John's Answer

The first would be the sudden influx of the types of movies audiences want to see today. The quick rise of all these new streaming video websites have warped younger minds into thinking that entertainment has to be extreme, vile or just all out inappropriate and for that matter squeezed into a minute and a half viral clip. I believe we've all been horrified with over the top violence, depictions of torture, sex and foul language to the point where such tactics have lost their initial audience appeal. We need to return to basics. A good movie is STILL a good movie, one with memorable characters, great cinematography, excitement and drama, an outstanding musical score to draw us into the film and special effects to augment the whole.

Second, the movie industry is also being affected by changes in the stock market and our current financial crisis. We need to "film smart" now, more than ever before. A host of expensive filmmaking techniques will not save a poor script and investors are becoming increasingly cautious. We all need to remember, movies are a non-essential element of our modern society. Filmmaking cannot compete with basic human necessities such as good food and water, shelter, and pure air. Nevertheless, I pity a society which does not embrace the arts. That's part of what makes us so unique and marks us as higher beings on this precious world of ours.

Third, is the rise of smaller filmmaking groups outside of Hollywood itself, those in the southeast and in Texas, for example. So many talented individuals have had Hollywood's massive portals closed in their faces and it's truly inspiring to see them find root and flourish in other locations instead. Herein lies the source of New Age filmmakers, those with incredible talent, tenacity and drive - the spark of future filmmaking. I applaud you.