The success of a movie does not just depend on the creative aspect but also the business point of view that the film maker puts into it.
One wrong move and the film’s life can be in danger. It is important to make sure that the process of film distribution is carried out strategically and here a few things that a film maker must keep in mind when he/she decides to introduce their film to the market.
1) My friends will do it for me – We understand that the industry works on contacts and networking s a major aspect of film making. However, in the movie business it is purely a myth that people will come to you when you make a movie. Distributors are interested only if your film will fetch them money, otherwise you don’t exist to them despite the fact that they could claim to be your ‘friends’.
2) I don’t have to come to them, they’ll come to me – This is another myth circling around the industry. A film distribution company knows about which films are going to fetch them profit. So the question of them coming to you to distribute your film is never going to happen. You need to strategize your film in the right way and the most important part is that your film should have a strong content, an engaging script that will ring the bells in the distributor’s brain cells.
3) Being celebrated at a festival is all I Need – Congrats on hitting the bull’s eye. However, your work has just begun. Showcasing your film at a film festival is indeed an honour, but you have to grab the opportunity because there’ll be many film distributors vouching to get their hands on your film. So, to strike the deal with them, you need a plan, because without a plan you aren’t going anywhere.
4) My Target is Home Video Companies – So you’re struggling to make your film a success by approaching film distribution companies as they hold the key to crack a home video deal. Most of the people believe that this doesn’t need much work. However, it is a myth. It requires ample amount of hard work, good networks and clear goals. Otherwise the objective to obtain your goal is just a distant dream. Therefore it is advisable to be crystal clear of what you want to achieve and then chart out a plan.
5) Digital is the future – There is no doubt that the world is going ‘Digital’ and that’s where the audience is now heading. However, it is not as easy as it looks. Unless your film is authentic and creatively appealing, the consumers will never even look at your film. The film distribution process in the digital world is strategic and to the point. VOD platforms have a huge consumer base and to pierce their minds is definitely not an easy task. However, you can hire a film distribution company to do the deed. You as a film-maker need to understand your audience and filter things that will work and won’t work. After introspection, you can market your film in the digital world.
In the end, this process is all about marketing your film in the right manner. Film making might be a creative process, but film distribution is the art of selling. And if you want your film to do good business, you need to distribute your film to the right channels in order to get favored results.
The Red Bulb Studios 