Indie encounters revealed in Tedhope memoir

In his new memoir “Hope for Film,” producer Ted Hope recounts his adventures in the indie film trade, working on everything from “American Splendor” to “21 Grams.” Many of the directors he’s worked with had their quirks. For example, the book describes Todd Fields as an intense perfectionist who insisted that crew members stand at all times during production of “In the Bedroom.”

“I just like working with filmmakers who have a distinct vision yet recognize they can benefit from an outside voice to help navigate choices, both in terms of dollars spent ... and also someone who will push them to make the best movie possible,” Hope says. “We can’t get by anymore on a good story well told. Filmmakers need to take things further by asking what we can actually add to the culture with this particular tale.”

Hope served for a year as executive director of the San Francisco Film Society, then moved over to movie-viewing website Fandor.

“Our subscription video-ondemand film library is the cornerstone for becoming a relationship business that brings together a community of film lovers and filmmakers rather than simply creating products for consumption,” Hope says.

“We still live in an era that essentially sells movies to wallets with eyeballs. I believe audiences want something more.”