Independent film financing and film distribution suggests what it feels like dancing naked on stage (much respect for exotic dancers in the Larry Flynt Hustler Club!). Show to launch his film project and need to be able to dance with the music a film investor. It is your time and not yours as an independent filmmaker seeking funding film. They want you to make a film marketable, appealing to movie distributors so that production can make money.
Most investors I've met with are not interested in putting money hard indie art films because they are hard sells for film distributors and cinema foreign buyers are often not interested in seeing them. The dialogue and scenes of some kind of art film house does not translate well to foreign buyers and moviegoers. Action, horror and the skin does not need subtitles for people to follow the story is what I have been told by distributors. Talking head films may not make sense to viewers who do not understand the subtle lines spoken in a foreign language.
Financing independent films continues to change the indie film distribution becomes weaker economically. The place is hit independent film producers more difficult it is right at the source - the financing of films. Investors now film does not feel excited about putting money into movies that are not bankable actors name. This is not like the so-called independent films that have a list of the actors or are produced by millions of dollars. That kind of passion indie film projects that you can do once you've done in the entertainment business at the level of study.
The independent film investors and movie distributors do not expect you to have an A list actor, but I want the producers to the actors (list B or C or D-list) with some recognition or name of celebrity. The first question that investors and distributors of motion pictures we ask is that the plaster. This is where most of the indie film producers who have turned off the water because they have a cast of unknown actors. In addition, there is an excess of independent films that are made because technology has made it more affordable to make movies.
The positive side is that indie films are becoming entertainment that would otherwise have never seen daylight before. The downside is the distribution of significant films (paying) indie films produced continues to decline as the indie film that is done is up (supply and demand of 101). I spoke with the film distributor that caters to the release of independent films and was told to receive the new film submissions every day.
They were honest to say that movies get very salable and others who are less attractive, but with so many movies out there that do not offer much of the money advanced to producers against film royalties or pay a cash lump sum "buy "to secure the distribution rights. His view is commercial indie filmmakers are happy to see his film released. The term used was "glorified showreel" for an independent filmmaker to show that can make a movie. Therefore, many of the reported purchase of his movies without having to pay a deposit or an offer to "buy" an agreement.
No benefit from a film does not make financial sense for film investors wait to see the money made. When people put the money to produce a film that wants a return on your investment. Otherwise, it is no longer an investment of film. It becomes a film grant from the money they are giving away, without expectations. I've been in the "dog and pony show" meeting with potential investors circuits film and learn the lessons of incalculable value.
I have the habit of talking now distributors of independent films before writing a script to see what kind of films are selling and what the actors or celebrity names attached to a project's potential appeal to them. This is not like hunting trends, but gives producers a clearer picture of the climate of independent film sales. Sometimes dealers will give me a short list of actors or celebrities to consider that fit a budget independent film. Film sales outside the U.S. is where a majority of the money is made for independent filmmakers.
The film distributors and film sales agents can tell you what the actors and celebrities results in overseas sales at independent film. It will not be a list of names, but having someone with some kind of name is a big selling point to help your other outstanding film. Brief cameos of known actors and celebrities who used to be a good way to keep the costs for talent and add a bankable name to its cast.
That has changed recently from my conversations with the distribution companies. The film distributors now expect some talent name attributed to a significant part of the movie instead of a few minutes in a cameo. Cameo scenes can still function if there is a visual hook that draws the attention of the audience in some way. But having talent that name a couple of lines without special hook will not fly anymore.
Another way to make an independent film in the need for funding more attractive to investors is to unite the talent that has been in a movie or television shows. His name as an actor could not be that well known yet, but rising stars who have appeared in a popular movie or television program can give your film more attractive. If cast in a supporting role to keep working day in September to a minimum to save his budget. Try to write the scenes so they can be shot in a day or two.
When you are offering investors serious movie you want to have a detailed budget and film distribution plan on how you plan on making money from the film's release. The Catch-22 that happens a lot is that most film distributors that cater to independent film release will not commit to any agreement until they screened the movie.
It is integrated in the distribution of high-budget films as study. Film investors are not traditionally part of the entertainment industry can get off when a producer does not have an existing distribution agreement. They do not understand the Catch-22 of the independent filmmaking and distribution. This is where a movie producer who really need to have a solid tone that explains the financial dynamics of the distribution of independent film.
Most investors will pitch film financing an indie filmmaker self-distribution mentioned in it. From the perspective of a business investor movie that takes all too long for an indie film to make money that the path of self-distribution. It's like the old school way of selling the film in the trunk of your car in places, but now is done online with digital distribution and direct sales through a blog. That's a long routine that most investors are not interested in waiting for. Move a unit of a movie at a time is too slow drip for investors.
One possible way around the Catch-22 is to film distributors while investors are launching movie. With a number of budget and issue any attached company can be measured to see if there is significant interest in the film distribution. It is always possible to tell a retailer that offer a cash advance or "purchase" agreement. Usually not give you a hard number, but even a ballpark figure of what we could offer you can tell if your budget makes financial sense for investors to approach the film.
I know a smart indie film producer who makes 4-6 films a year with very reasonable budgets and tastes that are already making a profit from money advanced alone. The film royalties are a plus. The producer keeps very affordable and flexible budgets in all phases of production. Once you have a history with a distribution company who knows what they can expect to pay. Then you can offer investors a film percent of its money invested in the production that makes sense.
Social networking with other independent filmmakers lets you listen to what is happening with the distribution of films from other people's experiences of real life. A cool thing I've been hearing that there is no film investors put money to make the film that will be self-distribution, but roll the dice in a function that is specific to film festivals. Not the art and film festivals. Those are very specific, like horror or action movies. As the Horror Film Festival Screamfest or action in the film (AOF). Film Buyers attending these events and offers distribution are significant.
Independent film financing and distribution of films are the areas of the entertainment industry all the filmmakers have to deal with and learn from each experience. I was in the dock today pitching to an investor in the film. I have simplified the budget of all you can without losing the plot of vapor.
The jam I'm a producer is that there are fixed costs that can not avoid including a lot of gun play, including two bad shots in the rigging being shot and are swept back from his feet. Badass action films require experienced crews and pull-off path for hardcore action shots of clean and safe. The cast I want to hire has the perfect appeal and name recognition of this independent action film viewers rock. There is nothing that can get lost in the translation of this film for foreign film buyers and film viewers.
What I think is lost in translation movie with the potential investor today is if I keep taking the crew below the line to save money I'm going to have to rewrite the script to take the action scenes. These are the outlets that will hurt sales if they are written. But it is my job as an independent filmmaker to balance a budget that calls for film investors. Let's see how this goes. This is indie filmmaker Sid Kali typing away.
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