Filmmaker and professional nomad Todd Sklar has been on the ultimate road trip this fall screening and promoting four independent films (one of which is his own) that wouldn't otherwise reach the audiences of Norman, Oklahoma or say, the North Pole. He's out there trailblazing it up, changing the future of the industry and all he's asking from you is to sit down and laugh hysterically at one of the hilarious and/or heartwarming films that are currently making distribution history. Todd took a break from partying it up in Chicago with Bishop Allen and the Hold Steady at the Chicago screening to answer a few questions about the tour for us.

What spurred you to investigate new distribution solutions?
I figured if I wasn't going to make any money on the theatrical aspect of our release platform, I might as well A) make it as useful as possible, B) make it as cost effective as possible, and C) have as much fun with it as possible.

It was also because I wanted to make connecting with an audience the core focus of the film's release. I figured that's why I made the film, that's why I should release it. Box Elder wasn't a career move, it was simply a story I wanted to tell.

How did the film tour idea originate and evolve?
As far as this tour's impetus; we toured my film last spring, and since anything that's worth doing is worth doing twice, I figured we might as well do a victory lap and head west for the fall. That said, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it'd be a four film tour, and I definitely didn't think I'd ever get to travel around with the caliber of films that we have.

What are your hopes for the future of independent filmmaking?
That filmmakers take responsibility for their work rather than depend on a series of gatekeepers and enablers. I think the further we move in that direction, the healthier our medium will become, as stories that don't need to be told or are being told for the wrong reasons won't get told, and the ones that do will be strategic, and economic in their storytelling.

Box Elder, In Memory of My Father, RSO and On the Road with Judas are currently making moves out west. Tell your family, friends, enemies, and distant acquaintances to check out the tour .

- Meredith Chamberlain

Similar Topics:film, National

comments (0) : Send to a Friend : Subscribe

:  digg this :  del.icio.us! :