Actor, director and screenwriter Ed Burns believes that the changing economics of independent films requires new methods of distribution.

"As audience attendance has dropped at art house theaters, the economics of small films just doesn't work," he said. "Digital distribution is the future for independent film."

This 42-year-old filmmaker, who is perhaps best known for his role in the World War II drama "Saving Private Ryan" and as the director of critically-acclaimed indie flick "The Brothers McMullen," will screen his latest feature film, "Nice Guy Johnny," at the Savannah Film Festival. The movie, which is on a nationwide film festival tour, will be featured at 9:30 p.m. Monday at Trustees Theater, located at 216 E. Broughton St.

In a break from tradition, "Nice Guy Johnny" was released digitally through iTunes movies, Amazon.com, video on demand and DVD, rather than through conventional movie theaters, on Oct. 26. B

urns selected the multiplatform distribution deal over the usual theatrical release for a number of reasons, including greater artistic freedom, a more favorable economic model and the ability to reach both new and traditional audiences for his films.

"We stole a page from what a lot of bands are doing," he said, "which is foregoing their labels and getting their music directly into the hands of the fans."

The cost of dreams

"Nice Guy Johnny" tells the story of Johnny Rizzo, a young man who made a promise to his fiancee that he would trade in his dream job as a late night sports talk radio host for a more lucrative career when he turns 25. He faces the dilemma of whether he should give up on his dream or stick to his guns.

"I wanted to explore what dreams cost us and how hard we have to fight to hold on to them," said Burns.

Burns has faced the same choices in his own career, as he has been offered tempting deals to direct mainstream romantic comedies, when he has a deep passion for character-driven independent films.

Instead, he shot "Nice Guy Johnny" - his ninth feature film - on a $25,000 budget, using largely unknown actors in New York and free locations. The actors even did their own hair and makeup.

"There's an exuberance that comes from being free of producers and financiers," he said. "No one was pressuring us or hindering the flow of the production. Everyone was there because they loved the project."

Burns' favorite part of being a director is seeing the words he has written in a screenplay come to life.

"I love the thrill of the moment when you're watching two actors nail a scene you've written," he said. "I also love being in the editing room and watching how the images come together and morph into something you didn't anticipate."

Burns has never been to Savannah before and says he is looking forward to sharing his insight with aspiring young filmmakers. After two decades in the film industry, he has plenty of hard-earned advice to share with Savannah College of Art and Design students.

"The business of making films is all about compromise," he said. "You'll never have enough money or enough time. It's never going to turn out exactly how you imagine it, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. You can use your setbacks and disadvantages to your advantage, and great things can come out of it."