TOTBO Tip of the Day 30 Request to Keep Assets that Others Create for Your Film
Make sure you get all of the elements for each stage of the delivery process, whether it is the files for your authored DVD or if it is a subtitled version of you film that a foreign film festival created or if it the files for the closed captioning of your film. I had a […]
Proper Prior Planning Prevents Perplexing Problems
Proper Prior Planning Prevents Perplexing Problems My thoughts on educating filmmakers about distribution and marketing. Proper Prior Planning Prevent Perplexing Problems By Jon Reiss Over the last several months an argument has arisen within the independent film community as to how much (and whether) filmmakers should focus on the distribution and marketing of their films. […]
TOTBO Tip of the Day 29 Full Frame Video Delivery Still Exists
Even though the world is moving to HD and its 16:9 aspect ratio as a standard, some television and VOD contracts require a full frame 4×3 version. In smaller deals you can often push your way out of this requirement, but on some bigger sales with bigger companies –just may not take your title if […]
TOTBO Tip of the Day 28 For Docs: Do Your International Cut Down When You Are Cutting Your Film
Documentaries usually need a 52-54 minute cut down of their film to sell to foreign television. I waited a year before doing my cut down for Bomb It, which was way too long. While it did provide me perspective and made it easier for me to slash and burn my film, I essentially had to […]
TOTBO Tip of the Day 27 Don’t Do Your Deliveries Alone
Yesterday I mentioned how onerous delivering your film can be. As a result – Having someone on your team either help with or do your deliveries is manna from heaven. This alone is a reason to have a Producer of Marketing and Distribution. If you are self distributing or using an involved trans media project […]
TOTBO Tip of the Day 26 Start Your Deliveries During Production
As I continue to create delivery elements for Bomb It (for new sales three years after its premiere) I am reminded as to how onerous they are. Deliverables are the assets you need to deliver to distributors so that they can exhibit/sell your film. You need to start developing them during production. You should be […]
TOTBO Tip of the Day 25 Budgeting
To conclude 2 weeks of crew tips – a reminder that it is best to be able to pay these crew people. While sales agents should work on commission, lawyers, web designers, PMDs etc most likely will not. You should create a budget that is as detailed as a production budget. In Think Outside the […]
TOTBO Tip of the Day 24 Webdesigners Part 2
Oftentimes the best designer is not the best programmer, and vice versa. You may need two separate people: one for the look of the site (which hopefully is integrated with your key art), another to do the actual programming. If you have to choose to pay one or the other, go for the programmer. It […]
IFP Presents Think Outside the Box Office Workshop with Jon Reiss
Very excited to be bringing the Totbo 2 Day Workshop to NYC! June 5th and 6th. Nuts and bolts strategy and implementation. London and Amsterdam went great – Check out the fun from London. Click here for more info…
Film Independent Announces 2010 L.A. Film Festival Programming
I will be doing a 2 day Boot Camp at the LA Film Fest for its competition filmmakers. I am also designing the whole 3 day symposium with the folks at LA Film Festival. Its quite an event with pretty incredible speakers and combos – stay tuned! Jon Press Release published on filmindependent.org. Film Independent […]