Eric SamulskiNew world distribution
November 8th 2006 20:05
Gas & Genaral
In Cannes there was a seminar on getting distribution deals for your film. They used the example of The Blair Witch Project. The film generated more than $200 million but at the end of the day the film-makers got zilch. Nada. There was nothing left after distribution expenses.
But they did get $30 million for their next film.
That’s how it works.
Old school.
But now things are starting to change.
MySpace and YouTube are just the beginning. With technology on the go-go before long downloading movies off the net and zapping them into the average living room will be just like overcooking popcorn in a microwave – the smoke alarm BEEP means it’s done.
MySpace has 118 million subscribers. YouTube is huge but the films are small. Imagine putting your feature online for $3 ($2.00 for you $1.00 for them) downloads – to the world. You get a million downloads and KA-POW.
There are sites now but it won't truly work until you can download straight to a TV, in front of a couch and near a fridge. It has to be idiot proof.
When that happens - it’s your gold statue.
You’ll get a lot of cry-babies saying that’s just FOOL talk.
But trust me, that’s the way of no-budget film-making and the rest will follow.
So the guerrilla film-makers new best friend is the computer nerd.
Get motivated, get happy and look out for the guy in brown corduroy trousers. He looks like Bill Gates.
Until next time and happy film-making.
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Comment by Anonymous
I mean, what if the simplicity and ease of media sites like YouTube and incredible drawing power of Myspace (maybe I should get an account...) lead to a Great Depression scenario?
What if no-budget films flood the online world? chances are, most of them won't have energy behind them, they won't be loved. They'll just be the visual representation of somebody wanting to be noticed.
And when I say 'no-budget', I ain't talking 'bout the real no-budget flicks. God no, I'm talking about the crap* that litters YouTube.
People may get noticed, but it will never be the right people, and it sure as hell will never be for the right reason.
~kennedy
* Sorry, I had trouble thinking of a more creative way to express just how bad most of the content on YouTube is. Wait a second... lack of creativity - hey, that'll work.