INDEPENDENT FILM WEEK WRAP UP – RADIO UNNAMEABLE
Overall Independent Film Week was a great experience for Radio Unnameable. No, we weren’t handed a distribution deal in our first meeting. But that’s OK, most people aren’t. We did receive some positive feedback and encouragement and there may be some potential partnerships in the future. That was our goal. Now it’s all about follow up, brainstorming, and more meetings. We can walk away feeling optimistic that our film will find a home in this ever changing market.
Radio Unnameable is a character based story that touches on some bigger issues: the changing landscape of radio, free speech, and how one individual can inspire others by giving them a platform to speak out. Outreach for our project and hooking up with a potential audience is something we’ve been thinking about for some time. For a film like ours, a big factor to whether it will be successful is how forward thinking we are. One thing that all of our meetings, discussions with filmmakers over cocktails and panels seemed to drive home is to start this process now. We couldn’t agree more.
The Panels: between the two of us we made it to five or so. It was the first time either of us attended IFW panels and we focused primarily on the topics of financing, distribution and outreach. By and large, most panelists were able to offer fresh and interesting ideas. The dialogue was constructive and amongst the doom and gloom of the film climate there was an equal amount of optimism. Probably our main criticism is that we would have liked to have heard from more working filmmakers amongst the participants. But again, we only watched a handful.
One random aside. During our screening we had the pleasure of having one of our film’s participants (and fellow Spotlight on Docs filmmaker) Robert Downey Sr. in attendance. Of course it helped that his time slot was immediately after ours, but nonetheless, he was there. Bob Downey is a filmmaking hero for both of us, Putney Swope, Chafed Elbows, Greasers Palace, so on, all are tremendous. Mr. Downey also appeared on Radio Unnameable quite a bit in the late 60′s, early 70′s. After we showed our trailer he pointed out a few reasons why people love Bob Fass and his style of radio so much. I’m paraphrasing here but basically he said… “He was always funnier than his guests. And those pauses. He would have these long pauses on the air… (pause)… Those pauses were great!”
Thanks and keep a look out for our documentary.
Jessica Wolfson & Paul Lovelace
Tags: documentary
