I may use self distribution to distribute my film.
Self distribution is the process of distributing your film on your own.
For explaining self-distribution, I have decided to make a podcast:
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Wandering Rose/Demon Baby
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Coz Greenop, self-financed and self-produced his directorial horror genre debut, 'Wandering Rose'. It was filmed in Scotland, following an offer of assistance from Scottish agencies and failure to get such co-operation from Yorkshire agencies. It was shot in just 12 days and produced for £30k. He decided to take a financial gamble of putting his film in the Cannes Film Festival (highly prestigious). Along with this, he arranged a London screening. From doing this he got distributor deals for DVD and VoD releases. But, the US distributor decided to change the film's name to 'Demon Baby'. ...
'Wandering Rose'/'Demon Baby' Trailer:
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Advantages of Self-Distribution:
1. I would have full control over the rights of my film and choose where I want it to be exhibited as well.
2. I wouldn't have to give any of the money I get from the sales of the film to my film distributor.
Disadvantages of Self-Distribution:
1. It could be very time consuming due to extra work and would take time away from working on other aspects of the film.
2. I would need to be trained legally so I could be sure that the distribution rights that I am signing would not prevent me from exhibiting my film somewhere else.
Warp, when self distributing their film 'Le Donk and Scor-zay-zee' came up with good marketing ideas, for example creating downloadable Christmas cards and they collapsed the cinema release window as they promoted a fake cinematic release campaign to advertise the DVD realise by getting interviews. This is proof that even if you are self distributing, unusual ideas can work massively in your favour. But as I have minimal funding (micro budget) there is limited chance that I would get distribution. A good example of self distribution is Hinterland by Harry Macqueen in 2015 and Warp's All Tomorrow's Parties which was funded by the crowd. The before mentioned all have VoD releases. 'Le Donk and Scor-zay-zee' cleverly faked a cinematic release to create buzz. Many use this technique of touring the director along side the Q and A events. This marketing technique was used for the films Four Lions, Demon Baby and Hinterland. This was key in creating the buzz that helped Four Lions receive an extended distribution following their unexpected high box office.
How to self-distribute your film
I did some research into self-distribution and I found a guide to self distribution on the New York Film Academy's website.
1. Get Attention
While streaming and video-on-demand are growing in popularity, booking movie theaters is still vital for most unseen movies to get seen. If you haven’t picked up a distributor after major festival screenings, it’s probably up to you. Your first goal should be to find a talented graphic artist who shares your vision. Make art—posters, flyers, etc.—for your film that catches the eye while also conveying its tone or mood or theme. You’ll also need a skilled editor to craft a movie trailer that will get your movie noticed. Art and trailers aren’t just necessary for social media or buzz, they will also grab attention in theater lobbies and as windows to your film on streaming websites. Most importantly though, they’ll help you raise money.
Advantages of Self-Distribution:
1. I would have full control over the rights of my film and choose where I want it to be exhibited as well.
2. I wouldn't have to give any of the money I get from the sales of the film to my film distributor.
Disadvantages of Self-Distribution:
1. It could be very time consuming due to extra work and would take time away from working on other aspects of the film.
2. I would need to be trained legally so I could be sure that the distribution rights that I am signing would not prevent me from exhibiting my film somewhere else.
Film Examples that used Self-Distribution
Warp, when self distributing their film 'Le Donk and Scor-zay-zee' came up with good marketing ideas, for example creating downloadable Christmas cards and also they collapsed the cinema release window as they promoted a fake cinematic release (trailer) campaign to advertise the DVD release by getting reviews.
Warp, when self distributing their film 'Le Donk and Scor-zay-zee' came up with good marketing ideas, for example creating downloadable Christmas cards and also they collapsed the cinema release window as they promoted a fake cinematic release (trailer) campaign to advertise the DVD release by getting reviews.
Another good example of self distribution is Hinterland by Harry Macqueen (2015). Harry Macqueen rented a cinema primarily in the hope that the screening would attract a newspaper review (four-walling). All the films that have been mentioned all have VoD releases too.
Le Donk and Scor-Zay-Zee
For the films Four Lions, Demon Baby and Hinterland, the marketing technique of touring the director alongside the Q and A events was used. This was key in creating the buzz that helped Four Lions receive an extended distribution following their unexpected high box office.
The films Halloween and Paranormal Activity were also self-distributed.
Warp, when self distributing their film 'Le Donk and Scor-zay-zee' came up with good marketing ideas, for example creating downloadable Christmas cards and they collapsed the cinema release window as they promoted a fake cinematic release campaign to advertise the DVD realise by getting interviews. This is proof that even if you are self distributing, unusual ideas can work massively in your favour. But as I have minimal funding (micro budget) there is limited chance that I would get distribution. A good example of self distribution is Hinterland by Harry Macqueen in 2015 and Warp's All Tomorrow's Parties which was funded by the crowd. The before mentioned all have VoD releases. 'Le Donk and Scor-zay-zee' cleverly faked a cinematic release to create buzz. Many use this technique of touring the director along side the Q and A events. This marketing technique was used for the films Four Lions, Demon Baby and Hinterland. This was key in creating the buzz that helped Four Lions receive an extended distribution following their unexpected high box office.
How to self-distribute your film
I did some research into self-distribution and I found a guide to self distribution on the New York Film Academy's website.
1. Get Attention
While streaming and video-on-demand are growing in popularity, booking movie theaters is still vital for most unseen movies to get seen. If you haven’t picked up a distributor after major festival screenings, it’s probably up to you. Your first goal should be to find a talented graphic artist who shares your vision. Make art—posters, flyers, etc.—for your film that catches the eye while also conveying its tone or mood or theme. You’ll also need a skilled editor to craft a movie trailer that will get your movie noticed. Art and trailers aren’t just necessary for social media or buzz, they will also grab attention in theater lobbies and as windows to your film on streaming websites. Most importantly though, they’ll help you raise money.
2. Get Money
Distribution is more expensive than you would probably guess, and depending on your production’s budget, could actually cost more than it did to make the movie. Renting theaters and paying for prints and ad materials rack up big costs. You may also find the need to hire assistance even if you’re distributing on your own. Use platforms like Kickstarter and more traditional grassroots campaigns to raise initial startup cash. Use your sweet trailer and posters to make people want to get involved. Find those interested in what you have to say or patrons of the arts or wealthier citizens who would like to see their name in the credits!
3. Get Ads
You’ve got the art and you’ve got the money to make prints so it’s time to get the word out. Theaters want ad materials well in advance because if people aren’t seeing your movie, it’s costing them money too. Ideally you could keep them in good shape and reuse them if you’re moving from city to city, but it’s hard to keep perishable material safe in the hands of strangers. You’ll probably just have to pay for more copies, so be prepared. And remember to get them early.
4. Get Social
Social media is the best way to gain buzz around your film. Use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram—anything you can get your hands on that will get your story to the masses. Share your trailer and your cool poster. Post photos from the set or from your tour or time at festivals. Post your thoughts, even if unrelated to the film, just to keep your name and the name of your project in the air. Also, use your networks to find your audience. What cities or types of people seem to gravitate towards your project? When you self-distribute your distribution is limited—that makes efficient targeting very important.
5. Set Good Dates
Choosing the right release dates for your theatrical and online releases are key. You want to avoid the Fall and early Winter because the films with awards season buzz are already hogging the spotlight. You’ll also want to avoid sharing dates with major releases that are going to suck up all the audience, or, conversely, release concurrently with a film you think will turn off your potential audience so they’ll see yours instead. Counter-programming is a vital tactic used by distributors—if everyone is seeing the new sci-fi blockbuster, your low key drama would make a great alternative. And don’t forget to think small. If you’re doing one- or two-time screenings, choose Mondays and Tuesdays, days when an audience isn’t likely to be doing something else.
6. Go On Tour
Touring with your film may seem old school—it was originally done to save money on costly film prints, and has fallen out of fashion as digital prints have made distribution cheaper. But it’s a great way to focus resources and meet your audience in person, forging a stronger connection. Use social media and your art to keep locals in the know and go city-by-city, staggering your dates while building word of mouth.
7. Do Q&As
If you’re touring with your film, don’t just make it a series of run-of-the-mill screenings. Organize a Q&A, talking to your audience after the screening. Guest speakers make screenings more exciting and give people more incentive to come out and see it. You can also engage better with your audience and learn from them, increasing your buzz as well as teaching you how to better target a larger crowd.
8. Stream
Once you feel your theatrical run has run its course, you should get your film online to stream. You can also make home video releases on DVD and Blu-Ray, though the format is quickly falling out of fashion. Distributing online later in the game is smart because it prevents potential piracy and forces people to come out to the theaters to see your film first. However, once you do go online, you’ll reach a much, much larger audience, especially considering all those who wanted to see your film but weren’t in the cities of your release. You can post on sites like YouTube, which isn’t as discriminating as companies like Netflix or Amazon, though it may give your film a less “professional” demeanor. But it’s a start.
9. Team Up
If you can’t make headway with the big companies like Netflix and Amazon, there are interesting and innovative organizations and companies you might have better luck with. Groups like Indieflix and Createspace back your film with screenings and streaming and help raise awareness of your project. Some, like Indieflix, have models that allow you to get paid for each minute your film is streamed. For self-distributors, organizations like these are becoming a must.
10. Be Prepared to Work
If all this sounds like a lot of work, it’s because it is. You may be physically and emotionally drained after finally getting your project on film or video, but if you’re going to distribute yourself you have to prepare for a great deal more effort. There’s a reason those with cash will pay someone else to do it for them. But if you’re an artist with no other choice, you’ll have to muscle through it. It’s not all bad though—self-distribution allows you to connect with your audience in a way many filmmakers never get to. And what’s making art and movies if not an attempt to connect?
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