SUMMARY

True Indie Movies is an online store for both the true independent filmmaker to sell their product and the open-minded consumer to acquire what the mainstream does not provide and will never offer. The filmmakers set their own price, the consumers decide on the value of the product, and hopefully there will be an exchange that is mutually beneficial. We are non-exclusive so the filmmaker has no contract to only do business with our store. We look forward to adding new films to the catalogue and helping the filmmaker as well as satisfying the cravings of the consumer.

Filmmakers never know who is going to like their movie, and consumers never know which filmmakers will surprise them with a great story. True Indie Movies is the place where both artist and audience are discovered. Enjoy!

WHAT IS A TRUE INDEPENDENT MOVIE?

A true independent movie is exactly that. Independent. Most independent movies have no stars or name actors, directors or writers.They have no funding or resources from studios, film institutions or centers. They are made with the filmmakers' own financing, resources, blood, sweat, tears and vision.

DISTRIBUTION

The Distributor Decides

You probably do buy what you want, but the movie is on the market because a film distributor decided what you like and what you should see, solely based on their own subjective business opinion. They decide what stars are “hot” and what genres are currently popular. Then they make their deals accordingly with buyers from countries all over the world. Many of these distributors even produce their own films under another division and they call the movies "independent." You, the consumer, don't realize this and purchase the product thinking that you are getting an independent movie. The media not knowing what is really happening goes along with the distributors and calls those movies “independent.”

Distribution is Difficult to Get

Distribution is very difficult to get for true independent movies that do not have stars or name actors. Distribution companies usually say they are open to receiving all movie genres. Filmmakers contact them and send their movies praying to be picked up by one of those distributors. Months can go by, the filmmakers follow-up, but phone calls are rarely returned. When the distributors finally answer one of the countless calls, they may say that the movie does not "meet their current needs" or "the movie has no stars" or "the movie is digital," or “the movie is a low budget” and, therefore, they have to "pass." If that is not enough, some distributors refuse to even return the movie, which they don’t want in the first place.

If the movie has stars, the filmmakers usually have distribution in place before going into production. However, that is not always the case. Sometimes, those movies don't get distribution right away or at all for a variety of reasons. It could be the content, the filming style, genre, length, etc.

If distribution can be difficult to get for a movie that does have stars, then imagine how difficult it is for the ones that do not.

The Truth

The sad truths are that most films never get any type of distribution and will not sell anywhere in any format. This means the film will never be seen in theatres, on TV, or even on VHS or DVD. The Distributors act based on formula and market trends. Their decisions are subjective and leave little room for consumer control.

That is why True Indie Movies has been created. We want filmmakers to have a retail outlet, and we want consumers to have more fair options.

RECOGNITION AND BEING SEEN

Make the Big Time!

It is fantastic when a true independent filmmaker hits the big time! True Indie Movies applauds their success! However, this site is devoted to those who have not yet gotten their big break and deserve to be recognized as the artists and innovators they truly are. It is designed to help the true independent filmmaker generate a return from their investment. They are true entrepreneurs, taking huge risks in a volatile, studio- and star-driven industry. An industry, that spends millions of dollars producing, marketing and advertising their movies. An industry that is exclusive and ruthless to the unknown filmmakers, actors, writers, crew members and artists in general.

Festivals

Film festivals provide opportunities for some independent filmmakers to share their work with an audience, be recognized for their achievement, and even acquire distribution. But it is difficult to be selected to participate in a festival regardless of how good the movie is. The application fee along with the chance to be considered in a festival is not much of a reward for independent filmmakers. The number of existing festivals could result in hundreds if not thousands of dollars in application fees and, of course, frustration for not being selected, which is usually the case. It could even cost the filmmaker more money to apply for consideration than it does to produce the movie. There are many small festivals, but the biggest festivals have the greatest potential for a filmmaker to get distribution. And the biggest festivals cater to stars, the “in” crowd and the glamour, which make them even more difficult to participate in.

MAINSTREAM VS. INDEPENDENT

Consumer Can Choose

Art and entertainment are subjective. The general audience can opt for the mainstream, which is familiar, or they can discover new works that challenge even the mainstream in depth and entertainment value. After all, that is what the film industry is supposed to provide.

Huge and Risky Business

The film industry is also a huge business. The decision makers in the mainstream arena rely on formula and the “movie star” selling tool to generate their profits because the industry is also a risky business, and they are terrified of not having a “hit” under their arm. They try to cash in with routine and cliché formulas to secure the “bottom line.” But big names, overwhelming budgets and massive advertising campaigns do not always draw or maintain an audience at the box office. So, the mainstream movie is packaged for DVD, video, and TV for those who didn’t quite make it to the theatre in time. This is why the industry is even more risky for the independent filmmaker competing with companies that have powerful machinery in place.

Formula and Selling Tools: Do They Work?

Most independent films never make the mainstream scene, and ultimately do not reach the consumer in any way. True Indie Movies is designed for true independent films not driven by the “movie star” selling tool and big budget. We respect the film industry for the business that it is, but we also respect the true independent industry for the potential it has in the marketplace. And since art and entertainment are subjective, it is only fair to put the products on the market and let the consumer decide what they want to buy and see. We realize that there are technical and artistic elements in any film that may be viewed as amateur or even bad to some, but True Indie Movies is not judging the quality, technical or artistic merit of any filmmaker. True Indie Movies believes that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

All too often consumers give mainstream films the “two thumbs down,” so big budget, mainstream filmmakers, and name actors do not always dictate a movie’s success. In fact, the advertising, promotion and hype are really what drive the audience to the theatre, along with the name of your favorite movie star or director. And the industry big guns will never spend the money to properly promote true independent films because they are not sure how the audience will receive unknown artists. The risk factor is high, so the acceptance of the true independent filmmaker and artist is low.