Movies on My Mind: the Democratization of Filmmaking

Film industry veteran "Movies on My Mind" blogs about the kid who landed a development deal based on his YouTube
hosted "MySpace Movie," and the democratization of filmmaking.

I watched (on my computer) the short film My Space - the Movie, after reading how its 21-year-old director, David Lehre received a development deal from MTVU (MTV's on-air, online and on-campus network), and calls from Hollywood managers, due to the film's popularity on the Internet. To date, the film has been viewed six million times! Now that's independent spirit! Six million downloads is roughly equivalent to a $54 million opening weekend. Not bad. Clearly, the rules of filmmaking have changed (that is, if you're willing to not use film to make your movie). The lower costs of digital cameras, desktop editing systems, and DVD burners, and the ability to easily upload and distribute a film on the Internet, have all finally converged in critical mass to revolutionize and exponentially democratize the art (and the business) of filmmaking.