Indie Film Financing and Movie Distribution - Dancing
Independent film financing and movie distribution reminds of what it feels like dancing naked on stage (much respect for exotic dancers at Larry Flynt's Hustler Club!). You show up to pitch your movie project and must be able to dance to the music of a film investor. Is your stage and not yours as an independent filmmaker seeking film funding. They want you to make a film that attracts sealable film distributors so the production can make money.
Most investors I have met with are not interested in putting hard money independent art films because they are difficult to sell and buyers of films abroad are usually not interested in them. The dialogue and scenes from some type of art films and do not translate well to foreign buyers and movie viewers. Action, horror and the skin does not need subtitles for people who follow the story is what I have been told by dealers. Talking head films may not make sense to viewers who do not understand the subtle lines spoken in a foreign language.
Independent film financing continues to change as indie film distribution becomes more economically unstable. The place is hitting independent film producers is harder right at the source - film financing. Investors film right now do not feel excited about putting money into films that do not have bankable actors names. This calls not like independent films that have a list of actors-or produced by millions of dollars. The types of projects indie film passion you can do once you've done in the entertainment world level study.
Investors independent film and film distributors do not expect you to have an A-list actor, but do not want the producers have actors (B-list or C-list or D-list) with some name recognition or celebrity. The first question film investors and distributors of films are made is that the plaster. This is where most indie filmmakers is blown out of the water, as they have a cast of unknown actors. There is a glut of independent films that are made because technology has made it more affordable to make movies.
The positive side is that independent films are becoming entertainment that would not otherwise have seen the light of day before. The downside is meaningful movie distribution (charge) for indie films produced continues to decline as independent films being made increases (supply and demand of 101). I talked to a film distributor that caters to the release of independent films and was told that film received new proposals every day.
They were honest saying they get very sellable movies and those who are less attractive, but with so many movies out there that do not offer the most money producers advance against royalties of cinema, pay a cash lump sum "buy -out "to secure distribution rights. Your point of view is more independent filmmakers are happy seeing his film released. The term they used was "glorified showreel" for an independent filmmaker to show they can make a feature film. So, acquire many of their movie releases without having to pay an advance or supply agreement "buy-out".
No benefit from a movie not make financial sense for investors who expect to see film that made money. When people put the money to produce a movie they want a return on their investment. Otherwise, no longer a film investment. It becomes a film grant money they are giving away without expectation. I've been in the "dog and pony show" meeting with potential investors circuit film and learn valuable lessons.
I am in the habit now of talking to independent film distributors before writing a script to see what kind of films are selling and what the actors or celebrity names attached to a project's potential appeal to them. This is not like chasing trends, it offers producers a clearer picture of the climate of independent film sales. Sometimes dealers will give me a short list of actors or celebrities to consider that fit a budget independent film. Sales outside the U.S. film is that it makes a bulk of the money for independent filmmakers.
Distributors and sales agents films may say what the actors and celebrity talent translate to sales of foreign films in the indie field. These names are not A-list, but having someone with some kind of name is a big selling point to help your other outstanding film. Brief cameos of famous actors or celebrities who used to be a good way to keep talent costs down and add a name to its cast bankable.
That has changed lately in my conversations with the distribution companies. Film distributors expect any talent now has a name assigned to a significant portion of the movie instead of a few minutes in a cameo. Cameo scenes can work if there is a visual hook that draws the viewers attention somehow. But they had the name of talent say a couple of lines without special hook will not fly anymore.
Another way to make an independent film in need of funding more attractive to investors is to unite the talent that has been in a movie or TV show of note. Your name as an actor might not be as well known yet, but rising stars that have appeared in the popular movie or TV show can give the film broader appeal. If they throw in a supporting role to keep day on set work to a minimum to save your budget. Try writing her scenes so they can be taken in one or two days.
When you are throwing a serious film investors will want to be with a detailed budget and film distribution plan how you will make money from movie premiere. The Catch-22, which often happens is that most film distributors that cater to independent film release is not committed to any agreement until they have screened the film.
There is a distribution function and with studio budget movies. Investors film that are not traditionally part of the entertainment industry can be turned off when a producer has no existing distribution agreement. They do not understand the Catch-22 of filmmaking and independent distribution. This is where a film producer who really have to have a solid step explaining the financial dynamics of indie film distribution.
Most investors will go on wild film financing an indie film producer free distribution mentioned in it. From the business perspective of an investor movie that takes all too long for an indie film to make money is on the path to self-distribution. It's like the old school of the sale of the film from the trunk of his car in places, but now is done online with digital distribution and direct selling through a blog. That's a long grind that most investors will not be interested in waiting. Move a unit of a film at a time is too slow drip for investors.
One possible way around the Catch-22 is to film distributors while you are pitching to investors film. With a firm budget number attached any distribution can be measured to see if there is a significant interest in the film distribution. It is always possible a dealer will tell you that they would provide an advance or treatment "buy-out". Usually not give you a hard number, but even a ballpark figure of what they could offer lets you know if your budget makes financial sense to approach with film investors.
I know an independent film production company that makes 4-6 movies a year with budgets very reasonable and know that you are making a profit from the money advance only. Royalty payments are a bonus movie. The producer kept very affordable and efficient budgets at all stages of production. Once you have a history with a distribution company who knows what they can expect to pay. Then you can offer investors a movie percent of their money invested in the production that makes sense.
Social networking with other independent filmmakers lets you hear what is happening with the film distribution from actual experiences of others. A cool thing I've been hearing is that there is no film investors put money to make the film that will be self-distributed, but will roll the dice on a property to be specific film festivals. It is the art house film festivals. Those who are very specific genre, such as horror movies or action. As Screamfest Horror Film Festival or action in the film (AOF). Film buyers attending these events and significant distribution deals are made.
Independent film financing and distribution of films are the areas of the entertainment industry all filmmakers will have to face and learn from each experience. I was on the bench today launching a film investor. I simplified the budget as much as possible without losing steam plot.
The jam I'm a producer is that there are fixed costs that can not be avoided, which include plenty of gunplay, including two bad shots where you shoot gear and blowing back at his feet. Badass action films need experienced crews and seasoned to pull-off the hardcore action shots were clean and safe. The cast I want to hire has the perfect appeal and name recognition of this independent action film rock audiences. There is nothing to be lost in the translation of this film for foreign film buyers and movie viewers.
What I think is lost in the translation to film potential investor today is if I keep taking crew below-the-line to save money I'm going to have to rewrite the script to take the action scenes. These are the outlets that will hurt sales if they are written. But it is my job as an independent filmmaker to balance a budget that attracts film investors. Let's see how this goes. This is indie filmmaker Sid Kali typing fade out.
Independent film financing and movie distribution reminds of what it feels like dancing naked on stage (much respect for exotic dancers at Larry Flynt's Hustler Club!). You show up to pitch your movie project and must be able to dance to the music of a film investor. Is your stage and not yours as an independent filmmaker seeking film funding. They want you to make a film that attracts sealable film distributors so the production can make money.
Most investors I have met with are not interested in putting hard money independent art films because they are difficult to sell and buyers of films abroad are usually not interested in them. The dialogue and scenes from some type of art films and do not translate well to foreign buyers and movie viewers. Action, horror and the skin does not need subtitles for people who follow the story is what I have been told by dealers. Talking head films may not make sense to viewers who do not understand the subtle lines spoken in a foreign language.
Independent film financing continues to change as indie film distribution becomes more economically unstable. The place is hitting independent film producers is harder right at the source - film financing. Investors film right now do not feel excited about putting money into films that do not have bankable actors names. This calls not like independent films that have a list of actors-or produced by millions of dollars. The types of projects indie film passion you can do once you've done in the entertainment world level study.
Investors independent film and film distributors do not expect you to have an A-list actor, but do not want the producers have actors (B-list or C-list or D-list) with some name recognition or celebrity. The first question film investors and distributors of films are made is that the plaster. This is where most indie filmmakers is blown out of the water, as they have a cast of unknown actors. There is a glut of independent films that are made because technology has made it more affordable to make movies.
The positive side is that independent films are becoming entertainment that would not otherwise have seen the light of day before. The downside is meaningful movie distribution (charge) for indie films produced continues to decline as independent films being made increases (supply and demand of 101). I talked to a film distributor that caters to the release of independent films and was told that film received new proposals every day.
They were honest saying they get very sellable movies and those who are less attractive, but with so many movies out there that do not offer the most money producers advance against royalties of cinema, pay a cash lump sum "buy -out "to secure distribution rights. Your point of view is more independent filmmakers are happy seeing his film released. The term they used was "glorified showreel" for an independent filmmaker to show they can make a feature film. So, acquire many of their movie releases without having to pay an advance or supply agreement "buy-out".
No benefit from a movie not make financial sense for investors who expect to see film that made money. When people put the money to produce a movie they want a return on their investment. Otherwise, no longer a film investment. It becomes a film grant money they are giving away without expectation. I've been in the "dog and pony show" meeting with potential investors circuit film and learn valuable lessons.
I am in the habit now of talking to independent film distributors before writing a script to see what kind of films are selling and what the actors or celebrity names attached to a project's potential appeal to them. This is not like chasing trends, it offers producers a clearer picture of the climate of independent film sales. Sometimes dealers will give me a short list of actors or celebrities to consider that fit a budget independent film. Sales outside the U.S. film is that it makes a bulk of the money for independent filmmakers.
Distributors and sales agents films may say what the actors and celebrity talent translate to sales of foreign films in the indie field. These names are not A-list, but having someone with some kind of name is a big selling point to help your other outstanding film. Brief cameos of famous actors or celebrities who used to be a good way to keep talent costs down and add a name to its cast bankable.
That has changed lately in my conversations with the distribution companies. Film distributors expect any talent now has a name assigned to a significant portion of the movie instead of a few minutes in a cameo. Cameo scenes can work if there is a visual hook that draws the viewers attention somehow. But they had the name of talent say a couple of lines without special hook will not fly anymore.
Another way to make an independent film in need of funding more attractive to investors is to unite the talent that has been in a movie or TV show of note. Your name as an actor might not be as well known yet, but rising stars that have appeared in the popular movie or TV show can give the film broader appeal. If they throw in a supporting role to keep day on set work to a minimum to save your budget. Try writing her scenes so they can be taken in one or two days.
When you are throwing a serious film investors will want to be with a detailed budget and film distribution plan how you will make money from movie premiere. The Catch-22, which often happens is that most film distributors that cater to independent film release is not committed to any agreement until they have screened the film.
There is a distribution function and with studio budget movies. Investors film that are not traditionally part of the entertainment industry can be turned off when a producer has no existing distribution agreement. They do not understand the Catch-22 of filmmaking and independent distribution. This is where a film producer who really have to have a solid step explaining the financial dynamics of indie film distribution.
Most investors will go on wild film financing an indie film producer free distribution mentioned in it. From the business perspective of an investor movie that takes all too long for an indie film to make money is on the path to self-distribution. It's like the old school of the sale of the film from the trunk of his car in places, but now is done online with digital distribution and direct selling through a blog. That's a long grind that most investors will not be interested in waiting. Move a unit of a film at a time is too slow drip for investors.
One possible way around the Catch-22 is to film distributors while you are pitching to investors film. With a firm budget number attached any distribution can be measured to see if there is a significant interest in the film distribution. It is always possible a dealer will tell you that they would provide an advance or treatment "buy-out". Usually not give you a hard number, but even a ballpark figure of what they could offer lets you know if your budget makes financial sense to approach with film investors.
I know an independent film production company that makes 4-6 movies a year with budgets very reasonable and know that you are making a profit from the money advance only. Royalty payments are a bonus movie. The producer kept very affordable and efficient budgets at all stages of production. Once you have a history with a distribution company who knows what they can expect to pay. Then you can offer investors a movie percent of their money invested in the production that makes sense.
Social networking with other independent filmmakers lets you hear what is happening with the film distribution from actual experiences of others. A cool thing I've been hearing is that there is no film investors put money to make the film that will be self-distributed, but will roll the dice on a property to be specific film festivals. It is the art house film festivals. Those who are very specific genre, such as horror movies or action. As Screamfest Horror Film Festival or action in the film (AOF). Film buyers attending these events and significant distribution deals are made.
Independent film financing and distribution of films are the areas of the entertainment industry all filmmakers will have to face and learn from each experience. I was on the bench today launching a film investor. I simplified the budget as much as possible without losing steam plot.
The jam I'm a producer is that there are fixed costs that can not be avoided, which include plenty of gunplay, including two bad shots where you shoot gear and blowing back at his feet. Badass action films need experienced crews and seasoned to pull-off the hardcore action shots were clean and safe. The cast I want to hire has the perfect appeal and name recognition of this independent action film rock audiences. There is nothing to be lost in the translation of this film for foreign film buyers and movie viewers.
What I think is lost in the translation to film potential investor today is if I keep taking crew below-the-line to save money I'm going to have to rewrite the script to take the action scenes. These are the outlets that will hurt sales if they are written. But it is my job as an independent filmmaker to balance a budget that attracts film investors. Let's see how this goes. This is indie filmmaker Sid Kali typing fade out.
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