Think Outside the Box Office Book Signing at the Vancouver International Film Festival Forum

I’m heading to Vancouver today to attend the Vancouver International Film Festival’s Forum, where I will be on a panel on Friday October 2nd – see info below. I’ll be doing a few book signings with Biz Books who will have a booth in the Forum. First is scheduled for 5pm on October 1st. Next is right after my panel on October 2nd at 2:15. Finally 5pm on October 2nd. Hope to see you then!

DOC TALK – Friday, October 2

1:00 – 2:15 PM
21st Century Doc Distribution Strategies (FTV20)

Let’s take stock of the current opportunities for documentary distribution. Panelists will discuss the trends in the market – positive and negative – for creative, non-fiction work: developing your doc for broadcast and Internet, targeting audiences, branded content, engaging corporate partners, on-line fundraising, new media platforms and possible new business models that can be ‘embedded’ in various types of media. Find out from these forward leaning filmmakers and distributors who are doing it for themselves and maintaining the digital rights. Film school doesn’t always teach you the ins-and-outs of the real business of new media and distribution. This panel will venture down this path.

Moderator:
Leah Mallen, Founder/President, Twofold Films

Guest Speakers:
Lindsay Nahmiache, Partner/Director of Entertainment & Lifestyle Division, Jive Communications
Jon Reiss, Director, Bomb It
Robin Smith, President, KINOSMITH

Speaking at MCNY in NYC Tonight

I’m doing a presentation on the new world of distribution and marketing for filmmakers at MCNY tonight. Here are the details:

Quickie Media Seminar: FILMMAKER JON REISS
Do-It-Yourself Film Distribution

Digital evolution has sparked a Film Revolution and we can all distribute our own films, with a little help from the current expert in DIY/self/Web/hybrid distribution – Jon Reiss!

Jon Reiss has cracked the code and constructed a DIY distribution business model that
YOU CAN DO with YOUR film.

THIS UPCOMING MONDAY
9/21
6PM (Sharp) – 7PM
@ MCNY
431 Canal ST. (corner of Varick & Canal – (between Varick and Hudson)
Continue reading →

The Age of Stupid is the Future of Film

Here is my blog for Huffington post about The Age of Stupid. Its a mini-manifesto about the rebirth and reclaiming of the theatrical release by and for filmmakers.

The Age of Stupid is the Future of Film
By Jon Reiss

One of the most important films of the year (perhaps decade) is about to be released. Take note. While this film is about the collective future of humanity, this film is equally or more important because it represents the future of film, film culture and film distribution and marketing. Continue reading →

Jon Reiss at Independent Film Week – Film Distribution Panel and Book Signing

Hey everyone, just to remind you that I’m in NYC this week and that I will be doing a panel at the IFP Independent Film Week on Distribution followed by a special preview book signing of Think Outside The Box Office. I’ll have 100 copies with me – only. So come on down and get a copy!

Sept 22nd Independent Film Week, IFP Conference New York
Book Signing 7pm to 8pm in the lobby outside Haft Auditorium immediately following the panel – STATE OF DISTRIBUTION – THE CURRENT & FUTURE INDIE MODEL 5:30pm-7:00pm at Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), Haft Auditorium 27th and 7th Avenue

Age of Stupid at IFP Independent Film Week

Take note – the film with one of the most incredibly uses of hybrid strategy is coming to a city near you. You have to to check out Age Of Stupid at this weeks IFP Independent Film Week Monday night! They do an international one night premiere the following night. I’ll be there Monday night for sure!

FINAL FILM INDEPENDENT WORKSHOP WITH JON REISS — The DIY Bible: A Nuts and Bolts Workshop on How To Distribute Your Film in the Digital Era

Hey everyone! I’ve been doing this workshop with Film Independent Tuesday nights (through September 8th) it’s going well. I would like to invite all of you to attend if interested.

The DIY Bible: A Nuts and Bolts Workshop on How To Distribute Your Film in the Digital Era

**Topic for Tuesday, September 8th: DIY Marketing

Check out Film Independent’s posting for the workshop here.

The independent film world is abuzz with the collapse of the traditional independent film distribution model. Specialty divisions such as Warner Independent and Paramount Vantage are shuttering and the traditional releasing organizations that are left are not buying films like they once did. No longer can a filmmaker believe that if they make a good film, they can take it to a premiere festival and a white knight will swoop down and give them a million or two or four and take their film off of their hands with and wait for their theatrical premiere to miraculously occur to thousands of adoring fans and reviews. In this class students will not only learn how the film distribution landscape is changing, but how to use the new models of independent film distribution to effectively release an independent film. Emphasis will be on: Creating a Strategy for Your Film, How to Prepare Your Film For Distribution, Reinventing the Theatrical Release, DVD and Educational Distribution, Digital Distribution and Web Sites and Web Promotion.

About the Instructor: Jon Reiss was named one of “10 Digital Directors to Watch” by Daily Variety and is a critically acclaimed filmmaker who has produced and directed three feature films most recently Bomb It (Tribeca 2007) about graffiti and the battle over visual public space throughout the world. Based on his experience releasing Bomb It with a hybrid strategy and the classes he teaches at Cal Arts, Jon is now writing the book: The DIY Bible: The Complete Guide to Film Distribution in the Digital Era to be released September 15th.

WHEN: Tuesdays, August 11 – September 8, 7:00pm – 10:00 pm
WHERE: Film Independent Office
PRICE: $200 for Film Independent members, $250 for non-members
RESERVATIONS: Required – call 310.432.1222 or email Reservations@FilmIndependent.org.
Seating is limited.
Parking validated after 5:30 pm
View the MAP with directions.