Any experience at AFM?

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I have been to AFM. It's not really a place for filmmakers. It's a place for distributors and producer's reps that have more than 1 film to sell. It's not unlike any other sales convention, just for movies. The markets have been brutal lately for indie films since other countries are making their own low budget features now.
 
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sonnyboo is right. Which is why I asked my question. I've been 18 times.
Taking one film to AFM as an individual is a waste of time. Sellers have an
entire library and buyers are looking for either "big" movies or to buy a
library of titles. Distributors are not looking for more movies at AFM and
buyers are not looking to make a deal with an individual.
 
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Thanks for your feedback guys... We're from Australia, and have one completed film. We have a basic understanding of it, from what we've been able to garner online. I understand what you're saying, but do you think it's worthwhile to develop a network and establish some good contacts for future projects?

When you were there, did you take a film to try and sell on your own?

:-)
 
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DEADTIMEtheTruth said:
do you think it's worthwhile to develop a network and establish some good contacts for future projects?

When you were there, did you take a film to try and sell on your own?
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Is it worth it to fly all the way from Australia to be ignored by everyone there? Probably not. If you have other business in LA and you happen to time it the same, then it could be a worthwhile experience, but going just for AFM as a filmmaker with a single film, no way.

I was there with a film for sale, but we were the guests of our sales agent. I spent time trying to network and talk to people from other companies. I also talked to a lot of individual filmmakers who were also there trying to sell their one off films. Most of the hotel rooms/vendor booths are people trying to sell a group of films. The buyers are walking around from room to room, being wooed by the big companies or hustled by the small ones. Add on individual people with a single movie without a room or track record, you'll lose by comparison alone, no matter how good the movie may be.
 
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DEADTIMEtheTruth said:
Thanks for your feedback guys... We're from Australia, and have one completed film. We have a basic understanding of it, from what we've been able to garner online. I understand what you're saying, but do you think it's worthwhile to develop a network and establish some good contacts for future projects?
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Not worth it.

AFM is not a networking event. Everyone there is focused on their
job; distributors trying to sell their films, buyers buying films. Distributors
are not looking for new films to add to their library while at AFM, they
are not interested in looking at your trailer, or taking your DVD or
discussing your future projects. For those 9 days they are focused on
the films they already have.

And buyers are being wooed by distributors with swag and food and
screenings. They spend their time going from office to office and screening
screening and do not have the time or interest to discuss a movie from
an individual who does not have an office or a screening. Sure, they might
take your DVD. Any bet on what they will do with it as they pack for their
trip back to the home office?

DEADTIMEtheTruth said:
When you were there, did you take a film to try and sell on your own?
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I've never done it that way. But I see people doing it all the time. And I
have been in the offices when a distributor is talking with a buyer and
filmmaker after filmmaker with their DVD approaches them wanting to
discuss representing their movie. I have seen filmmakers trying to pitch
their film and get financing when all the distributor wants to do is discuss
selling the films they have with buyers. That isn't a good way to establish
contacts. I've seen filmmakers approach buyers with their one film when
the buyer is trying to make a package deal with a distributor. Not a good
way to network.

As sonnyboo said, if you are planning to be in Santa Monica in November
and want to buy a pass and wander around it can be enlightening - but it
is not the time to network. You will spend most of your time trying to pull
attention from the other 500 individual filmmakers who are being ignored
by buyers and distributors.
 
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Rik, you really know how to discourage someone - I was set to go this November, just to take a look around, and now you're suggesting I'll be wasting my time.

I'm beginning to think film is not for me.
 
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Aspiring Mogul said:
Rik, you really know how to discourage someone
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I'm sorry you feel that I am discouraging anyone. AFM is
what it is - many people have an incorrect assumption about
the American Film Market. If I (and sonny) were to tell you
otherwise I would be guilty of misleading you both.

Aspiring Mogul said:
I'm beginning to think film is not for me.
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I think you may be right. What I said here about AFM is "AFM is
not a networking event" and " if you are planning to be in Santa
Monica in November and want to buy a pass and wander around
it can be enlightening" If that discourages you and causes you to
think that film is not for you - film is not for you.

We spoke about this in November. You are planning to go without
a movie or a script. You are under a misconception the AFM is a
networking event where distributors and producers are open to
discussing the process of learning to make a movie with someone
thinking of making movie. At least Kylie was going with a finished
movie.
 
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If you are going to sell a movie or pitch a project, you will have to make your appointments well in advance to make sure they will see you. I have seen people just walk to distributors, and they will take your completed film, but they won't watch it until after the market, way after.

Personally I would not go unless I was asked or had a film that was selling but I have met people at AFM who just turn up and have a fine time.
If you don't have anything to sell or pitch and you want to network and get a feel for market place, there are two things you can do.

Firstly, there are lots of seminars with and without networking. Some are included in the market badge price, others are an extra expense.

Secondly, and I should have said this first because it is more important. walk around each floor and see what is selling. Take their catalogs, talk to them about what they are buying/selling. The offices and stalls are well manned and their is always someone to talk to you.
 
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Boxt said:
If you are going to sell a movie or pitch a project, you will have to make your appointments well in advance to make sure they will see you. I have seen people just walk to distributors, and they will take your completed film, but they won't watch it until after the market, way after.
Click to expand...

AFM is rarely about making film deals to have them produced. It does happen, but it's about selling finished films, with the exception of big budget movies with stars, ala RAMBO or EXPENDABLES selling to foreign markets before it's made.
 
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