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If Steven Spielberg Is Worried About Filmmaking, Should We Worry?

in Creative Process

I read with great interest this Hollywood Reporter piece on how Steven Spielberg himself predicts the implosion of the film industry:

If Spielberg feels like it’s tough to make a film, what does it mean for the rest of us?

If literary, creative, or basically any non-tentpole films need to be made for TV, what does that suggest to aspiring filmmakers, screenwriters and film producers?

If Spielberg needs to co-own a studio in order to green-light Lincoln, should filmmakers with less clout (and no studio) choose subject matter with this in mind?

On the one hand, filmmaking has never been so accessible: the technology is cheaper, crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo facilitate fundraising, distribution tools like YouTube and social networks facilitate audience-building.

On the other hand, this means there’s more content than ever, vying for audience and funds. Yes, it’s easier to make a film but it’s that much harder to ensure people see it. Spielberg’s concerns imply that it’s not enough just to make a great film about a great topic.

What do you think about the state of the film industry? Encouraged by the accessibility? Drowning in too much content? Optimistic about the business prospects?

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