Kneko Burney decided to take the precarious state of independent features into her own hands.
Burney created eyesoda.com, an online portal where people can post and view indie features. At a time when indie studios are shuttering
WWTW checked in with Burney to find out more about her venture, and just how it helps emerging filmmakers share their work with the world.
WWTW: How did eyesoda.com begin, and how has it grown since the site first went live?
KB: I started Eyesoda.com last year because I am most moved by indie films, especially those that focus on social issues, stories that are rarely heard and/or present characters that are flawed both physically and emotionally. I wanted to create an outlet for films like this that could complement the festival circuit while bringing these types of films to a broader audience. The Internet is ideal for this, people can choose what they want to watch, when they want it and participate in a social experience online.
The stories in these films deserve a chance to be heard by anyone willing to listen and should be available to touch whomever is interested in that journey. As such, I start Eyesoda.com for that reason – to level the playing field and give indies a chance to share their work with the world outside the film festival.
Eyesoda.com has grown steadily since it launched in the middle of last year. Because the site is privately funded by my husband and I, we are much more conservative with marketing as compared to other start-ups. All the growth has come organically through word of mouth.
WWTW: How do you attract filmmakers to the site, and are filmmakers started to seek out your site now that it’s established?
KB: I focused mainly on reaching out the filmmakers who have showcased their work in one or more festivals, like the Santa Fe Film Festival, which we worked with last year. Now that we’re starting to become more known, new filmmakers and film critics sign up to the site each week. It’s the network effect. All filmmakers are welcome.
WWTW: Which films have proven the most popular on the site, and why?
KB: “Skid Row” – a hard-hitting documentary on homelessness featuring Pras Michael of the Fugees
“Gentleman’s Choice: The Chris Adams Story” – another powerful documentary telling the tragic story of Chris Adams’ untimely demise.
“My Brotha’s Keeper” – the story of a college athlete trying to make the right choices as he hopes to become a pro ball player.
All of them are excellent films and moving to watch. All have had very active involvement from the filmmaker or distributor and touch on important social issues. Because of this, we’ve been able to build some community around each film which has led to more ticket sales.
WWTW: How do you see the current independent film scene evolving? Will sites like yours, and VOD-style services ultimately keep indie films commercially viable?
KB: I definitely see the Internet creating new avenues for indies to share and monetize their work, particularly those that target constituency groups like women, LGBT and minorities. These new avenues are open to everyone, but those that cater to what might be called “niche” markets will find many more opportunities online than anywhere else. They may actually find that online is where they have the greatest chance to achieve commercial viability with their films because online is the only place where they could feasibly amass a large enough audience to do so.
I think the indie market will further fragment, as more young people make amateur-style films and generate you-tube like content for the Web. Skilled filmmaking professionals will need to stand out from this by honing their craft and making truly unique films – films that are not afraid to tackle the issues that are often covered up. The Internet will definitely prompt this kind of fragmentation and new business models are already emerging to reward those that embrace it.
WWTW: What has running the site taught you about today’s indie scene … and the filmmakers within it?
KB: There is so much positive energy to bring together – it’s just a matter to building the network of people and ideas. I come across so many good people working to promote different kinds of indie films all the time – from horror, to African American, to documentaries, to films for women – the list doesn’t end. If we all got together, it would be a force to reckon with.
WWTW: What are the biggest hurdles your site faces today, and how would you like to see it grow over time?
KB: I’d say financing is the biggest challenge. Eyesoda.com is privately funded by my husband and I. We’re lucky enough have the assets to do that – but it’s definitely a big undertaking for a person vs. for an investment bank or a venture capitalist. But, we went this route because it’s not really about the money. It’s about all the positive network effect – I really believe that Eyesoda.com can help to bring together good people with good intentions to make good things happen in the world. As such, I hope to see Eyesoda.com grow to connect lots of existing online communities, film societies, film festivals and social groups focused on world issues. Wouldn’t it be great if we could get together to change the world one film at a time?
Related posts:
on 
on 
