Article by Sid Kali
Like many independent filmmakers out there I was disappointed with how the traditional distribution deals for my movies turned out. This is kind of like my Jerry Maguire moment. It’s 6 AM on a Saturday and I’m on my laptop. Making smaller budget movies outside of Hollywood without name stars severely limits your distribution options. 9 out of 10 times it leads to a filmmaker signing a deal with a independent distribution company that doesn’t pay off. You basically sell the rights to your movie for pennies on the dollar. Not to mention your sweat equity and creative energy that goes unrewarded. Bottom-line is most independent filmmakers don’t come close to breaking even with these type of distribution deals. It’s down right frustrating.
After going through this myself I started to rethink if making independent movies was worth it. Then my friend, editor Tim Beachum, who follows tech trends in entertainment told me, “You love to make movies. Don’t stop. Just rethink how to get your movies distributed to viewers.” I watch videos on YouTube, MetaCafe, Dailymotion and other sites. Free content is cool, but independent filmmakers need to earn money from their work like the rest of the world. Free doesn’t pay the bills. Then I started to look into sites that offered movies on demand for a modest fee. I knew that was the best platform to get my movies seen by viewers and hopefully earn a living.
I started to research how different movie on demand sites worked. Netflix “Watch Now” Downloads is revolutionizing the way viewers get their movies. Hollywood dominates the movie on demand market, but independent movies are carving out a their own place. Independent filmmakers no longer have to shoulder the cost of DVD replication and packaging. Some independent distributors charge filmmakers as much as $ 4 for these costs on top of their distribution fees. Offering your movie on demand eliminates that. Not knowing exactly how to jump into the movie on demand market I enlisted the help of respected independent film representative Mark Steven Bosko of The Bosko Group. Great guy. He secured a movie on demand deal for 3 reality videos I produced while I took a break from making movies. The videos are available to viewers on most major cable and satellite outlets. There are no high DVD replication, packaging, and distribution fees. Movies on demand is a digital process. Once your movie is encoded it can be streamed to viewers.
I have to give credit where credit is due. Editor Tim Beachum said, “Why don’t we make short movies for mobile devices?” I started off my career writing short fiction. I love to write and love to make movies. After brainstorming we came up with Americana VOD. An independent media distribution company that offers Video on Demand viewers a wide variety of mobile entertainment choices. Many movies on demand are under 15 minutes making them ideal for viewing on mobile devices, computers, and video game consoles
I was an independent filmmaker used to the traditional way of getting movies distributed. Now I can see that the movie on demand process gives filmmakers a wide audience and a real opportunity to earn money for their hard work. Movies on demand has leveled that playing field. Digital distribution has made it an exciting time to be a filmmaker. It has renewed my creative spirit.
Americana VOD an independent media distribution company that offers Video on Demand viewers a wide variety of mobile entertainment choices. Many movies on demand are under 15 minutes making them ideal for viewing on mobile devices, computers, and video game consoles.
Slice of Americana Films Working To Become Part Of Independent Cinema Lexicon.
Question by Lou: Independent Filmmaking?
I’m in the process of putting together an independent film group (which i plan on turning into a company later on), and am confused on what equipment I would need for an independent movie. It gets a little confusing when there are various people telling you various things. Can you help a guy out? What stuff is the absolute minimum (since im on a small budget)? What stuff is better at the various tasks?
Best answer:
Answer by Jan Alson H
Maybe you should start on a Good quality camera and a microphone. And also a good lighting for the movie. Those stuff might fit yer tight budget. And then try to download some free video editing software for your final touches on yer indie film. Those are the cheapest for a starter. Those stuff can be used in every scene. You shouldn’t sacrifice the camera quality. But the lights and the microphone can be started from a cheap brand.
Add your own answer in the comments!
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Room to Dream: David Lynch and the Independent Filmmaker features original interviews with acclaimed director David Lynch. See and hear how Lynch brings his unique vision to the screen with technologies that are now within easier reach for independent filmmakers. Interspersed with behind-the-scenes footage from a recent project, Lynch muses on the art of filmmaking, offers wisdom to aspiring filmmakers, and shows you the power of today’s tools to give you Room to Dream. ======================================================== Get behind-the-scenes insight into what it takes to make an independent movie—from beginning to end—in producer, co-writer, and Avid marketing manager Tom Graham’s Agent MX-Z3RO blog: community.avid.com ========================================================
Video Rating: 5 / 5
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