The world of distribution for movies is not an easy one. movie tavern exton After sweating and fighting to complete a film, you’re physically and mentally exhausted.
It’s easy to want to relax and relax but you’re not able to because completing a movie is only half the fight. It’s time to step into the world of distribution.
Film distribution
can be a challenging spot for filmmakers who are just beginning the business. It’s difficult to shut off the creative part of your brain to focus on the business aspects of selling films.
What I’ve learned through the difficult method is that the distribution of movies begins with the promotion and marketing a film.
Social media is a cheap method to spread people talking about your film and to create a huge buzz on the internet.
It’s fun to go down the festival route to make sure your film is noticed by potential buyers of films however, when talking to other filmmakers, there’s an impression that the scene of film festivals is becoming too crowded.
U.K. filmmaker Wayne
Daniells from LiarDice Films told me his most recent trip for The Cannes International Film Festival was a brutal eating frenzy.
There was a huge number of films, and producers were fighting for the attention of distributors.
Overall Wayne said that it was an unnecessary waste of time and money to pitch his film in the first place. I’ve heard similar opinions from other filmmakers who are dissatisfied with the film festival industry and do not consider it a viable method to get distribution for their films.
Personally, I like the straightforward method of contacting distributors of films to find out whether they’re interested to be provided with a screener. This is especially helpful when you’ve already been marketing and promoting your film on social media.
Film distribution companies are interested more in purchasing films that already have an online presence.
This is strictly speaking from a truly independent film standpoint. Studio budget films are completely different in the distribution of movies.
In the case of movie distribution for an indie-produced film, the way it usually occurs is filmmakers and producers who are independent make the film with no guarantee of movie distribution contract in place.
It is common for them to have to look for it in order to sell it. My personal experience has been that to date. I’ve never produced content with the help of a distribution agreement for movies in place.
It’s similar to creating a screenplay from scratch however, you’re working with film. Promoting and marketing movies via social media is a necessity.
Begin early before your movie is finished. This way, when you start making contact with distributors of films, your movie will already be more appealing because people are already talking about it.
Film distributors who specialize in the release of independent films usually have very little to do with marketing the majority of the films they publish.
If your film doesn’t have any celebrities or actors connected to it, then you won’t see it advertised beyond the normal film distributor’s catalog.
If you are able to secure the movie distribution contract, you’ve already given your film an edge by promoting and promoting yourself.
My thoughts are everywhere this moment, so I’ll return to finding the right movie distribution contract. Do not delay, please. A good Miller Lite could aid me in focusing right now.
It’s a lot better. There are a variety of methods to get a distribution deal. You can invest the money on the festival option. Deals are struck every day in film events.
However, there is many film festivals. The amount of film festivals is completely off from the amount of distributors that distribute independent films.
Avoiding the festival circuit is a good option for many independent film makers who don’t have actors from the big name in their films or are aware that their story isn’t going to be a hit with the art house crowd.
The hiring of a film sales representative is a smart option in case you decide to skip the festival stage completely. A producer’s or film sales representative has connections with movie distributors who can ensure that your film is screened.
Additionally, many of them will bring you into magazines like Indie Slate and MovieMaker to help make your film more appealing to film distributors.
They also monitor your back when you’re dealing with movie distribution agreements. When filmmakers review the terms of distribution for their films, it could be an overwhelming task.
There’s a lot of legalese “mumbo jumbo”
in there that are designed to reduce the amount you receive from royalties from movies payments, or simply a purchase-out of your movie.
If you don’t have any experience with reading film distribution contracts, it’s not difficult to fall prey to. I’m well-aware that even with an agent for sales of films such as “El Tigre” watching my back, I will still go through all contracts thoroughly.
You’ll be amazed by the hidden costs and fees that some distributors of films try to avoid on filmmakers by referring to all places the definitions section of contracts.
Our film sales representative and me have discovered a flat rate of $50,000 to cover marketing costs within the section on definitions.
Engaging an entertainment attorney is a good idea however, it is usually too expensive for an independent filmmaker. Based on my personal experience an entertainment lawyer isn’t the same than a sales representative when it comes to securing a film distribution agreement or getting press.
It’s not the main job of for an entertainment attorney. They’re excellent in the negotiation of your film distribution contract. However, they won’t be able to negotiate an agreement like the film sales rep. They can be brought into negotiations after you have an offer to discuss.
Two sharp entertainment lawyers who saved my face from being burned when it came time to market the reality show I created that was titled “America’s Wildest Bachelor Parties.” They secured me an appropriate contract for my producer and paid me promptly each quarter. I’m happy I got them on my team.
If it’s not in your budget to pay for an entertainment sales representative or entertainment lawyer, you could still get a decent distribution deal for your movie by working hard for yourself.
Promoting and marketing your film online is followed by creating a tidy and neat film packaging to distribute to distributors. Make it easy by putting together a DVD screener, one-sheet art, a concise synopsis, tagline , and brief bios of the key characters or the crew with previously IMDB credits.
For the list of potential movie distributors, look up which companies are making films that are similar to yours. The Internet makes it easy to locate contact information these days.
Film distribution companies typically have a contact form to submit film proposals. Follow the instructions and send your film submission. They receive a flurry of films, so be patience if they don’t get immediately.
Movie distributors will have times they are pursuing films to fill their catalogues and at other times, they have everything they need at the moment. I have the purchasing months in my notebook.
After they have received the film’s package, they will look up your film on Google. This is where the effort of advertising and marketing your film online really makes a difference. It’s not just about having a blog or website.
You’ll need some publicity and support from film bloggers to help make your film stand out in the eye of film distributors.
I wrote a chapter on distribution of films in a book on independent filmmaking that I wrote. This could provide you with more specific information about distribution of your movie. We wish you the best in the promotion and sale of your film.
Get the inside scoop on writing, producing, directing, and movie distribution at Slice Of Americana Films . Find out about the filmmaking life of the filmmaker Sid Kali
