Now, this is not a “let’s take them on the battlefield with our bayonets” type of revolution, even though this mentioned revolution in Hollywood does somewhat apply to that old adage. Instead of bayonets, we are using cutting-edge cameras. Instead of soldiers, we are using smart, diverse artists. Instead of battlefields, we are fighting for the minds of the consumer. Who is against whom? To answer
that, let’s go back just a few decades ago, where the true revolution began. Coppola…Scorsese…Hill…Peckinpah…all these austere artists began breaking the constraints the studios had on artists by developing original projects; an edgy, visceral style of storytelling that would inspire a generation. At this time, in the 70’s to early 80’s, the consumer (the viewer) had become smarter, more diversified, and more sophisticated. These filmmakers knew they had to create something never before seen to win over the viewers, but they (the directors) were limited on how to make their original content more accessible to the consumer. No compact, high-def cameras. Just limited technology. Only through corporate studios and archaic instruments were they allowed to bring their stories to life. Coppola said that the day would come where the filmmaker will have all he needs on his shoulder and hanging off of him to make a movie. But in the 70’s, this prediction had not come into fruition. Thus, the constant tension between artist and studio reached its crescendo. But something remarkable occurred through these directors, something they didn’t foresee in the long run. These directors forged a mindset that was never seen in Hollywood, and thus the great revolution in filmmaking had begun. It was the birth of Independent Filmmaking. Fast-forward thirty years later. We are now carrying the flame that these great directors and relentless producers ignited…to create stimulating and groundbreaking stories through rich characters, unforgettable storylines, and challenging messages. But now we have what Coppola never had, though he brilliantly envisioned it: we have everything we need on our shoulders and hanging off of us to create exceptional films and impressive stories. Today, now more than ever, the digital age has brought a gambit of choices on how to make projects in a cost-efficient way, and at the same time attract and move consumers worldwide who are eager to be entertained, who are eager to think, who are eager to be inspired. No more do we have to depend on big studios to push a project forward. It takes an entrepreneurial mind, mixed with a creative impulse, an uncanny approach to storytelling, and a whole lotta guts to make a project reach its full and successful potential. This is what we represent…this is Branded Maverick! The age of IPads (one is sold every 3 seconds ), smartphones (5 billion users), computers (3 billion users), Kindles and on-demand viewing (Netflix, Redbox, At&T, YouTube, Vimeo), is here…and it is here to stay. They have replaced the television, movie theaters, and hard covered books. These multi-media tools are now at our fingertips, and they can be a powerful source for immense revenue when used in an efficient and strategic way. We now have a plethora of avenues to stream our projects to millions upon millions of viewers, globally. With our state of the art tools and techniques, we are able to make projects without following the norm, without following what the studios desire, without asking permission, and without pigeonholing ourselves. Television. Theater. Books. All these mediums can be developed and utilized to create on-demand entertainment for billions of viewers. We are creating for the consumer, because they have the last say. They tell the culture what they want and how they want it. Not the studios, but the reader, the viewer, and the consumer make the decisions. Like Maximus said in “Gladiator,” “Win the crowd, and you’ll win your freedom.” At Branded Maverick, we know we can win the crowd by not following the average. By raising the bar. By not being labeled. Let the revolution begin! We hope you can join us in the awe-inspiring journey!
