Distribution Plan

[trueindie]

A few months ago, I was thinking of the best way to expose good films that are made by indie filmmakers, that were made with small budgets and have no cast members of any note. I thought the best way to do that would be to start a film festival. I was looking into it and talked to three small local theatres about it. They were enthusiastic, but really didn't want to cut me a break on costs. Also, I was kind of ambivalent about how much this effort would actually help filmmakers, given the fact that there is a film festival around every corner. So I kind of put the festival idea on the back burner.

I was thinking about it again, and started thinking of actually trying to distribute such films to the local theaters, for money. I talked to the same three local theaters. They said they would be open to showing indie films even with unnamed casts. But they all want me to do the following

- Spend at least $1000 advertising the event (more if more than one theater would play the film)
- Either guarantee them a minimum amount for the showing or rent out the theater (amount dependent on the day of the week)

or

- Rent out the theater for a price and handle ticket sales myself

By the way none of the theaters care if I show dvd, blueray, film whatever.

So this is all in the preliminary stages in my head only, and so means absolutely nothing. I have no films to show. So here are my questions to the community:

- How many of you have completed feature films, whatever the genre, that you have enough control over to provide to an endeavor of this type, and would actually be interested in something like this?
- What would be an equitable way to share profits, after costs (costs should be predefined)
- Does anybody think it's a good idea?
- Do you have any ideas for me in how to negotiate with the theaters?
- Do you have any ideas for me in general?
- Any ideas on how to make sure that I procure movies that actually have good enough production value at least in terms of sound.

Thanks for the input.
Aveek

 

[trueindie]

By making a good and exciting or fun experience.

Paranormal Acitivity is a group experience. Not just a handycam movie.

Think about it.

I was thinking I would Skype the director in for the audience. Just an idea. I really don't think it's a bad one. That would make a little bit more of an 'experience' maybe.

I don't think I'll be able to get my hands on Paranormal Activity like material, so I'm going to aim low and shoot high when I can I think. But of course you're right. If I find the right group experience kind of movie that is two years old and sitting on somebody's computer, I'll try my best to get it, for sure.

 

[trueindie]

You might want to check with the colleges and universities in the area. You might get a better deal for screening. You could afford to sell tickets at a lower price and might get an audience. Just call them by their genre such as comedy and have a few posters. In the old days they used to call a lot of the indies art films.

I looked at the local university theater. It sucks and is expensive.

I'm thinking of doing an advertizing campaign in two colleges. Put flyers up on bulletin boards etc. Good concentration of young people. Hopefully they spend $8, and take a date and get two tickets for ... $10?

I'll do that math later.

 

[Kholi]

I don't think I'll be able to get my hands on Paranormal Activity like material, so I'm going to aim low and shoot high when I can I think. But of course you're right. If I find the right group experience kind of movie that is two years old and sitting on somebody's computer, I'll try my best to get it, for sure.

I need your eyes, because to me, PA is the lowest of the low. The only thing that separates that from any other Handycam movie is exposure and marketing budgets.

That's literally it.

 

[trueindie]

Indie filmmakers are a hassle, even when they bring in a lot of people for 1 show. Very few indie films, especially today - with little to no advertising, are going to bring in people for 5 shows a day, 7 days a week - that's 35 showings total.

Without advertising, how is the general public going to know about the films or the screening, nonetheless IF they'd be interested in seeing that kind of movie?

Interesting info Sonny. Thanks. But my situation I think is a little different because i'm dealing with failing theaters.

So here's my latest update. I just spoke to a local theater that does some horror shows. Granted that today was a Sunday, but attendance was abysmal. The dude quickly turned on the movie and did not want to let me see how empty the bloody theater was.

But here's what happened:
Theater Owner: How often do you want to do this?
Me: In the beginning, once a month
TO: Do you have the movies you want to show
Me: No, but I can get them (Lie)
TO: What kind of arrangement are you looking for?
Me: What do you propose?
TO: You can rent out the theater for a fee, or if we think we like the movie enough to run it, then we'll run it for 6 days and split the tickets (He didn't mention split percentage. I'm not sure I know if there is a standard)
Me: I'm assuming you would want me to do some promotion
TO: Yes, that is what I would be interested in. What have you promoted? What is your background?
Me: Nothing. Finance. What do you think I should do? What do you guys do to promote your movies?

He mentioned flyers, newspaper articles, mailing lists etc.

The truth is that whatever they're doing, I don't think it's very effective. But whatever big stuff they were saying, I don't really think they're doing all that hot. They're obviously upselling the titles they're currently showing, none but one of which I've ever heard of. And I got the feeling that they want content.

Obviously I think they want content that would make them look good. They seem to like horror a lot.

My point is that if some of you guys want your movies shown, I think I can definitely say that if everybody likes it, there is at least one theater I can get them in for free and give it 6 days play, if your movie is any good. All I have to do is advertize.

So if you guys have horror films out there and are willing to take a free gamble, send me your dvd. PM me and I'll send you my address. If we make anything, great. If not, you'll at least get the chance to skype with some horror fans.

Also the story with the second theater is that it too is not doing too hot. I think they can spare a theater, even on a Friday/ Saturday / Sunday. So just need to figure out more with them.

In the meantime, any of you thinking of fourwalling get in touch with me. You can EightWall: Fourwall wherever you live, and fourwall with me free of charge. And if I make anything you make something.

Of course, everything is set only on sand and I have until the tides and the winds sweep everything away. But if it is swept away, I'll try to write it again. But I think before I can go back to these same people, I need at least three films that I can take with me to these people. So please be kind and share with me. Lets build a damn distribution channel. It will be weak, but it's still better than nothing, I think.

And if you have shorts, I'd love to have them too. Maybe I'll do a short and a feature for the price of one. I'm not sure if I want the shorts guys to get paid yet. We'll see. Everything should be as fair as possible to all.

Thanks guys. My mental state is up and down... up and down. I'm surprised I've never been on medication. This abyss of a filmmaking career is the pits.

 

[trueindie]

I need your eyes, because to me, PA is the lowest of the low. The only thing that separates that from any other Handycam movie is exposure and marketing budgets.

That's literally it.

I saw PA. I thought that it was simple, but I thought it had elements that horror movie lovers like. I also thought it did a good job of trying to copy the unknown unseen ghost like in Blair Witch. I don't think anything of the story, but I think they made a movie that was marketable, and marketed well.

To me it was Blair Witch 2. That's what I was thinking when watching the movie. But I have no expert opinion when it comes to horror or sci fi films.

Kholi.... Four wall your movie bud. Eight wall it with me

"Today it was announced that Superseeds will be released in major cities in two of the largest nations on earth. Director Kholi said he was proud to be cooperating with his international partner...."

 

[Kholi]

If it comes down to it, I'd do it, but not for the money at that point. Just to build an audience and have fun for the most part.

You could only hope to ever break even on your investment in that scenario, but I've seen people have success so it's as doable as getting a break-even distro deal.

Question is, howlong do you want to spend four-walling ONE feature film instead of moving on to your next?

A lot of these questions could also be answered if you had a feature to four wall. At that point, everything becomes MUCH clearer, trust me on that.

 

[trueindie]

Question is, howlong do you want to spend four-walling ONE feature film instead of moving on to your next?

A lot of these questions could also be answered if you had a feature to four wall. At that point, everything becomes MUCH clearer, trust me on that.

Understood and agreed. But I'm in no hurry. If filmmakers start sending me their stuff, I'll keep looking at the stuff, until I'm comfortable that I have 5 or six films I can start with. Then I can go into campaign mode. Right now, I haven't spent a penny. Just doing some talking.

Goddamn you!! Now I have to start re-thinking about my own stuff

I might just go to bed.

 

[sonnyboo]

I have 2 feature films I can send you. They actually make a double bill, but PM me with that address and DVD's will be en route.

 

[Wombat]

I'll be following this thread closely. Good luck, trueindie. I hope this works out, because I really want this method or something similar to become a viable model in the future, as the one thing you can't download is a theater experience. And also, thanks to anyone else contributing films, you're warming my cynical cockles. If I only had one to give...

Your life may be a smudged lotto ticket but it's better than quiet desperation, no?

Oh, and I like the idea of Skype or live discussions with directors. That's something else great in a large communal setting. It probably wouldn't work if you rent a theater out for multiple showings, though.

We need to come up with some newspeak for 'indie'.

 

[directorik]

As I said in my post: now YOU are the distributor. YOU make the
decision which films you will show. You can’t just show the first
ten films you see, you need to show only films YOU believe will
draw an audience. YOU will be renting the theater and YOU will
be taking the risk. If not enough people show up YOU will lose
money. So you need to choose films wisely.

I was thinking I would Skype the director in for the audience. Just an idea. I really don't think it's a bad one. That would make a little bit more of an 'experience' maybe.

So you are not thinking of running a movie for a week. You are
thinking of a one night only, special event kind of thing.

 

[GuerrillaAngel]

@Lexie
Really appreciate your input. But define "grass roots" for me so that I understand it better. "What" "exactly" do I have to do to make the campaign "grass roots?" Thanks Guerrilla

Plastering the cars/area of your likely target audience for that film is a start. Going to events where your target audience hangs out and approaching them and handing out flyers. Ensuring all local media and underground newspapers make note of your event (lots of phone calls here.). Local Bloggers and bloggers writing in the subject area of your film should be contacted and followed up. Social media -- create events and attempt to identify potential attendees and contact them directly. And more.

Basically, filmmakers should be doing all these things when their film is accepted in a festival.

Good luck!

------------

 

[trueindie]

I'll be following this thread closely. Good luck, trueindie. I hope this works out, because I really want this method or something similar to become a viable model in the future, as the one thing you can't download is a theater experience.

I just finished chatting with a friend of mine, who as usual had to dampen my mood. His exact words were, "anybody who thinks they're going to make it with an independent film is a lunatic." (He is an indie filmmaker with a good job so he talks smack when he gets the chance). The reason he was saying this was because he thinks that both these theaters I looked at were smaller ones and not big movie theaters. So the attendance would always be limited to people not looking for the "film experience" of an avatar. So basically he was telling me that I was pigeonholed because of the types of theaters I'm choosing.

I think he's right. But I don't think I have a choice. I don't think AMC or Cineplex is going to talk to someone like me. As Sonny said earlier, for those guys, independent filmmakers are more trouble than they are worth.

And also, thanks to anyone else contributing films, you're warming my cynical cockles. If I only had one to give...

Your life may be a smudged lotto ticket but it's better than quiet desperation, no?

Oh, and I like the idea of Skype or live discussions with directors. That's something else great in a large communal setting. It probably wouldn't work if you rent a theater out for multiple showings, though.
We need to come up with some newspeak for 'indie'.

thanks for the sentiments. And yes, you are right, skype won't work for multiple viewings. But I haven't thought everything through. Maybe opening night, if I get multiple viewings.

As I said in my post: now YOU are the distributor. YOU make the
decision which films you will show. You can’t just show the first
ten films you see, you need to show only films YOU believe will
draw an audience. YOU will be renting the theater and YOU will
be taking the risk. If not enough people show up YOU will lose
money. So you need to choose films wisely.

Completely agree. But like I always tell my brother, "you worry too much. I haven't spent a penny. I'm just talking. It costs me at most aggravation, but it's always interesting, and I learn something."

So you are not thinking of running a movie for a week. You are
thinking of a one night only, special event kind of thing.

My mistake. I'd ideally have any movie have a run, but maybe have a skype in opening night if I think it makes sense. I don't even know if these old theaters will be able to handle this new "technology."

@Guerilla
Thanks!!

@Sonnyboo
BIG THANKS!!!

Best,
Aveek

 

[Modern Day Myth Prod. LLC]

Good questions. let me try to answer them.

You and I may feel that most indie filmmakers suck. But I don't think the public views Independent film that way. I think they look upon it favorably. And to be fair, there are a lot of good filmmakers, who are not on this board, who make good independent films. I think it will be possible to find good films out there.


How will I convince people to come and spend their hard earned 8bucks? I'm hoping I'll do it through a good advertizing campaign. What is the campaign going to be? not sure yet. Need to talk to more people and think a bit more.

Have you read posts on IMDB on the public's views on Indie films?

The small screen should be your first choice for screening over the big screen, like a small cable TV network.

See if it is possible to have a trailer of your production shown in an ad on a local TV network. Also, see if you can get a local cinema to show your trailer as an ad before the studio trailers start to play. That trailer better kick some serious butt to impress the public.

 

[trueindie]

Have you read posts on IMDB on the public's views on Indie films?

The small screen should be your first choice for screening over the big screen, like a small cable TV network.

See if it is possible to have a trailer of your production shown in an ad on a local TV network. Also, see if you can get a local cinema to show your trailer as an ad before the studio trailers start to play. That trailer better kick some serious butt to impress the public.

No I haven't read those posts. But I'll tell you this, if somebody is posting on IMDB, they're probably not "the public," probably a filmmaker. I consider people like my brother or non filmmaker friends "the public." When I mention IMDB, they go "who?" Most of them have probably landed on IMDB pages, it's impossible not to in this day and age, but they're so not into film, it didn't even register. You try it. Find somebody who is not a filmmaker. Start a conversation with them about IMDB.

It's difficult for me to believe that "the public" would go to IMDB and talk about a bad movie. It's only us filmmakers who dwell on films. Most other people watch a bad movie, curse, and then have a beer. They don't go to IMDB.

Thanks for the TV Network idea. Hadn't even considered it. Problem is this is Toronto. The local guys here are pretty big. But there is one arm of a tv company here which runs a local station, meaning very low budget station, run almost completely (except management) by film student or filmmaker volunteers. I could try those guys. Anybody else may be too expensive.

 

[directorik]

I think he's right. But I don't think I have a choice. I don't think AMC or Cineplex is going to talk to someone like me.

All AMC theaters will rent out a theater. They may not go for a
50/50 deal, but all of them will rent you a threater for the day,
week or month. You do all the advertising and you get all the
ticket money.

This isn't going to be easy and it isn't going to be inexpensive. In
order to get a paying audience you need to spend a lot of money
advertising. The people who do not go to IMDb or read film blogs
or message boards are difficult to reach. Not impossible to reach
just very difficult. I have found that people who are not fanatic
about movies - people who do not even know what IMDb is - are
not very interested in films made by people they don't know,
starring actors they have never heard of. Those people who say
"Who?" might say, "Who's in it?" when you show an independent
film at the local theater.

When you’re ready I have several of my own films I can send you
and I can get at least 100 films sent to you from people I know.
When you are serious about picking the right movie to screen for a
week let me know. You won’t have any problems getting screeners.

 

[trueindie]

This isn't going to be easy and it isn't going to be inexpensive. In
order to get a paying audience you need to spend a lot of money
advertising.

I believe you. If it were easy, I'm sure everybody would be doing it. But I don't think it will be feasible for me to go with the likes of AMC. They might want me to spend $5000 in advertising, which I'm not going to do. I might try to have a conversation with them, but we'll see if they meet with me.

The people who do not go to IMDb or read film blogs
or message boards are difficult to reach. Not impossible to reach
just very difficult. I have found that people who are not fanatic
about movies - people who do not even know what IMDb is - are
not very interested in films made by people they don't know,
starring actors they have never heard of. Those people who say
"Who?" might say, "Who's in it?" when you show an independent
film at the local theater.

That is an interesting point and I have to start thinking about how to get people to see movies with no stars.

When you’re ready I have several of my own films I can send you
and I can get at least 100 films sent to you from people I know.
When you are serious about picking the right movie to screen for a
week let me know. You won’t have any problems getting screeners.

It's cool. What would be better is if you offer me movies when I'm halfway there, not all the way there. It will make it easier for me to get all the way there. But I'll keep you guys updated. If things go according to whatever plan I come up with, I'll let you know. But I don't expect anything to happen tomorrow. I don't expect anything to happen before a couple of months.

Best,
aveek

 

[Feutus Lapdance]

Wat about this idea...
Swat a empty building (or foodbalfield in Summer)

Free entrence....but Guests are not allowed to bring own drinks. Sel bear and other stuff for half the price theaters do. Would this make some mony? Jou can even combine this wit some artistic performences and Indie Rockbands or obscure DJ,s....

 

[Kholi]

Awesome that Sonny and Rik are offerin' up their materials for you.

If you go through with this, it's something that you should definitely document to the fullest. Again, I know of one person personally going to different states doing their four-walling and she's doing quite well with her period piece feature film. At least in the scope of personal accomplishment and monetary gain.

There was a lot of sacrifice, though.

I'm definitely hyper-interested in it if you go through the motions.

 

[trueindie]

Wat about this idea...
Swat a empty building (or foodbalfield in Summer)

Free entrence....but Guests are not allowed to bring own drinks. Sel bear and other stuff for half the price theaters do. Would this make some mony? Jou can even combine this wit some artistic performences and Indie Rockbands or obscure DJ,s....

Dude, I like anything that hasn't been tried. We just need to figure out the stadium and figure out who'll get the beer... and of course all the hard work of organizing etc., etc...

but I don't think it's a bad idea.

There's a parking lot in downtown Toronto that allows an advertiser to come in and put up signs on their wall from a projector. I talked to them about showing a movie there. The problem was the sound. If you show a movie, then you need to get permits before you cause any disturbance. Damn those permits.....

Edit: Just to clarify. This was at night. There were no cars at the lot. There was only one car with a projector on the hood. I got in touch with them the next day to see if I could show movies at night when they didn't have cars in the lot.

 

[trueindie]

Awesome that Sonny and Rik are offerin' up their materials for you.

If you go through with this, it's something that you should definitely document to the fullest. Again, I know of one person personally going to different states doing their four-walling and she's doing quite well with her period piece feature film. At least in the scope of personal accomplishment and monetary gain.

There was a lot of sacrifice, though.

I'm definitely hyper-interested in it if you go through the motions.

I'll keep you updated for sure. I just need to make sure that I have a few respectable films before I go back to those guys....so.... I'm still waiting....

more movies please..