"Using Film Markets To Turn Your Luck Around": A Case Study with Filmmaker Richard Ford
A year ago, filmmaker Richard Ford had a completed film "i-Crime" which he submitted to sales agents hoping to launch at AFM®, but got no response and no representation.
He and his producing partner didn't like taking NO for an answer, and decided to head to the market anyway, figuring they'd have better luck trying to nab a sales agent for their film in person.
What they found was that nothing can replace a face-to-face meeting (and selling as it were)! Listen to this interview I did with Richard as he describes his experience in detail. In it Richard discusses:
• the challenge with his film's genre (or genres) that they hadn't considered before
• their strategy prior to descending on AFM®
• how they managed to get meetings on the spot at the market
• the 'icebreaker' they used to help them get meetings
• the responses they got from sales agents once they started meeting them in person
• the materials they used (trailer, artwork, etc.)
• how they ended up pitching a new project from the script stage
• how their attitude changed on relationship building
• the types of deals they got offered at AFM® and post-market
• the deliverables that were necessary for the bigger deals they were offered
Scroll down for download instructions
This case study is in audio format
Learn more about Richard's film: www.icrimemovie.com
_____________________________________________________
DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS
If you're using a Windows PC, RIGHT CLICK on the audio link above, and from the pop up menu select "Save Target As" in Internet Explorer or "Save Link As" in Netscape. In the "Save As" dialog box, choose where you'd like to save the file on your hard drive, then click "Save." Once the download is complete, simply open the file. The MP3 file should open in whatever audio program you have on your computer.
If you're using a Mac and Mozilla Firefox, move your cursor over the audio link above, click the CTRL key, then click on the link. (The key is to do this order) From the pop up box, select "Save Link As". Another window opens allowing you to choose where you'd like to save the file on your hard drive, then click "Save". Once the download is complete, simply open the file. The MP3 file should open in whatever audio program you have on your computer.
If you're using a Mac and Safari, move your cursor over the audio link above, click the CTRL key, then click on the link. (The key is to do this order) From the pop up box, select "Download Linked File". The file downloads immediately. Once the download is complete, simply open the file. The MP3 file should open in whatever audio program you have on your computer.
About Stacey Parks
Stacey Parks is an expert in the area of independent film distribution, with over 13 years experience working with independent film producers. As a Foreign Sales Agent she has secured distribution for hundreds of independent features and programs worldwide. She has sold independent films and programming to HBO, Showtime, Starz, PBS, A&E, BBC, SkyTV, NHK (Japan), RTL (Germany), Canal Plus (France), and countless others.
Her clients films have premiered at Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Berlin, SXSW, San Sebastian, and other major film festivals. Her clients include Sundance and SXSW award-winning filmmakers and producers who have secured studio and mini-major distribution.
Stacey is the author of 'The Insider's Guide to Independent Film Distribution" (2007 Focal Press), the founder of Film Specific, the educational resource and community for independent filmmakers focused on helping independent filmmakers get their works distributed, and she is an adjunct professor in the Entertainment Studies department of UCLA.
Stacey has been profiled and interviewed in MovieMaker Magazine, Student Filmmakers Magazine, The Christian Science Monitor and the Los Angeles Business Journal. She has spoken on numerous panels including the Alliance of Women Directors, Slamdance and the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, has presented lectures or workshops at the British Film Institute, UCLA, Women In Film, and the Raindance Film Festival, and frequently writes articles for MovieMaker Magazine, MovieScope Magazine, and Student Filmmakers Magazine.
|