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| IndiePix- Bob Alexander Speaks Up |
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| Interviews - General | |
| Written by Lalida Sriyordsa | |
| Sunday, 04 November 2007 | |
 Bob Alexander, president of IndiePix, is working to bring all of us closer to the Indie film market in a unique and creative way. He says, "IndiePix is a distributor of independent films – but we're not trying
to sell you our limited choice of films. Instead, we want to offer you
the world of independent film, the whole range of creative voices and
inspiring visions from filmmakers around the world. That's why our
catalog is now over 3,000 titles and will soon pass 5,000.
"At IndiePix, we intend to open the world of independent film to you. We intend to make it as easy as possible for you to explore that world and find titles and filmmakers of interest to you. And we intend to deliver these films to you at the highest quality levels and in the most convenient ways possible. "Join us in helping make this world possible! Over 50 percent of the revenues from films that we put in the hands of audiences goes directly back to the filmmaker, to help him or her pay for his work and advance on to the next production."How long have you been working with IndiePix? I started discussions with colleagues of mine in the home video community about IndiePix in the spring of 2003. These discussions led to a decision to begin systems development work in the summer of 2003 and by late fall of 2003 we had a demo of what we wanted to do. Activity really picked up in 2004, and by the end of ‘04, we were able to put up our live site. We continued to develop the site through 2005 and 2006, first building our catalog and then developing the download to DVD capability. I shuttered my other business interests at the end of 2006 to devote my full attention to IndiePix beginning January 2007.
This is really the future! Old economic models of making the creative work of filmmakers available to the community don't work, are not working. We are part of the answer, not part of the problem. That's exciting. Then there is the idea that these films are great, that people have not seen them or would not have the chance to see them were it not for our efforts. That is extremely satisfying. But if you put these two things together, then you come up with the idea (or I come up with the idea!) that this is really a major effort to reshape a whole market in ways that will benefit filmmakers and audiences. The idea that we have the opportunity to be part of that and to contribute our leadership to that is inspiring to me. What is your favorite movie genre? The important thing about IndiePix is that it does not matter what my favorite is, or what anyone on our team has as his or her favorite. We want to open the doors to the works of many different filmmakers with many different styles from many different places around the world. It's hard to believe that we'd end up liking all of them, but that doesn't matter. As long as the title has been in festivals and won something in the way of awards – both of which are important steps on the festival circuit – then we're “OK” with it. It's not our judgment that matters. In a way, we are treating festivals as representative of the community, and if the festival community considers a title to be representative of the best work of independent filmmakers, then we are happy to give that title as much visibility as we can. In terms of genres however, I am very interested in what's happening to documentaries, how they are less didactic and more story oriented, and how they increasingly reflect the heroism and achievements of ordinary people. Aaron Copland, the American composer, wrote a stirring short piece of music called “Fanfare for the Common Man”. Documentaries are really examples of that art in video. How has IndiePix changed your life? For almost 20 years, I was a consultant to the home video divisions of the Hollywood Studios, working on issues related to home entertainment, the growth of DVDs, or satellite, or the internet, focused on questions related to the release of significant Hollywood films in the context of the powerful marketing and promotion organizations the studios represent. Today, I am entirely focused on one goal, which is to reshape the way independent filmmakers and their fans connect, to break down the barriers that have prevented an open flow of product and communication between them, and to contribute to the emergence of a truly global market for these works. That's a big change in terms of agendas! But it is spectacularly energizing and motivating. I am really excited about what we are doing. We have a lot to do, but we have made a terrific start and we have a growing number of filmmakers, fans and festivals that support this goal.You founded Alexander and Associates, Inc. in 1978 as a way to expand your work within the entertainment industry. How did this motivate you to currently work with IndiePix? Alexander & Associates was an outgrowth of my consulting work in the 70s with McKinsey & Company. I had worked on several motion picture distribution, television network production and distribution, and entertainment media projects while at McKinsey. I wanted to continue that work. I had the great privilege of working with some of the top creative names in the media business, including Warren Lieberfarb at Warner Home Video, Jim Clark at Silicon Graphics, Industrial Light and Magic, Percy Sutton's national network of contemporary urban FM-radio stations (Inner City Broadcasting), and many others. I think it was an evolutionary step to continue my work by identifying the opportunity for a company like IndiePix, and taking responsibility for building it. All of us involved in IndiePix have a lot of relevant background – in technology, independent films, entertainment retailing, etc. My background in consumer market analysis and media businesses is one contribution to that knowledge base.You attended 13 public schools. What was that like, and do you think this has affected your life today, and your career? Let's just say that when you're moving around a lot like that, you come to understand that there are lots of different ways of doing things. Whether it's an elementary school in Oklahoma or later in Revere, Massachusetts, or in the suburbs of Washington DC – there's lots of different activities that people think are important, songs that people like, and ways of doing things. Isn't that the best possible preparation for helping open up the world of independent film – and the myriad of voices and visions talented people around the globe bring to their work – to the broadest possible audience? Are there any independent films out there that you have recently seen that you can recommend to our readers? I am very pleased to be associated with Billy The Kid -- referred to by one festival programmer as “the most honored documentary of the year!” IndiePix had the opportunity to invest in the completion of that film, and now, as executive producers, we are financing its theatrical distribution beginning in New York City on December 5. This is a work of great humanity and artistry and it is a great gift to have been able to help support it. I have to recommend that one! I would also recommend the Academy Award winning German film, Lives of Others. This film is set as a narrative film, not a documentary, set in East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall. It's an extraordinary drama that appeals to you, not because you are dying to know about East Berlin in the 80s, but because it is so relevant to life in the corporate environment today. This is a very easy film to recommend for anyone who wants to step out beyond the ordinary schedule of top popular releases. It's available now on DVD. What advice can you give to aspiring filmmakers? I am very impressed with filmmakers who complete their projects and bring them to the festival circuit to compete for attention there. Think about all the things that you have to be able to do to do... A.) You have to be able to organize and lead a project that involves other talented and energetic people. B.) You have to have mastered the craft of filmmaking, the art and science of it. C.) You have to have the creative energy that gets others to believe in your idea. This is a terrific set of skills and putting them all together does not come easy, and for almost everyone it does not come together the first time you try. The men and women we have worked with are continually learning from their own work and from the own experiences – and very importantly, they are constantly learning from each other. That kind of openness and eagerness to learn and get better at this complex challenge is what it's all about.For more information about this one-of-a-kind creative service, please visit Indiepix.net.           |
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