20 point plan for a new type of indie film - the Indie Film EVA (Entertaining Video Art) projects

An image from COSMIC DISCO DETECTIVE RENE (2023) - an Indie Film EVA (Entertaining Video Art) project. Copyright 2023 Sujewa Ekanayake/NYC Fantastic.

1 out of 20 from a Twitter thread - - Indie film EVA (Entertaining Video Art) version:

- 90 mins or longer, fiction generally

- no or microbudget, from $0 to $1 million or under

- filmmaker can act if possible

- filmmaker to do as many things as possible on the project

- self-distribute, promote well

2 - theatrical screenings

- completely non-Hollywood or non-Indiewood as much as possible

- films can be entertaining - comedies, dramas, horror, etc

- or can be art/experimental (entertaining for some)

- diverse casts and crews when possible

3 - community oriented

- share info on projects, crowdfund, share info on projects of others

- filmmaker to create promo websites, pages, promote through social media, video

- finishing a film is success

- engaging in making this type of art work = contentment, happiness

4 - use of motion picture film is forbidden (unless it is super inexpensive to do so due to some deal or free), fine to make video look like film

- no Hollywood type worship of fame or wealth

- no Hollywood type worship of box office or festival recognition, awards

5 - to remain an active Indie Film EVA (Entertaining Video Art) practitioner/artist, the filmmaker/video maker must finish at least 1 feature a year. those who do not are retired.

6 - the proper way to write the name of the art form is (as of now :)) - Indie Film EVA (Entertaining Video Art)

- when possible use films/video art to help others, make positive improvements in the world

7 - experiment with, and use, innovative new ways of producing, distributing, marketing, selling, showing the works on every project

- don't settle for Hollywood norms

8.- overall main idea - from another tweet thread - Instead of regular film - a stressful chase of fame and wealth Hollywood style, microbudget indie film can be more like the some music scenes or other art and social pursuits - a fun and interesting community thing that also makes good money for the filmmakers.

9 - films can be funded through any possible means (as long as it does not take away near 100% control of the creative, business, distribution, promo sides of the project from the filmmaker/director/video artist) - from money from other work, from grants, from donations, etc.

10 - no studio funding for this type of art work. if you are making a studio funded movie or TV show or streaming show, you are not making Indie Film EVA (Entertaining Video Art) projects. wealthy individuals can give money to projects for credit, other rewards.

11 - the filmmakers should come up w/ a long term financial strategy. pay off any debt from projects over 5-10 years. perhaps making a profit from projects over 5-10 years, if possible. develop as many revenue streams as possible off of projects.

12 - if projects make a profit, share some of the additional money with team members who made the projects happen - including distribution and marketing team members, if any.

- it's fine for projects to not make any money or lose money. it's art and culture - positive work.

13 - filmmakers should advocate for positive changes in the global film/video making industries and arts practices overall: more inclusive casting, more inclusive film critics groups, more inclusive press coverage to the filmmakers/video makers/actors.

14 - filmmakers/video makers should come up with a 20 year plan to save $250K - $1 million, and make it happen on a daily basis.

15 - filmmakers/video makers should learn about investing in relatively safe ways, growing their money. keep some of the money in savings, invest some.

- capitalism is fine, as long as it does not limit your creativity or do evil things to other humans

16 - filmmakers/video makers are not politicians or political activists or elected representatives of a group of people (typically). however, our position as artists should be used to improve the world in as many ways as possible: re: climate change, stable economies, etc.

17 - as filmmakers/artists we are privileged individuals. we want to advocate for and support for a stable, well organized, corruption free world - in all nations - where individuals can pursue happiness as we are able to do so.

18 - primary goal in life is making and releasing super indie video entertainment art works in as non-Hollywood ways as possible.

- use of famous actors OK if they are your friends and are very cool, chill artists - work out the biz details

19 - no use of Hollywood unions talent on these small indie projects. some exceptions can be made for your cool Hollywood actor friends if they want to do a fi-core project (or come up w/ some other way of getting it done).

20 - support and work with female filmmakers and artists. an essential aspect of humanity. and historically a group of people who were not well supported when it comes to filmmaking.