Lining Up Distribution and Sales Agents
This is actually somewhat impossible for most independent feature films just at the moment. In 2008 when the stock market crashed, motion picture studios and distributors hit a serious cash flow crisis. Their operations were funded by banks, by hedge funds, by asset backed securities transactions, by government rebates and overseas investors. Furthermore, the general public began purchasing fewer DVDs. This caused several very concrete problems.
- Distributors no longer have the deep pockets required to distribute many independent films, and they are frequently unwilling to make “minimum guarantees” that you can provide to your investor in order to ensure their investment will be repaid.
- Even when your distributor is willing to make such a guarantee, they may not be willing or able to honor it when the film is ready for sale.
- Many distributors, hit by the cash flow crunch, are increasing the Prints & Advertising amounts and overhead fees they charge filmmakers. This means acquiring a distributor can increase your upfront costs.
What does that mean? It means more and more filmmakers are going to have to plan and implement their own distributions. You can hire theater bookers, work with services like Cinedigm to get your film onto select screens, or hire service deal distributors to give your film a theatrical release. Note, the vast majority of films do not make a profit from theatrical release. It is traditionally seen as a way to sell DVD’s and Video on Demand downloads of a movie, not as a revenue stream filmmakers and their investors can profit from.Createspace.com, Tunecore.com and other services can make your film available for sale through Amazon and iTunes.
It is possible in rare circumstances to get traditional distribution for your film, and if it comes with a minimum guarantee your funder trusts it can help you close your financing. To achieve this you will have to contact distributors and show them your business plan and attached talent. They’ll let you know if they want to proceed.
The following films were given theatrical release through service deal distribution agreements.
