FEATURE: DEUCE OF SPADES - How I made a period full feature film all by myself on ZERO budget
- Thread starter Deuceofspades
- Start date
STEproductions
Member
Faith,
This all looks great! I ordered my DVD from the first batch and can't wait to get it. I've been following your story for a while and have a few questions.
Obviously the self distribution route has gone over great for you, and seems to be picking up more and more steam as you go. However, I was curious, does this limit the film's possibility of being accepted into a major festival, or being picked up by a larger distributor later down the line? I'm sure you've done your research on these options, just curious why you chose self distribution over the others, or if what you are doing now would even have a negative effect on the other possible methods.
Congrats on all of your success so far, I can't wait to see where it all goes!
Scott
This all looks great! I ordered my DVD from the first batch and can't wait to get it. I've been following your story for a while and have a few questions.
Obviously the self distribution route has gone over great for you, and seems to be picking up more and more steam as you go. However, I was curious, does this limit the film's possibility of being accepted into a major festival, or being picked up by a larger distributor later down the line? I'm sure you've done your research on these options, just curious why you chose self distribution over the others, or if what you are doing now would even have a negative effect on the other possible methods.
Congrats on all of your success so far, I can't wait to see where it all goes!
Scott
Matt Sconce
Veteran
Faith, I finally watched the DVD tonight. I was waiting for my wife and I to be able to watch it together as I had been telling her about it for a long time now. I was absolutely blown away. What you have accomplished is so amazing. Breathtaking shots, a great story and so powerful...this was a masterpiece. Watching this grow up through your thread has been such an enjoyable process and seeing the result is so fulfilling. You have truly accomplished something so special. Thank you for making this inspirational, incredible movie. I am a definite fan of the Deuce of Spades. -Matt Sconce
Deuceofspades
Veteran
WOW! I am featured filmmaker on the SONY website!! Check out the cool article here:
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/vegaspro/land
Might be the first time old school rods are displayed on a SONY site
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/vegaspro/land
Might be the first time old school rods are displayed on a SONY site
Deuceofspades
Veteran
My situation with this film in unlike any other filmmaker's situation with their film. It seems none of the rules apply and I have to make my own as I go. In only 4 weeks, I have already reached the maximum sales amount an indie film is hoped to have during the entire duration of it's lifespan. According to Film Specific expert Stacey, indie films will sell between 2000 to 5000 copies over the entire life of the film. if you do anything more than that you are an exception to the rule. I just reached in presale 2200 units mark and then in 4 weeks since the release, the 5000 mark. Now we venture into uncharted territories... The adventure continues...
All these DVDs were sold on my online store and through my own independent distribution network. I now have point of sales in most countries so those fans who are not internet savvy can buy from a local dealer. meanwhie online sales have been going crazy: The more people buy the film, the more other people want to buy it, because the word of mouth is amazing, people LOVE the film and get others excited and more orders come in.
Meanwhile I am making all the profits because there are no middleman, and own 100% of my rights. This will insure I recoup my film costs super fast. So far I like that scenario the best
and the only thing that might make me change my mind would be a serious theatrical release offer. I'd be all ears to such offer, should one come my way. Ironically all my DVD buyers would come (and bring their friends) to any theater playing the fim on the big screen, because the film has cult classic stamped all over it. So the DVD sales would actually help support a theatrical release instead of competing with it... As I said, my film does not follow the beaten path, it has a path of its own.Matt, thank you so much for the great feedback. Seems DEUCE OF SPADES has been inspiring both hotrodders and filmmakers alike. nd even everyday people who had given up on their dreams. Cause I proved you can make it if you never give up and work super hard at it.
the feedback coming from teh four corners of the world hsa been AMAZING!!
read it here, I keep adding more daily at the bottom of page, which keeps getting longer and longer..
http://www.deuceofspadesmovie.com/film_reviews.htm
Ted Spencer
Veteran
Wow...5000 copies already, and going strong - that's a pretty nice pay back, to say the least, especially when it's (almost) 100% recoupable! This just gets more and more interesting...
Go Faith!
Go Faith!
Marlon Ladd
Veteran
This is just great, great stuff. I just can't believe how much of a buzz you've created and how many copies you've sold! I'd be expecting a big distributor to be knocking at your door, because if you did all that on your own, imagine what they could do with their huge machine. Of course, if you keep doing it like this, you'll never need them and the profit is all yours. You inspire us all!
I've heard for small independent movies like this you can make more money from leasing broadcast rights than theatrical distribution. No marketing and production overhead (like the cost of film....).
You might even be able to tie in with the new series American Hotrod being shown on Discovery HD. (I wonder if they were/are ispired by your successs).
You might even be able to tie in with the new series American Hotrod being shown on Discovery HD. (I wonder if they were/are ispired by your successs).
Ted Spencer
Veteran
Even though I haven't seen the film yet, so far this story is proving a point very nicely that unfortunately I've found myself being the lone voice in the room arguing too many times:
GENUINE QUALITY SELLS ITSELF
Faith apparently has built the proverbial 'better mousetrap', and 5000 people have 'beaten a path to her door' so far, in a very short time, to plunk down $20 for their copy. The simple math says that's $100K - and counting...
People don't do that when the 'mousetrap' is mediocre. They only do it when the thing is GENUINELY GOOD.
MY $.02
GENUINE QUALITY SELLS ITSELF
Faith apparently has built the proverbial 'better mousetrap', and 5000 people have 'beaten a path to her door' so far, in a very short time, to plunk down $20 for their copy. The simple math says that's $100K - and counting...
People don't do that when the 'mousetrap' is mediocre. They only do it when the thing is GENUINELY GOOD.
MY $.02
Deuceofspades
Veteran
FEEDBACK from audience has been very very amazing. I had some say: "I waited for 30 years for a film like this" or even " best film I ever seen" (guess if you are into hotrods, it probably would be LOL), one lady said her father since seeing the film could not talk about anything else and (I quote) " He has not been able to sleep"... REV IT UP RADIO dubbed the film on their homepage as "Best hot rod film ever made", others said: "better than American Graffiti", "A classic masterpiece" and it goes on and on and on...
You can read feedbacks here: http://www.deuceofspadesmovie.com/film_reviews.htm it's definitely worth taking a moment to read. I am seeing an increase in my new customers coming because of "word of mouth". My cart keeps track of how people heard about the fim and this helps me keep a finger on the pulse of my market. seems about 40% of sales right now are from word of mouth... As opposed to maybe only about 15% before the film was released. This indicates that people bought the DVD, saw the film, became excited about it and started telling everyone around them about it. Basically the buzz keeps spreading / growing...
You can read feedbacks here: http://www.deuceofspadesmovie.com/film_reviews.htm it's definitely worth taking a moment to read. I am seeing an increase in my new customers coming because of "word of mouth". My cart keeps track of how people heard about the fim and this helps me keep a finger on the pulse of my market. seems about 40% of sales right now are from word of mouth... As opposed to maybe only about 15% before the film was released. This indicates that people bought the DVD, saw the film, became excited about it and started telling everyone around them about it. Basically the buzz keeps spreading / growing
...
Ted Spencer
Veteran
I know that I speak for many others here when I say how incredibly proud your fellow participants at DVXUser are for you, Faith. It's absolutely *thrilling* to see how this is turning out for you. It's what so many of us have dreamed of for ourselves, and YOU'RE DOING IT!
Yay Faith!
And have a great holiday season while you're at it too!
Yay Faith!
And have a great holiday season while you're at it too!
Deuceofspades
Veteran
My queensland heeler KAYA, who can be briefly seen in the film (guess where?)
and myself would like to wish all of you A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
and myself would like to wish all of you A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Deuceofspades
Veteran
Ran out of DVDs again and ordering my third batch. Sales still going very strong. The docu about the film and I aired again on National French television Sunday, resulting in a slew of new orders from French fans. I now have a huge fan base in that country. Vive la France!
Sales still going very strong. The docu about the film and I aired again on National French television Sunday, resulting in a slew of new orders from French fans. I now have a huge fan base in that country. Vive la France! 
Martay
Veteran
craigbowman
Veteran
If you've seen the movie, its of no surprise in the least. I ordered a couple of copies long before release and I'm still in complete AWE of the total brilliance of this project. I must have watched it at least a dozen times over. Faith Granger has all the skills, talent and commitment of filmmakers with decades of experience, and this is her very first movie after just barely picking up a camera. She's a complete natural. Deuce of Spades leaves dozens of Hollywood movies with hundreds of times the budget completely in the dust. This movie is destined to be a landmark in the history of independant cinema. I'll be ordering at least another five copies to give to some people who just absolutely must see it.
We always talk about how equipment it just a small part of the formula. This movie pounds that point home with a pile-driver!
thisisapocalypse
Well-known member
I have to say I'm not surprised after watching Faith's progress - I've always fully believed that if what you make is really good enough, people are going to see it, your project will find a way - and clearly Faith has shown that if you build it, they will come (if it's good). Time to order my copy
I have to ask Faith - are there any chances that this film is going to have any kind of limited theatrical release around the country? I'd love to see this film in a theater in the Boston area (whether a festival or whathaveyou).
Ted Spencer
Veteran
I wonder about theatrical as well, and as others have asked previously, whether the current self-distribution run would help or hurt in that regard. On the one hand you could argue that Faith's S/D 'steals thunder' from a potential theatrical release, but on the other hand you could argue that her exceptional success so far has *proven* the film to be worthy of it.
Anyone with greater experience than I in matters of indie feature distribution care to weigh in on this question? Zak? Barry?
Anyone with greater experience than I in matters of indie feature distribution care to weigh in on this question? Zak? Barry?