Cape Independent
Film Association
LOCAL FILMMAKERS AT A CROSSROADS
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO HELP ESTABLISH A VIABLE FILM INDUSTRY IN THE REGION
by Michael Huntington
(These opinions are solely those of the author)
BACKGROUND
The local film community began over four years ago with some talented individuals in the area getting together to make films. It began with the feature film "Dark Garden" which was directed by Patrick Bond and written by Greg Levrault. A subsequent premiere of this film was a sold-out event at the University Center, and interest spawned the creation of a film group by Pat Bond and Michael Huntington to develop future projects and network film projects with talent. Out of these projects and the group was founded, by Bond and Huntington, the SHOW ME DIGITAL FILM FESTIVAL (SMDFF), which has become a venue for local cinema and an outlet for talented people in the community. Going into it's fourth year, this festival has been a sold-out affair and has done much to encourage others in the filmmaking, acting, writing, and music realms in the area to participate. The active film group is now the Cape Independent Film Association (CIFA) which works to facilitate film projects and connect talented individuals in the area with filmmakers and production companies and their projects. It's website, which acts as a touchstone for the community, is at www.capeindiefilm.com.
INSPIRATION
The active nature of those determined individuals in the film scene has also encouraged many to take arts development, especially the cinematic arts, seriously. The film community, through various projects, has worked to be as professional as possible, reach out to those talented people willing to participate, and think about building the necessary film industry infra-structure through the purchase of equipment (cameras, lights, sound, editing computers) and the acquiring of a facility to house this equipment and act as a center for this aspect of the creative arts.
GOALS
The ultimate goals, aside from making films as a creative outlet, are to create a viable industry and spurn the arts even more in the region. The filmmakers behind the films want to eventually quit their dayjobs and make films in the region full time. They don't want to move to Hollywood and be yet another filmmaker amongst many filmmakers, but do it here in this region with all of it's resources that are available here. The area has a good variety of locales, access to others, a growing talent pool, and an increasing amount of state-of-the-art equipment in which to make films.
PROGRESS
Aside from making many short works (some award-winning films for festivals) and having sold-out film festival events here, the film community is working to take things up a notch to establish a financially viable industry in the region. They have begun working on paying feature projects with the goals of making the area known for film, demonstrating their professional talent, and creating financially successful works for the film and video market. Two such recent projects this year were "Miller's Tale" from Schrader Turner Films and "Fire Lily" from Victory Film Productions. More feature projects are coming next year.
The work on these projects has also demonstrated the local film community's efficiency at keeping projects within budgets and on schedule. They can deliver a well-made feature film, under cost and within a set time. Such efficiency is a selling-point for potential investors worried about cost over-runs, product marketability, and a return on investment.
Aside from the actual production of features, local filmmakers have also been actively networking with other regional professional film people and this has helped add to local professionalism. Also, with larger films with budgets, there has been a growth in the purchasing of equipment for production. The community can now boast cameras, lights, sound, and other equipment besides the growing and increasingly professional pool of talent.
WHAT IS NEEDED
What the film community needs now to reach the next level and establish a professional film industry is community involvement and investment. For larger budget films, they need financial investment for film projects, the donation of equipment, the use of facilites for the filmmakers and their equipment, and places for use as potential filming locations. An un-used warehouse-type facility would be beneficial for the filmmakers as a place to meet, store equipment, and be productive. There are many such under-utilized places in Cape that could be utilized by the local film group for the benefit of the cinematic arts community and eventually the long-term economy of the region. The city, the Chamber of Commerce, local arts groups, area merchants, the Vision 2020 Arts Committee, and the Convention and Visitor's Bureau should be actively working with the local film community to help achieve the goals of this budding industry for the long-term benefit of the arts (which is rapidly becoming a focal point for future development) and the region's economy. Most importantly, the filmmakers need benefactors and investors to make their goals a reality.
BENEFITS
The benefits of such community involvement, aside from helping out this growing arts movement, are two-fold: helping to establish a potentially profitable industry that will benefit the economy and the growing arts community - and provide ready dividends to investors. More professional projects means more profits. More investment means better quality. It is like a snowball gathering momentum: the more it moves the more that can be added and the more of a force it will be.
And these are real films being made, not backyard videos. "Fire Lily" was filmed with a brand-new state-of-the-art high definition camera that is now available for local project use. And the profits from from future projects will also allow for more investment in the growing industry infra-structure. That is the plan....to invest profits in equipment or other projects after investors are satisfied. And ultimately, if the films keep being made, it will only take one financially or critically successful film to establish the industry for good. Imagine such a film possibly selling for millions, the profits from which will be put right back into the community of investors and for the film community. It will only take one such film. And the films being made are getting better and better, with better scripts being developed as we speak.
Also anticipated are more films coming to the region of the likes of "Killshot." With the infra-structure and talent here, Hollywood may be encouraged to film here again. And since Missouri now boasts a film tax-credit that recoups nearly half of a film's budget, there is now further incentive for filming in Missouri and in the diversity of the Southeast Missouri region.
This is the crossroads that is being faced. Serious opportunities require serious involvement by those with means. This industry and the community can benefit artistically and financially from the landscape that is developing. Now is the time to back local film, this opportunity cannot be wasted.
THE FUTURE
The area is now focusing on the arts for it's creative, cultural, and financial future. Film art can, and will, be a part of that future. What is envisioned is a viable artistic and economically contributing film industry. The film community envisions, and is working towards, the establishment of this industry. They anticipate more and better films being made, more successful film festivals, Independent Theatres for art house and independent exhibition, a working studio facility with equipment, more area production companies and projects, jobs through the employment of local talent on projects, Hollywood films and stars again filming in the region, local business and investors benefitting from a new industry and a new influx of capital, the migration of artistic individuals to a growing and meaningful art scene, a more professional and divergent pool of talent, cooperation amongst all the arts, a culturally distinct flavor to the community, and the pride of a community that can boast meaningful projects and economically-beneficial endeavors. The film community has a vision that will make others envious and inspired. It will also make us special and unique.
HOW PEOPLE CAN HELP
As already stated, what is needed is investment and cooperation. The community needs backers, benefactors, and contributors. It needs the help and cooperation of local arts and civic entities whose focus is on artistic and financial development. And it needs the continued help, support, and involvement of those talented individuals in the community who want to work on films or help make them happen.
Local film is at a crossroads. If it is to rise above people merely being creative to the next level of the actual establishment of a contributing industry, then focus must be on making this evolution possible. The filmmakers of the region need the community's help, one way or another if it is to advance further. There are lots of opportunites here for making meaningful progress in the coming years. Everyone is encouraged to help if they can. The filmmakers can't do it alone. The community also graciously thanks all who has helped it in the past.
One can visit www.capeindiefilm.com for more info on the CIFA and various area film projects. Or one can e-mail me at admin@capeindiefilm.com and I will put them in touch with the right people if someone is interested in helping out or investing.