How to create to sell [your short film]
I recently attended Independent Film and Television meetup organized by
Youtube specialist:Josh Rimer http://www.meetup.com/independentfilmandvideo/
The featured presenter :
Steve Cosmic http://www.bushpilotproductions.com/
His tips on creating a marketable film on a small budget reminded me of a few take home lessons on Social Media Marketing.
Tips
- To create a 4-5 min film, look for inspiration in the everyday speak and expand it to to motivate the story.
- Do not loose sight of the part of the story that is unique – this is what will gets attention for the sale.
- When writing don’t look for perfection 1st, and don’t take others ideas as anything more then suggestions. You are not responsible to someone else’s ego?
- Reduce the # of crew. By doing this you make the cast more comfortable so they can focus on their best.
- Act fast. By keeping the set ups short the momentum – and the focus of crew and cast is maintained.
- Eliminate unnecessary shots, they should all move the story, boil it down , remember it is not about ego. You will need to pay attention to editing to confirm the integrity of what you have developed.
- Good films pay attention to good actors and good dialogue.
- Production value does not need to be as high as you think, “there’s no end to better”
- You won’t make a lot of money on one sell but it might get seen by a lot of people.
- The place to sell is expanding, sell to inflight, mobile phones, new media channels.
- You may need to declare the work is yours, that it is original – written created by you or
- Deal memos and photo release or similar permissions have been acquired.
- Short film distributors that have been very helpful at making the process simple are ouatmedia.ca and movieola.ca, everyone appreciates a simple process.
- You will make 1st contact by email- they send forms, you send a YouTube link to confirm. The conversation has begun, the 1st contact is the key.
- “every element must move the story forward towards the unique characteristic“
Now that you have read it go out and make short films and sell them….
But before you do, re-read these steps replacing:
- “cast” with “customer”
- “story” or “film” with “social media tactic”
- “unique characteristic” with “your message”
- “crew” with “levels of approvals” or “administrative process”
Hmmmm could great filmmakers, design great campaigns?
Steve? Josh? what do you think.
Hi Stephanie,
You took good notes! I think the key elements are an inspired story (no copying) good casting, good acting. And forget about technical perfection, the viewers don’t care.
Your talk was inspiring. With more then 15 years in film production I appreciate when someone speaks on the hardest lesson to learn…putting the story ahead of the passion to create it.
– Thank you for taking the time to comment. -
Great notes Stephanie! Thanks for sharing and coming to the meetup.
P.S. Why are there no sharing options? I’d like to Tweet it!
Thanks for letting me know that the Share this tool I added didn’t survive my last edit. I’ll add it back. Thanks for the comment too. I loved the the meetup and look forward to the next one.
( I also subscribe to your brilliant youtube channel http://www.joshrimer.com/top-trending-topics-daily-show/ )
Spent 1 hour trying to add the Share button back. (I think it is broken) Tried the Add this button – and could not be happier. I have been converted.
Cool, good to know (and thanks for the shoutout for my YouTube Channel)!
Next thing is to have an option to be notified of follow-up responses on here, because I wouldn’t have even known that you wrote those two things after me if I hadn’t come back after reading your tweet!
All about the details. I have added the plug in. I welcome suggestions on must have plug-ins for the future from all.
I was thinking earlier, before I read the above actually, that I would love to do a small workshop with anyone who is interested in learning some new tricks! Not just shooting and editing, but PULLING great performances out of actors too!
Also, I can do a green screen workshop if anyone is interested. Info about what I teach is here:
http://bushpilotproductions.com/skool.htm
What I would like is one key person to organize it all, and that person can attend free. Everyone else gets a Christmas special price!
To add to that thought, Thank you Steve, Josh is speaking tomorrow at
http://www.meetup.com/Vancouver-Business-Marketing-Entrepreneur/calendar/15073771/
on
Youtube and Video Marketing for Your Brand on the Internet
Lots out there for perfecting your Video skills.
For all that appreciate our local filmakers
I met a Vancouver Film-maker via social networks @mattdagley and am proud to feature him on my site: http://bit.ly/Filmfeaturepage
Wildfirejane.com