There's a lot of talk here about "the industry", but the truth of the matter is that because skiing is small, the connection between consumers (skiers) and the industry of making money off them is a close one. Your small choices in what you buy determine the financial success of companies and shape the way products and services thrive or disappear.
Losing DVD sales to iTunes sales doesn't seem like a big deal, but think of the price difference: $30 vs $10. Even if you scaled back the profit margin 33% (and it's actually a lot worse than that) alongside the price, it's a huge hit to the bottom line of the business. If you want to see indie ski filmmakers succeed, buy dvds.
Fewer people are attending premieres. Don't ask me what's up with that, but Come Find Us was the most successful and lowest profile TSP tour season. Other companies have noticed as well. If it's worth it to you to have am companies, go to their premieres.
If the art (and that's what's being produced) is worth it to you, spend the money there. If the am companies are what you care about, put your money behind it (in ways that directly benefit them, like DVD sales and premieres) and hopefully others will do the same so that they can continue to thrive.
One other thing to think about. TSP's movies have matured each year. Act Natural is certainly the most polished, cohesive, and chalk full of impressive skiing. If they were to do another, they want to make it better. To improve. And while they could probably pull it off, it's extra hard to do more when you see less cash coming in the door. I certainly understand why they've pulled the plug here--Best Am Film at IF3 is no slouch in the current state of the film industry. Better to go out on top than underfunded and halfhearted.
For my part, it's been a wonderful ride. I've made some great friends, did a lot of cool skiing in neat places, and got to be a slice of making people stoked. Couldn't ask for more, and I'm super grateful.
