How to write a 4part film business plan that gets you funding. Gaining this awareness will be achieved through the festival kit, stunts, and guerilla tactics. To create the product so that it responds to the customer needs and expectations. Distribution strategy designs the entire approach for availability of the offering starting taking inputs from what the company communicated in marketing campaigns to what target audience is to be served. Best film business plan template sample, financials. A win at a major film festival cannes, berlin, sundance, toronto, venice can lead to a distribution deal from a wellknown production company. A distributor is the middleman between the manufacturer and retailer.
My names curt jaimungal and i know what its like to struggle as an artist. The film collaborative is the first nonprofit, fullservice provider dedicated to the distribution of independent film, including narrative features, documentaries and shorts. A customized strategy can help you maximize audience, revenues, impact, and. 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. Apr 09, 2018 as a result of internet film distribution and the inevitable demise of dvd retail distribution you can now reach a global marketplace. Coffee distribution business plan sample sales and. In order to sell the right to distribute a film, a production company must enter into one or more acquisition and distribution.
Distribution is the idea of taking the finished film and producing advertisements to figure out how to get the movie out there. The minimalist guide to writing a film business plan. How to create a distribution strategy that actually makes. After a product is manufactured it is typically shipped and usually sold to a distributor. If the film has good playability among the audience, the film will then be put out for a wider release. The common misconception is that social media is free just because you can set up a twitter or facebook profile for free. Becoming a film distributor is one way to influence the movie industry and helping great movies reach an appreciative public. Making a film is quite often simpler than selling it to proper audiences. The companys overall business strategy, pricing structure, marketing objectives, and target market are such that our sales warrant a persontoperson selling strategy. Here is some insight into finding the right home for your short film or video content in todays online distribution world.
Tecxipio equips studios, filmmakers, distributors, broadcasting companies and tv networks with powerful file sharing data that enables deep market insights. Now lets look at the first three major markets you have for. Like it or not, your film distribution strategy has a ripple effect on all other aspects of your movie. It is the distributors responsibility to create a strategy for reaching the largest paying audience possible, at the lowest cost. Each film needs its own distribution and marketing plan unique to that film. We plan to market our services through diverse channels including the radio, print advertising, and television. Film production templates to start a film production company you need forms, crew contracts and agreements on a daily basis. Your distribution strategy youll need to assess your companys distribution capabilities.
Youll learn tons of exercises, ideas, and tips to create your own marketing plan. How to create a distribution strategy that actually makes money. So you made a short film, and it got into some festivals now what. The film business plan template is a stepbystep guide enabling you to understand your film as a business proposition to film investors. Distribution and marketing strategy 10 prerelease 11 release 12 branding strategy 12 distribution plan intended audience 14 audience engagement and social impact 15 key creative personnel 16 cast 17 financial information 19 partner with us 19 fundraising strategy 19 funding to date 19 additional support 19 fiscal sponsor 20. Jun 11, 2012 your distribution strategy would identify which paths you intend to take in order to get your products to the end user. The final piece of your short film business plan is your release strategy. Sep 17, 2010 traditional distribution platforms and the second is through nontraditional or what i call 2. In the old world, plan a was to give all your distribution rights to one company, and plan b was to take on selfdistribution, said elder. Theres a transition going on in the world of indie film distribution.
Selling entertainment content with a more targeted film distribution strategy. How will you bring your film to the attention of your target market. There are countless ways to do this, from running a competition to be featured as an extra, to crowdfunding your film or tv show using a platform like kickstarter, where people are rewarded with exclusive gifts for helping to fund the making of. Jan 14, 2020 involving your audience in the making of or promotion strategy of the film is a fantastic way to get some diehard early fans. For example, file sharing data can be used to further expand movie distribution in new and untapped target markets for the film industry, or to adjust distribution strategies and processes for tv shows in existing markets. This will include distribution, pricing and promotion strategies that, if youre prepared, can help you pull ahead of the competition. Place is considered in case of products as well as services distribution strategy is mainly decided by keeping the top management in loop because it affects overall operations. Thus, there is a lot of importance given to making proper distribution strategies for a company. With a film marketing plan you can now market directly to film audiences at the fraction of traditional hollywood marketing budgets. Panelists caitlin boyle of film sprout, julie whang of tugg, and amanda elder of collective eye films detailed the roles their companies play in. Traditionally these were the only way for your independent films to be seen by the public. Although we are always talking about film distribution also, marketing is an essential part of this process, the marketing strategy is what will define the movie and people will look for, will want to know more about it and would like to see the film wherever it is present. Film proposals movie business plan template, film financing. Learn the 5 main steps you can take to plan out your independent films distribution.
A presale is a limited distribution agreement for a particular country entered into prior to completion, and often even prior to commencement of production, of the film. So before you decide on your film distribution strategy, make sure you take time to research your options. For example, today the film distribution process is far different than it was even ten. Best film business plan template sample, financials, investors. Filmmakers need to get a good, rocksolid understanding of how film distribution works. A distribution strategy is a plan to reach customers with goods and services. The process of getting products or services from its source to market is referred to as a distribution. A company can decide whether it wants to serve the product. Distribution strategies used by businesses 5 types of. Try to cast talent that might help turn eyes towards your project. Nov 18, 2018 4 types of distribution channels in marketing manufacturers originally bear the responsibility to create the perfect marketing mix for their production. And your audience, if youre diying your film, needs to believe theyll be sufficiently entertained andor enlightened before theyll.
The film business plan is a stepbystep guide on how to structure your film as a business and projects what your film will cost to develop and operate every film investor wants to see how you are going to spend the money and most of all, what the return on investment will be. Manufacturers select mass merchandisers to sell middle price ranged products while they distribute topoftheline products through highend department and specialty stores. Aug 19, 2019 30 marketing plan samples and ideas to make yours stand out. This is the process that makes your film go from private to public and this way people will see your product finished in cinemas or any other distribution platform. Distribution strategy many faces is a psychological thriller targeted toward a very specfic audience. Distribution strategy 3 definition distribution is one of the four aspects of marketing. It usually also includes determining a marketing strategy. At the same time, cast talent that works well for the project. Because distribution is business, and distributors dont care if youve made the greatest indie filmart filmdocumentary of the past 20 years. Recommendations for the distribution strategy in changing market environment. Some of these marketing samples are hypothetical and some are from real companies. May 24, 2016 a workshop at the recent oregon doc camp, presented by women in film portland, focused on developing a distribution and marketing strategy for documentaries. Oct 04, 20 with this in mind, he made the film the proper length for broadcast 56 minutes and presented it to wouldbe funders and partners with a specific set of goals for the films release. Abstract the efficient distribution strategy formulation becomes vital to the success and survival of any organization, especially when it is involved in international trade.
Include the results of your assessment in the company description portion. There was a studio system that existed at the end of the silent period and collapsed in 1949 with a court ruling. The distributor then sells the product to retailers or customers distribution strategy 4. Apply to sales representative, administrator, executive and more. We walk you through the nuts and bolts of your project so you present the investment opportunity in the best light possible, without compromising your creativity. In the old world, plan a was to give all your distribution rights to one company, and plan b was to take on self distribution, said elder. Goals of the filmmaking team all should be on the same page. Film distribution process begins when you have decided you want people to see your movie. Here is a brief summary of how we see film distribution at the moment. How to distribute your short film in todays online. In that regard, as part of understanding the entire process of production and distribution, it is important to understand how film distribution and film financing are linked. In this post, we will tell you everything you need to know about product distribution, from different distribution strategies to who is who in the industry, so you can refine your own distribution strategy to achieve peak performance on the shelf.
Indie film distribution submit your film today indie. How to build your documentarys distribution strategy. Film festival, theatrical, semitheatrical museums, schools, art centers, etc, video on demand, educational sales, dvd sales, web sales, itunes for example, the. We walk you through the nuts and bolts of your project so you present the investment opportunity in the best. Business planning is all about developing strategies for whatever your business may face. Feb 16, 2017 distribution strategy many faces is a psychological thriller targeted toward a very specfic audience. There are countless ways to do this, from running a competition to be featured as an extra, to crowdfunding your film or tv show using a platform like kickstarter, where people are rewarded with exclusive gifts for helping to fund the making of the film. First, what i discovered is that there are lessons you can take from silicon valley and apply directly to film pitching marketing distribution. Distribution includes both sales and delivery of everything that surrounds a product including customer service and customer experience. Every film can benefit from having a distribution strategy before its festival premiere and before any rights are sold. Learn how to get your film distributed, in under 3 months. Second, i learned that the determiner of your success is your psychology which is why i teach entrepreneurship leadership. It is common for firms to adopt multiple distribution channels to reach customers in convenient ways. Getting your product or service to market may require your sales effort andor the physical transfer of your product with one or more intermediate parties before it reaches the ultimate enduser.
These film contract templates will give you the framework of legal agreements from locations, crew, catering to distribution deals. The distribution and marketing for any one film will depend on several factors. For example, file sharing data can be used to further expand movie distribution in. Jun 21, 2017 image via quiver quiver is an online film distribution platform that allows filmmakers to keep 100 percent of their revenue for one flat fee. This is a broad overview of a 12 week movie marketing plan that you can implement for your next title. An amazing set of incredibly helpful templates, guide books, advice. We offer a full range of affordable distribution, educational, and marketing education to independent filmmakers looking to reach out to traditionally underserved audiences. The coffee warehouse is a new business providing full service distribution of coffee and supplies to coffee houses and espresso stands throughout the spokane and northern idaho market.
Unfortunately, many of these companies often fail to establish or maintain the most effective distribution strategies. In the past, this would more than likely be the end of your films public life, especially without a sales agent. What they care about is if it will make them money. The choice of retailers and other intermediaries is strongly tied to the product itself. In my last blog, i laid out the strategy of approaching distribution today with what i refer to as film distribution 3. This plan provides grassroots strategies you can implement over a 12 week period. The coffee warehouse coffee distribution business plan sales and marketing. Panelists caitlin boyle of film sprout, julie whang of tugg, and amanda elder of collective eye films detailed the roles their companies play in the new world of hybrid distribution. During this same time a sales era of marketing existed. Another element of distribution is our plan to work with established video production companies. Most filmmakers make their shorts without much thought for distribution. Film distribution there were many changes in marketing and distribution of films from end of the silent period to the modern digital period.
In the new world, plan a is doing your own direct sales on your own web site while splitting up the other rights. Film festivals are still the main distribution route for filmmakers. Distribution strategy focuses on various factors, which encompass. Film distribution strategies to use when financing your movie. These channels are most appropriate initially because we are seeking to gain recognition in the industry. Oct 10, 2011 doing this will benefit the film and make the release more successful and make your life easier. Basically, social media is an essential part of any films distribution strategy. 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. A company can decide whether it wants to serve the product and service through. It is also common for distribution strategy to vary by region as. The top 3 markets for distributing your film guest blog.
Perhaps you are preparing to make an independent film or. Our distribution strategies seminars give independent filmmakers an overview of all aspects of the distribution landscape so they can develop the best distribution strategies for their films. You may decide to sell to wholesalers, retailers, or both. Distribution decisions can sometimes give a product a distinct position in the market. Video production business plan sample strategy and. How social media changes film distribution for better or worse. Youre far more likely to get funders if you can show them a comprehensive plan that shows what your promotional and distribution goals are and how you. The objectives are to gain awareness and support from consumers while demonstrating the value of no good deed to potential distributers. You now hold a card that hollywood doesnt have, your own fanbase. Another way to kickstart your distribution thought process is casting. The film festival strategy is very important to the overall success of this film. As a result of internet film distribution and the inevitable demise of dvd retail distribution you can now reach a global marketplace. Distribution strategy essay sample new york essays. How to create a movie marketing plan without going crazy.
We recently purchased your film proposal program and we have found it to be one of the best investments weve done for our company. If you have a great independent film or tv series that youd like us to consider for distribution, submit your film or tv series here indie rights, a subsidiary of nelson madison films, is a full service, global distributor with direct relationships to major distribution outlets. Either way, youll need a strategy that identifies and outlines how you plan to move your product so you can generate the best return on your investment. Our business plan was created by film investors and top industry producers, with the specific goal of helping filmmakers find film investors and secure funding. Successful filmmakers and by that i mean filmmakers who successfully recoup their budget and repay investors, are the ones who develop a distribution strategy before they embark on the filmmaking process, and sometimes before they write the script. With this in mind, the company plans to eliminate all distribution channels in its initial stages of operation. Image via quiver quiver is an online film distribution platform that allows filmmakers to keep 100 percent of their revenue for one flat fee.
This is also the reason why place which majorly consists of distribution is one of the major 4ps of the marketing mix. A real distribution strategy for your films business plan. Heres the distribution strategy you need before sundance or any film festival. Below is a rundown of a recent talk given at idfa by indie film distribution guru and strategist peter broderick, as reported by our staff member, carol ann short. The platform distributes to worldwide audiences through video on demand vod. Involving your audience in the making of or promotion strategy of the film is a fantastic way to get some diehard early fans.
And lets face it, not every filmmaker is a marketeer. Some basic principles of film distribution and marketing for. If you know someone seeking film distribution, you might also want to check out my sell your movie system. When we released our first feature on amazon and started making sales, it was hard to believe we could do so without a traditional film distribution deal.
How to build your documentarys distribution strategy filmmaker. Doing this will benefit the film and make the release more successful and make your life easier. Distribution strategies for productfocused companies, establishing the most appropriate distribution strategies is a major key to success, defined as maximizing sales and profits. The acquisition department at magnepix distribution will consider film submissions from nonaffiliated producers of completed feature films or feature film projects in development or preproduction that have already raised development money and in addition have internationally recognizable cast. Distribution agreements in order to sell the right to distribute a film, a production company must enter into one or more acquisition and distribution agreements with a. This 12 week movie marketing plan will help you sketch out a way to promote your film. In this paper, distribution strategy critically discussed besides evaluating how it used in consumer market. Some basic principles of film distribution and marketing. Distribution strategies for a changing world the current state of independent film distribution is complex and evershifting. The evolution of film distribution survey of mass media. Include the results of your assessment in the company description.
Distribution strategy definition, importance, types. Your distribution strategy would identify which paths you intend to take in order to get your products to the end user. This film business plan template is professionally formatted and includes all the key business plan sections, with dozens of realworld examples in each. With this in mind, he made the film the proper length for broadcast 56 minutes and presented it to wouldbe funders and partners with a specific set of goals for the films release.