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My basic theory is that whenever there is change there is opportunity. The biggest change in the movie business besides digital capture and editing is streaming video. Video streaming services such as YouTube, Netfilx, HBO NOW, Hulu continue to open up a world of possibilities.  Below I talk about some of the ways they have changed video and how that helps use here in Utah.Distribution-This is an obvious benefit to us in Utah. We are located far away from the traditional distribution centers of the world but thanks to streaming we can compete on equal footing. I still find it...

Fixed costs and variable costsI’m dedicating an email to fixed costs and variable costs because it’s very important in the arts. The goal with film as with all arts is to keep your fixed costs low so you can keep working and then scale up quickly when you get that TV show, movie, commercial deal. That is why in film and the arts we use so many independent contractors and rent equipment.To use an airline as example of fixed costs and variable cost:Fixed cost= AirplaneVariable costs= FuelYou see the airline has to pay for the airplane no matter what. They...

There is a tremendous tragedy with the loss of Robin Williams. He was an astonishingly creative man. Now clearly there are a lot of biological factors and others, but I’ve seen a lot of tragedy in my short time in the arts and I do feel it’s extra important to try to take care of yourself in this field. I am always encouraging fellow artists to take care of themselves. To paraphrase Woody Allen, “In art there is talent, work and the rest is psychotherapy.” I do feel that arts, and film in particular, are stressful field. They are both...

On Agents- The photographer Lauren Greenfield, who I used to work for, recently won the Grand Clio (www.clioawards.com) one of the top awards in advertising for her video “like a girl” (youtu.be/XjJQBjWYDTs). You may have seen it kicking round Facebook. It’s a wonderful example of combination of art/documentary/commercial in a way few can do.            I bring up Lauren a lot because she is by far the best example I’ve seen of business and art. Her husband is a Harvard business school guy and has devoted his career to her.  One of the things I learned from Lauren is the importance of...

One of the ironies of travel is that the more you do it the lazier you get about packing and planning. As a result of a few forgotten passport type situations and other important items so I’ve come up with a system Money two sources  of Visa and $100-$200 cash in $20 bills I do this because no matter if you notify the bank or whatever it seems that somehow they think your card is stolen and will block it. It will take a few hours to work this out and is much easier with cell phones now a day...