MY DVX100A Feature is on NetFlix
- Thread starter Glenn_Gipson
- Start date
Luis Caffesse
Admin
Congrats Glenn -
Another guy I know recently found distribution through Netflix.
do you mind telling up a bit how you wound up getting hooked up with them?
I'm curious.
Another guy I know recently found distribution through Netflix.
do you mind telling up a bit how you wound up getting hooked up with them?
I'm curious.
Matt Sconce
Veteran
That rocks that you have found distribution through Netflix!!! Congratulations! For someone who hopes to be there someday, how did you get this distribution deal?
Ralph Oshiro
Veteran
Do tell!
Daniel Rubino
Carbonite Member
Nice! Details Please! How did you hook up with netfilx? Mind posting a trailer?
Glenn_Gipson
Active member
Sorry it has taken me a while to respond, internet was down. Ummm, my deal is NOT through NetFlix, it is through York Entertainment (a horrible company, I might add.)
Luis Caffesse
Admin
Glenn_Gipson said:
Oh okay... sorry to hear that York has been a bad experience for you.
So I guess Netflix just picked it up from York?
By the way, if you don't mind - what has been so bad about dealing with York?
I'm just curious, and your feedback may help other filmmakers keep an eye out, to be able to avoid such situations.
Thanks Glenn, and congrats all the same on the Netflix distribution.
Glenn_Gipson
Active member
STAY AWAY FROM YORK!!!
If you're dealing with the urban or horror market, go with someone like Maverick or Image Entertainment. I always knew York was terrible, but due to certain circumstances, I had to take a chance with the company.
What's so bad about York? Well, when it comes time for your street date, your movie will be virtually nowhere to be found. Then when you call Tanya York up to ask her what is going on, she''' avoid you like the plague. And then there is the fact that like THREE Key people have quit that company because it's so bad.
I can't go into details about the contract, legally I am not allowed to discuss that. But suffice it to say that I aint happy with it, and never was.
If you're dealing with the urban or horror market, go with someone like Maverick or Image Entertainment. I always knew York was terrible, but due to certain circumstances, I had to take a chance with the company.
What's so bad about York? Well, when it comes time for your street date, your movie will be virtually nowhere to be found. Then when you call Tanya York up to ask her what is going on, she''' avoid you like the plague. And then there is the fact that like THREE Key people have quit that company because it's so bad.
I can't go into details about the contract, legally I am not allowed to discuss that. But suffice it to say that I aint happy with it, and never was.
John Wesley Norton
Active member
York and others...
York and others...
It's about time someone brought this up. I've delt with York on a couple of projects as a rep, always as a last resort. York Entertainment exists to get first time filmmakers some simalance of distribution and to take every dollar that distribution deal generates. EVERY DOLLAR. York pays no money up front (nothing strange there, I can name half a dozen distributors with the same terms) and then works on a 'percentage of sales' scale. This scale, however, will always be tipped in York's favor (also nothing new). Glen has gotten his work out there for people to see. For a first time filmmaker, that often is the only thing that matters. It legitimizes him. He's primed to move forward and this is good. But he won't see a dime for his first feature. If he kept his budget low and used his own money, then he's probably cool with that. If the film cost a lot and he has investors calling him for updates every couple weeks then he'll have to deal with that the best he can.
Netflix is both good and bad for fillmmakers. Netflix prides itself, and it should, for it's catalog. If it's on DVD somewhere in the world then they want it. That is why I joined, so I could get films that they wouldn't have in stock at the local B Buster. It's the selection that makes it worthwhile. Of course this also means that when you take a chance on a film you know nothing about, there is an increased chance that it will suck. There is nothing in place to screen out bad movies. When I see something that was distributed by York and a few others, I steer clear. With the exception, of course, of the films I learn about at DVX User. I always watch what people do here. I've already added Glenn's film to my account in the #1 position. Should have it this weekend.
How is Netflix bad for first time filmmakers? Because it also legitmizes small distributors. We're seeing distributors popping up now with the sole intention of taking movies without paying the filmmakers, make some crap deal with them that makes it seem like they might see some compensation, but of course they never will, and then going right to Netflix with no real intention of getting the film into other outlets. Filmmakers have to be very careful these days who they deal with.
Of course the distributor sees this from a whole different angle, which is: "Gosh, I just got this film here and I watched the first ten minutes. It worse than a staff infection but I think we can re-name it "Hatchet Horror" and generate some interest. We'll put a semi-nude girl on the box and throw blood all over her. It will be great. I don't care what the filmmaker thinks, where else are they gonna go? It's here or nowhere, baby!
And the sad thing is, they are right. Independent films used to be films like Halloween and Night of the Living Dead, made by people who knew what they were doing. And today, Blair Witch and Open Water, both interesting films, both independents. But the majority of independent films being made now would never have found distribution 15 years ago. Is this good or bad? I'm on the fence. Some movies I've taken a chance on turned out to be pretty good. Most, however, simply made me mad. The DVX 100, and similar cameras are great tools. It's sad so few people know how to use them properly.
Sorry for the ramble.
John
York and others...
It's about time someone brought this up. I've delt with York on a couple of projects as a rep, always as a last resort. York Entertainment exists to get first time filmmakers some simalance of distribution and to take every dollar that distribution deal generates. EVERY DOLLAR. York pays no money up front (nothing strange there, I can name half a dozen distributors with the same terms) and then works on a 'percentage of sales' scale. This scale, however, will always be tipped in York's favor (also nothing new). Glen has gotten his work out there for people to see. For a first time filmmaker, that often is the only thing that matters. It legitimizes him. He's primed to move forward and this is good. But he won't see a dime for his first feature. If he kept his budget low and used his own money, then he's probably cool with that. If the film cost a lot and he has investors calling him for updates every couple weeks then he'll have to deal with that the best he can.
Netflix is both good and bad for fillmmakers. Netflix prides itself, and it should, for it's catalog. If it's on DVD somewhere in the world then they want it. That is why I joined, so I could get films that they wouldn't have in stock at the local B Buster. It's the selection that makes it worthwhile. Of course this also means that when you take a chance on a film you know nothing about, there is an increased chance that it will suck. There is nothing in place to screen out bad movies. When I see something that was distributed by York and a few others, I steer clear. With the exception, of course, of the films I learn about at DVX User. I always watch what people do here. I've already added Glenn's film to my account in the #1 position. Should have it this weekend.
How is Netflix bad for first time filmmakers? Because it also legitmizes small distributors. We're seeing distributors popping up now with the sole intention of taking movies without paying the filmmakers, make some crap deal with them that makes it seem like they might see some compensation, but of course they never will, and then going right to Netflix with no real intention of getting the film into other outlets. Filmmakers have to be very careful these days who they deal with.
Of course the distributor sees this from a whole different angle, which is: "Gosh, I just got this film here and I watched the first ten minutes. It worse than a staff infection but I think we can re-name it "Hatchet Horror" and generate some interest. We'll put a semi-nude girl on the box and throw blood all over her. It will be great. I don't care what the filmmaker thinks, where else are they gonna go? It's here or nowhere, baby!
And the sad thing is, they are right. Independent films used to be films like Halloween and Night of the Living Dead, made by people who knew what they were doing. And today, Blair Witch and Open Water, both interesting films, both independents. But the majority of independent films being made now would never have found distribution 15 years ago. Is this good or bad? I'm on the fence. Some movies I've taken a chance on turned out to be pretty good. Most, however, simply made me mad. The DVX 100, and similar cameras are great tools. It's sad so few people know how to use them properly.
Sorry for the ramble.
John
Glenn_Gipson
Active member
I've heard Maverick Entertainment is pretty fair, but I don't know that first hand. Maybe someone else here has first hand experience with a good straight to DVD distributor...
jhorton2003
Member
Congrats on getting it out there.
I sold my first feature (shot on an agx as well) to York too. Same story.
But I knew going in I wasn't going to make much cash on it. I'm happy with it being out. It has helped me in terms of making new contacts and getting other projects up and running.
The trailer's viewable at Yorkentertainment.com and Imdb.
http://www.netflix.com/MovieDisplay?movieid=70031886&trkid=189530&strkid=4726738_0_0
I sold my first feature (shot on an agx as well) to York too. Same story.
But I knew going in I wasn't going to make much cash on it. I'm happy with it being out. It has helped me in terms of making new contacts and getting other projects up and running.
The trailer's viewable at Yorkentertainment.com and Imdb.
http://www.netflix.com/MovieDisplay?movieid=70031886&trkid=189530&strkid=4726738_0_0
Kevin McCallister
Well-known member
JHorton,
Just watched the trailer to your movie on yorkentertainment.com. I noticed at the end of the trailer that your movie was called "Shelter" and not "Rise Of The Undead". Did York Entertainment make you change your title? Can you explain a little bit about that process and how they came to you about that?
I think this thread is becoming a great discussion of distribution and a great source of info about distributors and their methods. So much is cloudy about what actually goes on in a distribution deal. It's great to finally be lifting the veil.
Just watched the trailer to your movie on yorkentertainment.com. I noticed at the end of the trailer that your movie was called "Shelter" and not "Rise Of The Undead". Did York Entertainment make you change your title? Can you explain a little bit about that process and how they came to you about that?
I think this thread is becoming a great discussion of distribution and a great source of info about distributors and their methods. So much is cloudy about what actually goes on in a distribution deal. It's great to finally be lifting the veil.
jhorton2003
Member
Oh yeah, I forgot about that. It was originally title Shelter: A Monster Movie. They dropped the name change on me after the sale. Actually they did ask first and had me sign an authorization. I wasn't real happy with it at the time. But I had spent too much time on the picture (nearly 2 years from Production to Distribution). I was just happy to see it sold.
By the by, all my communication with them, except for the original call and offer to buy, were email corrispondenses. I think that was so it was easier for them to cut off contact after all the materials were delivered.
One other point of interest. I had sent them a clean screener (no copyright or screener warnings) after the contract was signed. They asked for it because they wanted to take it to a festival and didn't have the time to make copies from the digi beta master. I complied.
I still had to deliver the digi beta master with a&e tracks and all that jazz. Transfer costs were not that high, but for a struggling filmaker at the end of post, a couple of hundred buck can be the difference in eating right for a time.
Anyway, I deliver the digi beta master. And three months later the movie is released. I order a copy from amazon, just to check out the transfer job. Guess what? It was nothing but a rip of the clean screener I had sent them, complete with the DVD menu I had designed. . THey never bothered to use the digi beta masters.
I read a review of Rise somewhere and they made notice of the fact that York bothered to create a DVD menu for rise.
I talked to some cats from Maverick recently at NATPE. They seem really cool. I wish I had gone to them first.
j
By the by, all my communication with them, except for the original call and offer to buy, were email corrispondenses. I think that was so it was easier for them to cut off contact after all the materials were delivered.
One other point of interest. I had sent them a clean screener (no copyright or screener warnings) after the contract was signed. They asked for it because they wanted to take it to a festival and didn't have the time to make copies from the digi beta master. I complied.
I still had to deliver the digi beta master with a&e tracks and all that jazz. Transfer costs were not that high, but for a struggling filmaker at the end of post, a couple of hundred buck can be the difference in eating right for a time.
Anyway, I deliver the digi beta master. And three months later the movie is released. I order a copy from amazon, just to check out the transfer job. Guess what? It was nothing but a rip of the clean screener I had sent them, complete with the DVD menu I had designed. . THey never bothered to use the digi beta masters.
I read a review of Rise somewhere and they made notice of the fact that York bothered to create a DVD menu for rise.
I talked to some cats from Maverick recently at NATPE. They seem really cool. I wish I had gone to them first.
j
Hollywood Red
Member
It's good to see my fellow filmmakers out there getting their films done. I've done 5 short films and I'm making my feature film directing debut in March. I have been thinking about what company deal with once the film is done. Most likely the one that will screw me the least, but definetly not York. Before reading this thread I had heard to many bad things about Tanya York and York Ent. On top of that, my friend made a deal with York. It's the same shady deal as the others, but they got it done. I guess that's what really counts.
Check out my friends movie, it is scheduled to be released on 3/28/06.
http://www.yorkentertainment.com/cgi/searchvideos.cgi?Action=lookup&Key=YPD-1362
Check out my friends movie, it is scheduled to be released on 3/28/06.
http://www.yorkentertainment.com/cgi/searchvideos.cgi?Action=lookup&Key=YPD-1362
Uh?
Uh?
Wow, those films look horrible. No wonder you guys can't find distribution. Black films have a certain audience I guess... maybe I can't identify with them... or something. Try harder next and try shooting film with real actors. That will get you serious looks from real dist. companies.
The truth hurts... but it's still the truth.
Uh?
Wow, those films look horrible. No wonder you guys can't find distribution. Black films have a certain audience I guess... maybe I can't identify with them... or something. Try harder next and try shooting film with real actors. That will get you serious looks from real dist. companies.
The truth hurts... but it's still the truth.
KeiserSniTT
Active member
what..?CineCell said:
Daniel Rubino
Carbonite Member
CineCell said:
Pretty Harsh, man. Mind linking to some of your work? The dude Red Grant is a celebrity. I've seen him on a few things he is really funny. I don't think you always need a huge budget with million dollar actors. That's just buying into the Hollywood myth. I mean think about it, Hollywood made Bewitch, The Hulk ( a hundred million dollars), and just about anything else that's safe. Doesn't mean its better because it costs more money. I could name a million movies that are released into theatres with big name actors that make me gag.
Compressed List:
- Lost in Translation (just cause you're dad made Godfather doesn't mean you'll be any good. I think that fact got lost in Translation for Sophia.)
- The Hulk
- Daredevil
- Intolerable Cruelty ( this should be number one, it was so bad it actually was the epitome of its title, Intolerable Cruelty)
- Get Shorty & Be Cool ( these movies were just Trash, can't believe they made a sequel, gag!)
- Disney Live Action Films ( especially, the ones with Lindsey Lohan)
- Black Hawk Down (sucked because of the story, looked great)
- Million Dollar Baby (Clint Eastwood, I love you man but your time is up, hang up the towel.)
- Hellboy ( the suckiest big budget film of all time. I didn't think anything could be worse than THE HULK)
- 28 Days Later ( I just don't get the whole vampire thing, kind of boring)
Great films that were filmmed on DV:
- Session 9 ( okay I lied, but it's nice to see it worked for them. I really liked the aerial shots. It was shot on Sony 24p)
- Star Wars (Awesome look, but I still prefer the originals)