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Preparing For Foreign Distribution -- May 8, 2008
Some questions have been rolling in from people who wanted to try and get a sales agent for their film for Cannes, but it didn't work out. They want to know what's the next big opportunity. The answer is AFM which is happening in November in Los Angeles. So if you didn't get a sales agent to take your film to Cannes this year, don't despair! Just be sure to get your P's & Q's in order so you can get represented at AFM in the fall. If you're wondering what sales agents look for when putting together their film market slates, then I can tell you from my personal experience that when I was foreign sales agent, the films I looked for to round out our Cannes and AFM slates were the following: 1. Niche Films (Family, Christian, etc.) 2. Films with GREAT campaigns (ie: Artwork) 3. Films with marketable cast (B list fine) 4. Films with a kick-butt trailer (the most critical sales tool) 5. Documentaries with a target audience (because they're an easy sell) Incidentally, I had the most success with these films too. Since I've cut back drastically on working the front lines of a sales floor, I wanted to grab an interview for you guys with a sales agency who will be at Cannes and AFM - and let you hear things from the horse's mouth. Now this isn't just any sales agent -- I've chosen one that is extremely Producer-friendly... something which is a real rarity out there. The company is called LONG TALE and I found out about them when one of my consulting clients got an offer from them. I asked to see the contract and almost fell off my chair at the sight of how fair the terms were. So with that said, I'm so thrilled to have gotten an interview with Long Tale's head of acquisitions before she heads to Cannes. There's a lot of little gems in this interview, so get ready to take notes. Here you go....enjoy! http://www.filmspecific.com/members/636.cfm And here's a supplemental piece on PREPARING FOR FOREIGN DISTRIBUTION: WHAT FILMMAKERS NEED TO KNOW: http://www.filmspecific.com/members/637.cfm For those of you heading to Cannes next week, please check out the details in the Film Specific forums of our Members Meet & Greet. For those of you NOT heading to Cannes, be sure to check out our Live Events page as I'll be coming through London and New York on the way home for a series of FREE events (including British Film Institute, Chris Jones seminar, and Barnes & Noble Tribeca). Check it out here: http://www.filmspecific.com/public/department108.cfm Have a great day and speak to you again soon! To your success, Stacey ASK ME about our Film Specific Consulting packages. We help you develop a Distribution Strategy that WORKS, so that you can make a film that SELLS. Get more info here: http://www.FilmSpecific.com/Consulting FREE Film Distribution Crash Course: http://www.filmspecific.com/public/department55.cfm **** You are subscribed to a free newsletter from Film Specific. The newsletter is separate and distinct from Film Specific membership. If you would like to stop to receiving newsletter communications please click the link below. If you would like to become a member of Film Specific, or if you are a current member with any issue regarding membership please visit http://www.FilmSpecific.com (all membership issues must be handled via the website). To upgrade from free newsletter subscriber, to Film Specific member, go here to join now: http://www.filmspecific.com/public/10.cfm Thank you!****
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