ZACK MAHONEY

IndeeHub Studio

IndeeHub is a cinema-centric streaming platform that has re-imagined the relationship between artists and audiences. It’s Bitcoin-friendly (integrated with the Lightning Network), decent in performance, and smooth in navigation. Even though it’s still in its early stage, the platform already offers a wide variety of quality content: short films, feature-length movies, episodic formats, and music videos. Most importantly, it introduces a unique concept of ‘streaming sats’ for the content you watch. Not only does it create space for independent filmmakers, giving them creative freedom, but it also actively rewards their work through its business model. More about its background, uniqueness, and future plans in the interview below.

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All of this is to say that the revolution is in payments, but the evolution is in the business of filmmaking.

 — Zack Mahoney —

🎙️ BFF: The moment someone visits your website, they’re greeted with the slogan “Join the cinematic (r)evolution.” What do you think makes IndeeHub truly revolutionary?

💬 Zack: The**re’s a funny quote in the film industry that goes something like “I want the same thing, but different”. I think it speaks to our propensity as human beings to relate to timeless universal themes, while needing the context to be current. In a more universal context, I think of IndeeHub as part of a longer-term, more natural evolution of the industry, but in the short term it feels more like a revolution.

The current financial systems in use by the film industry make a ton of sense if you look back to when the systems were designed, but we’re all feeling the fatigue of those systems as we enter an entirely different paradigm. For instance, Netflix pioneered streaming movies over the internet, and while at the time it felt revolutionary, it was bound to happen. The problem is that while the business model evolved, the industry clung to systems and structures that were appropriate for a time when unit sales reigned supreme. Humanity is entering a completely new paradigm with regards to payments technology, and I fundamentally believe that the success of the industry will depend upon adapting to this new paradigm.

Artists reside on the edge of chaos-and-order. They occupy a very challenging position whereby they must continuously take outsized risks. Generally speaking, most businesses outside of art and storytelling do everything they can to mitigate risk. This is why we see reboot after reboot, less original ideas, and products that border on propaganda. The current system is, in my opinion, inappropriate for the industry.

The revolution here is in how artists are compensated. On IndeeHub, filmmakers are paid for every second that their film is watched and they can split that revenue between anyone on their cap table. We’ve integrated the Lightning network at the base layer of our platform, effectively re-plumbing the whole system. This reorients the incentives more towards a free market where filmmakers are compensated for producing great work and taking great risks. If people are watching it, you’re getting paid. If they’re not, you’re not. This is a step change in the industry that I believe will have massive downstream implications not only for artists, but for audience members as well.

🎙️ BFF: Impressive! No doubts, you’re doing a tremendous job providing a unique space for video content creators—just by glancing at the homepage without even logging in, it’s clear that IndeeHub offers a lot to filmmakers. Yet, could you briefly share what you see as the biggest benefits for the viewers?

💬 Zack: Over the coming year we will be working hard to onboard talented independent filmmakers and their projects. Many of these projects, including short films, have been difficult if not impossible for audiences to get access to outside of film festivals, in person screenings, or special events.

There’s a huge difference between “content” and a film. IndeeHub prides itself on showcasing skilled filmmakers and their work in an environment that feels appropriate for the medium. We also hope that audience members appreciate the value of their time and that filmmakers are rewarded for the time you spend watching their work. This exchange of value is unique and fundamental to the experience.

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We know there are countless ways to watch ‘content. At IndeeHub, we prioritize cinematic work, with quality and uniqueness at its core. ‘Join the cinematic (r)evolution’ isn’t just a catchy slogan. It is the ground for our work.

 — Zack Mahoney —

🎙️ BFF: You’ve been running the platform for a few months now, starting with the launch earlier this year and offering BFF participants access to many films after the festival—once again, big thanks for that! How would you evaluate IndeeHub’s progress so far? What achievements are you most proud of?

💬 Zack: It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with the Bitcoin FilmFest! We are looking forward to even more integrated and fruitful actions. I would certainly put our collaboration at the top of our current achievements. BFF has put on very high-quality festival and I’m confident that it will continue to thrive.

I’m also tremendously proud of the feedback we’ve gotten so far from users about how the platform feels. Filmmakers are particular about where they showcase their work (rightfully so) and we want to create an environment that is worthy of their efforts. So far, we’ve had wonderful feedback in that respect.

🎙️ BFF:Thank you, Zack! The pleasure is ours. Success and future plans aside, what have been your biggest challenges?

💬 Zack: On a personal level I think that loneliness has been the greatest challenge. I’m used to working in production where collaboration and teamwork are fundamental. Bootstrapping a business has been quite isolating at times. I’ve had to remain steady and focused in ways that I haven’t experienced before. Thankfully, I found our current development team and they are outstanding. It’s been a joy to work with a skilled development team.

I think the other great challenge is remaining laser focused. We have huge visions for the future of this platform, but it has been imperative to remain focused and to execute on the fundamentals. It’s tough to submit to constraints, especially in the realm of ideas, but bringing this to life has required very low time preference behavior.

Now, for those who haven’t had a chance to explore your platform yet, We have two practical questions

🎙️ BFF: What types of content can IndeeHub users expect? Are there only films, or rather shorts and series, maybe a mix of both, or something else?

💬 Zack: IndeeHub will focus on showcasing cinematic work that falls within three primary categories: Narrative, Documentary, and Music Video. Within the narrative and documentary categories we will offer short, feature length, and episodic formats. Music Videos will have their own section and categorization as well. We expect to see quite a few short films on the platform as there aren’t great alternatives for that format. There are swaths of great shorts floating around that don’t have anywhere to live and we’re very excited to help open that market for filmmakers and audience members alike.

🎙️ BFF: How is content accessed on IndeeHub? Do users need to top up their account in advance, pay as they go, or rent specific item they want to watch?

💬 Zack:The platform is super easy to access. For Audience Members the platform will feel like a typical SVOD service whereby you pay a monthly subscription to access our screening room. You can pay that subscription over traditional rails or over lightning (coming very soon!). You do NOT need to top up and keep track of balances. During out beta period the membership tiers will be very simple. As we move toward our official launch, we’ll have a number of great perks accessed through separate tiers so keep a lookout for those!

🎙️ BFF:Lastly, where do you see IndeeHub in 3-5 years, or where would you like it to be?

💬 Zack:Our goal is to be the best solution for filmmakers from concept to exhibition. I would love to see films not only exhibiting on this platform but beginning their lifecycle here as well. I envision a platform where filmmakers can collaborate, take risks, hone their craft, exhibit their work, and ultimately thrive in this industry.**I would expect an extensive library of unique projects, a budding community of filmmakers and film fans alike, as well as a platform that invests in and supports the artform and the industry.

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Storytelling is a cornerstone of the human experience and a fundamental process by which consciousness evolves. We aim to help facilitate and support that sacred relationship.

 — Zack Mahoney —

While the platform is still in early stage, it’s already good enough to explore. Go to IndeeHub Studio, set up your account and enjoy!

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