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Topic: Short Film Distribution (Read 1507 times) |
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Nathaniel
Atlanta Films Senior Member
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Short Film Distribution
« on: Aug 15th, 2006, 1:41pm » |
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Aside from festivals, I wondered what distribution possibilities there are for short films these days, and what potential there is for recouping costs or even generating a profit? Obviously, making a good short film is not about making a profit, but I wondered what, if any, potential there is for revenue. Has anyone actually made money from their short films; e.g., by getting it shown on cable or distributed online? What is the best case scenario (short of winning the Academy Award)?
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wynns
Atlanta Films God
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Re: Short Film Distribution
« Reply #1 on: Aug 18th, 2006, 11:38am » |
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There are a lot of threads about shorts going on, but I thought this one might be the best to respond to.
I had the pleasure of moderating the finance panel at the Atlanta Film Fest this year and the question of short films came up in the context of if a) they were good calling cards and b) if money could be recouped on them. Roger Bobb- Supervising Producer at The Tyler Perry Company- had an interesting response. He said he surprised that more folks weren't honing their craft with spec commercials. This statement had a mixed response from the audience, but most of the panel agreed. Me, I was ambivalent, but with the news of branded shorts (nothing new- Jason Reitman did one for Ford called "Gulp" and Perrier had their contest too) I have to say I'm intrigued. See below.
MasterCard, Unilever Try New Long-Form Ad Format: Shorts
by David Goetzl, Friday, Aug 18, 2006 8:00 AM ET
IN THE LATEST EFFORT TO devise new, more engaging advertising formats, two Turner networks are offering ad-supported movie shorts backed separately by MasterCard and Unilever. On TNT, MasterCard will be weaved into a story about a high-speed adventure with a high-profile purchase using one of its credit cards. Called "Late: A MasterCard Mini-Drama," the two-minute cinematic vignette premieres during the film "Runaway Jury" on Saturday.
Then this fall on TBS, comes the Unilever-sponsored series of 65, two-and-a-half-minute shorts chronicling the life and loves of a vivacious twenty-something female. Known as "lovebites," the shorts premiere Sept. 13 after "Sex and the City."
The content dovetails with each of the networks' calling cards, TNT's drama maypole and TBS' comedy focus. The MasterCard concept was cooked up by its media agency GSD&M, while JWT's branded entertainment arm was involved in the development of "lovebites," which is sponsored by client Unilever's Sunsilk.
Turner is not the only programmer experimenting with "ad shorts." The new CW network promises minis it calls "content wraps" where sponsored stories could unfold over the course of an evening, perhaps in three installments.
On TNT, the MasterCard mini-drama will run during "Runaway Jury," a marquee event with a boffo cast including John Cusack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman and Rachel Weisz, and on each of the next four weekends during films on TNT. Other distribution outlets include TNT's VOD channel and Web site and MasterCard's Priceless.com site.
"We are always looking for new and innovative ways for MasterCard to engage with consumers," said Betty Pat McCoy, senior vice president and director of national broadcast for GSD&M. "By partnering them with TNT to create this mini-movie, viewers will be rewarded with a unique entertainment experience that also delivers a relevant MasterCard message."
The mini-movie's storyline involves a man blazing around with a pile of cash on the passenger seat. The action then includes a purchase with a MasterCard and a dramatic briefcase exchange amidst a crowd. The short ends with the TNT and MasterCard logos on the screen and the tagline "Saving the Drama" - a link to TNT's "We Know Drama" mantra.
TBS' ambitious "lovebites" 13-week series (with Paul Reiser as a producer) follows twenty-something "Katie," described as "a witty, spirited girl...going through a quarter-life crisis." Over the course of the 65 shorts, Katie's comedic exploits involve her new boyfriend Max along with her sex life, career, friends, fashion and hair -- hence the Sunsilk sponsorship.
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| « Last Edit: Aug 18th, 2006, 11:38am by wynns » |
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CharlesJudson
Atlanta Films God
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Re: Short Film Distribution
« Reply #2 on: Aug 18th, 2006, 11:55am » |
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on Aug 18th, 2006, 11:38am, wynns wrote:There are a lot of threads about shorts going on, but I thought this one might be the best to respond to.
I had the pleasure of moderating the finance panel at the Atlanta Film Fest this year and the question of short films came up in the context of if a) they were good calling cards and b) if money could be recouped on them. Roger Bobb- Supervising Producer at The Tyler Perry Company- had an interesting response. He said he surprised that more folks weren't honing their craft with spec commercials. This statement had a mixed response from the audience, but most of the panel agreed. Me, I was ambivalent, but with the news of branded shorts (nothing new- Jason Reitman did one for Ford called "Gulp" and Perrier had their contest too) I have to say I'm intrigued.
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Listening to various directors over the years such as Ridley Scott, working in commercials is also a great venue to experiment. Ad agencies are always looking for new ways to make their ads and ad campaigns pop.
Using new technologies, jumping on board new trends and trying new techniques on a short spot can be a quite a bit cheaper.
Talking to someone the other day there seems to be quite a bit of work to be had outside of the State for commercials. Since GA is a right to work state film crews can be cheaper than using native crews. Who says a commercial about a bank in Wyoming, as an a example, has to be shot in Wyoming? Or shot by a crew from Wyoming? (Bad example I know.)
The downside is that cheaper also means Ad Agencies offering less pay. And while you may get the work that a NY firm might have gotten, other incidentals may eat up the money very quickly.
I covered the AXE Blackfilmmakers screening for CinemATL the other night. The group that put that together wanted to help young filmmakers make their first short. They reached out to AXE to help fund it. I'll be writing more about it for the mag.
In the end, even if its not art, you're still getting paid and hopefully you can use that paycheck to fund what you really want to do. Instead of sitting around waiting for someone to drop a wad in your lap.
<realized I needed to clarify that post a bit>
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| « Last Edit: Aug 18th, 2006, 3:37pm by CharlesJudson » |
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lindawashere
Atlanta Films God
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Re: Short Film Distribution
« Reply #3 on: Aug 18th, 2006, 9:38pm » |
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Most filmmakers are making shorts to get noticed for features, not to be in the commercial market. And most spec commercials need to be a lot slicker, with much higher production value than your average short film to get noticed. When everyone was shooting on film, spec commercials made more sense. People spent more time perfecting the script, the actors were cast and the crews were often more professional...simple because it was more expensive to do. Now since anyone and everyone picks up a video camera and calls themselves a director, I think the quantity of product is greater and the production value is lesser.
BET J, Sundance Channel and IFC are buying (for nominal fees) and screening shorts, but they either come from festivals or a collection of talented filmmakers they already know. They rarely come from a submission, unless the submission has won festival attention.
Rarely do you make your money back from short films.
You can however, make your money back from spec commercials if your spec can be sold to the products company or you can get the attention of the advertising agency. You just have to hope your idea isn't just used, but that your spec is or you get to shoot another spot.
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Linda M. Burns
Producer, Line Producer and Consultant for Independent Films, Commercials and Television
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Burnley
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Re: Short Film Distribution
« Reply #4 on: Aug 19th, 2006, 1:02am » |
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on Aug 18th, 2006, 9:38pm, lindawashere wrote:Most filmmakers are making shorts to get noticed for features, not to be in the commercial market. And most spec commercials need to be a lot slicker, with much higher production value than your average short film to get noticed. When everyone was shooting on film, spec commercials made more sense. People spent more time perfecting the script, the actors were cast and the crews were often more professional...simple because it was more expensive to do. Now since anyone and everyone picks up a video camera and calls themselves a director, I think the quantity of product is greater and the production value is lesser.
BET J, Sundance Channel and IFC are buying (for nominal fees) and screening shorts, but they either come from festivals or a collection of talented filmmakers they already know. They rarely come from a submission, unless the submission has won festival attention.
Rarely do you make your money back from short films.
You can however, make your money back from spec commercials if your spec can be sold to the products company or you can get the attention of the advertising agency. You just have to hope your idea isn't just used, but that your spec is or you get to shoot another spot. |
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I spent a good part of my life doing commercials (as the agency Creative Director) for some large brands, and yes, they can be expensive. The key is to incorporate the brand or product's marketing strategy in a way that fits with their overall integrated communication plan. That's what I did for years. It isn't rocket science, but the marketing guys and those who hold the budget string want to know that whatever they spend money on fits their strategy.
I'd be happy to team up with anyone who has ideas on approaching this market on a consulting/writing/strategic/creative direction level.
The same can be said for many industrials or other promotional films. You really have to work with the company to give them what they want that fits their brand image and current strategy.
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| « Last Edit: Aug 19th, 2006, 1:04am by Burnley » |
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drewlin
Atlanta Films Newbie
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Re: Short Film Distribution
« Reply #5 on: Aug 26th, 2006, 5:39am » |
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i'd like to think of making short films as an investment - wherein you earn experience and a name. i'm currently helping out a few friends of mine (fresh grads from the filmschool) showcase some of their work... check it out at http://filmschool.ph/student_projects.php
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Scooter
Atlanta Films Full Member
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Re: Short Film Distribution
« Reply #6 on: Aug 26th, 2006, 10:00am » |
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The Documentary Film Channel will take shorts. As they are a sponsor at RIFF this year, we have the pleasure of programming many of our docs that we received this year (assuming that the filmmaker agrees), and they will be paid a decent sum.
Troma Films distributed my 30 minute short years ago, but only because it had a pro wrestler in it.
Atom Films is probably the best internet distributor of shorts.
Europe has several distributors that will take shorts (Canal +, BBC), so shorts are finding a better possibility these days for distribution.
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Nathaniel
Atlanta Films Senior Member
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Re: Short Film Distribution
« Reply #8 on: Aug 31st, 2006, 9:51am » |
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on Aug 31st, 2006, 9:39am, wynns wrote:
Very encouraging article. Looks like there are more opportunities than ever when it comes to short films.
Anyone know what the range is for $ for shorts aired on cable or distributed online?
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| « Last Edit: Aug 31st, 2006, 1:55pm by Nathaniel » |
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Nathaniel
Atlanta Films Senior Member
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Re: Short Film Distribution
« Reply #9 on: Aug 31st, 2006, 1:55pm » |
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Unusual distribution for a short:
Henry Selick, director of such animated feature films as James and the Giant Peach and The Nightmare Before Christmas, has written his first children's book, which is based on an award-winning short animated film. Moongirl, a picture book starring a boy who travels to the moon on a nighttime adventure, will be released next month by Candlewick in a book and DVD set. This marks the first time a short film has been distributed through the book industry.
-Publishers Weekly
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Nathaniel
Atlanta Films Senior Member
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Re: Short Film Distribution
« Reply #10 on: Aug 31st, 2006, 2:08pm » |
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on Aug 31st, 2006, 2:04pm, claywalker wrote:
Yeah, I think that's how they would look at it. If it's not with a known publisher...
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loracle
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Re: Short Film Distribution
« Reply #11 on: Sep 1st, 2006, 1:25pm » |
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I'm reposting this, so if you have any questions, I can't answer them:
SHORT FILMS WANTED FOR DISTRIBUTION BY CHIBI FILMS
SEND US YOUR SHORTS! Films that is!
We are Chibi Films and we are looking for ALL kinds of short films for distribution (general, International, Christian, and more).
The selected filmmakers will need complete rights and releases for their films and music sound tracks (we may decide to create a soundtrack CD) and supply the final film on MiniDV tape.
The filmmakers will make a percentage of the distribution sales.
TO SUBMIT YOUR FILM:
You may email a LINK to a website showing your entire film (no trailers).
Be sure to mention you were referred by Jeff Gund at INFOLIST.com, email the link to your film, as well as a contact phone number to:
RogerD.Mortimer@juno.com
OR
You may send us a DVD for consideration to:
Chibi Films
3445 Edgehill Dr., Suite #4
Los Angeles, CA 90018
For questions and other info, please email:
RogerD.Mortimer@juno.com
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DVKProductions
Atlanta Films Senior Member
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Re: Short Film Distribution
« Reply #12 on: Oct 28th, 2006, 11:09am » |
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There's one possibility I don't think anyone has mentioned yet...
Put several shorts with similar themes onto a single DVD as a collection. That should be marketable.
You can also consider combining several shorts, again with strongly similar themes, into a feature with a unifying thread. Think 'Creepshow' or 'Twilight Zone - The Movie'. And this works not just for the horror/scifi genre. Three stories, all of which take place in the same house, but with different people, for instance. Make it about the house longing for a family, rather than a family looking for a house.
There are things you can do. Just get creative! 
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David W. Richardson
DVK Productions, LLC / Chapel Grove Films
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