Advertising is just one piece of the whole strategy youll need to build in order to market your indie film. May 24, 2016 the upsides of a hybrid plan are that it potentially enables filmmakers to earn more revenue and also to develop a longterm audience. Making a short film is a common first step to starting a creative career in film. Independent filmmakers, the most important rules of marketing are start early.
Stay focused and get your film business plan nailed down as a matter of priority. With a film marketing plan you can now market directly to film audiences at the fraction of traditional hollywood marketing budgets. Marketing independent film from start to finish by elliot grove. The plan first markets the film to film festivals, then di. Movie marketing, advertising shackled by rising costs variety. Marketing a film when a new film is made, it has to be advertised like any other new product, to let people know it exists and to encourage them to go to the cinema to see it. Then join our online film school, complete with a comprehensive filmmaking course. Oct 12, 2015 having spent the greater part of my film career working in film distribution, i can tell you that the filmmakers who actually land the big deals have a movie marketing plan. Feb 11, 2014 create a timeline for your marketing efforts and plan the length of time that you will need your team for. Alphapanda is a european boutique social media agency for the film industry based in berlin and with team members in warsaw and geneva. Marketing executives say that secondguessing over a campaign is more. But with new exciting opportunities brought about by the digital era, it is worth the attempt at becoming a marketer yourself and so give your film the very best chance to develop and grow on the international film market. Another way to kickstart your distribution thought process is casting. Screening your independent film at cinemas is very expensive and seeing as you dont have a distributor you will have to pay for the film rating, trailer and marketing posters yourself.
Nov 30, 2017 in this episode of crash course film production, lily talks us through some of the history and methods of marketing a film to an audience. Apr 19, 2018 making a short film is a common first step to starting a creative career in film. Do you ask people you just met online to support your film or kickstarter campaign without taking the time to build a relationship. Basically, film and video production industry is an industry that is responsible for producing and distributing motion pictures and videos. And lets face it, not every filmmaker is a marketeer. Oct 25, 2010 independent film marketing plan i created this marketing plan for a students thesis film at chapman university. There are a few things unique about marketing films and tv shows. Sep 12, 2019 rather than seeing your film business plan as an unavoidable headache, instead see it for what it is, i. Buy film marketing strategy template for independent filmmakers and film studios by ebook online at lulu. Marketing strategy for independent films by louis tanguay may, 20 you have written the script, cast the film, shot the film, edited your film, and put your hardearned money or others trustfullyinvested money into your vision. To begin, the film will be shown at specific film festivals where we will brand no good deed as a hip, independent film in order to generate the initial buzz. The plan first markets the film to film festivals, then distributors, then to the general population.
Who can apply canadian distribution and production companies in search of financing for the marketing and distribution of their feature film projects. The budget available to an independent filmmaker is often quite small and their marketing. At largesse media, we use what weve learned over the years to empower independent films. Marketing an independent film requires a different approach to marketing a mainstream blockbuster. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading film business plan and investor guide. My independent film is going to be premiering at a major u. Want to learn more film promotion and marketing strategies. The 3 cornerstones of indie film marketing premiumbeat. There has never been a more opportune time for indie filmmakers as. I created this marketing plan for a students thesis film at chapman university. If you havent already considered a marketing plan for your next project. While there are no hard and fast rules in the brave new world of indie filmmaking, without retail dvd distribution, your most important goal aside. The upsides of a hybrid plan are that it potentially enables filmmakers to earn more revenue and also to develop a longterm audience. Apr 22, 2019 screening your independent film at cinemas is very expensive and seeing as you dont have a distributor you will have to pay for the film rating, trailer and marketing posters yourself.
The most important part of independent film marketing is the ability to know who your audience is. In the course entertainment and marketing promotion, each student was assigned to a student film to create a marketing plan for. Just being able to say that your film is an official selection at a festival can cause you to be taken more seriously and, if you win any awards, then. This program supports canadian distribution and production companies looking to finance the marketing and distribution of their feature film projects. There have been some fantastically creative film marketing campaigns done using platforms like vine. The intense pressure marketing chiefs are under to perform also contributes to the relentlessly high costs of film releases. This 12 week movie marketing plan will help you sketch out a way to promote your film. This week i ask, are you an indie film marketing spammer. We identify key partners and engage audiences early, so that theyre eager to be a part of a films success. As you can imagine, independent film budgets are somewhat harder to pin down. They can be entirely selffunded, crowd funded, or backed by investors. How to write a 4part film business plan that gets you funding. Film marketing strategy template for independent filmmakers and film studios. And since thats the end goal, every filmmaker, no matter what their budget is, should have a plan in place for marketing their film, and this plan can be implemented months, even years, before you call action.
This plan provides grassroots strategies you can implement over a 12 week period. Weve got some great and useful coverage coming up, and information youll definitely. A workshop at the recent oregon doc camp, presented by women in film portland, focused on developing a distribution and marketing strategy for documentaries. Having spent the greater part of my film career working in film distribution, i can tell you that the filmmakers who actually land the big deals have a movie marketing plan. Jan 24, 2019 this 12 week movie marketing plan will help you sketch out a way to promote your film. Try to cast talent that might help turn eyes towards your project. Just being able to say that your film is an official selection at a festival can cause you to be taken more seriously and, if you win any awards, then that can open up a variety of doors for you. Of course the beauty of independent filming is that your budget may be more flexible. Independent film marketing festivals, markets, self. Produced in collaboration with pbs digital studios. Indiemarketing marketing and business development consultant. Its everything you need to learn how to create professional narrative and documentary films using the equipment you already have, wherever you live, with guidance, community, and resources at a fraction of the cost of traditional film school. Film festivals are a good option when it comes to film marketing if you want to be seen as a serious filmmaker. With over two decades of experience, tracy balsz has the connections, knowhow, and skills to open up new business verticals, establish relationships, and.
Current marketing concepts and strategies for independent film. Create a timeline for your marketing efforts and plan the length of time that you will need your team for. Your film will not be seen if it does not leave your hands, so a large part of independent film marketing is to get your film in. My independent movie film proposals movie business plan. Independent filmmakers manual to writing a business. Apr 30, 2019 film festivals are a good option when it comes to film marketing if you want to be seen as a serious filmmaker. How to build your documentarys distribution strategy. We develop marketing strategies that build awareness and create supportive audiences. My independent movie movie business plan template, film. In this episode of crash course film production, lily talks us through some of the history and methods of marketing a film to an audience. The plan first markets the film to film festivals, then distributors. This industry does not include thirdparty providers such as distributors and disc manufacturers, as well as products, such as television shows and madefortelevision movies, aimed specifically toward television et al. Your film will not be seen if it does not leave your hands, so a large part of independent film marketing is to get your film in as many hands as possible.
Your preproduction costs will probably make up the remainder. One of the most important things you can do, from day 1, is plan the marketing for your film. To make your film stand from the crowd, you need a savvy marketing strategy. The objectives of no good deeds marketing plan will be to generate awareness and revenue from our target markets. With this template, youll learn what are the important factors when presenting your feature film. How to promote your independent film 2020 masterclass. Many film festivals are considered film markets, meaning buyers attend with deep pockets and look to purchase films. The term business plan comes out of the corporate world. Overview of the program priority is given to films that have been funded. Alphapanda digital marketing for the film industry. What are their interests, where do consume content and will they be passionate about your film. Making a film is quite often simpler than selling it to proper audiences. Independent filmmakers manual to writing a business plan and finding movie investors kindle edition by filmproposals.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. At the same time, cast talent that works well for the project. While there are no guarantees that your movie will become the next viral, breakout hit, doing something is better than letting your movie collect dust. The trick is to understand these platforms and create a content strategy that fits the audience who use them. Next the film will team up with a credible distributor in order to. Depending on your film you might find dvd sales worthwhile i made a documentary five years ago and sold a few hundred in shops and online, you can also. How to create a movie marketing plan without going crazy. It refers to a document that is prepared before a business launches.
It is full of your fellow indie filmmakers and they are. The advertising of a film is known as film promotion or film marketing and the people who are responsible for this are the distribution company, socalled. Jun 14, 2018 in his book think outside the box office, reiss lays out all the components necessary for independent filmmakers to craft a personalized, ongoing marketing plan. Generally, the marketing of independent films is characterized by limited release, often at independent movie theaters, but they can also have major marketing campaigns and a wide release. Our expertise covers all areas of marketing and promotion, including strategy, social media campaigns, advertising, research and outreach. Reiss broke down the main elements from the book for members. Mar 08, 2016 the intense pressure marketing chiefs are under to perform also contributes to the relentlessly high costs of film releases. Dec, 2016 our panel of distribution, marketing and production executives will share their perspectives on making independent films in the 21st century. Independent films are often screened at local, national, or international film festivals before distribution theatrical or retail release. Marketing strategy for independent films circle marketing. Independent film marketing plan i created this marketing plan for a students thesis film at chapman university. Independent films are sometimes distinguishable by their content and style and the way in which the filmmakers personal artistic vision is realized. They will be working before any distribution kicks and you have to budget for that time. In his book think outside the box office, reiss lays out all the components necessary for independent filmmakers to craft a personalized, ongoing marketing plan.
Elliot is the founder of raindance film festival 1993 and the british independent film awards 1998. An independent film, independent movie, indie film or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies. Indiemarketing provides strategic businesstobusiness marketing and business development, connecting all facets of entertainment themed entertainment, filmtv, entertainment technology. Marketing and outreach for independent film largesse media. Creating a business plan for your film outlet is a meticulous process that requires a fair amount of time to ensure its quality. He has produced over 700 hundred short films and five feature films.
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