I wanted to revisit the subject of Packaging Your Film because we received many questions after folks listened to the Alexis Garcia interview (the Endeavor agent) last week. Mainly people wanted to know what they can do to package their film without using an agent. So I coined the term - DIY Packaging.

Here's a few tips:

1. Start with a killer script that stars will want to work on even if they aren't making the big bucks.

2. If you don't have a track record yet, or don't know any actors yourself, then keep networking till you find a Producer with a track record whom you can collaborate with and who can get cast attached to your film WITHOUT having financing in place yet.(hint: Cannes and AFM are terrific places to do this)

3. Hire a casting director to help your cause - good casting directors have relationships with Agents so you can leverage that to get cast attached to your film.

4. You may want to try getting an experienced Director on board to make agents comfortable about attaching their actor clients to your project.

Now I happened to find someone who has wonderfully exemplified the DIY Packaging model, and I recorded a pretty extensive Audio Case study with him. Buzz M. started out with a script, worked his butt off to get one A-list cast attached (David Strathairn), which inevitably led to more cast, a San Sebastian Film Festival premiere, and ultimately, a U.S theatrical deal.

It's really an incredible story and I've chosen to bring this to you in the form of a Case Study, because I want you to see that this level of filmmaking is NOT out of reach, and there are steps you can take to package your film to get to this level. Buzz did NOT have an agent. He did it all himself. Buzz even used Self Distribution in the beginning to really leverage getting a bigger deal. You'll want to learn how he did all this and follow his formula.

OK, here's where you can check out this Case Study and get a real sense of what DIY Packaging is all about: http://www.filmspecific.com/members/627.cfm

Enjoy...and I hope you have a wonderful day! I'll speak to you again soon!

To your success, Stacey*