Short film director Hal Hartley monetizes his movies

Independent film director Hal Hartley has been making movies, including many shorts, since the 1980s beginning with “The Unbelievable Truth“.

His first short, “Theory of Achievement“, was made with money left over from an art grant funding another of his films (“Surviving Desire“).

Hal Hartley monetizes his short films by collecting them on DVD releases sold through his film company’s website and Amazon.com. He’s been around long enough to have a following who buys them.

He doesn’t have backing to make full length features these days. But he can afford to put together a few short films out of his own pocket and periodically release them in collections.

I’m a longtime fan of Hartley’s and (in addition to the above) recommend “The Book of Life” (especially), “Trust”, and “Flirt” as movies to find and watch.

He’s my favorite director of short films – his are experimental, and he’s continued to experiment and challenge himself throughout his career.

Also check out Hartley’s brilliant music video for “From the Motel 6” by Yo la Tengo. I love that the payoff comes halfway through the piece and everything is setting up that one moment. Much like the life of an artist.