The Price of Independence

Your cover story “Everything Ventured, Everything Lost” (by Rachel Abramowitz, Sept. 23) raises a number of excellent points regarding the sad fate of Shooting Gallery.

However, it is important to note that the company was in business for a decade; they brought a number of creative, original movies to the attention of the American public at a time when theaters were all but drained of alternative fare; and they employed a large number of people. If they had lost more than $70 million by the time they closed shop, that is still less than the cost of just one Hollywood blockbuster.

This strikes me as quite a bargain for 10 years of independent art.

LLOYD KAUFMAN

President, Troma Entertainment

Hollywood

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I’m glad someone finally took a clean, hard and serious look at “indie” filmmaking. I’ll take it one step further past all the failed business lessons Abramowitz’s article made very plain and clear.

The “powers that be” never knew what they were doing once success began. And if you don’t have a growing, solid foundation based on long-term success through continual hard work and sacrifice, get out of the way of those more responsible and serious about American filmmaking and other long-term goals.

Instead of reinvesting in their business and watching it grow with the hard work and results of others for long-term success, they did what? They dug their own graves. And “30 former employees, associates and investors” just sat by and watched it all happen? No one was smart or gutsy enough to say anything?

Producing and helping distribute solid film work like “Sling Blade” and “You Can Count on Me” is one thing. Getting caught up in baby-sitting investors’ kids or forcing one’s self out into the “spotlight,” far ahead of the movie and the creative talents behind it, and throwing money around like it’s your own, is something else.

Estimated $70 million lost, huh? Hope that parcel of vacation land and other little “trinkets” the “powers that be” chased after were worth it.

MARK GEORGEFF

Los Angeles