Phenomenal Films producer Cher Hawrysh wraps the AFM with some takeaways from FilmNation president of production Andrew Ryder on the role of the producer and the future of indie film.

The 34th American Film Market wrapped up Wednesday after an eight-day run of screenings, meetings, deal-making, key-note speeches and panels.

As AFM attendees packed up and headed for points around the globe, I noticed there was a slight air of, dare I say, pessimism?  With A-list talent an essential selling point overseas, it can be difficult for independent producers to stay positive for the duration of the market.

Thankfully though, I got just the shot in the arm I needed,  a perfect dose of positivity and a reminder that I am so very lucky and do indeed have the best job in the world.  I took a break from a hectic meeting schedule and slipped into the Producer’s Forum – a newly created series of seminars that enhance the two-year-old Producer Conference – to hear Aaron Ryder, president of production at FilmNation (Mud, All is Lost) share his take on the Role of Today’s Film Producer.

And what a take it was.  Ryder, who began his career with Working Title Films in the heyday of the mid-90s(Four Weddings and a Funeral, Billy Elliot, Notting Hill) kept it real, and began by stating that he’s not the brightest in the room.  He did admit to being smart, and working hard – what he describes as essential requirements for the job.  He shared that early on he asked filmmaker Stephen Frears (The Grifters, High Fidelity) for advice on becoming a producer, to which Frears responded, “Be lucky” and “Just start making movies.”

Ryder did get lucky and looks back at that advice as incredibly wise.  “There are no rules to this,” he said.  He talked about how the job itself is always changing, and although the climate is a bit cold and rocky now, we need to look for and create opportunities. A film producer, he passionately explained, is someone who does three things, and does them well:  Finding and developing material, packaging talent and financing.  He talked about the producer’s responsibility to the creative and the business – being the connective tissue between it all.

And, of course, creating opportunities.

While working with Newmarket Films in the early 2000’s, Ryder’s bosses asked him what was next.  His roommate had a script and Ryder got that screenplay into production. When the movie was finished, it received a standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.  After all mini-majors passed on distributing, Ryder recognized an opportunity in the marketplace and, along with Bob Berney and P&A from Newcastle, self-released the film.  It was Memento.

Looking to the future of indie film, Ryder brought up the conversations about TV happening at the AFM.  “Cable TV is becoming what indies used to be….taking far more risks in character and story.”  In his inspiring and positive way, Ryder encouraged the room to learn from that high bar being set on cable and still feels that we’ll be able to reach a wider audience.

“There is an audience for independent film,” he triumphed.  “Yes it’s been dire, but out of change comes opportunity and out of opportunity can come luck.”  I totally agree.

Read more AFM blogs here.