to hold on to / build an audience through platform changes and algorithmic vicissitudes while simply surviving this business. They’re both such demanding jobs. One where you make and develop work you’re not allowed to own or talk frankly about in public. The other an Olympics of authentic extroversion where the thing you’re best at (long form high production value mass media) rarely yields huge returns. Hopeful hearing there are real efforts to bridge this gap. Change is needed. 🤙🏽
Thank you for the comment Justin, Im a HUGE fan! DWP is true art man, and the series was an incredible expansion of the world you built in the film. Your journey with that material should be a roadmap for long form creators going forward.
While I agree with you, I also worry that a lot of docs will get lost because not every director can also build their audience. But it is the only path forward now.... there are not other options!
Agreed! It’s why I think there could be a real opportunity for someone from the creator world who understands the tools of audience building, as well as the particular strengths/weaknesses of doc filmmakers, to provide immense value to the film side!
LOVE THIS! We are working around the clock on this intersection of the creatorsphere for our Valentine’s Day nationwide release of YOU, ME & HER, our award winning independent feature opening on 250+ screens. Please show out to support our film, we are the Alpha Test for a groundbreaking new platform called Attend that is poised to disrupt the traditional model in a way that could benefit everyone!
I am now in early in the process of directing (producing) my first feature and the one major change in my mindset is to focus on audience building and doing the mental gymnastics to reversing engineer budget to meet that goal of being financial sound /reasonable but keeping my artistic/commercial aspirations still pointed forward. I m actively thinking of my creative marketing even while I'm still in the script stage. It feels like it's absolutely necessary in today's environment.
I find your comments about the filmaker being part of the audience they're developing very interesting. I'm in development on my first documentary on activists. As a longtime activist I know these people intimately. I want to learn more about this approach. Can you ellucidate further or point me in the right direction?
Depends if this creator economy is just pushing “content” vs. a “creative output”. Person doing flips off a yacht vs. careful time spent articulating their lives and stories.
This highlights the disconnect between traditional gatekeepers and the innovative, audience-first mindset of modern creators. While some are stuck in old-school distribution models, others are thriving by embracing authenticity, experimentation, and direct engagement. It’s almost like… listening to your audience, being authentic and adapting works? Wild concept. � #AdaptOrGetLeftBehind
👋🏽 One of those filmmakers that made a movie off social media 11 years ago. Gotta say it truly is a struggle to hold on to / build an audience through platform changes and algorithmic vicissitudes while simply surviving this business. They’re both such demanding jobs. One where you make and develop work you’re not allowed to own or talk frankly about in public. The other an Olympics of authentic extroversion where the thing you’re best at (long form high production value mass media) rarely yields huge returns. Hopeful hearing there are real efforts to bridge this gap. Change is needed. 🤙🏽
Thank you for the comment Justin, Im a HUGE fan! DWP is true art man, and the series was an incredible expansion of the world you built in the film. Your journey with that material should be a roadmap for long form creators going forward.
While I agree with you, I also worry that a lot of docs will get lost because not every director can also build their audience. But it is the only path forward now.... there are not other options!
Agreed! It’s why I think there could be a real opportunity for someone from the creator world who understands the tools of audience building, as well as the particular strengths/weaknesses of doc filmmakers, to provide immense value to the film side!
LOVE THIS! We are working around the clock on this intersection of the creatorsphere for our Valentine’s Day nationwide release of YOU, ME & HER, our award winning independent feature opening on 250+ screens. Please show out to support our film, we are the Alpha Test for a groundbreaking new platform called Attend that is poised to disrupt the traditional model in a way that could benefit everyone!
https://www.indiewire.com/news/business/you-me-her-20-brand-partners-selina-ringel-interview-1235092328/
I am now in early in the process of directing (producing) my first feature and the one major change in my mindset is to focus on audience building and doing the mental gymnastics to reversing engineer budget to meet that goal of being financial sound /reasonable but keeping my artistic/commercial aspirations still pointed forward. I m actively thinking of my creative marketing even while I'm still in the script stage. It feels like it's absolutely necessary in today's environment.
I find your comments about the filmaker being part of the audience they're developing very interesting. I'm in development on my first documentary on activists. As a longtime activist I know these people intimately. I want to learn more about this approach. Can you ellucidate further or point me in the right direction?
Depends if this creator economy is just pushing “content” vs. a “creative output”. Person doing flips off a yacht vs. careful time spent articulating their lives and stories.
This highlights the disconnect between traditional gatekeepers and the innovative, audience-first mindset of modern creators. While some are stuck in old-school distribution models, others are thriving by embracing authenticity, experimentation, and direct engagement. It’s almost like… listening to your audience, being authentic and adapting works? Wild concept. � #AdaptOrGetLeftBehind