Ted Hope, Ira Deutchman, Tilda Swinton and others are part of a new independent film production company called DF Indie Studios. Here's a link to the indiewire.com and Variety articles. Off the top of my head, here are a few reasons why the venture might or might not work.
Might:
- Reputation of all those involved
- Implied vertical integration of "guaranteed distribution"
- Collaborating on a studio-style slate allows a single hit film to offset losses if other films tank
- Fills the void of Indiewood speciality studio arms that have closed down.
Might not:
- Guaranteed distribution doesn't necessarily mean guaranteed audiences
- Guaranteed distribution doesn't necessarily mean guaranteed return
- What does "guaranteed distribution" mean anyway?
- How will they solve or embrace the issues of piracy and file sharing?
- Those Indiewood studios shut down for a reason.
With the names attached, I'm expecting the company will be more in tune with the technological and social changes happening in media than Hollywood has been, so I definitely look forward to what comes of this.
No doubt, it's still a tough sell, especially in these times, but I've always been a fan of independent slates and vertical integration from production to distribution (and even exhibition). If DFIS succeeds, watch the imitators come out of the woodwork.
Additional reading: Anthony Kaufman wonders what kinds of "independent" fare this new studio will produce.
UPDATE: More reactions here and here.
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