Pure Profit - Independent Films Rock Weekend

In the continue brainless LCD (least common denominator) approach to filmmaking Hollywood is mass marketing to 12-year olds, no statistical analyzing is needed to understand the dismal trend of anemic low box office receipts - unless you are an actor, writer, director, producer who gets your $3-$15 million up front.

On the flipside, there is good news - for independents, both audiences and filmmakers. The Conspirator from Roadside Attractions and Insidious from FilmDistrict impressed at the weekend box office. Coming in at #6, legendary Hollywoodteur Robert Redford directed The Conspirator. One would think with Robert Redford at the helm everything is a set; however, Redford searched for a distributor and was eventually picked up and distributed by Roadside Attractions.

The weekend saw Insidious from director James Wan carving out a #10 spot. Insidious was made for around $1 million and will probably wind up being the most successful film this year, ratio wise, when you compare its production cost to its box office take, which currently stands at $37.2 million.

The real story here is for filmmakers to know audiences are here. Insidious is a horror film while The Conspirator is a drama -- the ending is pure box office profit.