Really struggling with what to do with my short film?

  • Directed 12 minutes short fashion film
  • Trailer is done
  • Poster is done
  • FB page is up
  • Color correction of final film and soundtrack yet to be completed
  • Will submit to Fashion Film festivals in July

But in terms of exposure I want the trailer and film to be premiered in an online fashion magazine such as Dazed, I-D or Hunger.

I email them requesting for them to feature the film's trailer on their website as I think it would interesting content for their readers.

I've sent around 80 emails to editors / general emails at these indie magazines with no reply.

the views on the trailer are barely going up so either they're ignoring the email completely or they read the mail and not click on the link to the trailer. But I think it's the former.

So what do I do?

I don't want to do what most student filmmakers do, which is just post it on Facebook / Twitter then send to festivals and hope for the best.

I'm really set on having it premiere on an online publication.
 
I've sent around 80 emails to editors / general emails at these indie magazines with no reply.

I assume you've spent the time building up a relationship with these people before you've asked them to give you free publicity for your project.

What has been your plan from the beginning to make this targeted publicity a reality for your project?

With multiple film trailers coming out each week, is another film trailer that news worthy for their readers? Is so, what have you done to ensure this is the case?

Is it something that they'll even care about?

So what do I do?

You may need to pay to get advertising space so you can show your trailer on your desired platform. Will that even achieve the desired result?

You may need to hire a publicist to garner enough attention that those editors/magazines start to pay attention.

It's really hard to tell you anything. You haven't included any details. It could be a masterpiece, it could be a steaming pile that needs to be flushed. You may be thinking you're holding the golden goose when you're trying to palm off the ugly duckling.

I'm really set on having it premiere on an online publication.

Make it happen. Do whatever it takes to achieve your goal.
 
I assume you've spent the time building up a relationship with these people before you've asked them to give you free publicity for your project.

What has been your plan from the beginning to make this targeted publicity a reality for your project?

I haven't been creating a relationship to be honest, and I'm not sure how I would other than @ing them on twitter. All I've done is simply sent out unsolicited emails.

With multiple film trailers coming out each week, is another film trailer that news worthy for their readers? Is so, what have you done to ensure this is the case?

Most Fashion magazines which I've been targeting, do not feature movie trailers on their site. What they do feature is fashion films though. And there isn't THAT many fashion films out there.

Is it something that they'll even care about?

I'm quite confident about the concept as features something that has never been done before, it's just a matter of having someone see it.

Basically, the concept involves a 12 minute one take with 4 model twins styled as 1 person each. So it's effectively 4 dresses but 2 girls as with the one take the audience never sees two twins in the same frame.


You may need to pay to get advertising space so you can show your trailer on your desired platform. Will that even achieve the desired result?

I have a very limited budget for advertising space as I know the bigger magazines are charging $500 minimum.

You may need to hire a publicist to garner enough attention that those editors/magazines start to pay attention.

It's really hard to tell you anything. You haven't included any details. It could be a masterpiece, it could be a steaming pile that needs to be flushed. You may be thinking you're holding the golden goose when you're trying to palm off the ugly duckling.

I can link you to our official poster and trailer, and tell me what you think so far about the project?

Make it happen. Do whatever it takes to achieve your goal.

That's the aim!
 
I haven't been creating a relationship to be honest, and I'm not sure how I would other than @ing them on twitter. All I've done is simply sent out unsolicited emails.

What do you do when you receive spam? Would you expect others to do anything different?

I'm not a publicist, though I'd imagine most emails they'd receive are along the lines of "I want you to..." "I need you to do..." etc. Very few I'd imagine would "Here is a story that I think your readers may be interested in reading" or "If we team up, this is what I can do for you." I'd be curious in how you wrote your letter/email/cover page.

I have a very limited budget for advertising space as I know the bigger magazines are charging $500 minimum.

Is this what you believe will launch your career? Would the $500 be worth chancing and calling it an investment? There may be better ways to use that money too.

Just post the link(s) here. I'm sure I'm not the only one who will take a peek.
 
What do you do when you receive spam? Would you expect others to do anything different?

I'm not a publicist, though I'd imagine most emails they'd receive are along the lines of "I want you to..." "I need you to do..." etc. Very few I'd imagine would "Here is a story that I think your readers may be interested in reading" or "If we team up, this is what I can do for you." I'd be curious in how you wrote your letter/email/cover page.



Is this what you believe will launch your career? Would the $500 be worth chancing and calling it an investment? There may be better ways to use that money too.

Just post the link(s) here. I'm sure I'm not the only one who will take a peek.

This is the email I've been sending out..

Dear.....


Dmndclr films are releasing fashion film 'UNUS' due July 2015 featuring the dresses of London boutique fashion brand Elizabeth Divine as well as fashion creative Neco London and we think that the trailer for the film would be of interest to your reader base. The film shot in one single take features two models and four dresses from the brand. The trailer only features one of the models. The film follows these models around a large all white photography centre as they interchange dresses while the film never cuts. The link to the trailer is below.

[YOUTUBE LINK]


Here is the poster

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Here are some stills from the film.


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We would appreciate it greatly if you check the trailer out and tell us if you would be able to feature the trailer!

If interested, we will send you the short synopsis and necessary information links.

Yours sincerely,

Here is the link the unlisted trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25KUvnuO1_w
 
This is the email I've been sending out..

umm.... Don't take this the wrong way, but you really need a publicist. First impressions are important and this unsolicited email... Put it this way, I'm not surprised you didn't get a single "No thanks" reply. You're making them do all the hard work for you, and on top of that you forgot the WIIFM.

As for the trailer. It's not something that would get me excited though me and fashion aren't exactly well acquainted friends. Is this the kind of video that the fashion world is typically going ga-ga over?

To me, your poster looks like some corporate/political statement. Is that your intention?
 
umm.... Don't take this the wrong way, but you really need a publicist. First impressions are important and this unsolicited email... Put it this way, I'm not surprised you didn't get a single "No thanks" reply. You're making them do all the hard work for you, and on top of that you forgot the WIIFM.

Thanks for the feedback.

In terms of publicists, how would I find one? and realistically how would they get on board a short?

As for the trailer. It's not something that would get me excited though me and fashion aren't exactly well acquainted friends. Is this the kind of video that the fashion world is typically going ga-ga over?

Fashion films are all about the aesthetics, so that's what I pretty much focused on throughout.


To me, your poster looks like some corporate/political statement. Is that your intention?

Honestly, I just wanted a weird poster. The image will make a lot more sense after watching the film.
 
I showed a colleague your trailer. She was speechless. I don't think it was in a good way. If she seeks revenge, I'm coming for you.

In terms of publicists, how would I find one?

Tried the phone book? Google? References from other film makers in your area and so on.

and realistically how would they get on board a short?

It's the same as how you get a MUA, Sound guy, Grip, DOP, Editor, Post Sound Mixer, Colorist, Composer etc. etc. You hire them and pay them. If you have no budget, you'll need to spend the time building up a relationship with them. Eventually they may do a freebie if they believe in you and your project... Alternatively, you can learn the craft yourself. Shouldn't take more than a year or two plus time to build up contacts.

You need to ask yourself some hard questions:

Will the trailer give you the desired outcome from your target audience?
Have you seen any trailer like this generate the publicity you desire?
Is the project good enough to warrant attention from others?
Is this project worth your further investment?
Will it realistically help launch your career to the levels you expect?
If so, what's your career worth to you?
 
Don't spend money to promote a short. There's no upside.

A one-take trailer? Yikes!

One of the stills seems to be taken with a camera having dirty lenses.

This ain't stuff that launches careers, sorry.

Good luck.
 
Don't spend money to promote a short. There's no upside.

A one-take trailer? Yikes!

One of the stills seems to be taken with a camera having dirty lenses.

This ain't stuff that launches careers, sorry.

Good luck.


And that's why the shot - the only shot in the trailer - ends completely out of focus?

We had 3 hours to completely run through a one take in real time. 12 minutes in slow motion. If I were to cut the trailer up to show more of the film, I feel like two this would be achieved..

1. We'd lose the essence of the film. It's a one take and cutting it up I think would detract from that.

2. Most of the film's action sequences / best moments are reveals so I'd reveal too much of the story I think.


We didn't have time to rehearse with extras prior so they were briefed on the day.

On the day we managed to get through 5 takes. First two were dress rehearsal. The last three were real ones. The problem is that some parts of the takes 3 + 4 were crisper and in better focus but the last take was the most polished in terms of performance.

The cinematographer used an infinity focus but I think he struggled to find the optimal start point. Again, it was hard for me keep tabs on this because there were 3 guy behind the camera and as soon as we start rolling we were all moving around the venue. And we limited time, I couldn't afford to do many retakes at all.
 
could you elaborate? Why was she speechless?

I was being polite and attempting to be humorous. She hates looking at what's best described as a polished turd. For all I know about the fashion industry, they may go crazy ga-ga for that.

so I'd reveal too much of the story I think.

If you reveal too little, there will be zero chance anyone will care. That means, no one will be motivated to watch.

We had 3 hours
I couldn't afford to do many retakes at all.

Harsh reality: The audience doesn't care what resources you had.

It sounds like you're making excuses for your film. Why's that? Is it that bad?

If this is a learning experience for you, that's fine. There is nothing wrong with that. Take it for what it is. If it's worth promoting, promote it.

If you don't think your film is good enough, I'd advise you to save the resources you'd expend promoting this film. If it's bad, don't burn your potential bridges trying to get people to publicize your film. Wait until you have something worth promoting. You get one chance to form an impression. Don't be that guy pushing their ugly baby photos at anyone not quick enough to avoid you.

If you're holding gold... push it baby!
 
I was being polite and attempting to be humorous. She hates looking at what's best described as a polished turd. For all I know about the fashion industry, they may go crazy ga-ga for that.



If you reveal too little, there will be zero chance anyone will care. That means, no one will be motivated to watch.




Harsh reality: The audience doesn't care what resources you had.

It sounds like you're making excuses for your film. Why's that? Is it that bad?

If this is a learning experience for you, that's fine. There is nothing wrong with that. Take it for what it is. If it's worth promoting, promote it.

If you don't think your film is good enough, I'd advise you to save the resources you'd expend promoting this film. If it's bad, don't burn your potential bridges trying to get people to publicize your film. Wait until you have something worth promoting. You get one chance to form an impression. Don't be that guy pushing their ugly baby photos at anyone not quick enough to avoid you.

If you're holding gold... push it baby!

If I were to link you the cut of my film(12 minutes long), could you possibly give me an honest critique of it?
 
I watched the trailer.. I honestly was close to dying of boredom, it wasnt a fashion trailer it was an experimental nothing, Make it about fashion!
 
to the OP.
If you interestedin fast distribution, there are content pushers that submit straight to iTunes (globally) and other EST/VOD and online distrubution. one is https://www.distribber.com
I dont think anyone after that will buy or give you money if its already available so its just a thought if you just want to share it with the world and or try to get online royalties or just exposure.
 
  • Directed 12 minutes short fashion film
  • Trailer is done
  • Poster is done
  • FB page is up
  • Color correction of final film and soundtrack yet to be completed
  • Will submit to Fashion Film festivals in July

But in terms of exposure I want the trailer and film to be premiered in an online fashion magazine such as Dazed, I-D or Hunger.

I email them requesting for them to feature the film's trailer on their website as I think it would interesting content for their readers.

I've sent around 80 emails to editors / general emails at these indie magazines with no reply.

the views on the trailer are barely going up so either they're ignoring the email completely or they read the mail and not click on the link to the trailer. But I think it's the former.

So what do I do?

I don't want to do what most student filmmakers do, which is just post it on Facebook / Twitter then send to festivals and hope for the best.

I'm really set on having it premiere on an online publication.
I think you probably need a build a small audience first. The problem of posting on social media sites is that people don't take what you share seriously. Your film will be one of the many posts your friends see on their facebook wall. filmocrats.com is pretty useful in audience acquisition. They don't do a lot for you but it certainly does the job of engaging your core audience. Hope it helps.
 
If I were to link you the cut of my film(12 minutes long), could you possibly give me an honest critique of it?

The most I can do is give you my honest OPINION of your film. A critique insinuates that my opinion should hold some value. It doesn't.

As I said before, I don't understand your target market.

An important part of being a film maker is self realization. Being able to take a good hard look at your work and being able to tell if it's up to scratch. It's a skill you will need to learn to develop if you don't already have it.
 
Your film has to stand it's own. No one cares about the budget, time limitations and other excuses. It has to impress people regardless of shortcomings. If it can't, then that's your cue to move on to your next project.

IMO you really need to drop the 1-take mentality. Very few people here and in the biz can pull off a compelling-to-watch 40-second one take. Not even I would try it. The downside is too great and I'd be risking my entire project if I had such a take in my film. Based on your trailer, if you've one or more such long takes in your film, it's pretty much dead without my having watched it.

Your trailer and film has to have people at the edge of their seat for every single frame. Do you have that?

Good luck.
 
Mistake nr 1.:
Having a trailer, but keeping it hidden.
How can anyone see it if you hide it?
(This comment is not about whether it is good or bad.)

Mistake nr 2:

.............

1. We'd lose the essence of the film. It's a one take and cutting it up I think would detract from that.

2. Most of the film's action sequences / best moments are reveals so I'd reveal too much of the story I think.

Birdman is a 1-take movie, but they cut it to make a good trailer.
Is there action? Show something!
Is the one take the only essence? Then you have a problem on the story side...
So tell me: what is it about?

Mistake nr 3:

.............

We didn't have time to rehearse with extras prior so they were briefed on the day.

On the day we managed to get through 5 takes. First two were dress rehearsal. The last three were real ones. The problem is that some parts of the takes 3 + 4 were crisper and in better focus but the last take was the most polished in terms of performance.

The cinematographer used an infinity focus but I think he struggled to find the optimal start point. Again, it was hard for me keep tabs on this because there were 3 guy behind the camera and as soon as we start rolling we were all moving around the venue. And we limited time, I couldn't afford to do many retakes at all.

In other words: remote follow focus by someone watching a wireless signal could have saved the focus in your best take, but it would have probably taken more time to rehearse as well.

Extras?
Are there more people in it than the twins?
 
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