It is time for independent genre films to cast away the pomp and precepts of 125 years of oppressive cinematic institutions and embrace their regional freedom! Popular cinema has calcified its expectations of what constitutes each of its genres and is unwilling to bend to truly subversive expressions of the norms.
To be an utterly independent, self-sufficient, regional, genre filmmaker is to be MOTERN.
MOTERN embodies the collective nature of localized, community filmmaking as a collaborative effort.
True MOTERN filmmaking requires the neighbour and the park bench as much as the camera and the lens. Hollywood has brainwashed its regional auteurs with big budgets and box office success! The academics and the critics conjure up the derivativeness of the regional genre film and look down on cabins-in-the-woods and zombies-in-local-graveyards. But between these banalities lies the true depth of the low-to-no-budget film: idle conversation.
Hollywood preaches conflict as the keystone to its narrative engine. The truly independent, regional genre film relishes in capturing moments in which characters converse with one another for extended periods of time, unaware of the hastily-assembled monster lurking outside. These moments of friendship, bonding, and small-town chit-chat define MOTERN.
The MOTERN film is home! Mainstream cinema is replete with setting the film in faraway lands with gravely dour consequences. The MOTERN film sets its story on the sidewalks of main street America.
MOTERN is freedom! It is Americana refined and repackaged as pastiche barbed with sincerity. To relish in the self-represented small-town America with complete seriousness illuminates the humour in our society.
MOTERN is the filmmaker in community! The true independent respects the community in which their cinema is incubated. MOTERN authenticity flourishes with familiarity and grassroots collaboration.
The Motern filmmaker affirms that creative inspiration is the result of consistent and persistent effort. To become a true Motern filmmaker, one must follow THE MOTERN METHOD:
Be AVAILABLE. The Motern filmmaker’s audience grows with access. Give them your phone number and answer their calls.
Be COMMITTED. The Motern filmmaker finishes their work. No matter what.
Be FRUGAL. The Motern filmmaker saves their own money for their own budget. This is a statement of independence.
Be VERBOSE. Production value and special effects do not equal quality, therefore dialogue and character must be uniquely trenchant. The Motern filmmaker is not austere with their use of antiquated words and phrases.
Be LEAN. The Motern filmmaker uses the minimum amount of equipment and gathers the smallest crew possible. The Motern filmmaker’s film is a one-car movie.
Be GRACIOUS. The hometown is the Motern filmmaker’s studio. Leave no local stone unturned when searching for your cast and locations. Bakeries, diners, parks, gazebos, and scenic look-outs are the Motern filmmaker’s backdrop. Parents, sisters, cousins, and co-workers must be cast in leading roles. The Motern filmmaker recognizes talent and commitment in everyone.
Be EARNEST. The Motern filmmaker knows what they set out to create and informs their collaborators and audiences of their intentions. Do not pretend it is something else for the sake of appearing more artistic.
Be SUCCESSFUL. The Motern filmmaker measures their success on their own terms. The Motern filmmaker sets goals and exceeds them. The Motern filmmaker learns from failures but does not let them influence their successes.
Be THANKFUL. No audience is too small. The Motern filmmaker values each viewer and thanks them for taking the time to watch their film. No matter what.
Be PROUD. Shame has no place in the Motern filmmaker’s work. The Motern filmmaker knows their value to cinema and it is exceptional.
FILM 3610G - CINEMATIC PUBLICS & PARTICIPATIONS: MOVEMENTS, MANIFESTOS, FILM FESTIVALS, COLLECTIVES 