Distributing Short Films - Direct to DVD/Online

Does anyone here have any experience with distributing their short films through direct to dvd or online (probably more this route than dvd for short films) and do you think that, at least on a small scale, is something worth doing?

I am a filmmaker who is starting at the bottom of the ladder so to speak and I am setting myself goals as to which levels I reach as a filmmaker. I am starting with releasing short films on YouTube and then sending links to various sites that I think would be looking for specific types of films.

For me to get to the level of making films that are distributed on dvd would be a great achievement.

I guess the crux of this thread is to find others who have had success in distributing films online and those who have then gone on to distribute films via dvd/blu-ray etc. and if you would recommend this model early in one's career?
 
I'm going to assume your project is actually good enough to get a short subject distribution deal. That means, you have a solid story, good acting, excellent production value.

The first thing i'd offer, is that if you intend to distribute for money, DON'T POST IF ON YOUTUBE. Don't post it at all.
Do some research Itunes, Netflix, and other do deals for short subject projects on occasion, but small distribution companies are more likely your answer. No one is going to pay you for a film that has been on public display for any period of time. Some distributors bundle a number of shorts into a package deal...

1. Send your short to film festivals... https://www.withoutabox.com/ as a start.
2. Set up a website and talk about the project, Show a trailer or two. BLog about the film, build a buzz about it.
3. Post your trailers on social media to help you build buzz
4. Create a one-sheet about your project. Its a cross between a business document and a marketing flyer.
5. Contact small indie distribution companies and talk to them, if you can convince them to review your project, send them the one-page ad have them check out your trailers. Then if they are still interested they'll make you an offer. If not, move on to the next guy. Remember, there are thousands of short and features made every year that never see the light of day.

Don't forget to chase the foreign markets... they are bigger than the US market for short subject material.

Amazon has a book or two on Short Film Distribution that's worth a good read.

http://www.amazon.com/Short-Film-Distribution-Festivals-Self-Promotion/dp/1936420147


Here are some other links for you

http://www.shortsinternational.com/html/about.htm

http://www.elypsefilm.com/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/*******work/filmmaking/guide/distribution/distribution


Someone else asked the same question yesterday, so I've also added some addresses and contact data for short film distribution on my website at:
http://filmdoctor.net/2012/08/how-do-i-get-my-short-subject-project-a-distribution-deal/

cheers
geo
 
Thank you for that information Georgia. I plan for my next shorts to send them to film festivals to get some attention within the country where I live (Australia) and then to overseas markets.

The short film I just finished was a B-Grade horror/suspense/drama shot in one day with actors from a local theatre company on a zero budget and I have uploaded this particular short to YouTube for free public viewing.

It was a great short to work on in terms of learning what to do and what not to do. Definitely not a film with high production values (the camera and lighting equipment we used were excellent quality though) - for what it is we did a pretty good job but there is lots of room for improvement.

Thanks again for your reply!
 
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