Alliance for Independent Motion Media: Lunchbox Labs videos

Lunchbox Labs is a new project designed to explore issues of critical importance to Massachusetts filmmakers, and to encourage new thinking, documentation, incubation of projects and other innovative methods of exploration around these issues. Our first series of labs will look at the internet as a distribution and production method for independent film and video, and will start as a series of conversations. The labs will be transcribed as well as videotaped. Please join in the discussion by posting your comments in the section below. Here is the description of our first lab which was held on November 6, 2008:

The November 6 Lunchbox Lab discussion will focus on film/video distribution on the internet for independent filmmakers. Navigating through the maze of new media platforms such as VOD, video downloads, cable and broadband models can be daunting for filmmakers considering other forms of distribution besides theatrical and traditional broadcast. New models of distribution are constantly being created or evolving , for example websites such as indplay (http://www.indplay.com/home) connects filmmakers directly with licensors allowing filmmakers to have more control over distribution. Our hope is to engage in exploratory and purposeful conversations including answering these questions: what are these new platforms? how does a filmmaker/distributor navigate these new platforms? Which ones have worked successfully and which ones have not? How are small independent distributors working with these new technologies? Who is making money and how? Are there ways in which this community can do trials to test the efficacy of different methods? Are there opportunities to incubate some projects?

We hope this is some food for thought....post below, and let us know if you'd like to participate at the next scheduled conversation on January 23rd, 2009.