Samsung's Blueseat Celebrates 'Emerging' Filmmakers
Illustrating the idiocy that is often passed off as breakthrough work from independent filmmakers, this spot hypes Samsung's Blue Seat, a celebration of the independent film industry which claims to help "emerging filmmakers keep their vision alive. Oddly, a star-filled, Sean Penn-directed film is featured on the site. How independent and emerging is that?
Comments
Steve,
Regarding BlueSeat.com (and as a contributor to the site), I don't take issue with your concerns about what is independent, but your post is based on a blatant factual error. Nowhere in Samsung or BlueSeat's marketing materials do they say that the BlueSeat program is aimed at "emerging filmmakers," as you've misquoted. "Independent" means many things to many people, and while Sean Penn may be an international celebrity, the way he carried out and pursued the making of "Into the Wild" shows all the pluck and maverick spirit of independent filmmaking. He's not an emerging director, of course, but no one ever said he was.
Anthony, you are mistaken. Right on the site, plain as day was the paragraph:
"Samsung BlueSeat is all about helping emerging filmmakers keep their vision alive. To help complete their dream, we're offering one lucky film the opportunity for a five city nationwide release complete with advertising and publicity. As a BlueSeat insider you'll have the opportunity to preview these films at a nearby Landmark Theatre and vote for your favorite film on BlueSeat.com. See who gets a second take at getting their film released."
I have it cached on my pc from my initial visit to the site. Now, it seems, that section of the site has been reworded. I can't write stories based on future edits of websites. I can only comment on what is present at the time of writing and the above paragraph was what was live on the site at the time.
Steve, this is what I picked up from upstage magazine.
http://www.upstagemagazine.com/articles/getarticle-new.php?ID=6138&wherefrom=mainpage
"Truly Indie(TM)
In an effort to further Samsung's commitment to independent film, Samsung will launch a competition for up and coming filmmakers whose films do not yet have distribution. Samsung along with Landmark Theatres' Truly Indie(TM) program will provide the selected film with marketing support and distribution in five top markets. www.blueseat.com"
It seems there might be some truth behind supporting emerging film makers. Having worked in the industry for some time, I know how hard it is to get a film screened. Having it screened on the Landmark circuit is a HUGE opportunity.