Seize the Power Why You Should Pay Attention to the LAFF Symposium this Weekend
This weekend the Los Angeles Film Festival is hosting a truly wonderful event which I am proud to have developed in collaboration with LAFF and Film Independent (with strong push and support from Ted Hope
TOTBO Tip of the Day 34 When Booking Your Film: Make the Call
When calling the theater, ask for the person in charge of programming. These bookers are generally very nice people who love film. Why else would they be involved with small theaters that make no money? And remember, it is important to call first before sending an e-mail. An e-mail cannot express your passion, nor will […]
TOTBO Tip of the Day 33 When Booking Your Film: Do Your Research
Of course you have done your organizational research, but assuming you are still going to book some conventional theaters the first step is: Research. Most information you need to book your film is readily available online. There are already lists of theaters that book independent films available online. My distribution and marketing tools site: ultimatefilmguides.com […]
TOTBO Tip of the Day 31 Embrace Live Event/Theatrical
This week’s tips concern the re-born “theatrical” movement in the US and around the world for independent film. I’m a firm believer that film should be screened in front of live audiences – which is one form of our millennia old tradition of telling stories in a communal environment – usually in the dark (in […]
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 […]
10 Solutions to Ted Hopes 38 More Ways The Film Industry Is Failing Today
On Truly Free Film today Ted Hope writes about 38 More Ways The Film Industry Is Failing Today. My response is to propose 10 Solutions that Filmmakers Can engage in to work against these failings: 1. Consider marketing and distribution of your films as part of the entire filmmaking process. If you do this it […]
TOTBO Tip of the Day 11 Developing Organizational Relationships
Jon Reiss’ TOTBO Tip of the Day 11 Developing Organizational Relationships Last week I spoke about connecting with audience, creating a dynamic website and bloggin. Today’s tip is how to create relationships between your film organizations that should be interested in your film. This is an especially useful strategy for documentaries that naturally have a […]
TOTBO Tip of the Day 8 Engage Organizations to Promote Your Film
Step 2 of Audience Engagement is: Know WHERE your audience derives information/congregates. Many niche’s have organizations that support those specific topics and interests. Engage those organizations early in your filmmaking process (as early as conception and prep). It is important to have the proper attitude toward your audience and these organizations. You need to think, […]
TOTBO Tip of the Day 7 Differentiating Core and Niche Audiences
The terms Core and Niche are often used interchangeably and this is a mistake. The niche audience for your film is that slice of the population that has a particular interest in your film or an aspect of your film. The core audience for your film is those people within each niche that are your […]
TOTBO Tip 6 Identifying and Engaging Your Audience
Here is the Jon Reiss TOTBO 3 Step Approach to Audience Development and Engagement: 1. Know WHO your audience is. This is not 18-25 year old boys/men. Or 35 – 55 year old women. As an independent filmmaker, if you cross over into a mass audience great – but you need to be much more […]