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Indie director Ed Burns is betting on video-on-demand

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While the big Hollywood studios and theater owners continue to debate what role video-on-demand will play in the future of the movie business, actor-director Ed Burns has embraced the platform and thinks it could very well be key for the long-term survival of independent films.

“The audience that loves independent films have stopped going to the theaters,’ said Burns. ‘There are a couple of reasons for that. It is tougher for smaller movies to get a spot at the multiplex next to all the big-budget Hollywood blockbusters and the specialty theaters that feature independent movies are becoming fewer and fewer during these tough economic times.’

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Burns, who made his mark with the independent features ”The Brothers McMullen” and “She’s the One.” has been something of a pioneer when it comes to experimenting with new means of distribution. In 2007, he released his romantic comedy “Purple Violets” exclusively through iTunes.

Now he’s focused on video-on-demand. Last year, he self-financed and released “Nice Guy Johnny” on VOD as well as his new low-budget movie “Newlyweds,’ about a recently married couple whose lives are disrupted by the appearance of a volatile relative, which will debut Dec. 26.

‘Newlyweds’ will then have a small theatrical run in January in Chicago and San Francisco. But the director doesn’t anticipate that his film will have much of a life in cinemas.

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For Burns, VOD is the safer bet.

“The economics of a theatrical release for these films just doesn’t make any sense. All of the indie distribution companies will tell you theatrical is a loss leader,” Burns explained, adding, “The amount of money you have to spend marketing these films is insane.”

Burns said ‘Nice Guy Johnny’ was profitable for him. ‘This is not a business model where you are making millions of dollars, but you are making really healthy robust six-figure numbers.’

The budget for ‘Newlyweds’ was only about $100,000, according to Burns. ‘Everybody works for free on the film, but everybody owns a piece of the pie, it’s like an indie rock band approach.’ Better technology helps too.

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‘Digital cameras have gotten to the place where you can shoot with a three-man crew and available light and get a great-looking film,’ he said.’You don’t have to have films that look like little art house indies.’

‘Newlyweds’ is being sold for $6.99 via On Demand, the video-on-demand service available through most major cable and satellite operators. Burns said if ‘Newlyweds’ can bring in between $500,000 and $900,000,it will be a ‘very healthy profit.’

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-- Joe Flint

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