"schism" feature length film (DVX100a)

DVDFuture.com review

DVDFuture.com review

hello everyone and thank you much for checking in...

im going to be posting more frequently here later in the week. sharing how we're handling promotion, specifically, and some other current stuff as well as answering some recent questions/comments from this thread.

until then we just got another review:

""Schism" is a touchingly tragic, poignant and moving tale that's likely to stay with you, and perhaps spark some debate, long after the credits roll. This is one film with a very loud voice, and it's begging to be seen." -- DVDFuture.com (full review here)

reviews have been great, the reactions at our two edinboro university screenings were awesome...film festivals - where the heck are you?! lol more soon...
 
promotional packets - INTRO and the reality of film festivals

promotional packets - INTRO and the reality of film festivals

So I've started to put together these promotional packets now when submitting the movie to festivals, organizations, connections, etc. The whole point is to make the movie stand out from the heap. I call them "ass kiss packs". The sad fact I'm realizing is that even if you have the most amazing movie ever made, a lot of places you're sending it out to (even if you're essentially paying them to watch the movie!) if you don't have stars either in front of or behind the camera, or know a programmer, your movie may never be seen. check out this bit if info from an interview IndieClub.com just ran with the director of Action on Film:


"Throughout the last decade, the festival landscape has been changing – in a big way. Festivals such as Sundance, SXSW, and Toronto have evolved into film market showcases that primarily show films with sizeable budgets and major celebrities. These films qualify as “indie” due to the fact that they are made by the “independent arm” of a major studio or they use alternative funding (e.g. private equity). Often the budgets of these “indie” movies are upwards of 30 Million dollars. With the exception of foreign films and documentaries, the dramatic features almost always have major celebs attached as actors or often producers/directors."


"The majority of a big festival’s lineup is negotiated behind-the-scenes by film reps… And those blind submissions? Sorry. The unfortunate truth is that many of those films are not even looked at, especially if they aren’t sent in time to make the early bird deadline. This fact has been confirmed by a personal contact that is high up in the Submissions Dept. at a major festival. Many films are actually put into the filing cabinet unwatched (But of course, they first remember to remove the $50 check from the application)." To read their entire interview click here.


I know there's more than a little bit of naivety on my part to assume these mammoth fests are at least going to watch my $6000 feature film with no name actors, but seeing this in print from someone who knows the system really makes it crystal clear.

We, as TRUE independent filmmakers, need to submit super early and make ourselves stand out if we want a big fest to even give us a glance. Or we need to figure something else out, without them. A lot of us at DVXUser have been coming up with alternatives over the years with varying success.

For "schism", my first feature, I made a very personal film that I'm extremely happy with and I want to shoot for the stars with it. But I've been pissing away a lot of money sending rough cuts and late submissions in to big fests and probably some of you have too.

In my next post I'll cover how I'm trying to stand out and get my movie seen.
 
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promotional packets - CONTENTS (1)

promotional packets - CONTENTS (1)

THE MOVIE DVD --

For me there's no more sending out just a DVD and a check to _________ Film Festival or the guy that went to my high school that works at _________ in LA. And in my case no more of sending out DVD's written in Sharpie marker either.

First of all, once I reached my current "final" cut of "schism", I dropped some $ on getting 1000 pro-made promotional DVD's made up in cases. These are movie-only versions. No extras here - I'll do the movie up properly down the line when it's for sale.

I exported the film at the highest possible A/V quality I could fit on a single DL disc.

The art on the front is simple, and consistent with the mysterious and fractured look we want, but on the back I put a big quote from Chuck Palahniuk (the most recognizable name that gave us a blurb at this point) and contact information, as well as the usual stuff. I even got a bar code in case it totally backfires and I need to start retailing these.

Wrap
schismwrapproof.jpg


Disc
schismdiscproof.jpg
 
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promotional packets - CONTENTS (2)

promotional packets - CONTENTS (2)

THE REST --

(1) business card
(1) full color statistics and quotes page
(2) full reviews
(1) cd press kit
(3) full color high quality stills 8 1/2 x 11
(1) full color high quality behind the scenes photo 8 1/2 x 11
(1) director's filmography/awards with my mug in color

I'll show some pics later of these if you'd like, I gotta run now...

in the meantime, what do you guys think about the film festival system nowadays? how are you getting your stuff out there (other than on DVXuser)? share some strategies if you don't mind.
 
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Well, I wanted to bump this thread up for those who haven't seen it... John did an awesome job walking us through the production process of his feature...

John just sent me a pre-release copy of the film, and I'm anxious to take a look!

How is it faring in the fests thus far John?
 
Yea, this is a great thread that deserves more attention.

Im looking forward to some more updates John...The dvd cases and discs look great btw.
 
hello schism thread,

i missed you.

got some PM's recently from abalex, he wants to see more press kit and shot list info. i will gather and return soon. in the meantime, yes, certain dvxusers (mainly fellow old-timers) have been sent out pre-screeners of the movie to get their feedbacks, so hopefully we will get some of that in here too.

stay tuned!
 
John,

Started watching Schism last night but was getting tired and didn't want that to mess with the enjoyability of the film so I stopped watching. I'm about 26 minutes in. I'll watch the rest tonight.
 
Bravo!

Bravo!

John... you have done something many just talk about, you went out, and for no-budget put together a feature film...

And I just finished watching that film, and I must say, it was very thought provoking... I felt it was a very personal film for you, and it shines through... I know this will do well in the festival circuit... it's a film made with a lot of heart, and it has some very thought provoking stuff in it... made me think...

Also, hats off to whoever did the score (can't remember the name sorry) but it fit extremely well....

and if you would ever want a cool quote for your promotional stuff...

Bravo! Schism is a movie made with more heart than any film I've seen this year!
 
Brandon's review

Brandon's review

Brandon Rice said:
And I just finished watching that film, and I must say, it was very thought provoking... I felt it was a very personal film for you, and it shines through... I know this will do well in the festival circuit... it's a film made with a lot of heart, and it has some very thought provoking stuff in it... made me think...
Click to expand...

Of course thanks for the comments Brandon and for checking it out. When you typed earlier today that you started watching it last night and you were tired and you didnt finish it, to be honest i was like "oh man come on - its a slow-building movie that takes place in a nursing home - give me a little better chance here! get some sleep first!" LOL

Sometimes the film does move slow, I let some scenes hang around on purpose, but I wanted the viewer to get that feeling of the process of entering that world and oftentimes the monotony of life in a nursing home. We didn't show the entire admissions process of course but I wanted to try and convey the feel a new resident has when taken out of the world they've known for so long. It was a tough balance to keep, and get the point across, but then keep moving. Hopefully the characters are interesting enough and the viewer connects with Neil early on and it all makes sense.

About your PM about Neil's family:

I didn't want to show too too much with the family - the goal was always to keep the focus on Neil. It's sad but believe it or not, after interviewing and visiting many nursing facilities in preparation for filming and writing, it happens a lot that families don't visit very often. I didn't want to show them as bad characters, just realistic in today's society (in general). I wanted to show them as busy people - hopefully that too will connect with some viewers and provoke some thought and reflection. My hope is a lot of the movie does that.

Brandon Rice said:
Also, hats off to whoever did the score (can't remember the name sorry) but it fit extremely well....
Click to expand...

Andy Flatley, formerly Andi Wondersound (who did my scores for Hunting Camp and BOGO which were the shorts I did previous to "schism"). He's great, and while I am really no good at telling him specifically what I want - he always seems to know and make me happy. Filming scoring baffles me, I'm really lucky to have Andy around to step things up that big notch.

The reminds me that you also PM'd me about your thoughts on the ending, I'll PM you about that since no one's seen it yet. Send me more here though if you think of stuff or these responses bring about more critique. Can you tell I'm aching to talk about the movie!?
 
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"schism" Press Kit

"schism" Press Kit

OK, so here is generally what a "schism" press kit is comprised of:

presskit01.jpg


I keep the finished project stuff to one side and the behind the scenes/filmmaker stuff on the other. I also try and print out in color as much as I can. I'll be lucky if I get someone to read a review or an article, so I just do those B&W. These particular folders I found are only 99 cents, strong plastic, and have a spot for biz card and disc. And here's how it all snuggly fits together:

presskit02.jpg


And then I shrink wrap the folder nice and tightly.

*Unfortunately Staples is out of the folders I usually buy, they have a clear-ish cover material which works well because then I place a still from the movie facing outward so you can see an image on the cover.

The EPK on the disc (CD) itself is 60+ MB zipped, I figured you guys probably didn't want to check that all out (let me know if you do, I can always post the link to it from the movie's site), but this is essentially how it's organized on disc:

presskitfolder.jpg


Questions? Comments?
 
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Guelcher Film Series

Guelcher Film Series

OK, so just wanted to pop in that we've been selected for the Guelcher Film Series!!! This series takes place on the Mercyhurst College campus.

"Schism" will play on Wednesday November 5th at 2 and 8PM. We are working on maybe doing a panel at the later screening. I will post the whole schedule and more details once it's online.
 
Great news congrats i hope all goes well for your screenings.... If you get into any festivals in Arizona i will def be the first in line to see schism.
 
I would love to purchase a dvd when they come available! From what I have seen you have taken a little and made lot. Your stills look awesome. I can't wait!
 
schism MySpace contest #1

schism MySpace contest #1

Completely forgot to post this here...

Over at our MySpace page for the movie we are doing our first contest. Our 500th friend gets a free promo dvd of the movie.

http://www.myspace.com/schismthemovie

If you're already our friend we're going to be doing more contests in the coming months...
 
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