Apr 19, 2018 with so many factors to consider and different paths to go down, the new guide to short film exhibition, distribution and marketing from the random acts network is a vital resource. Your film will not be seen if it does not leave your hands, so a large part of independent film marketing is to get your film in. This investment should not be made by anyone who cannot afford the loss of his or her entire investment. Independent filmmakers, the most important rules of marketing are start early. Often a business plan may contain revelations or confidential information that the producer wishes to protect until the movie is completed and available to the public. Icf will rent movies not often available from the larger chains. Film festivals are a good option when it comes to film marketing if you want to be seen as a serious filmmaker.
The complete independent movie marketing handbook bosko, mark steven, gore, chris on. In addition to the checklist, wed love to keep in touch with exclusive offers and the latest filmmaking stuff. If you have a great independent film or tv series that youd like us to consider for distribution, submit your film or tv series here indie rights, a subsidiary of nelson madison films, is a full service, global distributor with direct relationships to major distribution outlets. Join as we count down our picks for the top 10 innovative m. Video store sample marketing plan executive summary mplans. They will be working before any distribution kicks and you have to budget for that time. Many film festivals are considered film markets, meaning buyers attend with deep pockets and look to purchase films. While there are no guarantees that your movie will become the next viral, breakout hit, doing something is better than letting your movie collect dust. The marketing strategy page of the video store sample marketing plan. May 01, 2003 the complete independent movie marketing handbook bosko, mark steven, gore, chris on. Creating a business plan for your film outlet is a meticulous process that requires a fair amount of time to ensure its quality. Alphapanda is a european boutique social media agency for the film industry based in berlin and with team members in warsaw and geneva.
This selection differs considerably from the normal stock that blockbuster would carry. I created this marketing plan for a students thesis film at chapman university. For actions lovers, this film has a beginning, middle and end but also the action and adventure customers pay for. Ann arbor clearly has the market for these types of films. It doesnt matter how good a film is, if no one hears. In this article, youll get a twelveweek movie marketing plan so you can. Social media groups, categories, and hashtags allow you to specifically target a particular demographic with similar interests. Social media marketing plan proposal for the movie whiplash 1. The internet is filled with clearly defined groups and fandoms that frequently overlap.
You embrace modern technology and modern marketing strategies and techniques like websites, social media, search engine optimization, publicity, and advertising. This 12 week movie marketing plan will help you sketch out a way to promote your film. It doesnt matter whether you hope your film will be a critical favorite at independent film festivals or just a widely viewed short film on youtube or vimeo. How to create a movie marketing plan without going crazy. The budget available to an independent filmmaker is often quite small and their marketing. With a film marketing plan you can now market directly to film audiences at the fraction of traditional hollywood marketing budgets. Dec, 2016 current marketing concepts and strategies for independent film producers guild of america. Below is a rundown of a recent talk given at idfa by indie film distribution guru and strategist peter broderick, as reported by our staff member, carol ann short. Unfortunately, movie marketing is not a science, but there are a lot of lessons.
With this template, youll learn what are the important factors when presenting your feature film. Try this basic marketing strategy for independent film marketing. How to write a 4part film business plan that gets you funding. Oct 12, 2015 but heres the movie success pardox having spent the greater part of my film career working in film distribution, i can tell you that the filmmakers who actually land the big deals have a movie marketing plan. The advertising of a film is known as film promotion or film marketing and the people who are responsible for this are the distribution company, socalled. Independent choice flicks mission is to provide the customer with independent, noncommercial movies. You end up rich, with a huge career in front of you. You made your movie with little more than blood and sweat, and you can approach getting the word out about it the same way. For this list, were looking at those movie ads and ad campaigns that went above and beyond to create intense buzz and media speculation for their respective movies. The plan first markets the film to film festivals, then distributors, then to the general population. Go in deep when you are figuring out who your user persona is. To answer that youd have to answer whats the average independent film. Video store sample marketing plan marketing strategy. Although film promotion may not be as exciting to directors as writing.
Below is an overview of the marketing strategies and objectives of the company. Independent film marketing festivals, markets, self. The 3 cornerstones of indie film marketing premiumbeat. The independent film maker business plan and business development toolkit features 18 different documents that you can use for capital raising or general business planning purposes.
Art film theater business plan sample executive summary. Create a timeline for your marketing efforts and plan the length of time that you will need your team for. Brinkvision is the last real independent film distributor in the market today. Marketing strategy for independent films circle marketing. Our expertise covers all areas of marketing and promotion, including strategy, social media campaigns, advertising, research and outreach.
That means more schools than ever are developing marketing plans to guide them, and for schools who dont already have strong strategies in place, it can be overwhelming to get started. Marketing an independent film requires a different approach to marketing a mainstream blockbuster. This project taught me how to create a marketing plan for a film both as a major hollywood film and a student film. While there are no hard and fast rules in the brave new world of indie. Dec 27, 2014 to answer that youd have to answer whats the average independent film. Between a volatile funding environment, shrinking exhibition windows and a still evolving vod market indie producers are dealing with more variables than ever. What are the average independent movie marketing costs. One key reason filmmakers choose to self distribute as a form of independent film marketing, is that theatrical release status will allow for press to attend the theater. With so many factors to consider and different paths to go down, the new guide to short film exhibition, distribution and marketing from the random acts network is a vital resource. Start the awareness by creating a press release to all film media publication editors and bloggers.
The plan first markets the film to film festivals, then distributors. Executive summary independent choice flicks icf is an alternative video rental store located in ann arbor, mi. Independent choice flicks independent video store business plan executive summary. Many private institutions are finding that they need to engage in strong marketing tactics to thrive in todays increasingly competitive market. Your film will not be seen if it does not leave your hands, so a large part of independent film marketing is to get your film in as many hands as possible. Allen chou also manages the inhouse social media marketing department and serves on the adjunct faculty at new york university teaching film marketing and distribution courses. Distribution strategies for a changing world the current state of independent film distribution is complex and evershifting. Miami beach film society, nonprofit presenter of art films and the miami beach international film festival finds new home and presentation facility in a cultural renewal area. But heres the movie success pardox having spent the greater part of my film career working in film distribution, i can tell you that the filmmakers who actually land the big deals have a movie marketing plan. We have created a film marketing strategy template to take you step by step through marketing composition, to help you create an effective strategy for your film. An independent film, independent movie, indie film or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies. The best marketing plans begin long before production and continue to evolve as the project moves forward. Independent film maker business plan, marketing plan, how to guide, and funding directory.
The shooting schedule total, plus the overall production expenditure of the movie. Apr, 2018 for example, any independent film distributors or sales agents there should see your film. You can ask us to stop any time, but if you dont want to hear from us, please ignore this form. And since thats the end goal, every filmmaker, no matter what their budget is, should have a plan in place for marketing their film, and this plan can be implemented months, even years, before you call action. Independent choice flicks video rental specializes in art, foreign, and alternative genre films. A marketing attitude for digital cinema part 3 of 4. Independent choice flicks icf is an alternative video rental store located in eugene, ore. Just being able to say that your film is an official selection at a festival can cause you to be taken more seriously and, if you win any awards, then that can open up a variety of doors for you. We are your vision, releasing films that you want to see. In the course entertainment and marketing promotion, each student was assigned to a student film to create a marketing plan for. Most importantly, defining your plan will give you the framework and focus to make sure you keep yourself ontrack.
Feb 16, 2017 in the course entertainment and marketing promotion, each student was assigned to a student film to create a marketing plan for. How to promote your independent film 2020 masterclass. Film independent is pleased to welcome distribution expert jon reiss who will explain the steps you must take when crafting a successful marketing and distribution plan for your indie film. Next the film will team up with a credible distributor in order to achieve a successful platform release. Its our mission to acquire underappreciated films deserving of a larger audience. Film investment risks any investment in film production involves a high degree of risk. My independent film is going to be premiering at a major u. Define the film s marketing angle, to inspire festivals to screen it or to inspire audiences to check it out. The advent of digital technology has transformed the film industry. Steal these strategies from the genius marketers of game of thrones.
This sample marketing plan was created with marketing plan pro software. If you havent already considered a marketing plan for your next project, i strongly urge you to read through the points below. Marketing a film when a new film is made, it has to be advertised like any other new product, to let people know it exists and to encourage them to go to the cinema to see it. The role of social media in film marketing huffpost. By the end, i hope youll feel ready to jump in with your own marketing plan and not get just this one film to the right audience, but also gain the knowledge to successfully match your work with an audience for many films to come. Jul 18, 2016 sometimes, all it takes to make a movie successful is great advertising. Jan 24, 2019 this 12 week movie marketing plan will help you sketch out a way to promote your film. Crafting a marketing and distribution plan film independent. Feb 21, 2016 each studio and each movie really has a slightly different allocation of budgeted funds, but they all generally share common line items or categories. It all boils down to applying the right film marketing strategies and having the. Movie and game industry marketing articles about independent film marketing, game marketing promotion, publicity, photography, collateral, posters, postcards, press kits. In order to insure that potential investors or other third parties do not. Social media marketing plan proposal for the movie whiplash. One of the most important things you can do, from day 1, is plan the marketing for your film.
Here are inside stories that can help you find tried and true marketing methods to craft. The most important part of independent film marketing is the ability to know who your audience is. Current marketing concepts and strategies for independent. This plan provides grassroots strategies you can implement over a 12 week period. The purpose of the thesis was to find out how to write a business plan for an independent feature film to be produced in the unites states, and whether business planning in independent feature filmmaking in the united states was a common. Trying to write a marketing plan but dont know where to start. He is a frequent speaker, panel moderator, and instructor on distribution and social media marketing at film festivals, industry conferences and universities. Icf offers a unique selection of artsy, noncommercial movie rentals. This business plan is not to be construed as an offering for securities. Independent films are sometimes distinguishable by their content and style and the way in which the. The information that is usually included in a film business plan include. The film genre is drama, with attributes of addiction, drug and alcohol abuse, sex and violence. In other words, these filmmakers dont necessarily need a distribution deal to get their movies seen and selling.
Independent film maker business plan and swot analysis. Short film exhibition, distribution, marketing guide. The executive summary page of the video store sample marketing plan our brands. Video store sample marketing plan situation analysis mplans.
Independent cinema continues to evolve, and we will evolve with it while providing audiences the best films possible. Sym 1 landing page how to sell your movie learn film. Each studio and each movie really has a slightly different allocation of budgeted funds, but they all generally share common line items or categories. Up to 40% of the audience that is following an independent film on facebook is most likely living in a country where the film will never be released.
Indie film marketed through social media shannon delatorre, kate makai, josh wellins, mariel espejo, hannah waitt, and marc milberg. Miami beach film society art film theater business plan executive summary. In all of these cases, you will need a movie promotion plan to get eyes on your film. For most independent film makers, the focus has been centered on the movie. Alphapanda digital marketing for the film industry. What are their interests, where do consume content and will they be passionate about your film. The movies target demographics, how youre going to get it in front of them, and how much that advertizing will cost, as well as conversion rates between how many people youre expecting to reach and how many of those. Buy film marketing strategy template for independent filmmakers and film studios by ebook online at lulu. Every part of the template uses questions to guide you through the subject of film marketing. Independent video store business plan sample executive.
Top 10 innovative movie marketing campaigns youtube. To begin, the film will be shown at specific film festivals where we will brand no good deed as a hip, independent film in order to generate the initial buzz. A comprehensive marketing plan will be instrumental in developing visibility to ensure future profitability. Who is your audience where to find your targeted audience how large is your audience what is the viability of your campaign film marketing strategy film. The target market for this movie is for teenagers and adults over the age of 18, however accompanied by an adult, ages 14 and over are fine watching the movie due to violence and graphic scenes. Feb 11, 2014 create a timeline for your marketing efforts and plan the length of time that you will need your team for. Current marketing concepts and strategies for independent film. A four wall deal is made with a theater that allows you to pay a fee to buy out the theater for a set period of time.