Hello, i just recently finished my first film, but not sure how to promote it. God Save the Red Black and Blonde. www.redblackandblonde.com It is the story about four Texas women from Austin who try to rob a convenience store and it all goes bad. I wrote, directed, filmed, produced, edited, and did the visual effects for the project. Now that it is complete I feel like I have overcome a huge hurdle, but now have no idea how to promote it on an indie level. I can make the movie, but promotion and marketing is so unfamiliar to me. At this point I don't have much money to promote it, but am looking for any ideas to promote it on a guerilla level. Has anyone been in the same situation? And how did they promote their film? Thanks, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Looking for ideas on how to Promote my first Feature
- Thread starter DAJ57
- Start date
Submit it to movie review websites...send a screener to as many as you can get to review it--that's a good start.
Another great idea is coming here, and posting what you just posted...and instead of posing a question, you can put together a quick blurb (mini-forum electronic press kit <patent pending.)
This can drum up interest from areas you never thought existed...lurkers who lay in wait to review, promote, or spread the word.
Also, just for the heck of it, get it on IMDB.
Four wall (rent for a night or more) a local theater you can afford. Screen the movie one, two, three times. Invite a lot of people. Don't just screen your film and forget it...screen it multiple times in different locations around your area. Hopefully you make a little money from a screening, and you can rinse and repeat. (having nice poster design can help passer-bys decide on seeing it)
Send it to festivals if you can afford.
Also, you may want to look into distribution. Find out what indie and/or entry level distributors are out there...get a lawyer or someone who knows about distribution to come on board and help out.
In addition...you'll want to package the movie in a great box...with professional design.
You could also try and get a booth at a convention...
Hope this helps. Good luck!
Another great idea is coming here, and posting what you just posted...and instead of posing a question, you can put together a quick blurb (mini-forum electronic press kit <patent pending.)
This can drum up interest from areas you never thought existed...lurkers who lay in wait to review, promote, or spread the word.Also, just for the heck of it, get it on IMDB.
Four wall (rent for a night or more) a local theater you can afford. Screen the movie one, two, three times. Invite a lot of people. Don't just screen your film and forget it...screen it multiple times in different locations around your area. Hopefully you make a little money from a screening, and you can rinse and repeat. (having nice poster design can help passer-bys decide on seeing it)
Send it to festivals if you can afford.
Also, you may want to look into distribution. Find out what indie and/or entry level distributors are out there...get a lawyer or someone who knows about distribution to come on board and help out.
In addition...you'll want to package the movie in a great box...with professional design.
You could also try and get a booth at a convention...
Hope this helps. Good luck!
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I went to your website and checked out the trailer. It's really hard to get excited with it because it has no dialogue. You gives us the impression that the actors don't talk in your film. Is that it? A feature film without dialogue? Not really a good first impression (based on the trailer).
Forums like this is indeed a good doorway if you are lucky enough to impress the right people. Most of us here have no clout to pull strings. However, before finding someone to vouch for you, first you have to make sure that you have a compelling product and preview. You have to hook us from the get-go because we have more important things to do.
Renting a local theater might be a good idea but probably expensive. Also, depending on where you live, you might not have a producer on the audience. Consider yourself lucky if you cover the expenses with the admission revenue. (The director/producer of the "Endless Summer" made money this way and created a buzz.) However, not only did he have an enduring documentary, things were different in the 1960s.
On a side note, most amateur/student filmmakers finish a movie and think they have done something great. Don't fool yourself. Arrogance will lead you nowhere. First make sure you have something amazing. How many screenplays have you written and how many movies have you shot? I'm often suspicious of movies that are written, directed, produced, and edited by the same person. Filmmakers that do this are either a genius or a lunatic, thus their movies are either crap or master pieces. Which category you fall is up to your audience. Good luck.
Forums like this is indeed a good doorway if you are lucky enough to impress the right people. Most of us here have no clout to pull strings. However, before finding someone to vouch for you, first you have to make sure that you have a compelling product and preview. You have to hook us from the get-go because we have more important things to do.
Renting a local theater might be a good idea but probably expensive. Also, depending on where you live, you might not have a producer on the audience. Consider yourself lucky if you cover the expenses with the admission revenue. (The director/producer of the "Endless Summer" made money this way and created a buzz.) However, not only did he have an enduring documentary, things were different in the 1960s.
On a side note, most amateur/student filmmakers finish a movie and think they have done something great. Don't fool yourself. Arrogance will lead you nowhere. First make sure you have something amazing. How many screenplays have you written and how many movies have you shot? I'm often suspicious of movies that are written, directed, produced, and edited by the same person. Filmmakers that do this are either a genius or a lunatic, thus their movies are either crap or master pieces. Which category you fall is up to your audience. Good luck.
The conventional route would be film festivals.
I'd also agree on submitting to anybody who might review it. I think if you search the forums there are some online critics listed. Somebody like Film Threat might be a good start.
I also agree on the trailer. I'd re-cut it with some dialogue.
I'm an exploitation filmmaker at heart, so at first look I am VERY intrigued by this movie. If it has plenty of nudity and gratuitous lesbianism you got me.
I'd also agree on submitting to anybody who might review it. I think if you search the forums there are some online critics listed. Somebody like Film Threat might be a good start.
I also agree on the trailer. I'd re-cut it with some dialogue.
I'm an exploitation filmmaker at heart, so at first look I am VERY intrigued by this movie. If it has plenty of nudity and gratuitous lesbianism you got me.
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In and around Austin, there are plenty of places to set up a screening (as I'm sure you are aware).
A friend of mine just had great success self-publishing his debut novel.
He researched similar novels, looked up five star reviewers for those novels on site like Amazon and Goodreads, then sent those reviewers an email promising a copy of the book...they could review it if they wanted to, it wasn't a stipulation.
He got a response from less than ten percent of those reviewers, but most of the ones that agreed to read the book ended up posting a positive review and telling their friends about the book.
The response was overwhelming and the sales went higher and higher. Eventually, the book caught the attention of Amazon Encore (Amazon's publishing branch), and they signed my friend to a publishing deal.
Here's the book: MERCURY FALLS
A friend of mine just had great success self-publishing his debut novel.
He researched similar novels, looked up five star reviewers for those novels on site like Amazon and Goodreads, then sent those reviewers an email promising a copy of the book...they could review it if they wanted to, it wasn't a stipulation.
He got a response from less than ten percent of those reviewers, but most of the ones that agreed to read the book ended up posting a positive review and telling their friends about the book.
The response was overwhelming and the sales went higher and higher. Eventually, the book caught the attention of Amazon Encore (Amazon's publishing branch), and they signed my friend to a publishing deal.
Here's the book: MERCURY FALLS
The girls have nice racks. They wear tight clothes. And that is all the trailer tells me. You gotta deliver a much more telling preview of your film. Do they get nude? Hope so. That will certainly help sell the exploitation kind of poster you created.
Also, to me, HD video looks like VIDEO. I would urge you to post process and grain it up. Try and get a more film like look. Otherwise your just another guy with an HDcam or DSLR who shot a no budget movie.
Get it on IMDB.
Festivals festivals festivals. Just make sure you are certain it is as good as can be before you send it out.
Also, to me, HD video looks like VIDEO. I would urge you to post process and grain it up. Try and get a more film like look. Otherwise your just another guy with an HDcam or DSLR who shot a no budget movie.
Get it on IMDB.
Festivals festivals festivals. Just make sure you are certain it is as good as can be before you send it out.
I wouldn't say he's just another guy with an HD cam...he's got half a dozen truly hot girls in skimpy outfits...he instantly gets a few more browny points than the average indie filmmaker.
Now, I like true cinema...great films like the rest of us right...but having a handful of hot girls skantly clad is at least a start...
Now, I like true cinema...great films like the rest of us right...but having a handful of hot girls skantly clad is at least a start...
I wouldn't say he's just another guy with an HD cam...he's got half a dozen truly hot girls in skimpy outfits...he instantly gets a few more browny points than the average indie filmmaker.
Now, I like true cinema...great films like the rest of us right...but having a handful of hot girls skantly clad is at least a start...
Funny that.. but somehow it resonates with me in a way I dont understand..
Nothing happens in the trailer, just hot chicks looking hot and drinking. Where's the sex and violence? Where's the sexy, sultry VO? Can they talk? I mean I'm all for women keeping their mouths shut, but really! I don't even know if it's a drama, a comedy or soft-core porn!
We have just released our first full length feature film on DVD, House of White Spiders,(www.thebluebottlecompany.com).
We are also independently marketing it. Contact your local papers and radio stations ask if they would be interested in hearing more.
Contact community theaters ask if they will show the film
Hold a premier
Get on the web...search and add to as many sites as you can.
Look for sites that do reviews
Good luck!
Our DVD came out in October, we have sold over 400 so far. But you have to keep at it
We are also independently marketing it. Contact your local papers and radio stations ask if they would be interested in hearing more.
Contact community theaters ask if they will show the film
Hold a premier
Get on the web...search and add to as many sites as you can.
Look for sites that do reviews
Good luck!
Our DVD came out in October, we have sold over 400 so far. But you have to keep at it
Got to agree with the others about a lack of dialogue in the trailer - if you hadn't posted a description here I wouldn't have a clue what happened.
From a marketing rather than filmmaking point of view, neither the website nor trailer look professional. The website looks like something slapped together in half an hour and doesn't really reflect the style or story of the film. The trailer needs some colour correction to make the shots match up properly, and the fonts you've used for the logo are pretty hideous if I'm honest - they don't look good or relevant to the content of the film.
Best of luck!
From a marketing rather than filmmaking point of view, neither the website nor trailer look professional. The website looks like something slapped together in half an hour and doesn't really reflect the style or story of the film. The trailer needs some colour correction to make the shots match up properly, and the fonts you've used for the logo are pretty hideous if I'm honest - they don't look good or relevant to the content of the film.
Best of luck!
It starts with a good trailer, synopsis, graphics, and packaging design. The trailer should introduce the main characters and give viewers a good feel for the conflict in the movie.
Put your trailer on as many video sharing sites you can turn up with Google, go to trade shows like Comic Conventions, and submit it to festivals.
Put your trailer on as many video sharing sites you can turn up with Google, go to trade shows like Comic Conventions, and submit it to festivals.
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The box cover doesn't catch my eye at all. Looks amateur. You gotta THINK BIG with that box cover or people will just ignore it all together.
Actually, the best time to think about marketing and promotion is when you conceive your script. When a production is a done deal, criticism and advice is too later.
When you start writing your script you should be asking yourself how can this story be marketed? How can it be promoted?
When you start writing your script you should be asking yourself how can this story be marketed? How can it be promoted?
Yep, I write with target audiences in mind.
OK, the Sci Fi fans will like that...
Oh yeah, the Lovecraft fans will eat that up...
Hmmm... better throw in some titties....
I bet I could add a vampire angle....
etc....
Thanks everyone for the feedback
Thanks everyone, it is good to get feedback. I am going to have someone else recut the trailer. And someone else to redesign the website. These are things that I did myself and believe they might be better if I had someone elsedo it. Its tough when you have a small budget, and i have to do everything myself. It is good to hear what is wrong with my approach so I can fix it and try what would be more acceptable. Everyones comments really helped me out. Thanks.
Thanks everyone, it is good to get feedback. I am going to have someone else recut the trailer. And someone else to redesign the website. These are things that I did myself and believe they might be better if I had someone elsedo it. Its tough when you have a small budget, and i have to do everything myself. It is good to hear what is wrong with my approach so I can fix it and try what would be more acceptable. Everyones comments really helped me out. Thanks.
Marketing is about Communication
Marketing should be replaced with the word communication, but unfortunately your site doesn't communicate much.
The site is static and doesn't offer the users any reasons to come back to it. You published a page News/Screenings that unfortunately is empty and you forgot to include other info that would make the site at least ''normal''. Regarding the basic info of the film you either didn't include them or you hide them very well.
Try to create more content, make a new trailer and then think about the marketing remembering that the majority of people will probably stay on your site (and later may be watch your film) only if you offer them/us something to be entertained with.
Marketing should be replaced with the word communication, but unfortunately your site doesn't communicate much.
The site is static and doesn't offer the users any reasons to come back to it. You published a page News/Screenings that unfortunately is empty and you forgot to include other info that would make the site at least ''normal''. Regarding the basic info of the film you either didn't include them or you hide them very well.
Try to create more content, make a new trailer and then think about the marketing remembering that the majority of people will probably stay on your site (and later may be watch your film) only if you offer them/us something to be entertained with.
Love how you have frogger on the website. But sad to say, frogger doesn't make me want to watch your movie... it makes me want to play frogger.
Internet, today is a big thing in promoting movies. Ever since The Blair Witch Project (which was probably a better promotional stunt than a film), filmmakers realized how great the internet was to promote movies... as long as it is creative and well done.
Also, use Film Festivals to your advantage. There are loads of them, as long as you can pay for the entry fee.
Be creative, and try to make sure people see your film.
Internet, today is a big thing in promoting movies. Ever since The Blair Witch Project (which was probably a better promotional stunt than a film), filmmakers realized how great the internet was to promote movies... as long as it is creative and well done.
Also, use Film Festivals to your advantage. There are loads of them, as long as you can pay for the entry fee.
Be creative, and try to make sure people see your film.
The following is just my opinion...
Promotion is hard. Very very hard.
I think there are two ways to go about successful promotion as an independent filmmaker.
1. Come to a forum like this, and post the Reservoir Dogs trailer. Not literally... but your trailer has to blow us away. Let's face it, there's a lot of competition out there in the independent film community. A lot! If you expect people to want to jump all over it and watch it, you have to make something nothing short of extraordinary. That's how it is...
2. Grab your audience early in the game. Get us emotionally invested early on... I say this all the time. We're creatives, so let's think like creatives!
You should have had your actresses create a username (their name in the movie) on this forum and make a post about how they are going to knock off a convenience store. They should have been making a post showing a hand drawn plan about how they are going to do it. That's the good stuff.
I, AS A VIEWER, WANT TO BE EMOTIONALLY INVOLVED IN SOMEONES FILM.
So think of ways to make it happen. Role play. Do whatever it takes.
-----
Here's an example of how I'm preparing to rock the mother effing boat!
The above is a promotional poster for an internet show I'm working on called "Percy Frazier." It's supposed to be a brutal comedy. I'm doing absolutely everything. Acting, writing, producing, directing, editing, music, etc. Absolutely everything. So from the start, it's a challenge.
So how am I going to promote this show that I'm currently working on? You better believe I'm going to create a username on this forum and start posting as Percy Frazier. I'm going to grab the audience early on so there is a connection. I'm going to interact. Give away fun little snippets of stuff. Post off the wall ridiculous things. That's how you have to do it in my opinion! And the audience isn't going to be developing interest in me, Matt Fuller who is the creator of the show. They are going to be developing interest in the actual character from the show. I think that adds a lot!
I wish you luck on promoting your flick. Maybe next time start early. Try and grab your audience before it's finished. Release little goodies and have people on board and curious from the start.
Sorry if posting a picture under your thread is hijacking. I'll remove it if it's inappropriate for this thread. I was just trying to give an example.
Promotion is hard. Very very hard.
I think there are two ways to go about successful promotion as an independent filmmaker.
1. Come to a forum like this, and post the Reservoir Dogs trailer. Not literally... but your trailer has to blow us away. Let's face it, there's a lot of competition out there in the independent film community. A lot! If you expect people to want to jump all over it and watch it, you have to make something nothing short of extraordinary. That's how it is...
2. Grab your audience early in the game. Get us emotionally invested early on... I say this all the time. We're creatives, so let's think like creatives!
You should have had your actresses create a username (their name in the movie) on this forum and make a post about how they are going to knock off a convenience store. They should have been making a post showing a hand drawn plan about how they are going to do it. That's the good stuff.
I, AS A VIEWER, WANT TO BE EMOTIONALLY INVOLVED IN SOMEONES FILM.
So think of ways to make it happen. Role play. Do whatever it takes.
-----
Here's an example of how I'm preparing to rock the mother effing boat!
The above is a promotional poster for an internet show I'm working on called "Percy Frazier." It's supposed to be a brutal comedy. I'm doing absolutely everything. Acting, writing, producing, directing, editing, music, etc. Absolutely everything. So from the start, it's a challenge.
So how am I going to promote this show that I'm currently working on? You better believe I'm going to create a username on this forum and start posting as Percy Frazier. I'm going to grab the audience early on so there is a connection. I'm going to interact. Give away fun little snippets of stuff. Post off the wall ridiculous things. That's how you have to do it in my opinion! And the audience isn't going to be developing interest in me, Matt Fuller who is the creator of the show. They are going to be developing interest in the actual character from the show. I think that adds a lot!
I wish you luck on promoting your flick. Maybe next time start early. Try and grab your audience before it's finished. Release little goodies and have people on board and curious from the start.
Sorry if posting a picture under your thread is hijacking. I'll remove it if it's inappropriate for this thread. I was just trying to give an example.