I am nearing completion on my 3rd feature length doc, but this one is my baby as I've worked on it alone, on my own dime and have put in 4 years and hundreds of hours of time and footage. I recently was awarded $40,000 by PBS as finishing funds, they are now awaiting an acceptance or denial response. I would use the funds to help with post costs, shooting the remaining interviews, and for insurance. The catch is, they retain broadcasting rights for 4 years. Here is what the director of the fund says the restrictions are:
"..we will draft the production agreement, which will contain exclusive domestic broadcast rights for PBS of six releases over four years, and one-year off-air-record rights for schools. The NAPT Production Agreement also includes a distribution license for educational, home video and foreign distribution through NAPT’s VisionMaker Video distribution service. "
I have no other funding sources other then my hard earned cash so it would be great to pump this money into the film to shoot the remaining interviews, edit, purchase music and footage, etc. I'm on the fence about the grant because I want as many people to see the film as possible, not sit on the PBS shelf for 4 years. I also hoped to use this film to get my name out to the film making community via film festivals. With this grant I can not do that and will only be getting my name out to the PBS world.
I am still pretty green to the funding and distribution side of things...Should I take this opportunity (I have 30 days to respond), demand a better deal, or use this as a sign the film has legs and look for funding elsewhere (not sure where to look)? I probably sound like a spoiled brat and should take anything I can get, but I somehow feel like I am selling out.
If your curious, you can see my crappy little trailer (2 years old) at www.phospictures.com - click "favorite work" then "The Medicine Game"
thanks for any advice.
"..we will draft the production agreement, which will contain exclusive domestic broadcast rights for PBS of six releases over four years, and one-year off-air-record rights for schools. The NAPT Production Agreement also includes a distribution license for educational, home video and foreign distribution through NAPT’s VisionMaker Video distribution service. "
I have no other funding sources other then my hard earned cash so it would be great to pump this money into the film to shoot the remaining interviews, edit, purchase music and footage, etc. I'm on the fence about the grant because I want as many people to see the film as possible, not sit on the PBS shelf for 4 years. I also hoped to use this film to get my name out to the film making community via film festivals. With this grant I can not do that and will only be getting my name out to the PBS world.
I am still pretty green to the funding and distribution side of things...Should I take this opportunity (I have 30 days to respond), demand a better deal, or use this as a sign the film has legs and look for funding elsewhere (not sure where to look)? I probably sound like a spoiled brat and should take anything I can get, but I somehow feel like I am selling out.
If your curious, you can see my crappy little trailer (2 years old) at www.phospictures.com - click "favorite work" then "The Medicine Game"
thanks for any advice.
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