As filmmakers, we are in the midst of a major movie distribution paradigm shift. Traditional theatrical release models as well as DVD sales channels are being replaced by video on demand platforms. These changes have forever altered the ways in which movies are seen and sold. As a consequence, getting into Sundance and selling your [...]
Yesterday I had breakfast with a studio executive from one of the Majors here in Los Angeles. Much of what we talked about revolved around changes in the movie industry and how many of the studio folks are slow to implement new ideas. With an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 independent movies flooding the market each year, the movie industry is experiencing what happens to any industry when cheap labor, inexpensive production…
As a filmmaker, getting your movie into the various VOD marketplaces takes way longer than it should. The reason for this is simple. Every platform including iTunes, Amazon, NetFlix, Hulu and The Watchbox all want great content. The delivery standards required by some of these platforms are so high, that if even one frame is messed up, your title will be rejected! This is why video aggregators work with amazing encoders…
Since taking on the role as the interim Director of Operations for Distribber, I have found that many indie filmmakers are interested in finding out how to distribute their titles on Netflix. So I figured it wouldn’t hurt to provide some details and save you headaches…
Do you remember retail DVD distribution? Do you remember walking into a video store and renting a video? Those days are gone. The demise of retail DVD distribution means that you can no longer depend on some video rental chain to buy 5,000 copies of your DVD. The advent of the internet…
For those of you following filmmaking stuff, you know that I have been working on an awesome and comprehensive filmmaking book for quite some time. I am pleased to announce that the filmmaking book is almost complete. (Update – the book is complete and available here.) One of the biggest challenges I had was coming [...]
