Distribution Inquiry

P

Penn25

Member
I found this add on kijiji. I don't know much about the business but I wanted to see what others think:


We Want to Distribute Your Completed Independent Film




Read more: http://atlanta.kijiji.com/c-Service...ndent-Film-W0QQAdIdZ138762543#ixzz0K2GGWAJQ&C
Internationally established distribution company is seeking completed films from all genres to distribute. We have a network of video stores and retail stores already in place for your film to be released direct to DVD. Exceptional films have the possibility of being released theatrically. If you have a finished comedy or action film, you are strongly encouraged to reply.

We are NOT seeking concepts, treatments, scripts, or presentations. Only filmmakers with a completed film, or filmmakers who are in post-production with all principal shooting completed need reply. We will be posting ads in the future, so if your film is in development, pre-production, or currently shooting, we encourage you to check back at a later date.

Respond to the email address above to receive instructions on where to send a trailer, or to give us the link to your trailer online. For filmmakers still in post-production, we ask that you send a link or trailer along with an estimated date of completion. Please do not send us your originals and take all necessary precautions to protect your intellectual property.


To submit a finished film for acquisition consideration:

1. Submit a DVD (NO SYNOPSIS). The DVD must be able to play in a standard DVD player.
2. We do not return materials!
3. Submit a filmmaker bio
4. Film must be over 75 minutes long



Film Submission Address

Clevision Motion Pictures
3276 Buford Dr # 104-171
Atlanta GA 30517

​
 
LOL. They responded to my email about $. They say I can get $10k for the film.
I only spent $2k to make it, so it sounds like a good profit.
Im going to look a little deeper into it.

Thanks
 
grinner - I like reading your posts for the most part, but posts like these are just unnecessary. You can't expect everyone to be as well versed with how the business works as you are. The guy asked a legitimate question and posted the listing, which happened to be well worded and free of grammatical errors.

If you're going to be condescending, at least give a REASON as to why. I mean what's the harm in looking into it? He's trying to sell his film, so it can't be considered a waste of time - it's a learning process.

I didn't search the company name...maybe you did and found out some negative reviews. Please, enlighten us as to why this is such a horrible idea that it isn't even worth finding out more about.

Kegan
 
10k for a film they haven't seen?

A quick google yields nothing. I would trend carefully on it. If things sound to good to be true - they usually are.

But who knows? It might be a good deal.
 
I would look to see what rights they want for the $10K. These tend to be negotiated as separate items - theatrical, DVD, television. Also, do they mention what kind of marketing dollars they put into their films? Does that come out of any future royalties (Hollywood accounting is not hopeful here), or is really a flat fee for all rights? And for how long?

Mattykins brings up a good point - an offer is made before they even see the film? Have you provided proof of all clearances and rights? If an issue does come up, who covers potential legal costs or changes to the film? What are there deliverables requirements? Is this for North American rights only?

I went to their website, and it contained nothing more than what was already posted in the original post which makes me a little nervous.

Someone sent me a contract they got from a distributor a few weeks back and all costs for all marketing materials, DVD creation and duplication as well as fulfillment was to be paid out from the filmmaker's royalties... what he hell ?!?!- what was the distributor really doing for their 50%?

I was lucky to sign with a sales agent that is really behind the film. We signed after looking at their current catalog, and discussions with the members of heir company. It is a partnership after all. They will represent the film for 3 years and renewable for another 3 after that. They brought it to Cannes for its first "outing" and it has already sold into Japan and Italy. Which so far has surpassed original budget before royalties. And they were clear on what they were doing marketing wise and associated costs.

I also consider myself very lucky, but we worked hard on the film and was a proving point for the first film out of my partner's and my production company.

Michael
 
Mattykins said:
10k for a film they haven't seen?

A quick google yields nothing. I would trend carefully on it. If things sound to good to be true - they usually are.

But who knows? It might be a good deal.
Click to expand...

I think if I read it right he said "They responded to my email about $. They say I can get $10k for the film." They may look at it and offer you $2 grand or may pass. Rule #1 'Nothing is set until you cash the check'. It also looks like they are looking at projects for "acquisition consideration" see rule #1. Sorry to sound so cynical anyway good luck with it. Do you have a trailer listed on line anywhere?
 
Hunter007 said:
grinner - I like reading your posts for the most part, but posts like these are just unnecessary. You can't expect everyone to be as well versed with how the business works as you are. The guy asked a legitimate question and posted the listing, which happened to be well worded and free of grammatical errors.

If you're going to be condescending, at least give a REASON as to why. I mean what's the harm in looking into it? He's trying to sell his film, so it can't be considered a waste of time - it's a learning process.

I didn't search the company name...maybe you did and found out some negative reviews. Please, enlighten us as to why this is such a horrible idea that it isn't even worth finding out more about.

Kegan
Click to expand...

I simply wished him luck on a venture he expects little with. I stand by that. Should something positive come from it, bonus.
 
Thanks everyone for your response.
They have seen my trailer already. Now they have asked
that I forward the completed DVD and a signed release form.
I asked about payment terms, they say it is divided into 3 payments.
I would have liked it all up front. I've heard horrors of waiting for
movie checks.

MichealP:
You seem to be well edjucated in this.
I will dig some more to find answers.

Now I know what to ask.

Thanks a Lot
 
Penn25 said:
Thanks everyone for your response.
They have seen my trailer already. Now they have asked
that I forward the completed DVD and a signed release form.
I asked about payment terms, they say it is divided into 3 payments.
I would have liked it all up front. I've heard horrors of waiting for
movie checks.

MichealP:
You seem to be well edjucated in this.
I will dig some more to find answers.

Now I know what to ask.

Thanks a Lot
Click to expand...

Ask for references of people they have done deals with in the past so you can check those people out to find out what its like dealing with this outfit. (Make sure they're not local and friends or relatives of these folks.) Also find out where they distribute and to which stores and which videos have been distributed there. Find out who owns the stores they deal with and get statistics. Phone BBB and do a background check. (This is a small part of due diligence and if you don't know what that is you better get a business advisor.)

Don't sign a release unless its conditional and one of the conditions is their cheque or cheques clearing your bank.

Distribution deals which are good for you and them generally have about 29 clauses in them. The last one is that the deal is enforcable using Binding Arbitration. Without that, you have zero leverage. Also don't take company cheques. A wire transfer, bank draft or certified cheque.
 
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