Remember the old game show "Name that Tune?" It was the one where two contestants would bid on how few notes it would take for them to name the title of a famous song. I'd always laugh when some contestant would say "I can name that tune in ONE note," and the emcee would reply, "All right, Sally, name that tune!" I attended a pitch fest with distributors and producers on the panel. The idea was to pitch either a project or completed film in hope of getting one of the panel members interested enough in your project to fund or purchase it. I was able to see one of the features that was being pitched and knew two other filmmakers and wanted to observe their pitches. It's always good to listen and learn.
A filmmaker who made a wonderful faith based film (not going to tell the title to protect identity) was first up. I viewed his film online and although there were a few minor flaws (which happens in low budget film making) the acting was good, production value good, music original, and story line watchable. This was a good feature length film worth distributing. The filmmaker's selling point during his pitch was that he made the film for only five thousand dollars. I immediately thought of the game show. Why would a filmmaker tell anyone how much he made his film for? Proud of making the film for no money are you? What about the people that helped you make the film? Isn't there a value on friendship and favors? It's called soft money, or goods and services and all part of the budgeting process.
I saw the credits of his film and there were quite a few actors and crew members that made his vision possible. There should be a value on their services even though you didn't pay for them. Think!!! Why would a distributor pay you fifty thousand if he knew you made the film for five? The lesson here is when you are in prep and working out your budget write EVERYTHING down. What crew are you using, what equipment do you need, where are you going to shoot? Put a value on it. Mike is my camera guy because he owns a camera and he will work for free. Great! Put a value on Mike and on his camera rental. We didn't use a dolly, we used a wheelchair or Mom let me use their house and pool to make the film. Who cares? It's what's on the screen that counts. Put a value on it.
I worked for director Paul Leder in the 80's & 90's and we made a film entitled "The 11th Commandment" (1987 - aka Body Count). At a screening of the film at the American Film Market, Paul was approached by Jonathan D. Krane. This is the same Jonathan D. Krane that produced several successful John Travolta films. He owned and operated a distribution company in the 80's called Manson International (which eventually became MCEG) and he was at the screening of "The 11th Commandment." He asked Paul what he made the film for and Paul replied "What do you think?" JK said $500K and Paul replied, "You're good." Krane offered $350K and a good percentage on the back end. Paul took the deal. We made the film for $125K with another $125K in deferred costs (the costs that goes to the people that worked for practically nothing!). Paul still had enough profit to start the process all over again. P.S. we never saw a dime on the back end.
I guess what I'm trying to tell filmmakers just getting out of film school is, the pride you show in knowing that you made a good film for practically nothing should be kept to yourself. If you need to brag about yourself use the term "Cost vs. Production value." Saying you made your film for five thousand dollars isn't going to get your film sold but a cost ratio of 20 to 1 will keep everyone thinking, "Nice film, wonder what his budget was?" Try it, you'll like the results.
One last thing as a follow up to last week's post, I am starting to understand the meaning of the word "following." The more followers you have the more value is placed on what you are saying or doing. Think of what Senator McCarthy could have accomplished if he had social media to out communists within the Hollywood circle. Are today's outed sex offenders the Communists of today? Should art suffer because of the misdeeds of the artist? It's getting to the point that I don't look forward to the Hollywood trade papers. Don't want to get back on that tangent again (for Travis' sake) but I saw "Wonder Wheel" the other day and Kate Winslet was marvelous. Oscar worthy, as was Woody Allen's direction and script. I can't believe that at eighty-one he still can tell a great cinematic story and elicit great performances from his ensemble. I can only hope that I am able to dress myself at eighty-one. Go see the film and share your thoughts in the comments section.
This is my last column before Christmas and I want to wish everyone Season's Greetings. Be well, be safe and most of all be thankful for what we have and for those that help to make our dreams come true. Merry Christmas!
Bob
Bob Cook
Film Director
B.C. Entertainment Group, Inc.
Showing posts with label Film distribution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Film distribution. Show all posts
Monday, December 18, 2017
Monday, November 20, 2017
A Funny Thing Happened on the way to AFM....
On November 1-8, 2017, I attended the American Film Market in Santa Monica, California. It was the 19th time I attended and saw many survivors from the video days. The main focus was AFM is expensive but yet we survive. How?
"Keeping up with the times" was the most consistent response. During a seminar about streaming I was reassured about something I have been preaching at my film festival for over a decade. Don't post or stream your film unless it's a last resort. The first thing a distributor asks (after if it's financed or completed) is how many followers do you have? Promising those that put up money via crowd funding doesn't count. This is especially true if you already promised them a copy of the film as part of their donation reward. Better to promise them a still or poster of the film and have them download the film at a price when a distributor makes it available.
But why should I share that revenue with a distributor when I can do it myself? Good point but the answer is that a distributor has the means to get your film a larger reach of viewers. If you have a large following it gives you leverage when making a deal. Having three hundred benefactors isn't a large following but having a leading performer with four million followers on social media is!
Netflix is very picky when selecting a film for distribution. They also have a process and distributors with a track record for providing films to Netflix helps. It doesn't guarantee anything but it's a foot in the door and if your film holds up and is in the genre they need, you have a shot. Netflix distributes 25% of the streaming content and your film, if selected, would have a two year play. If your film doesn't stream well then it's replaced. Sound familiar? Back in the video (Mom & Pop) days if your film didn't rent it was placed in the "Previously Viewed" bin and sold off to make room on the shelf. Same principal holds here.
Hulu holds the same principal but accounts for 35% and Amazon pretty much takes anything that you can download with a few exceptions. They account for 85%. So telling your investors that you can guarantee them distribution via Amazon doesn't quite mean a return on their dollar. Having a distributor placing your film in top of the line Video on Demand companies, means they will invest in a marketing strategy and promote you film. Estimates from Netflix and Hulu hold more weight. This means it's better to be rejected by several sources before you cut bait and self-distribute on Amazon.
Yes there is an Amazon Prime Access but they are currently figuring out how to distribute via VOD. Hulu and Amazon use to have venues where you could post your films and they would show commercials during your screening. The filmmaker would receive a portion of the advertising. This isn't something they thought was lucrative enough for the providers and they have gone to monthly fees. Competition is strong which means supply and demand is needed. Just like in the VHS days, if you have a film with a track record you have an excellent chance of getting distribution.
Now that I have put my days as a Festival Director behind me, I can concentrate more on being a filmmaker. I also want to help as many young filmmakers as possible as I journey back into the Hollywood "Rat Race". Why just learn from your mistakes when you can learn from mine? I will be writing a weekly blog providing filmmakers with information helpful to producing and distributing your products. In January 2018, we will begin covering information as you, the filmmaker, request. Simply ask a question and I will research your answer and make it part of another blog. This is how we can help each other continue to survive in this ever changing world of film making.
See you at the movies!
Bob Cook
President
B.C. Entertainment Group, Inc.
"Keeping up with the times" was the most consistent response. During a seminar about streaming I was reassured about something I have been preaching at my film festival for over a decade. Don't post or stream your film unless it's a last resort. The first thing a distributor asks (after if it's financed or completed) is how many followers do you have? Promising those that put up money via crowd funding doesn't count. This is especially true if you already promised them a copy of the film as part of their donation reward. Better to promise them a still or poster of the film and have them download the film at a price when a distributor makes it available.
But why should I share that revenue with a distributor when I can do it myself? Good point but the answer is that a distributor has the means to get your film a larger reach of viewers. If you have a large following it gives you leverage when making a deal. Having three hundred benefactors isn't a large following but having a leading performer with four million followers on social media is!
Netflix is very picky when selecting a film for distribution. They also have a process and distributors with a track record for providing films to Netflix helps. It doesn't guarantee anything but it's a foot in the door and if your film holds up and is in the genre they need, you have a shot. Netflix distributes 25% of the streaming content and your film, if selected, would have a two year play. If your film doesn't stream well then it's replaced. Sound familiar? Back in the video (Mom & Pop) days if your film didn't rent it was placed in the "Previously Viewed" bin and sold off to make room on the shelf. Same principal holds here.
Hulu holds the same principal but accounts for 35% and Amazon pretty much takes anything that you can download with a few exceptions. They account for 85%. So telling your investors that you can guarantee them distribution via Amazon doesn't quite mean a return on their dollar. Having a distributor placing your film in top of the line Video on Demand companies, means they will invest in a marketing strategy and promote you film. Estimates from Netflix and Hulu hold more weight. This means it's better to be rejected by several sources before you cut bait and self-distribute on Amazon.
Yes there is an Amazon Prime Access but they are currently figuring out how to distribute via VOD. Hulu and Amazon use to have venues where you could post your films and they would show commercials during your screening. The filmmaker would receive a portion of the advertising. This isn't something they thought was lucrative enough for the providers and they have gone to monthly fees. Competition is strong which means supply and demand is needed. Just like in the VHS days, if you have a film with a track record you have an excellent chance of getting distribution.
Now that I have put my days as a Festival Director behind me, I can concentrate more on being a filmmaker. I also want to help as many young filmmakers as possible as I journey back into the Hollywood "Rat Race". Why just learn from your mistakes when you can learn from mine? I will be writing a weekly blog providing filmmakers with information helpful to producing and distributing your products. In January 2018, we will begin covering information as you, the filmmaker, request. Simply ask a question and I will research your answer and make it part of another blog. This is how we can help each other continue to survive in this ever changing world of film making.
See you at the movies!
Bob Cook
President
B.C. Entertainment Group, Inc.
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