Looking for movie buyers? 5 Steps to Secure Your Independent Film Distribution

So, you have an independent film and you want to find distribution.

There have never been so many distribution options available; Deciding what is best for you and your film has never been so confusing. The industry is experiencing a moment of transition; Everyone knows that online downloads are the future, but no one knows exactly how it will unfold. Additionally, distribution has also been done online, offering a plethora of options for the independent filmmaker and producer. What to do what to do

This article is the first in a 5-part series looking at all the avenues open to you as a filmmaker and distributor. Here are some tips on how to find your movie at home.

Regardless of the ultimate destination of your film, your goal is to find a license buyer for your film. Who are the movie buyers? We’re talking about broadcast TV (cable, satellite, and terrestrial), home DVD companies, VOD service providers, and mobile content providers.

Let’s begin this series by examining the psychology of this rare and overworked professional. Here are five things to know about movie buyers and 5 tips for putting the best face on your movie.

1. Movie buyers want a ‘story’. This bit of terminology here could create some confusion. We’re not talking about the plot of your movie or the subject of your documentary, but a story that will sell the movie, on paper. You should be doing everything in your power to create that story. To do this, you have to distance yourself from the movie you know and love and ask yourself: What will this movie sell to someone who doesn’t know and love it the way I do? The answer to this question is the ‘story’ you will use to sell your film.

The obviously most valuable raw material for a sales story is…star power. Movie stars often fail to attract their audience, but nothing puts movie buyers at ease more than the presence of a few household names in the mix. If you are devoid of any bona fide name power, fear not, you have other options. The festival game and any press generated are also incredibly important. You should strive to find some kind of festival and press exposure for your film. Even if it’s not a major festival or major publication, the festival and press game will take your movie from having no story to having a first chapter. Hype is overkill, but your movie will look more valuable to buyers if it has a story. If you can say, “This movie has already had some exposure. This movie has been reviewed. This movie was shown at a festival. This movie has a response. This movie has an online presence. This movie has the beginnings of an audience or an audience.” niche,” then you have a story that buyers will want to snuggle up with.

If you’re looking for ideas, you should check out the industry trades. See how distributors market their films and find out how to do it on a small scale. You want your story to be comfortable and familiar. “But my film is original, beautiful, heartbreaking, unique… and my marketing must be the same,” you say. This brings us to the next point…

2. Movie buyers think in dollars, not passion. When selling your film, don’t rely on your own enthusiasm and passion to make the sale. Again, channel your enthusiasm into a narrative that the movie buyer can understand, a narrative about how and why this movie will appeal to people. Has this genre of film had any notable recent success? Does your film intersect with any issues or issues that are attracting attention? Put your passion for movies away and focus your remaining energy on creating a professional marketing campaign and learning the highly efficient language of movie buyers.

3. Movie buyers are overloaded, have a short attention span, and don’t want to waste time. Movie buyers are professionals. Quickly hook them up with a full sheet (or sell sheet). The circumstances in which you present your film will vary, but one thing everyone will need at some point is a sheet as part of their promotional package. Here’s the crucial thing: Your blade should be short and to the point. This sheet is a keynote of the strongest features of your film. Do you have some positive reviews? Great, use them in the press kit, but on one sheet use the best line of each. Do you have any experienced talent? Paste their names on a sheet with 1 or 2 of their most well-known movies, but save the full biographies for later. Any movie can create a ton of paperwork, but no one is going to go through it all. Don’t hide the selling points of your film and assume that buyers will come to it. With that in mind, don’t assume a buyer will see a screen. Most buyers accumulate hundreds and hundreds of screeners each year and many of these remain unseen. Save your filters for buyers who show interest, or even buyers you have a good feeling about.

4. Movie buyers want to work in their comfort zone. To save your time and your buyer’s time, you should always do your research beforehand, especially if you’re making the first move. Are you targeting a buyer that makes sense for your film? Why do you think that? What else has this buyer/company done that makes you think the company is right for your film? Again, these points can be, if not part of your sheet, then an introduction to the story of your movie. You’ll look professional and focused, and you’ll stand out if it seems like you’ve done your research and personally address a buyer’s specific skills, past successes, and proven strengths.

5. Movie buyers are scared. By and large, movie buyers are a worried bunch, cowering in the ruins of the decimated music industry and wondering if their business will disappear under their feet. Cinema and music are different animals, and the future of cinema in the era of online exhibition is not yet fully foreseen, but the mood is certainly cautious. The movie industry is in transition and everyone is handling it their own way, some better than others. You’ll see conservative veins, but also astute businessmen looking to exploit the changing terrain. However, in general, most buyers want to minimize upfront spending. This practice, by itself, is not suspicious, but for your own protection, do your homework and make sure you are dealing with a reputable company and a company that is in a stable financial position.