Posts Tagged ‘Creative Independents’
SOCIALisBETTER
The great recession has really shuffled the deck when it comes to our employment status. Full time positions are being eliminated, and certain tasks are being farmed out to freelancers. At the same time, digital technology has dramatically changed the infrastructure requirements for creative independents. Filmmakers, for example, used to require expensive cameras, lighting equipment and processing capabilities. Now all they need is an HD camera and a copy of Final Cut Pro.
Evolution
I think we need to move beyond the classification “freelancer”.
Because of the changes of the past 10 – 15 years, “creative independents” are no longer tied directly to larger institutions. As a result, they create great content for the sake of creating great content.
A Few Examples
We’re in the early innings, but creative independents are emerging among people I know personally:
Anthony Fantano independently produces “The Needle Drop“… and WNPR airs the program on Saturday nights. The Needle Drop is now syndicated (through The Public Radio Exchange, or “PRX“), and features a popular Website and podcast.
Annie Mecca and Bob Marrone have a podcast called Jazz Stew. It’s an example of what is possible when you combine passion (Annie’s love of jazz) and know-how (Bob’s spot on production values).
Ed Bartlett has turned a Facebook Group into a dynamic Web community.
… and Norm Golden independently produces a comedy series called 50 to Death, and is shopping it to the major distribution channels.
The list goes on and on.
It’s a good time to be a “CI”.
