>From my perspective as a film distribution consultant, I find that with the advent of the internet, a lot of filmmakers are branching out to do-it-themselves, or are hiring consultants to do-it-themselves in their place. One can also strike a middle ground. For example, I often set my clients up with a strong DIY platform and walk them through the first campaign, preparing them to take over down the road.
Academic DIY is different from placing your film with an academic distributor in that the percentage taken by the consultant is a lot less and the method very different. While a distributor essentially puts you in a catalogue that buyers use to make a purchase, diy distribution will put your film front and center with targeted email campaigns for several campaign cycles--basically for as long as the film sells. Some distributors will also do this, but only while the film is a new release. Thus DIY is ultimately more successful at the number of films it can place and more lucrative to the filmmaker. You can find an article I wrote about the process in the spring issue of the IDA magazine: http://www.documentary.org/magazine/getting-your-film-ready-school-it ’s-academic-diy The blog on my website also has several entries that speak to this directly. Good luck! Judith Dancoff NewFilmMarketing.com Breakthrough Strategies for Academic DIY Los Angeles, CA 323-225-5633 On Thu, Aug 30, 2012 at 11:16 AM, Wochna, Lorraine <[email protected]> wrote: > All, > > Thanks everyone so far for your suggestions. I didn't get a lot of > chatter, so I'm thinking you all don't have much to say on the matter. I'm > not trying to hype his film, I'm just trying to help him understand the > world of distribution and thought you all may have some wisdom. > > Thanks again, > lorraine > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] [mailto: > [email protected]] On Behalf Of Tatar, Becky > Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2012 1:27 PM > To: '[email protected]' > Subject: Re: [Videolib] thoughts on distribution > > I'm nowhere near knowledgeable about this, but I have had several people > in the past ask me how to get their films to a bigger audience. I > recommended that they submit their films to Booklist, Library Journal and > Video Librarian for review. They might not review it, but if they did, a > lot of librarians would see it. Also, see if any of the major distributors > - Midwest, B&T, AEC, etc, would carry it. It looks interesting, and the > few reviews on Amazon were very positive. And, it doesn't cost an arm or > two legs! > > Becky Tatar > Periodicals/Audiovisuals > Aurora Public Library > 1 E. Benton Street > Aurora, IL 60505 > Phone: 630-264-4100 > FAX: 630-896-3209 > [email protected] > www.aurorapubliclibrary.org > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] [mailto: > [email protected]] On Behalf Of Wochna, Lorraine > Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 10:48 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [Videolib] thoughts on distribution > > Hello CW, > > I have a faculty member who made a film and is trying to get distribution. > It's been in festivals, and he has it for sale on Amazon, but he was > hoping to get a bit more play out of it with universities, libraries, > museums because it hits so many disciplines. > > My thoughts were getting distributors that focus on schools that purchase > educational films, such as Kino, Docurama, maybe Microcinema. Also, > contacting each one of the more independent distributors. > > Here is the link, so you can see what I'm talking about > http://humanities.case.edu/media/eventGuides/191_Frederick_Lewis_Guide.pdf > Reading this may lead you to think he 'should' know what he's doing, but > I think this particular film is his baby, and he wants it to get more play. > > I realize we are not distributors, but I wondered if you had any sage or > even unsage advice you could offer. It would be greatly appreciated. > Please let me know if I overstepped my bounds here. > > Thanks a lot > lorraine > > > lorraine wochna > Alden Library, Ohio University > Instruction Coordinator > Subjects: African American Studies | English | Film |Theatre > T: 740 597 1238 > http://libguides.library.ohiou.edu/profile/lorraine > > > > > > VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of > issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic > control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in > libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as > an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of > communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video > producers and distributors. > > VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of > issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic > control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in > libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as > an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of > communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video > producers and distributors. > > VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of > issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic > control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in > libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as > an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of > communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video > producers and distributors. >
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
