Hello,
I just finished my festival run with my first SAG ULB feature film and delivered to domestic distribution on Monday. My producer just told me last week that she thinks we have to have a theatrical release for our film, or we may be into some hefty SAG costs. We opted out of the theatrical release with our distributor because for an indie film with no stars it can just end up a money sucking venture. It doesn't make any sense in this day and age to do theatrical for a tiny film with no stars.
Plus we played 15 festivals, and got our reviews that way. We planned to got TV, DVD, VOD, etc. with this film. Can anyone who really knows, please tell me:
1. if we do indeed have to have an initial theatrical release before we go to TV, etc.
2. How long and where does this have to happen?
3. If we don't do it, what EXACTLY does SAG charge us for not doing it?
I just finished my festival run with my first SAG ULB feature film and delivered to domestic distribution on Monday. My producer just told me last week that she thinks we have to have a theatrical release for our film, or we may be into some hefty SAG costs. We opted out of the theatrical release with our distributor because for an indie film with no stars it can just end up a money sucking venture. It doesn't make any sense in this day and age to do theatrical for a tiny film with no stars.
Plus we played 15 festivals, and got our reviews that way. We planned to got TV, DVD, VOD, etc. with this film. Can anyone who really knows, please tell me:
1. if we do indeed have to have an initial theatrical release before we go to TV, etc.
2. How long and where does this have to happen?
3. If we don't do it, what EXACTLY does SAG charge us for not doing it?