Details…
A new documentary film is due later this year about a proficient, talented culture of deep thinkers and creators in the independent game industry. Director, Stephanie Beth, presents some angles on what it’s like to make independent games. It is taking a kickstarter route for the final stage of it’s funding. It is supervised in Los Angeles.
The film US AND THE GAME INDUSTRY follows three years of research and is anchored around established conversations with current day independents. These are entrepreneurs completing games and starting games in 2012.
JOURNEY, developed by thatgamecompany is released by Sony this week for Playstation3. US AND THE GAME INDUSTRY has talked and filmed with Producer Creative Director, artists, the composer and engineers during the JOURNEY build over three years from 2009 – 2012 for this film.
Other entrepreneurs who are seasoned, starting or completing works this year are in the film. Jason Rohrer,(SLEEP IS DEATH,INSIDE A STAR FILLED SKY and a game to be announced in this film) talks on the practice of being a sole developer and on the vision he brings to game design. Alexander Bruce(ANTICHAMBER), similarly releases his film independently by the end of this year. Other developers and peers appear in this film with opinion, works in progress and professional and curatorial support. These include: Daniel Cook, Zach Gage and Douglas Wilson.
Beth was drawn at first by what she saw in her son’s engagement with computer games and her subsequent observations of the swiftness with which he got ‘ turned on ‘. Over the years his interest grew and she saw there was a story to be told about bold moves in this mindset.
Beth says of developers:
“ These are a people with heart and soul who give us tricks and challenges. Developers refresh for us the wonders of the discoverable and sharpen our relationships with decision -making, respect, perception and thought”.
She talked with a range of developers from 2008 – 2012. Filming has occurred across California,Texas,New York and in Copehagen. The film is feature length. It is intended for release later this year.
