Why This ‘Last Showgirl’ Producer Thinks Indie Cinema Still Has Legs

In this episode of No Film School, host GG Hawkins sits down with Robert Schwartzman, producer of The Last Showgirl and co-founder of Utopia, to discuss the evolving landscape of independent cinema. As a filmmaker, distributor, and problem solver, Robert shares insights on how indie filmmakers can take control of their distribution, why the industry is shifting toward self-releasing, and what’s next for Utopia.

In this episode, No Film School’s Jason Hellerman and Robert Schwartzman discuss:

• The evolving landscape of indie film distribution and the role of technology in direct-to-audience releases
• How Utopia is working to eliminate middlemen and empower filmmakers
• The importance of theatrical releases for indie films, despite industry shifts
• The inspiration behind The Last Showgirl and why Las Vegas was the perfect setting
• How finding creative solutions—from locations to costumes—can elevate a low-budget film
• Why international filmmakers have a competitive edge in today’s market

Memorable Quotes:

• “I think filmmakers need to also get hip to the idea of like, oh, there's all these places I can sell my film, but I still need to reach them. Like no one's gonna just give me an audience, I need to find them.” (18:35)
• “The playing field is so level right now, that's what's so exciting about it. Like it's anyone's game. People just have to be willing to play it.” (20:55)
• “There will come a time when a movie is self-released using these new technologies and it will be nominated for something significant… That’s when people are really going to come around to it.” (22:50)
• “You’re not going to get everything you want in filmmaking. The key is knowing what you absolutely need and what you can live without.” (51:07)
• “If you shoot a movie quickly, the opportunity cost for people goes down.” (55:01)

Guest:

• Robert Schwartzman – Producer of The Last Showgirl, co-founder of Utopia, and filmmaker known for Dreamland and The Unicorn.

Resources:

• The Last Showgirl Official Trailer
• Utopia Distribution
• AltaVod – Self-Distribute Your Film
• PowerFlix – Aggregation Services for Indie Filmmakers

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