Most film lovers don't pay much attention to which company is distributing which film. But given the current climate for truly independent feature films in this marketplace, I'd like to suggest that they start paying attention. And fast.
To illustrate the point, I've put together a few multiple-choice questions about some of the current crop of films on screens right now. Take this simple quiz, tally up your score and see whether you qualify as a Maverick or a Drone.
1. Of the following titles, which film is being self-distributed by the filmmakers?
A. The Visitor
B. Bottle Shock
C. Boy A
D. Encounters at the End of the World
2. Which of the following titles is playing ONLY on an independently-owned screen in NYC?
A. Edge of Heaven
B. Frozen River
C. Bottle Shock
D. Man on Wire
3. Which of the following titles is distributed by The Weinstein Company?
A. Man on Wire
B. Boy A
C. Frozen River
D. Edge of Heaven
4. Which of the following NYC movie theatres is NOT privately owned?
A. The Quad
B. The Cinema Village
C. The Sunshine
D. Two Boots' Pioneer
5. Which of the following distributors recently chose to open a film in Austin, TX before hitting major markets like Los Angeles and New York City?
A. Magnolia
B. Roadside Attractions
C. Sony Pictures Classics
D. Paramount Vantage
6. Which of the following distributors has successfully opened at least one film within the last 6 months WITHOUT buying an ad in the Friday edition of the New York Times?
A. Magnolia
B. The Weinstein Company
C. Roadside Attractions
D. Strand Releasing
7. Which of the following NYC theatres is also in the business of film production and film distribution, thus constituting a vertical monopoly?
A. The Quad
B. IFC Center
C. Two Boots' Pioneer
D. Angelica Film Center
8. Which of the following venues is NOT a 501(c)3 not-for-profit?
A. The Film Forum
B. Film at Lincoln Center
C. The Quad
D. Anthology Film Archive
9. Which of the following NYC theatres requires all its distributors to purchase an opening day ad in The New York Times?
A. IFC Center
B. Sunshine
C. The Film Forum
D. The Quad
10. Which of the following movie theatre chains once filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in order to avoid paying millions in debt to distributors yet continues to do business to this day?
A. Clearview Cinemas
B. Regal Entertainment
C. Landmark Theatres
D. AMC
Click here for answers and the key to computing your "Indie Savvy Quotient."
