A PANEL discussion on FILM DISTRIBUTION at the Midwest Independent Film Festival (08-03-10)

Report:  MIDWEST INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL = Ceremony +

a PANEL discussion on FILM DISTRIBUTION

On August 3, 2010, I was pleased to attend a monthly ceremony of the MIDWEST INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL (midwestfilm.com) at the Landmark Century Centre.  A cocktail reception was held on the 6^th floor, including booths with information from various Fest sponsors (including still and video cameras shown by Canon reps)…

…  At 6:30 pm, a fascinating PRODUCER’S PANEL talk was held, with:  FRED BLURTON, the Executive Producer & co-Director of the Chicago-made comedy “Osso Bucco”;  ERIC LITYNSKI, the Director of Purchasing for Chicago-area-based kiosk DVD-rental company Redbox;  and BRIAN MILLER, the Writer / Director of tonite’s Chicago premiere of the film “Caught in the Crossfire”…

…  Ryan Jewell of IFP moderated the panel, designed to concentrate on the subject of distribution of indie films.  From the questions posed, it was clear there were loads of eager filmmakers in the audience… 

…  Eric was asked how things “work” in the way they choose what films to offer & what their “policies” are re Indie films.  He said, they DO encourage INDIE filmmakers to let them know what’s available, & they’re happy to OFFER such films in various of their 26,000 kiosks…

…  Naturally, they are interested in the QUALITY of the films, & it’s always best to have a good presentation to them (either thru a distributor such as Lionsgate, or even directly at times) about the film involved.  They work to “match” various films to specific areas known to SUPPORT such films or specific themes / genres involved in the films--  and yes, that even means documentaries…

…  While various people in the audience were concerned that it was very hard to GET such rental distribution, he cited some specific indie films that they order LARGE numbers of--  including tonite’s upcoming presentation…

…  He said, he knows competitor NETFLIX also is very open to considering such films.  A black filmmaker in the audience volunteered that he knows that’s true, as they somehow found out about a “small” film he had made, contacted HIM about it, & ordered many THOUSANDS of copies of his film, to his surprise & pleasure!…

…  Eric offered his thought that, filmmakers would be wise to consider the BOX ART for distributing what they make, citing how good box art catches people’s “eyes” & helps drive rentals.  He cited specific examples of such good art, including how he’d made recommendations for improving such art on movies he was offered, & how the eye-appeal helped increase public interest.  He urged those that make films to take a LOT of on-set STILL-photos, as they’re often great for later use in the box art…

…  Fred offered his opinions on various subjects, & how he was pleased with the way STARZ cable has shown his film…  He feels DVD sales are still important to indie filmmakers, because they help provide the MONEY to finance their work.  Eric agreed, & said they are also considering ways of wider distribution by adding rentals over the internet in the future (as Netflix does now)…

…  Brian offered a good deal of information about the film HE was showing tonite.  He’d worked like 6 years on the overall story idea, & it was a huge help to do 9 months of detailed PRE-production work:  he filmed in Michigan because of their tax benefits & the fact he GREW-UP in Grand Rapids where he set his film & thus he well knew the area & what it had to offer…

…  Brian had done detailed story-boarding of specific scenes & locations, & that was a great help in speeding along the film-making process when he got to the actual film-making production (after lining up financing thru contacts such as co-star Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson who loved the story he’d written).  Thanks to effective pre-planning -- & hard work over long hours --, he was able to film in just 14 days…

…  All the panelists happily offered their straight-forward thoughts on how best to handle certain film-making efforts & distribution of the finished product, & were encouraging to up-&-coming people in the industry…

...  My RATING:  9.00 out of 10 stars.

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   ( Also see the affiliated article about the film "CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE" )