An offer for distribution...

C

ctbehrens

New member
I have received an offer for distribution of my no-budget feature "Tiburon" and am not sure if I should take it.

The money is negligible and the first profits go to the producer's rep and distributor - not much, and I'm not really concerned about the money - it's more of the fact that I am not receiving any money up front and the rep and the distributor will be the ones to profit at the outset, yet I am the one who put the BS&T's into the production of this film.

I will be the first to admit that it is not a very good film - I made it by myself(writer, director, actor, editor, etc), but it is a good example of what can be accomplished by a solo filmmaker. The initial intention of this project was my continuing education - the experience of performing each aspect of making a feature length film in order to better understand the synergistic relationships, thus, making myself a more competent writer and director.

I don't expect money - I am just not sure if it's right for someone to profit from my work, when I most likely won't.

It's a superficial ego boost to say I got distribution, but I am not sure there are any real positives to be gained as those in the industry will see it for what it is - a sort of clearing house for mediocre films where the buyers are picking films up for cheap in hopes that the artist's future work will garner attention and allow them to exploit what they bought for next to nothing.

As you can tell, I am weighing the pros and cons of this offer and would appreciate any feedback/input/opinions...

Thanks!

Chris

TIBURON
 
I think it would be rare for a no-name, first time filmmaker to get anything up front (especially now when everyone and their brother is a filmmaker). Has anyone else showed interest in distribution? Do you care if people have the chance to see your film or not? IMO getting distribution is better than not getting distribution (even if it's by a low-rent distribution company). Even if your movie is bad it's still probably better than all the ones that couldn't get distribution at all.

I'm assuming you self-financed the production which makes you an investor (sole investor?) and people who bankroll movies typically don't make their money back since most movies fail to make a profit. The producers of the documentary in my sig will probably never break even (let alone make a profit) which means I'll never see anything from the points that were part of my compensation package but everyone knew that going in. Making the doc was the goal, getting distribution was awesome and if we ever see money from it that will just be icing on the cake.


-Andrew
 
I say jump on it. Distribution offers aren't too common, and it's not like you've been peddling your baby around looking for one. Take advantage of the opportunity and use it to bolster your next deal.
 
If you don't think that having a film in distribution, as "writer, director, actor" has value, then you're just not looking at the big picture.
 
I also think you should go for it, offers can be far and few so it makes sense to take it and move on to next project.


Can I ask you how you found this distribution deal? (or how they found you, your work, etc..?)

Much appreciated!
 
An to be honest, considering you starred in, wrote, directed and edited this film - the trailer was pretty good. Low budget, yes. But I was interested enough.
 
A friend of mine had a guy lined up to put down $300k for his next film (budgeted at $600k). The guy loved the script, the vibe of the director etc... Then the friend mentioned a small film he has done (that was a piece of - you know what). THe investor ordered it online - and was never heard from again.

Bad work that you control can be always silenced, bad work that you can't because you gave away the right for nothing...
 
Nice trailer!

My question is -- do you have permission to show that "Richard III" poster (or whatever it is) on the wall, seen at 00:51 in the trailer?
 
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