Distribution ?
"Ancient Chinese secret, huh ?"
Distribution has got to be the ugliest part of filmmaking. Since you want your film out there for as many people to see, you now have to take into consideration at what lengths you'll go to do so and how much of your time, effort and money are possibly going to be lost now to have it seen (I'm surprised this has never turned up on an episode of 'Fear Factor' yet). I always equate it to "People Who Had Nothing to Do With Creating This Will Now Be Taking 50% or More From It's Sales". Depending how much they actually push your film, it may or may not be all that bad. None of them are going to give you money up front to make your masterpiece (much like getting your band signed doesn't mean you're a rockstar I'd hate to say). You might be an artist, but they are still a business. Business takes care of itself first and foremost and little guys are an afterthought (which is why we have tons of "celebrity" reality shows starring people who were famous 20 years ago rather than corporations like Sony).
Yes, distribution companies sometimes do sign lengthy contracts to tie up the rights to a film and shelf it for years. I've read dozens of horror stories about an unnamed indie company that had one of the cheesiest, goriest movies turned into a cartoon and action figure set years later <hint, hint> signing distribution contracts on movies that were never seen or heard from again.
Personally, I've always been interested in putting together an indie distribution network in an effort to keep the spoils of sales in the pockets of the people who deserve it most - the guys who made the film in the first place. They did the work and who wouldn't want to have more money to get started on the next movie ? Can't be any worse than the usual Hollywood remake.
As for why Uwe Boll is still allowed to make movies, Angela, I can only speculate that he must have a very interesting photo collection of some very important people in compromising positions :D
CK