There are a lot of filmmakers that tell you it is NOT okay to sell directly to your movie fans. The reason for this is based in our industry-wide belief that we must follow traditional release windows, or miss opportunity. “I’m going to do festivals. Then I’ll hopefully negotiate theatrical. Then I’d like to focus [...]
As a filmmaker, you are focused on making a movie. You have a gazillion things on your plate. And the last thing you need is more movie production paperwork. I know the feeling. A few years back, I was on the festival circuit with a movie. And over coffee, I heard this story about some [...]
The whole world of movie distribution is changing. This is important because the success of you movie depends on distribution. Given the deterioration of DVD sales channels, to become successful as a filmmaker, YOU are now responsible for sourcing, engaging and selling your movie to your intended target audience.
YOU are now responsible for marketing, promotion and distribution of your movie. And inline with this strategy, you must view regional and second tier festivals as an opportunity to build your audience list. But instead of handing out postcards to other filmmakers, your marketing strategy will be smarter.
Do you remember when the idea of making movies seemed like a far away dream? Do you remember when you first got the idea for your movie? Do you remember Your first day of production? Do you remember your first screening and how well everyone loved your work?
The veterans of the movie industry tell us that all this distribution deal disappointment is a result of improved technology. They optimistically tell us that our lost DVD revenues will be recouped by Video On Demand. Some refer to this as simply a market correction, implying that someday, somewhere, someone will figure out how to once again pay the big bucks for movies. But this is a pipe-dream.
