Modern Moviemaking In A Nutshell - Drinker Does A Rant

Money always matters in the film business. 98% of all indie films lose money. Investors want a return on their money. The only other path is to get rich patrons or crowdsourced money for an idea that they are willing to lose money on. But then you are a captive to the likes and dislikes of the money-crowd as a charity case. The films cited (Daybreakers and Afterlife) were only possible to be made because they were very cheaply filmed by limiting sets, actors, etc. This proves that money is the driving force still.

Great, cheap films can be made today by severely limiting costs. Yet, this also reduces the types of films that can be made (no historical films w/ extensive costumes or sets, no crowd scenes, no FX, no extensive music score, etc.)

My point is that, as technology improves, we will be able to get budget films that don't feel like budget films. At some point- almost anybody is going to be able to make cheap, interesting films if they want to- in any style, genre, historical period, FX, etc.

I agree that imagination and talent are very important- but they are not the only factors. Money strongly limits what types of films can be made.