I love being part of a panel with some top notch professional filmmakers. I’d like to say I was out of place but I wasn’t. The majority of the question were based about African American filmmakers. I leaned back and listened with open ears. It seems there is a lack of quality African American films being presented in theatrical release. The best African American films that I’ve seen recently is “Hustle and Flow.” That movie moved me. I just don’t watch many movies… mainstream or African American.

The reason why I was there was to represent my experience marketing my film and other projects I’ve been associated with. The only thing I could say over and over again is… don’t wait for Hollywood or the studios to make your film. If you have a solid story and cast and crew and you have enough to budget to make it… do it. You will get more money from a studio to shoot your film but at least give them something to drool about. Shoot a scene that best represents your film or a scene about a character that will help you sell the film and let it fly. The Internet is your best friend and people are looking for entertainment. You get enough hits, trust me Hollywood will take notice.

My outlook about why most films just drop the ball either at the box office or fail with the audience is that too many films are formulaic. Christine Swanson nailed this topic over and over again. It was great sitting next to her on the panel and listening to her success stories as well as her experience as an African American filmmaker. I will be looking out for some of her films.

Why does Hollywood continue to put films out that are ehhh to say the least. Is it because Hollywood notices how audiences react to films out on the market and don’t want to mess with a good thing? Could be… I believe that these successful companies are conservative and spend an exorbitant amount of money on projects and want to make sure it is a secure thing.

I interviewed for a job with a large branded corporate company and I noticed right away the job was not for me. I brought up that they were streaming windows media videos. When I mentioned they should change the media to flash video because 98% of browsers already have flash installed. Their reaction was, and I quote, “I finally gave in and downloaded WMV so I can watch all the videos my friends email me. So if I can do it so can everyone else.” My mouth dropped when I heard that. It is amazing when you are at the top of the market because of your brand image. It sells your company more than innovation and being ahead of the curve. Ask car insurance companies if Progressive Auto Insurance bit them in the ass with their innovative online presence. I had to drop my last auto insurance company because I couldn’t pay or purchase new policies online.

Back to the conference. I wish I met Floyd Rance 8 months ago and picked his brain about his film festival to better help me with ConvergeSouth Film Festival. He is the co-founder of Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival. He spoke with so much experience about his film festival and encouraged actors to go to film festivals to meet directors, producers and any of the people associated with the film. I second that notion, as he said it is a great time to get to ask them questions about the profession and to network in an informal atmosphere.

The audience kept us talking for 2 and 1/2 hours about filmmaking and networking. Great conversations and I met some really talented professionals that I know I will be talking to down the road. Thanks April for the invite and I enjoyed how you moderated the panel.