My plan to get my comedy feature out there. Solid? You tell me.

[Sweeney Jet]

Greetings fellow movie lovers!

I've made three short films, and a zombie feature film -- but I don't think they'd be good enough for a distribution deal or good enough to win film festivals that matter.


I, however, have completed a -- in my opinion -- out-of-this-world comedy feature. It's something fresh. Check out the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8xc_kNyo3k

Most of the cast are Asian Americans (excluding one Australian). We have an original soundtrack, from at least four local bands and musicians. I used really good equipment. But that's besides the point, kinda going off an a short tangent here. The film is done, and I've copyrighted it.

So, I wanna sell it to distributors. Now, I love my film, but I'm don't think going for a major studio like Warner Brothers or Paramount is possible or wise. I was thinking more of the mini-major studios, and if not those then whatever gets the film to a wide audience with -- hopefully -- landing me a nice paycheck too. Any suggestions?

I strongly feel I need to win festival awards first, in order to give the film SOME type of belief that it's liked by people for AEs to take a leap of faith in considering my film and turning it into a movie. I DON'T wanna enter festivals like Sundance, because I got rejected twice and I hear it's the most difficult festival to break into. I don't wanna waste 50 bucks on a festival that's like that.

I DO wanna enter a film-festival that's affordable (I'm poor) and credible (AEs attend) or semi-credible (awards that are noticed). I know I can look on Withoutabox for general terms, but I'd like your feedback on which festival you'd feel my film would get noticed.

Also, I would LOVE some in-depth advice on pitching my film to mini-major studios. And how that process work step by step. And how not get to swindled by AEs, trying to rip me off profits of my film that ought by right come to me.

Basically, the important part of filmmaking. The business and smooth talking part. Not that the filmmaking stage is unimportant, but what's the point of making a film if it sits on a shelf after it's done. I want people to enjoy what I've made and I think they'll be pleasantly surprised by my comedy.

Advice is tremendously appreciated, fellow movie lovers. Thank you!

 

[directorik]

I DO wanna enter a film-festival that's affordable (I'm poor) and credible (AEs attend) or semi-credible (awards that are noticed). I know I can look on Withoutabox for general terms, but I'd like your feedback on which festival you'd feel my film would get noticed.

The specific experiences from other filmmakers won't
be as helpful as your own, personal research. You have
a specific type of movie so you need a rather specific type
of festival. The top six or eight - the ones with awards that
are noticed, credible and draw sales agents and distributors
- are all the same regarding fees and acceptance. Expensive,
tens of thousands of entries and very, very few accepted.
The ones you don't wanna hear about. The fests that don't
get a large number of sales agents or distributors showing
up are cheaper to enter, get fewer submissions and may be
slightly easier to get an acceptance.

Also, I would LOVE some in-depth advice on pitching my film to mini-major studios. And how that process work step by step. And how not get to swindled by AEs, trying to rip me off profits of my film that ought by right come to me.

Step by step:

You research the studios and distributors to narrow it down to
the ones that have similar films in their library.
You put together a query letter outlining your project and including
any festival plays and awards.
If they want a screener, you send it.


You avoid getting ripped off by not signing a contract you haven't
read and understood thoroughly. In my experience it's very, very
rare that any distributor deliberately rips off a producer. Those stories
are, of course, the ones we hear about, but it doesn't happen often.
The reality is most independently movies don't make enough money
to even cover the distributors costs and the producers get upset and
only feel they are being ripped off.

 

[Sweeney Jet]

Thanks for the advice.

Are AEs only available at distribution companies or should I also approach production companies (such as Voltage Pictures [Hurt Locker]) and if I do, will they work out distribution since they only produce pictures? Or will they just ignore me? lol.

 

[directorik]

Always do your research.

If a prodCo does not acquire finished projects than there
is no need to contact them with your finished movie.
Some prodCo's do acquire already completed films and some
will look at a work in progress.

A subscription to Hollywood Distribution Directory is money
well spent. I also recommend Film Specific

 

[Sweeney Jet]

I don't have money to subscribe, let alone purchase the number one at McDonald's sadly.

 

[wheatgrinder]

First of all, Iv never made a movie or sold one.. so do what you want..
How much do you REALLY expect to net ?(not gross, but net)

You have a specific community target draw, use it! Start hitting the community specific facebook groups, blogs, etc.. PUMP IT. Sign up with several users and fake a conversation (its wrong, but its done ALL THE TIME)


Give the movie away on the internet. I know, its hard.. but if you get ANY kind of following for you movie, its going to be a torrent anyway.. so don't fight it. The more eyes who SEE your movie, the more interest you'll have in the NEXT one..

Sale premium DVD's with extra content, more songs from the band and stuff like that, sell these your self via Paypal etc. Pocket all the cash (cept the $1 for the dvd) Theirs ways to do this online to without having to burn a single dvd.. Nothing but net...

Sale T-Shirts, Sale ball caps.. put your movies name on it and sell it.. This can be done for no out of pocket expense.. (zazzle.com etc)

In the end $200 free and clear is WAY better than $200,000 gross with $199,999 in expenses..

 

[Blade_Jones]

A subscription to Hollywood Distribution Directory is money
well spent. I also recommend Film Specific

+ 1 for Hollywood Distribution Directory
+ 1 for YouTube
+ 1 for a few medium sized film festivals in New York and Los Angeles only. If you don't get any buzz then your movie probably looks like just another low budget indie film.
Film Specific? That whole thing seems to me to be just a money making venture. Filmmakers are desperate to get their movie exposed, but the fact remains that films sell themselves (with a great look, stars with box office draw, etc). MONEY for advertising helps too but unless it's highly marketable movie, you will be throwing your money away. Film Specific reminds me of these "get rich in real estate" infomercials that reveal "secrets" that are common knowledge. This isn't rocket science.