Keynote

by Haley Stepp

Guest blogger Haley Stepp is a 14-year-old sophomore at California State University who recently covered Silverdocs (the noted documentary film festival) for Lady DaVinci.com

Ted Leonsis spoke about filmanthropy today in his Keynote session. It was an intriguing view on the goal of filmmaking; many filmmakers seem either to want to make money, or to want to change the world—but Leonsis’s view stood out because it allowed for the simultaneous application of both approaches.

Of course, Leonsis explained, profit is important. If you take to a producer an idea that will bring your company into debt, you’ll (naturally) be fired. However, he continued, it is very hard to make a profit from documentaries. Instead of focusing entirely on business, filmmakers should ask themselves whether their films make a difference. In other words, they should try to change the world while not forgetting about profit. Leonsis believes filmmakers can awaken thoughts and ideas in other people while creating a sense of fulfillment in themselves.

Referred to as a "pioneer of the new media industry," Leonsis is known for his philanthropy, so it is no surprise to hear him stress that filmmaking should give people happiness. If a career or line of work doesn’t give people happiness, he proposed in his address—be it the worker or those enjoying their products—then there’s no reason to continue with that career. And Leonsis realizes that happiness does not come from wealth.

Leonsis’s thoughtful approach to profit is worth pondering. Though he insisted that profit is not everything, he sees the advantage of profit through the internet: as the internet grows more and more prevalent, it becomes more possible to reach a larger audience with film. And it is true—the the world is becoming an increasingly online one; as a college student, I spend much of my time on the computer doing research for papers, looking for media, and creating media of my own. My attention could well be caught and held by an interesting “online documentary.” Filmmakers should not neglect the internet as they pursue theatres. The possibility exists to reach a much larger audience, and gain a greater opportunity to change the world. And—not forgetting about profit—to make more money than ever before.