Chicago, IL – MAY 1, 2009 – “I don’t think it’s about marketing to your demographic. It’s about making what we make as discoverable as possible so that the audience can find it,” affirms Susan in Webisode 9, the enlightening final bow for this provocative FilmFellas cast.

Each “FilmFellas” installment consists of four to five webisodes featuring intimate roundtable discussions on the artful and practical business of independent filmmaking. Director Steve Weiss spotlights a new cast of filmmakers in each installment. Webisodes 5 through 9, titled “Mumblecore and More,” feature Weiss’ conversation with up-and-coming directors Joe Swanberg (Kissing on the Mouth, Hannah Takes the Stairs, Alexander the Last), Susan Buice (Four Eyed Monsters) and Kris Swanberg (Young American Bodies). All three filmmakers have made work that reflected, and resonated with, their generation. Webisode 9 premiered on May 1.

In the new webisode, Susan highlights the differences between push marketing and pull marketing, and explains her preference for the latter. Kris argues that her generation is too savvy to be seduced by advertising, while favoring the exposure to media offered by social networking sites. Joe provides an in-depth explanation of why he chose to make his new film, Alexander the Last, available to 45 million homes through Video On Demand, while simultaneously premiering it at the SXSW festival. As the cast proposes various ways films could be made discoverable online, Susan reiterates her belief that Hollywood has given up on marketing to her generation. This inspires Steve to close the discussion by reflecting on the massive door left open to filmmakers.

“While the whole world is pooh poohing about our economy, I see this as the most exciting time in my 27 years of production. We finally have the tools to create video that competes with film, for virtually no cost. We finally have the editing systems that allow us to do whatever we want. We finally have things like web 2.0 to get the message out on self-distribution. We finally have the ability to make something go viral. Now all you have to do is create something amazing, which is not easy, monetize it, which is not easy, and get it out there. Still not easy, BUT POSSIBLE. Good luck.” Steve Weiss, director.

Stay tuned for our next FilmFellas installment featuring an exciting, all-new cast: producer Anish Savjani (Wendy and Lucy), CEO Mike Michaud (founder of Channel Awesome production company) and producer/director Edward Seaton (Recurve Media). Webisode 10 premieres on May 15.

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A Zacuto production presented in conjunction with Vimeo.com

About Zacuto:
Located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, ZACUTO, originally a production equipment rental house formed in 2000 by a former Director and DP Steve Weiss and Jens Bogehegn, whose combined film/video experience of over 50 years, quickly expanded into a producer of high end production equipment with the creation of their revolutionary line of ZACUTO USA brand products.  Designed primarily for indie filmmakers, Zacuto is your local one-stop-shop for customized camera packages and components shipped anywhere in the world.  Zacuto USA brand products are entirely designed and manufactured by Zacuto, made in the USA, and come with a Life Time Warranty. For more information visit www.zacuto.com