If we need more evidence that digital distribution is changing the way we make and consume films, look no further than Making a Scene. It’s unusual short film series released by, of all publications, The New York Times. Each film in the series, directed by Oscar-winner Janusz Kamiński, lasts less than a minute and features a performance by a notable celebrity including Robert Redford or Cate Blanchett.
It’s an odd choice for a film project, but it’s the sort of experimental format that would only really make sense online. The phrase “independent film” tends to evoke a certain type of art house material, but increasingly, projects like Making a Scene are redefining what to expect as we continue into a bold new era of filmmaking.