Digital distribution allows for four important aspects for filmmakers outside of the studio production realm: 1) unlimited bandwidth online, which allows filmmakers to skirt the large studio production companies that often discount independent and do-it-yourself filmmakers; 2) the long tail concept, created by Chris Anderson, which argues, "with virtually unlimited storage space, digital distributors can make huge profits off of niche markets" (p. 96); 3) day-and-date releasing, which allows filmmakers alternative options for when to release their films, overriding the traditional studio production company method of film release; and 4) social networking like Facebook and Twitter, which allows filmmakers to network and market their films to niche fans.
A really good example of an independent documentary that followed all of the digital distribution aspects Tyron discusses is Winnebago Man, released in 2009 by The Bear Media, a small production company in Austin, Texas. Winnebago Man is the story of Jack Rebney, a.k.a "the angriest man in the world", whose videotaped outtakes as a Winnebago salesman in the 1980's went viral on YouTube and caught the eye of independent filmmaker Ben Steinbauer. In his directorial debut, Steinbauer was interested in finding Rebney, who had disappeared from the public eye, so he could tell Rebney's story about the outtakes and where his life had taken him ("About", WinnebagoMan, 2012).
Originally screened at South Texas Cinémathèque, an independent film screening series in South Texas, Winnebago Man went on to hold its world premiere at the 2009 South by Southwest Independent Film Festival, and was only then theatrically released nationwide. The film has been viewed by over 20 million people, and has become a viral documentary sensation. It has also won four film festival awards and has a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Prior to the film, Jack Rebney was already a social media viral hit on YouTube. The film was shot using original found footage and interviews, produced by a very small production company, was released solely based upon film festival screenings and word of mouth until its national release, had its own website, Facebook page, Twitter handle, and has since been released on DVD, Netflix, and iTunes. From this example, and many others, it seems Tyron is right: do-it-yourself distribution in the digital age means anyone can make a movie, even one about an angry guy who sold Winnebagos for a living.
