If the pending regulations by the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting were in effect five years ago I would not have been able to afford to make the film and the millions of viewers who saw it in theatres and on PBS would not have had access to the important New York stories it incorporates. New York City has always been a creative haven . . . (excerpt, complete text after the jump)

To whom it may concern:

I am a New York-based independent filmmaker (“Brother To Brother”) and I am writing to express my deep concern about the pending changes to the regulations for low-budget, independent filmmakers and fine art photographers working in New York City. Shooting on the streets of New York City for extended periods of time with small crews has been integral to my development as a filmmaker and to the sense of discovery of the history on these streets that is at the core of my work. My recent feature film “Brother To Brother” pays tribute to the artistic pioneers of the Harlem Renaissance such as Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston and Bruce Nugent and the ways that their legacy, spirit and bravery live on in the new generation of contemporary artists. If the pending regulations by the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting were in effect five years ago I would not have been able to afford to make the film and the millions of viewers who saw it in theatres and on PBS would not have had access to the important New York stories it incorporates. New York City has always been a creative haven for independent filmmakers and photographers that provided inspiration and encouragement for us to create lasting works of art based on spontaneous experiences on these streets. Please make sure that any new regulations preserve the environment that has allowed artists such as Robert Frank, John Cassavettes, Diane Arbus, Shirley Clarke, Jonas Mekas, William Greaves, Andy Warhol and thousands more to thrive here and do not make New York City a place that is inhospitable and inaccessible to the generations of artists that are still to come. When crafting new policies that have a direct impact on the work and livelihood of independent filmmakers and photographers please make sure we are included in the discussions and writing of any and all amendments so that our concerns can be directly and properly addressed.

Sincerely Yours,
Rodney Evans