What can American distros do?

B

Blade_Jones

When you get a distributor to distribute your movie to American outlets what does this usually entail? DVD distributed to Blockbuster, Netflix, all of the online retailers, a few mom & pop stores, Best Buy and who else? Has anyone ever gotten a distro deal and seen a list of what stores that they actually stocked?

I've heard that the only way to go is through a "film distributor" but I also hear many horror stories about distributors NOT PAYING! So if I do my own manufacturing I can greatly reduce the risk of getting burned because if they don't PAY me then I stop SHIPPING product to them. I currently have a CD distribution deal with a CD distributor that is expanding to include DVD distribution. They have accounts with Blockbuster and Netflix. So if I do my own manufacturing (and act as my own distributor) I can greatly reduce the risk of getting burned because if my distributor doesn't PAY then I just stop SHIPPING product to them, plus I earn a higher percentage. Any thoughts?
 
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Unless you want to be in the distribution and manufacturing business, I'd let a distributor handle it and just make sure your contract allows open books.

Taking on the manufacturing costs yourself is not going to keep you from getting burned if your distributor decides to shaft you on royalties. It's just going to end up costing you money. If you're that paranoid about it, I'd stick with self-distribution. There are a number of interesting outlets these days for DVDs and VOD online, such as Filmbaby and Lulu.
 
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The advantage is that you can stop shipping them product. When they're the manufacturer they can just keep dipping into their inventory even in the midst of disputes over failure to pay.
 
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There's a much greater chance of you losing money by making your own product than by being shafted by the distributor. Typically, the distributor pays you an advance on royalties, plus manufacturing. You're ahead at that point by a few thousand dollars at least, depending on the advance.

Duplication is expensive, as I'm sure you're aware, and I personally don't think it's worth the hassle. But that's up to you. If you want to take on that responsibility, more power to you. If it works out, it'll definitely be empowering to some portions of the indie community for sure.
 
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What the deal entails depends on the size and scope of the distributor.
There is no standard. The larger distributors can get the movie into many
outlets, the smaller ones often don't offer the movie much beyond their
one website.

Very often a smaller distributor marketing a smaller movie (no
name stars) can't find much of an audience and makes very few
units. They often don't pay the filmmaker because it costs more to
track the income than it receives. I haven't heard too many
stories of a filmmaker of a very popular movie that sells a lot of
units (say over 5,000) getting screwed by a distributor. I know
it happens, but it's rare. A distributor that has released a
movie that is making a lot of money want another movie from that
filmmaker.

You just have to be very careful regarding the small distributors.
I know a lot of filmmakers are going the self distribution route.
You seem to have strong feelings on self distribution. It
certainly is one of several choices. If keeping total control of
units is important to you then it seems to be the best method for
you.
 
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hey man.. i think i would go for the deal with a distributor. i completely agree with beeblebrox.. but still its up to you.. you have the option to what channel you'll go through.. good luck man!!
 
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Blade_Jones said:
When you get a distributor to distribute your movie to American outlets what does this usually entail? DVD distributed to Blockbuster, Netflix, all of the online retailers, a few mom & pop stores, Best Buy and who else? Has anyone ever gotten a distro deal and seen a list of what stores that they actually stocked?

I've heard that the only way to go is through a "film distributor" but I also hear many horror stories about distributors NOT PAYING! So if I do my own manufacturing I can greatly reduce the risk of getting burned because if they don't PAY me then I stop SHIPPING product to them. I currently have a CD distribution deal with a CD distributor that is expanding to include DVD distribution. They have accounts with Blockbuster and Netflix. So if I do my own manufacturing (and act as my own distributor) I can greatly reduce the risk of getting burned because if my distributor doesn't PAY then I just stop SHIPPING product to them, plus I earn a higher percentage. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

In my personal experience I've also never been able to get out of a distributor an exact list of what stores they stock.

I'm just guessing it could be because their plans change very often?
 
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In my personal experience I've also never been able to get out of a distributor an exact list of what stores they stock.
Click to expand...
They must be hiding something. Like the fact that they hardly have any accounts with anyone! These days Best Buy, Blockbuster, Netflix, Amazon, DeepDiscount DVD, DVD planet account for a HUGE percentage of all US DVD sales. Just because they have an account with Best Buy and Blockbuster doesn't mean that these outlets will order copies when released - or they may order copies but only order a few copies for a few stores to "test the waters". With shrinking shelf space it has become the NORM for stores like Best Buy to want to see a name actor or something like advertising money in order for them to carry a title.
 
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