The recent SXSW panel Hacking Technology For Your Indie Film Release asked the question:
“As new technologies and distribution approaches continue to disrupt conventional release windows, funding cycles, and acquisition deals, how do indie filmmakers navigate this shifting landscape while balancing audience engagement and revenue?”
The Sundance Institute‘s #ArtistServices presented and has since released 23 Hacks for your Indie Film Release — “what it takes to get your film seen in an overcrowded marketplace by using technology as your secret weapon.”
Here they are:
- Schedule pre-order windows
- Avoid December and February releases
- Purchase a specific E&O policy that fits your film release plans
- Don’t limit your theatrical screenings to only Art House Theatres
- Upload final DCP-formatted trailers on Dropbox or G Drive
- Do NOT purchase KDMs
- $250 vs 35% — what you charge exhibitors
- Beware the “Virtual Print Fee”
- All screenings are “theatrical”
- Be frugal when printing one-sheets
- Small Size Matters Too: consider the thumbnail
- Don’t worry about print ads
- Harness internet trends
- Email subject lines matter
- Tweet at people who just tweeted
- Email lists are still the gold
- Upload content natively to each social platform
- Better Bundle for Bigger Bucks
- Private Vimeo Screeners
- Growth hack your backer rewards
- Carve out rights to do traditional digital and direct-to-fan deals on your own
- Ask distributors about their digital economics
- Pay for a quality closed caption file
Read the article for full details.
My take: as you fashion your digital distribution strategy, keep these ideas in mind.