Anyone have a list of DVD distributors? Is it as difficult to get DVD distribution as it is to get CD distribution (in the music business)? Can you just send an unsolicited trailer to Lion's Gate and get them interested?
DVD Distributors
- Thread starter Blade_Jones
- Start date
I've never tried distributing a CD so can't make any comparisons.
DVD distribution isn't not easy, but it's done all the time. As with any aspect of the business, distribution has a lot to do with contacts. I did a screening of my movie at a theater in Hollywood. I sent out 80 invitations to distributors - fourteen showed - nine I had pervious contact with. Interesting that Lions Gate didn't, but later requested a screener.
A great book to get is the Hollywood Distributors Directory. If spending $60 is too much for this info, the Hollywood Reporter should be putting out it's American Film Market edition soon. It's not as comprehensive (only showing the distributors who go to the market) but it's only set you back about $8.
I've never tried the trailer approach - I've only sent finished movies. Anyone ever tried it?
DVD distribution isn't not easy, but it's done all the time. As with any aspect of the business, distribution has a lot to do with contacts. I did a screening of my movie at a theater in Hollywood. I sent out 80 invitations to distributors - fourteen showed - nine I had pervious contact with. Interesting that Lions Gate didn't, but later requested a screener.
A great book to get is the Hollywood Distributors Directory. If spending $60 is too much for this info, the Hollywood Reporter should be putting out it's American Film Market edition soon. It's not as comprehensive (only showing the distributors who go to the market) but it's only set you back about $8.
I've never tried the trailer approach - I've only sent finished movies. Anyone ever tried it?
http://lulu.com
When I complete my DVD full of short films, I've decided (after looking at many online distributors) that this one would suit my needs.
Check it out.
When I complete my DVD full of short films, I've decided (after looking at many online distributors) that this one would suit my needs.
Check it out.
Robert,
I've been looking at a lot of the online distributors, too. My main question is how do they market your DVD?
It's clear that they handle a lot of the "grunt" work which saves some money, but how do people find out about your DVD? I assume the movie maker is the one who has to do all the work to get people to the site to buy your movie.
As a test I checked some of the short film collections on Lulu (one is a 20 second stop-motion selling for $7.50) and then searched for them on Google. Couldn't find any of them.
What is it about Lulu that made you decide on them?
I've been looking at a lot of the online distributors, too. My main question is how do they market your DVD?
It's clear that they handle a lot of the "grunt" work which saves some money, but how do people find out about your DVD? I assume the movie maker is the one who has to do all the work to get people to the site to buy your movie.
As a test I checked some of the short film collections on Lulu (one is a 20 second stop-motion selling for $7.50) and then searched for them on Google. Couldn't find any of them.
What is it about Lulu that made you decide on them?
Lulu.com is one of few "on demand" print, burn and ship site that handles payments and is truly $0 up front that I can find. They only make money when you sell product. You determine the price.directorik said:
All you have to do is create your DVD, make an ISO of it and upload it with the DVD casework you've created. As long as I have lulu.com to handle all the backend like that, I don't mind spending a few bucks hiring someone to market it. This will cost me the least amount of money up front and in the long run. Great ROI!
Besides, I know one of the people that work over there now: Bob Young, cofounder of Red Hat, Inc [PRESS RELEASE]. I trust this guy to truly take lulu.com mainstream.
My advice - and this goes for most people looking to sell any form of project. Try www.mandy.com they have an excellent film maket section where lots of buyers from around the world (and sales agents) will be able to see info on your projects.
Otherwise take your film to the markets and yes send DVD's of teh film and trailers to comapnies. But best best? Take 100 copies with a nice media pack, go to Cannes or AFM, hand them out and do it the hard way.
Phil Hobden
-- Modern Life? --
Otherwise take your film to the markets and yes send DVD's of teh film and trailers to comapnies. But best best? Take 100 copies with a nice media pack, go to Cannes or AFM, hand them out and do it the hard way.
Phil Hobden
-- Modern Life? --