How is microbudget not punk anymore?

This morning, on the front page of the business section of the LA Times, there's an article about Paramount's new specialty film division. Their mission is to produce a slate of films, in all genres, for under $100,000 apiece. How this would work with the unions, with all their resources, is something I haven't really wrapped my head around.

At the same time, this is the first move we've seen since the indie boom of the '90's where the studios are taking a step towards risk. Some of these films will go direct to DVD. Some of them will be an opportunity to experiment with new filmmakers. Maybe one or two a year will get a theatrical release. While this is all very clearly an attempt by Paramount to perpetuate the success of Paranormal Activity, they're not marrying their interests to one specific genre.

In addition, they're not interested in acquisitions. For a studio, that's a first.

One thing's for certain. They're going to get plenty of script submissions, and they'll have the pick of the litter when it comes to young directors. So many filmmakers are wandering in a no-man's land of creative impulse mixed with total disinterest with industry and business. While it is impossible to coddle a director on such a tight budget, Paramount just made microbudget production accessible to all those would-be filmmakers, and even moreso all the guys who can't figure out how to get out of the music video scene.

In addition, they've just validated the living crap out of our business model for Sam Bailey and Heartsgaard. Form here on in, they'll be getting a broader audience interested in low-budget cinema. Think of it! If only one or two of their films go into theaters a year, I'm not worried about the competition. I'm much more interested in how much easier our job just got.

Indie filmmakers, pay attention. This isn't just about one more way to make your movie. This is about the most conservative factions in our business adopting a whole new way of doing business. Now that they're involved, it stops being new.

As of today, writers, directors, and actors can stop looking for agents. From here on in, the microbudget, indie, roadshow, social media approach is standard operating procedure.

What I'm saying is that if you're looking to break into film, you just got the rug pulled out from under you. If you're looking to make movies, your revolution is at hand.

Welcome to a new day for cinema, dear reader.