So my movie is now one of the most bootlegged in the world...

J

jdv

Well-known member
ADDED by ADMIN: Support this filmmaker by renting or purchasing their film. This link is posted by the o.p. later in this thread:
http://www.amazon.com/Vampireland/d...sr=1-1&keywords=vampireland&tag=5336062087-20

--------


I recently released my 4th full length flick, VAMPIRELAND (also known as THE 6th EXTINCTION), on Amazon as well as some foreign territories. It's a low budget affair, no stars or flying batplanes, but it has the heart in the right place.

Image my surprise when I was told that as of today it's one of the world's most illegally downloaded films - right up there with HUNGER GAMES and DARK KNIGHT RISES. Huh. Well, somehow IMDB must keep track of such things because according to them, my film is now ranked 405th in the world, up some 88 thousand places. Huh. I've gotten over 37,000 hits on my youtube trailer for the film is 4 days. Huh.

I know I can't put the genie back in the bottle, and perhaps don't even want to, but I would like some advice - is there any way you guys can think of for me to somehow use all this new found (and quickly to fade I'm sure) attention?

I mean I'm getting extra hits on my homepage & forum, but not sure what else I can or should do.

tpb.jpg
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2234370/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sMN7vFk1zM&feature=plcp
 
Congratulations!

I think? :huh:

No real knowledge here. But it seems like you need to push it to go "viral" - even more views, links, clicks - maybe downloads - while capitalizing on that traffic for yourself, not someone else.

I know a couple of artists that make a living through YouTube. They post new videos, YouTube pays them for their hits, they develop a following, etc.


think you need to find someone who really understand the marketplace dynamics, and can "hook you up" with a strategy &/or site that can host and pay for your "storefront" - even if you wind up giving the movie away through your own channels.


Or, capitalize on the 5% to 10% that would want to see the "Directors Cut", on DVD, at higher quality, with "Bonus Footage", "Behind the Scenes" video, etc."

Or go to a Radiohead strategy - put up a download, "pay what you like, what you think it is worth" site?

Or attach a "freeware" header/trailer - "If you really liked this movie, please send me $1 or $5 via PayPal to help us make the next one.

Good luck!

Best,
Michael
 
This is just me but I'd be inclined to use those stats and approach netflix et al. THen when you get an online distributor plaster those facts everywhere and say why not just rent it at XYZ for a couple of $$ similar to what youve done on Amazon.
 
Where are you getting your stats from? Torrent networks are vast, and with multiple rips it can be hard to tell if you truly are "up there". <link snipped by admin>. Either way, you have a decent amount of seeders so that could relate into some fans that you could either capitalize on now or later.
 
I think you should try to sue everyone, because that works really well.

Seriously though, that's a tough situation. I haven't seen your film but is it in any way a story that can be expanded upon to create a cult following? Like adding mini episodes or a comic series or popular enough to have fan films or anything like that?

At the very worst if you make a sequel you have something to use to help sell the idea to investors/distributors.
 
Congrats... I guess...

Here's what I would do:

* Post a 2-minute video on youtube, with you telling your audience that it's great that they like your movie, but that you're an independent filmmaker and you actually need their support, to pay for this movie and to get more movies done. Try to bring them to amazon, to your new kickstarter, to your forum ("come and speak with the man himself" is a great draw).

* Many torrent sites have a comments section in the download page. Put a short post there, explaining this and linking to the youtube video, the forum, the amazon page, the kickstarter...

* If Amazon allows this, maybe even post a torrent on those sites yourself, with everything the current torrent has (just download it) plus that video in avi form, and an html with all the links. You may get help to bring attention to this alternative torrent from the people who screwed you in the first place.
 
Samuel H said:
Congrats... I guess...

Here's what I would do:

* Post a 2-minute video on youtube, with you telling your audience that it's great that they like your movie, but that you're an independent filmmaker and you actually need their support, to pay for this movie and to get more movies done. Try to bring them to amazon, to your new kickstarter, to your forum ("come and speak with the man himself" is a great draw).

* Many torrent sites have a comments section in the download page. Put a short post there, explaining this and linking to the youtube video, the forum, the amazon page, the kickstarter...

* If Amazon allows this, maybe even post a torrent on those sites yourself, with everything the current torrent has (just download it) plus that video in avi form, and an html with all the links. You may get help to bring attention to this alternative torrent from the people who screwed you in the first place.
Click to expand...

I think those are great suggestions. People like honesty and they like to know they are helping a struggling individual rather than a large evil corporation. You could just be really short with it, If you like my film please consider purchasing a copy to help me out or consider donating to my kickstarter campaign for my next film.
 
The genie is in fact out of the bottle, but this is still hugely valuable to you beyond short term revenue on this film. You have demonstrated that you have an audience. Your goal is to now convert all those viewers to followers of your blog/twitter feed/facebook page and any other platform you participate on. Give them more free stuff. Sell them merch. Put some time and effort into growing their numbers and solidifying their fandom. Then use them as leverage to get funding and/or crowdsourcing, and distribution for your next film. Congrats!
 
I think put it up on youtube and take the ad revenue. People are watching it for free anyway, and downloading and sifting through ads on letmewatchthis is a pain in the ass. Most people will go to youtube instead if it's an option and you don't really have anything to lose.
 
i just bought your film on amazon to show a little support.

While what you describe can certainly give you some exposure, how you use that exposure is the big question mark.
 
jdv said:
Thanks for the advice guys. Setting up a Kickstarter account now (still working up the art & video portions). MentatDuke - what exactly are you referring to when you say "value-adds"?

BTW, for anyone actually willing to pay the $1.99 to watch it, here's the link to Amazon Live streaming:

http://www.amazon.com/Vampireland/d...F8&qid=1344908025&sr=1-1&keywords=vampireland

Thanks again for the advice.
Click to expand...

Sorry I didnt see this question earlier. By value-adds, I meant additional revenue streams:
Merchandising (incl t-shirts, mousepads, soundtrack),cast/crew interviews, behind the scenes doc, etc.
START BLOGGING NOW (and put adwords on your site)
Talk to nofilmschool.com, write a guest article there telling this amazing story, and link back to your main blog/website
Someone already mentioned webisodes. Great idea.
Sell DVDs, BluRays (i'll buy a bluray from u right now if u burn one)
Maybe sell props from the movie

Have I forgotten any other monetization strategies?
 
Jason Ramsey said:
i just bought your film on amazon to show a little support.

While what you describe can certainly give you some exposure, how you use that exposure is the big question mark.
Click to expand...

Well hey, thanks a ton man!

As for selling merch, we do sell DVD's/hats/T-shirts at the homepage... And thanks Mentatduke - will contact nofilmschool to see what they say.
 
Jason Ramsey said:
p.s. As per our forum rules, a reminder: Please do not post links to sites for pirating. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Although I'd generally agree, TorrentFreak is merely a news site. They don't host or link to pirated content. They hold statistics to details regarding piracy, which could be considered shady, but is still very much relevant and informative to today's filmmakers. It's just generally a good place to find information about the latest copyright issues, which shouldn't just be "snipped" or shoved away.

jdv said:
Well hey, thanks a ton man!

As for selling merch, we do sell DVD's/hats/T-shirts at the homepage... And thanks Mentatduke - will contact nofilmschool to see what they say.
Click to expand...

I'm starting to wonder about your "official" opinion on this matter. Personally accepting it and trying to build a fan base isn't bad, but really distributing information with a public opinion (which, being an indie, is probably relatively positive at the moment) might get you into hot water with producers/investors/cast/crew.
 
kylevant said:
I'm starting to wonder about your "official" opinion on this matter. Personally accepting it and trying to build a fan base isn't bad, but really distributing information with a public opinion (which, being an indie, is probably relatively positive at the moment) might get you into hot water with producers/investors/cast/crew.
Click to expand...

No, everyone seems very excited about it all. One of my actresses in VAMPIRELAND, Misty Mills, is also in MACHINE GUN PREACHER with Gerard Butler, which was also filmed in Michigan. And when I say in a scene, I mean that they have a scene together (I think they actually kiss). Guess which movie is bringing her more actual attention? That's right, our little movie (and it's ranked 155 places higher on IMDB then PREACHER to boot). Pretty dang cool really.

And for better or for worse, up to now I've financed my own films. Will I make my money back on this? Eventually, yes I think so - but it's now crystal clear to me that the business model that only 3 years ago was viable for indie films is no longer going to work. The real trick is going to make them faster, and somehow figure out how to stream them for a small fee on my homepage...

A trick I haven't figured out yet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top