Would a movie be easier to distribute...

C

Can Scanner

Well-known member
...if it's already made? (As opposed to simply getting a deal for a concept.)
Say I make a movie- a 90 minute feature, shot with a DVX100A. The whole thing. Done. And say it's good. If I start sending it out to everyone, wouldn't the chances of it getting picked up be much greater? We've all heard of how many resumes go flying around, and that sending a demo reel to anyone is a shot in the dark... But what if it's a FEATURE LENGTH MOVIE I'm sending out?
You lose the risk of hiring a person and trusting them to make a good product- because the product is already made! It's right there in your lap! Take it or leave it! This isn't a synopsis. A concept. A treatment. It's the finished package!
Thoughts?
 
Can Scanner said:
Would a movie be easier to distribute......if it's already made? (As opposed to simply getting a deal for a concept.)
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Of course, in theory.
Most indie films that are developed never get to production.
Most indie films that go into production are never completed.
A finished film is much less risky than an unshot film because the buyer can see what they're getting.

Say I make a movie- a 90 minute feature, shot with a DVX100A. The whole thing. Done. And say it's good.
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That's the trick though.
Making a 'good' film is much easier said than done (but then again, so is everything).
 
By done, do you mean that it is ready for distribution (perhaps blown up to film or fully ready for DVD replication)?

It would seem logical that unless you have a name actor or director attached, your project would be easier to sell as a finished, ready to distribute film, than just another concept for making one.

That said, discussing the concept with a literary agency first can be helpful. They may have input that is of value and could lead to a better outcome. You just missed the AFM in Santa Monica which would have been a great show to attend as you would have gotten a much better idea what it takes to get a film distributed.
 
Yes, I definitely need to research this. It wouldn't be transferred to film at first, but most likely ready for DVD.
 
Making a whole movie with the hopes of having it distributed is kind of a shot in the dark. I guess the question is, do you have to recoup the budget for your feature? If the answer is no, go shoot it and do whatever you can with it.

If the answer is maybe or yes, I think you need a better strategy.

I know one filmmaker that has distributed two horror features straight to video and to foreign markets. His process is to cast a white woman for full-frontal nude part (no lie, this is how to get the foreign $), shoot a trailer/sample, and then use that to secure financing to make his movie.
 
uhrgl said:
His process is to cast a white woman for full-frontal nude part (no lie, this is how to get the foreign $), shoot a trailer/sample, and then use that to secure financing to make his movie.
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That's brilliant.
I feel like a chump...been trying to craft stories that I find engaging and honest.
Here I thought people cared about content and story.
:)





Seriously, that is brilliant.
 
Luis Caffesse said:
That's brilliant.
I feel like a chump...been trying to craft stories that I find engaging and honest.
Here I thought people cared about content and story.
:)


Usually that is the preferred method, but ....

Charlie Band picks a title then has a writer write the script - with as much nudity and/or sex and/or blood & guts as possible ... all from a title.

Many indy films are picked up for overseas based on genre and who is in them - a martial arts film with Chris Mitchum would be a good example of that.

Of course, if you want to do a little better than a Full Moon or Peacock distribution, then crafting stories, good characters, etc is the way to go! :grin:
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Can Scanner said:
Yes, I definitely need to research this. It wouldn't be transferred to film at first, but most likely ready for DVD.
Click to expand...

Have you thought about entering it into some of the film festivals? That is a good way to get your project seen by distributors that might be interested in picking it up.
 
I think you need a distribution plan before you start shooting, but you have a point it is much easier to keep distribution with a finished film then with a script. If you really want distribution you need to hire a producers rep.

To get a distributor to pick up your film you need to know what producers are looking for. This means that you have to know their genre, the type of cast their market buys, the production value and thematic elements their market buys, and where their market is. Once you know which distributors would be interested in your project you need to get them to take your call and come to a screening of your film. Then, maybe they might take a meeting with you to discuss your film. You can do all of this stuff yourself, but it will cost you thousands of dollars, a year or two of your life (no you can't do this part while you're still working your full time job)

A producer's rep has all of the information, contacts, time and experience to get your film to the right people.

Rob
 
I encountered one scenario last week that I wouldn't have if I didn't have a finished film. Several days ago the distributor called ME after seeing my movies in a retail store (a result of self-distribution). Now I have a distributor on board that I probably would not have had a year ago BEFORE the films were made.

So, getting the film finished and out there can definitely make getting distribution "easier" in some ways. However, I would say that getting distribution locked in BEFORE production begins would probably help you to more easily secure greater financing during pre-pro, which would be my priority (bigger budget, better product).
 
Conventional wisdom says you do not need to finish the movie. You do not need to start the movie. You do not need to have a script. You do not need a name actor. All you need is a REALLY GOOD POSTER.

I keep thinking back to the Project Greenlight script evaluations, where the producers kept asking "What does the poster look like?"
 
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