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By filmmakers, for filmmakers since 2003
Wildlife festivals?
- Thread starter Ardeus
- Start date
There is almost no market here in the US. I can't even think of an i
ndependently produced nature doc that was released in the States.
TV seems to be your only outlet - and TV doesn't buy independently
produced nature docs very often - if ever.
What's the market for independently produced nature docs in Europe?
I produced a 7 episode series and I just started looking for ways into distribution.
I submitted the 1st episode to a few generalist film festivals, but I doubt it will work. My only hope is that this 1st episode is a bit artsy.
But you brought me sad news, it seems the prospects are darker than I thought.
It's strange that this genre seems to have a very different set of rules and hasn't presented a great deal of innovation in the last decades.
I submitted the 1st episode to a few generalist film festivals, but I doubt it will work. My only hope is that this 1st episode is a bit artsy.
But you brought me sad news, it seems the prospects are darker than I thought.
It's strange that this genre seems to have a very different set of rules and hasn't presented a great deal of innovation in the last decades.
Not a different set of rules but a different market. Few people are
interested in wildlife/nature docs at all and only those with major
backing of a studio, network or cable station have much of a shot
at finding that very limited audience.
You're a fan - what independently produced wildlife/nature docs
have you seen and liked? Not the studio stuff like "Planet Earth",
"Nature" or "Life".
interested in wildlife/nature docs at all and only those with major
backing of a studio, network or cable station have much of a shot
at finding that very limited audience.
You're a fan - what independently produced wildlife/nature docs
have you seen and liked? Not the studio stuff like "Planet Earth",
"Nature" or "Life".
Does it? Is there a need? It seems as you, a maker of indie
wildlife docs, have never seen one and have never even thought
about indie wildlife docs. I wonder if that means that the general
public isn't really looking for indie wildlife docs. Frankly they
barely watch the big budget, studio or network produced wildlife
docs.
Anyway, I wish you the best and I hope you find your market.
And I look forward to hearing about your research. There must
be some out there. I know there are "activist" indie nature
docs focusing on the environment but I, too, have never seen
or head of an indie wildlife doc.
wildlife docs, have never seen one and have never even thought
about indie wildlife docs. I wonder if that means that the general
public isn't really looking for indie wildlife docs. Frankly they
barely watch the big budget, studio or network produced wildlife
docs.
Anyway, I wish you the best and I hope you find your market.
And I look forward to hearing about your research. There must
be some out there. I know there are "activist" indie nature
docs focusing on the environment but I, too, have never seen
or head of an indie wildlife doc.
Well, you're right, the audience for wildlife is not crying for new perspectives on wildlife docs. In fact this audience is perhaps very broad and without a strong interest in the subject, I guess it's a casual audience.
The last time I saw something different in this genre was "The march of emperor" and that was a big hit. Beautifully shot, dramatic, epic, intimist and narrated by the animals... In french
The last time I saw something different in this genre was "The march of emperor" and that was a big hit. Beautifully shot, dramatic, epic, intimist and narrated by the animals... In french
I'm in the middle of a neverending nightmare of making films about whales for a museum and this doc series came as a way of putting out my frustration about what I was doing, through a personal project. So I did not have any special interest about indie wildlife docs, before I talked to you. Now I am madly interested.
It sure was. Produced by the National Geographic Society, the largest
producers of nature and wildlife documentaries, it was called "March
of the Penguins" here in the States.
Of course we saw it in English and it was done with narration by Morgan
Freeman and not narrated by the penguins. I saw the French version
and found it to be a little silly. But, you're right, it was a big hit.
I haven't found any true indie wildlife docs yet. What I found just tries to emulate regular wildlife docs.
I found a festival called Wildscreen, but the submissions are closed and it happens every 2 years. I can't believe an early bird pass costs almost 500£.
I guess this means Indies are not welcome?
I think I want to give it a try and go there. After all, if I am not able to make some kind of money with this series, I won't be able to dedicate so much effort into something like this series again. It wasn't that fun to edit over 1200 hours of footage.
My idea is to get some postcards, a tablet with the films, dvd's, a t-shirt, bring a friend to help, don't think about money and have some fun. I just wish I had some decent reviews or festival admissions to back me up.
I found a festival called Wildscreen, but the submissions are closed and it happens every 2 years. I can't believe an early bird pass costs almost 500£.
I guess this means Indies are not welcome?
I think I want to give it a try and go there. After all, if I am not able to make some kind of money with this series, I won't be able to dedicate so much effort into something like this series again. It wasn't that fun to edit over 1200 hours of footage.
My idea is to get some postcards, a tablet with the films, dvd's, a t-shirt, bring a friend to help, don't think about money and have some fun. I just wish I had some decent reviews or festival admissions to back me up.
Another big hit in the last years was Meerkat manor, which ran for 4 seasons.
In fact, I think my series was very much influenced by the March of the penguins and Meerkat manor.
But I am well aware that my inner "Ed wood", that wants to do everything fast and shouts "Perfect!" at the end of each first take may hinder me from getting somewhere.
In fact, I think my series was very much influenced by the March of the penguins and Meerkat manor.
But I am well aware that my inner "Ed wood", that wants to do everything fast and shouts "Perfect!" at the end of each first take may hinder me from getting somewhere.
I would think a place to start would be fests that say that they're interested in environment-oriented movies.
Out of curiosity, I went to Without A Box right now, clicked on "Niche" festivals, and saw Yosemite Film Festival, which describes itself like this:
It's not exactly what you're looking for, but your project might fit into what THEY are looking for. Just a thought....
Out of curiosity, I went to Without A Box right now, clicked on "Niche" festivals, and saw Yosemite Film Festival, which describes itself like this:
It's not exactly what you're looking for, but your project might fit into what THEY are looking for. Just a thought....
Absolutely. I could list a dozen of TV series and features that were
hits or did very well. None of them independently produced. "Meerkat
Manor" was made by company founded in 1968 and is owned by
Southern Star Entertainment. Before they started shooting they
had a deal (and money) from Animal Planet.
Maybe that should be your path - contact the companies that make
wildlife docs to see if they are interested in buying your series.
By the way, today I am celebrating my first rejection: from the local TV station
I normally work on comission, so this is new to me.
Not a good sign, anyway.
Portugal is going to play against Spain in a couple of hours on the Euro 2012 soccer championship. I hope they don't lose, it would be too much deception in one day
I normally work on comission, so this is new to me.
Not a good sign, anyway.
Portugal is going to play against Spain in a couple of hours on the Euro 2012 soccer championship. I hope they don't lose, it would be too much deception in one day
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