Since the definition of "low budget" has been twisted to include $15 million dollar motion pictures made by branches of major studios, it's actually sort of refreshing to see that Paramount has a new plan.  Flush off the success of PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, the studio, according to Variety, has plans on making 10 to 20 films a year with a budget of no more than $100,000 each. 

The studio's end game is obvious:  If only one or two of these films makes $100 million, then the limited investment pays off in spades.  If none of them make back so much as their budget, the investment in all of them probably equals the crafts service table on 2012. 

But it goes beyond that.  If Paramount follows through, that's 10 to 20 filmmakers who would have the financing to get a film made.  According to Variety, this would include not only established directors, but first-timers as well.  This would be a boon for independent filmmakers, who are in constant struggle to get funding for their films.  More importantly, if Paramount leaves these directors to themselves and doesn't butt in, this would mean true independent films with automatic studio backing.

I can't say I liked PARANORMAL ACTIVITY.  But the low budget film has inspired Paramount to help the little guy, and I have to applaud the studio on that.

 Read Variety's full article here.

 --Phil Fasso