distribution Getting your movie in the theaters

[lydeanphoenix]

How does this work?

The theaters have their own people who screen movies and then negotiate with the distributors?

Obviously, they only want movies in their theaters that can bring in the movie goers. Well, does anyone think the theaters would refuse a good movie to be shown in their theaters if I deferred any proceeds until they met their quota on the film? Is this possible?

hmmmm...

 

[sonnyboo]

That's not exactly a 100% accurate. I used to be a manager at 3 different movie theater chains back in the day.

The reality is that, like most businesses, there are middlemen. The theater is the exhibitor, and the studios are the content providers. The middlemen in the movie exhibition business are the distributors. Most major studios own their own distribution companies, but in some areas, the theaters make an exclusive deal with distributors.

When multiplexes started to get huge, especially the over 20 screens, the thought was that there would be room for the INDIE FILMS and foreign films, but the cold hard cash reality is that they make more money giving 8 screens to Spider-man 4 than sharing those screens with movies that sell less tickets, and hence less popcorn and candy, and the result is that if they did devote more screens to the independents, they would make less profit.

If you want to get your movie in a theater, whether it's good or not, you have to sell it to a distributor who will put it in theaters, because that's their job, not the theaters. The theater's job is to make money selling popcorn and candy and soda, not to pick which movies play, although only the truly independently owned theaters can choose that, but even they might have signed an exclusive contract to a distributor.

That's why if you want to "four wall" your movie (that is rent the theater and sell your own tickets), most theaters don't want to help for more than one screening. They have to sacrifice a screen and a movie with P&A (that's Print and Advertising) budgets that most likely is much higher than yours.

So in the end, if you want to compete for distribution, you need to budget for theater rentals, P&A budgets and hyping your movie in the same way as a Hollywood movie.

Like most businesses, the film business doesn't care if it's a good movie or not. They only want to make more money than they spend.

 

[directorik]

Well, does anyone think the theaters would refuse a good movie to be shown in their theaters if I deferred any proceeds until they met their quota on the film? Is this possible?

hmmmm...

This is often called "four walling". You rent the theater
and show your movie. You keep all the profits from
ticket sales and the theater keeps everything from
the snack bar.

 

[Godchoo]

how much would it cost to rent out a theater for like a week?

 

[directorik]

There is no set price and no average. Each theater
in each city is different.

A few years ago I considered four walling and found
one in Los Angeles that charged $400 for 6 hours
during the day and $600 for evening. So you could
get two screenings in. I know they had a weekly
rate and an all day rate so you could get four or five
showings.

It might be cheaper where you live.

 

[Godchoo]

probably, we're a very computers oriented place.
not very filmy at all.

 

[M1chae1]

For our latest feature we rented out 5 different theaters for over a dozen screenings. They range in price from $250 a night to $500 a night (at least the ones we've used). These theaters can be humble 1/4 sized screens in coffee houses to full size mall theaters. Our latest screening later this month will be shown at our biggest theater yet (the Lincoln Mall), which is a full sized theater. I don't know the exact cost, but it's around $500 for two showings.

Basically you rent the theater out for a time slot or slots. Different time slots have different costs.

If you're lucky like we have been, you won't bite any costs on your screenings. The goal, naturally, is to make more money from ticket sales and merch than you spent on the rental.

Good luck.

 

[Blade_Jones]

It's a HUGE financial risk to market a theatrical release, even at one theater, and without advertising nobody will show up (aside from your friends). You really need MORE than advertising. You need a media buzz. I think the MUCH better route for indie filmmakers is to study up on Internet marketing, and explore creative ways of getting free press. You're competing with over 4,000 other movies made this year. Good luck.

 

[M1chae1]

It's a HUGE financial risk to market a theatrical release, even at one theater, and without advertising nobody will show up (aside from your friends). You really need MORE than advertising. You need a media buzz. I think the MUCH better route for indie filmmakers is to study up on Internet marketing, and explore creative ways of getting free press. You're competing with over 4,000 other movies made this year. Good luck.

I would have to disagree. It's by far a 'HUGE' investment to show your film at a single theater. As I mentioned previously, theaters range in price--some are as little as $250 for two screenings. I wouldn't consider that a 'huge' investment for your film. Get a moderately priced smaller theater and rent out the 7pm and 9pm slots. This won't break your bank.

Make sure you flier or 'lobby card' your surrounding areas. Put together really nice lobby cards...if you don't know how to design them well, get someone who can. You want the promo material to pop and look good. No one is going to want to go see a movie where the flier stinks and no care was taken in the printing. Make them hard stock and in color. Get 1000 of them and hit everywhere in your area. You can also print out little sticker labels that give the time, date, and location of the screening...that way you don't have to use every lobby card or flier for a single screening.

Your goal is to at LEAST break even with your screening. And if you've marketed it properly, and got a reasonable theater this shouldn't be a problem. Actually, your goal is to make a profit on the screening...that way you can rinse and repeat...and if people liked the film, you can rent out the theater again for two more screenings. Sometimes people lose a little money on these, some times they profit...it's all about timing, your particular genre, the quality of your film, and the time you spend on canvasing your area with fliers or lobby cards.

Thanks.

 

[simi]

Screening Shorts in the theaters?

Hi Michael,
My name is Simi. I am an American animator, whose produced a couple of shorts. I have had them accepted into one film festival so far last year, and I network with filmfestivals in the Toronto area (where I currently reside) Would you know if there are any theaters that would allow you to screen shorts? What would you recommend as a great marketing strategy.

I have asked local theaters if there was anyway that you can secure that you have an audience first (say via Internet Marketing or advance ticket sales) and then pay the theater for their space? Is this possible, for a newbie, especially when you are testing the marketing waters for the FIRST time outside of the film festival circuit? I know the main thing is marketing after you secure a theater. I am just trying to know if it is possible to screen the shorts and if so what is the approximate realistic budget I should shoot for?

Thanks
Simi

For our latest feature we rented out 5 different theaters for over a dozen screenings. They range in price from $250 a night to $500 a night (at least the ones we've used). These theaters can be humble 1/4 sized screens in coffee houses to full size mall theaters. Our latest screening later this month will be shown at our biggest theater yet (the Lincoln Mall), which is a full sized theater. I don't know the exact cost, but it's around $500 for two showings.

Basically you rent the theater out for a time slot or slots. Different time slots have different costs.

If you're lucky like we have been, you won't bite any costs on your screenings. The goal, naturally, is to make more money from ticket sales and merch than you spent on the rental.

Good luck.

 

[M1chae1]

Hi Simi,

I'm not sure the rules for full-size cineplexes or mall theaters...but as far as art house or coffee house movie theaters, anyone can rent them out. It's up to you to choose what to show. As long as it's not porno, they usually are cool with it.

As far as selling tickets: of course it helps if you already have a bunch of people wanting to see your film...so if you have a large cast and crew, and they have extended families...this always helps sell tickets. In addition to friend and family ticket sales, you're going to want to do as I said in my previous post, and that is to flier or lobby card your surrounding areas with quality promo material. You're also going to want to hit up your social sites like Facebook and Myspace.

It's also nice to have a cool poster made/designed/printed for the event, or if the venue let's you hang it up a week or so prior for passer-bys to check out.

A total budget for the theater and promo material? I can't say...maybe $500 for two screenings, color lobby cards, a few posters, and other misc swag.

Most of my other info is in my previous post.

Good luck.

 

[ad2478]

ou're competing with over 4,000 other movies made this year.



:O

Tough competition

 

[M1chae1]

ou're competing with over 4,000 other movies made this year.



:O

Tough competition

The small fish can't compete with the sharks...we shouldn't even worry about that. Just make the best movie you can, and get it distributed. If our films are consistently good, we get lucky, or it's the right timing...maybe one of our films will see a larger release. But there's no point in stressing, and we certainly shouldn't make movies with the intent of 'keeping up with the Jones'.'

 

[ad2478]

as you said M1chae1 :
he small fish can't compete with the sharks.

If the small fish means we Indie Film makers then i dont agree. I believe in our own way we are the best . My friend said a great thing to me. He said

" We cant be Steven Spielberg, but we can do the best in what we can do and in that even Steven Spielberg cannot compete us "

So i believe we are not the fishes

Keep yourself charged and hopes high because we can make a film like Steven Spielberg if we have million of dollars.....but Steven Spielberg cannot make a record breaking film like Blair Witch Project, Clerk , and Primer in a no budget !

 

[M1chae1]

If the small fish means we Indie Film makers then i dont agree. I believe in our own way we are the best . My friend said a great thing to me. He said

" We cant be Steven Spielberg, but we can do the best in what we can do and in that even Steven Spielberg cannot compete us "

So i believe we are not the fishes

Keep yourself charged and hopes high because we can make a film like Steven Spielberg if we have million of dollars.....but Steven Spielberg cannot make a record breaking film like Blair Witch Project, Clerk , and Primer in a no budget !

We can compete in quality and entertainment...but we can not compete in theatrical presence nation wide. Not unless you have the money or distributional power to open nation wide...then I wouldn't consider you a small fish...your one of the sharks.

lol.

 

[ad2478]

 

[Blade_Jones]

Saw this on CraigsList. No idea what this is all about....
Self Distribute your Film Theatrically NOW (Anywhere)
Reply to: job-8afeq-1261942405@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
Date: 2009-07-09, 3:13PM PDT


Self Distribute your film theatrically at a Hollywood cinema for only $8500.

What you get:
Two week run
One 35mm release print
One theatrical movie poster of your film
98% of all ticket sales of your film
The joy of knowing your film is playing at a theater

What you need:
A completed feature film of any genre
$8500
Rights to all material in your film

Why you should do it:
Expose your film to fans
Have actual numbers to show distributors
A chance to be discovered for future projects
To prove to everyone you have what it takes to be in the film industry

For any questions please feel free to email us.

* Location: Anywhere
* Compensation: 98% of Box Office
* Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
* Please, no phone calls about this job!
* Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.



PostingID: 1261942405

 

[Gonzo_Entertainment]

This is often called "four walling". You rent the theater
and show your movie. You keep all the profits from
ticket sales and the theater keeps everything from
the snack bar.

That's what I am doing (World premiere in about 2 weeks). Local "Historic" theatre will rent a screen in a 200 seat theatre for $500 on a monday thru Thursday (with "Local filmmaker" discount I got it for $415). Friday and Saturday the rate jumps to $1400. So screening on a Thursday, at $7 a ticket, I break even at about 70 people, and a sold out house nets me about a grand.

 

[SquaretheJon]

This is mainly talking about full-length films, not shorts, correct?

I don't know if I'm right or not, but we're talking about distributing your film to a theater as an independent filmmaker, right? But isn't it different when you work in studios?

 

[Gonzo_Entertainment]

This is mainly talking about full-length films, not shorts, correct?

I don't know if I'm right or not, but we're talking about distributing your film to a theater as an independent filmmaker, right? But isn't it different when you work in studios?

Yes, but the same general principal holds, as an indie filmmaker either you are going to have to get hooked up with a company that has distribution relationships with theatres already in place, or likely you will either have to 4 wall it, or beat the streets and try and self-distribute.