Have a Question? I have an answer! Please add a comment to this post or any post you are reading for any questions, or contact me anytime at moviedistributionfacts@gmail.com I will get back to you within 12-24 hours..maybe sooner! Enjoy!
-Jonathan
Movie Distribution Facts
BUSINESS FACTS IN A HIGH CONCEPT INDUSTRY
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June 16, 2008 at 12:02 pm |
Hi i am living in Pakistan and planning a movie . A real low budget movie and targeting DVD sales in more then 5 countries. I am not counting my country because i dont believe here is a market for DVD movies due to highest rate of piracy.
i want to know whats are the legul clause in a deal??percentage of Distrobution company???will they show me the financial records when i am sitting in pakistan and they are in other countries???can i make thatrical release to cinema chains which show movies on digital format???
i want to know the A-Z of how to make a deal with distributors….
Regards
June 12, 2009 at 5:27 pm |
I have a documentary of famous pakistani preformers completed for sale.
It is in DVD form credit free so it can be re authored.
I wish to sell it with all rights and distribution etc.
Tom
June 17, 2008 at 6:17 am |
Hello Adeel,
The legality of contacts varies from one country to another. I am not a lawyer, so i can only advise you to find out information on contract law in english. Percentages for the distribution company varies- usually they will take more than 50 percent- and you should accept no more than 70% from them of all sales.
You will have to ask your accountant these questions about asking them for financial records. Remember that film distribution is a business and you must work for them to fund you and show them that they are not going to lose money when they fund you.
You may be able to secure a exhibitor for you film with cinema chains, however, once again, this is a business and you must show them that the movie will have wide audience appeal and gross 10 times what it costs to fund the film..
I recommend you take a look around my blog and start with my blog post http://moviedistributionfacts.wordpress.com/2008/05/18/
once-upon-a-film-distribution-memorandum-contents/
to start planning your film distribution memorandum (like a business plan) and please email me with any questions. I would like to hear about your progress.
Respectfully,
Jonathan
June 17, 2008 at 1:54 pm |
Well thanks a lot moviedistributionfacts .well can you tell me one thing please.when you said ”you should accept no more than 70% from them of all sales.
” you mean i should insist that my share after taking out the expenses of promotion will be 70 % from DVD sales?
second question….i will not be having any accountant.i will be making indie movie.so how can i visit another country.suppose i make a movie in Pakistan and DVD sales agreement takes place in US.then how will i be contented that the distribution company is not cheating me???hey dont ask me to visit US [:d]
can you guide me to these things??
and when i said clause of legul agreement .what i mean was the numarical figures between me and the distribution co??like if the movie is released on thatres how much will they take in totla????etc etc
i am really thankful to you for such a quick reply
waiting for the rpely
Regards
June 18, 2008 at 11:02 am |
Hello adeel,
Actually the distributor will take no more than 70% You should get no less than 30%. Thus is a big business, the other way around. Don’t get discouraged. If you dont have an accountant and lawyer, you might as well give your movie away for free. You need an accountant for numerical figures and a lawyer for clauses and contracts. Distributors/businesses do cheat people, this is why you need a lawyer and accountant for any kind of business and it does not come cheap, There is no other way. Sorry, I couldn’t help you more as I am not an expert in law or accounting.
June 19, 2008 at 11:26 am |
I’m a screenwriter and was looking into writing something which would keep the budget low, plus easier to market and get finance. Is that the case?
Furthermore, if the writing is script is strong what type of budget is achievable? Also bearing in mind I’m from the UK so it would likely be from a British Production Company.
Thank you very much
June 19, 2008 at 11:28 am |
Hello James,
Thanks for your email. Please don’t write with budget in mind my friend. You should write first then edit.. you will not have fun completing the screenplay if you keep on thinking about budget. Anyhow, you should also decide not to have such low budget aspirations about a film because it is your magic..
If a script is strong, we know need to determine the genre(s) to see what budget you might be able to get. Most low budget films in the US that see country wide appearance cost about $500,000 budget or 250,000 pounds. This is an estimate and 50 percent of the time, it is more than 1 million. Please reply with any other questions.
July 8, 2008 at 7:44 am |
i few days back saw a blog on this site saying analysis of 50 best movies of hollywood(or may be the word were a little different) but ina ctual it was an analysis of top 50 movies.can i get that link please?
July 11, 2008 at 8:39 pm |
hello Adeel,
Sorry, here is the link.
http://moviedistributionfacts.wordpress.com/2008/06/17/
using-the-all-time-50-top-box-office-movies-to-market-your-film/
Respectfully,
Jonathan
August 21, 2008 at 12:52 am |
Hello..I am representing a DVD Blu-Ray manufactoring facility and we are doing quite well with small to medium sz production companies and distributors. I am wondering where I can get more information on the companies I would be targeting, ie, the ones who actually make the dvd’s and blu-ray discs….Do you have any suggestions?
thanks
clarisse
September 6, 2008 at 7:05 pm |
I would like to write a cover letter to distributors for the purpose of getting distribution for my low budget independent film. What do distributors typically look for in the package, and how should the letter be constructed, and do you have any sample covers?
September 8, 2008 at 10:35 pm |
Hello Marshay,
I need to know if you film is still in the planning phase, Production phase or Post Production Phase?
September 15, 2008 at 5:57 pm |
what is the differnce between 1930’s films and 1950’s films??
September 17, 2008 at 5:01 pm |
Hi,
I am a producer of an independent film finished in 2005. It is a 93 minute feature film and cost us 200k to make. We played 5 festivals in 2006 and 2007 and now are looking to try to get some sort of distribution.
The movie has great reviews and won awards at the festivals we played.
Can you advise me where to go with this film to get it distributed?? It’s my first independent film and I feel like I made a bad investment.
September 20, 2008 at 11:51 pm |
Yasemin,
In the 1930’s the movie distributors had their own theatres, in the 1950’s they lost them and had to deal with the government over a restraint of trade. Things are different now , the film industry has creative control again.
September 29, 2008 at 6:48 pm |
I recently acquired the rights to a large movie/TV/radio library. These are older shows and I would like to do several projects with them.
First, I would like to lease some of the film items to networks like G4, VH1, TNT, etc.
Second, transfer to DVD for retail sale, what is the avg. price and split with dist.
Third, license merchandise of the images for t-shirts, mugs, etc.
My primary question is how do I put a price on a 2 hr movie for a network to show? is there an average? These are primarily B&W films many with historical as well as entertainment value. Some are “B” movies and a few are 4 star.
On the TV shows, I own several long gone shows usually 30 min. shows, What do I charge for one time showing or in the case of the series, how do I set a price for them.
October 2, 2008 at 2:24 pm |
My name is Salome Kikaleishvili. I’m from Georgia, Tbilisi. I`m the editor of the first Georgian cinema magazine CINEMA and journalist of the monthly cultural magazine Tskheli Shokoladi. At the same time i`m a FIPRESCI member.
I`m writing this letter because I’d like to inquire about one issue, regarding the movie translations in my country. Since you can’t watch movie original version, correct translation is very, very important. And in most cases the Oscar nominee films and world premiers that are shown at our movie-theaters have absolutely different translation, sometimes even the names of the characters are changed. I tried to obtain information about this tendency from the people who are in charge, but nothing worked. According to their opinion, it is absolutely legal to change some details in the film even if “some” sometimes mean the whole content of the movie. For instance, this was the issue when the CASINO ROYAL, MASK OF ZORRO and ICE AGE were shown in Tbilisi theaters.
That is why I would like to inquire about legal details. Is it truly allowed to change things in the movie content and title? If so what are the rules of changing and what is prohibited? Do the different distribution companies have different codes? I know you can’t keep track on the movies that you sell around the world, but I am just curious if Georgian movie-theaters have right to change hero names and even dialogues too?
These are the topics I need in order to complete my research for the magazine. I have to admit that my deadline is really close and that’s why I would like to ask you to get back to me as soon as possible.
If there are any documents and any written material that would be helpful for me to write this article, can I also obtain them via email?
Many thanks in advance,
Looking forward to your reply,
All the best
Salome Kikaleishvili
P.S. I understand that you might not be a person who is in charge of this theme. However can you be kind to give me a contacts or e-mails of the person who is in charge of this.
October 3, 2008 at 2:27 pm |
Dear Salome,
Your question pertains to licensing rights. You must first contact the
licensor as the licensee to purchase the movie rights and inquire
about changing certain things in the movie if they allow it, as it is
totally up to the licensor. When making as translation, you will have
your own right to translate, however I don’t think you can change
character names. Inquire with the licensor after you have signed a
contract or at least have on in the mail coming to you.
October 3, 2008 at 2:37 pm |
Hello Mark Chenarides,
The way you would gauge a price for a black and white movie is to find out what the budget was for it at that time. You can then add an inflation rate to what it would cost now and make a decision on what price you can sell it for. It also matters on your location. Where are you located? If you wanted to sell it, you should do it in NYC, Manhattan to get top dollar.please reply for any other questions.
October 3, 2008 at 2:51 pm |
Hello Eric,
Thanks for your question. I am sorry it took so long to get back to you. Please read the email I sent to you and we can discuss this.
Respectfully,
Jonathan Glatt
October 6, 2008 at 12:36 am |
HI Jonathan-
What is the difference between a distribution company and a sales company that sells films-
i know that might sound really stupid- but there is a friend of mine who was in a film-
the director said it was picked up by a distribution company and when we searched out this distribution company it talked mre about “sales” that it acted as a sales agent-
so whats the difference? is there any??
thanks!
April 15, 2009 at 9:45 pm |
Of course, there is! Film dynamics are so many and so many details to follow. This is why their are so many niche companies to make a film.
October 10, 2008 at 10:36 pm |
Hi there,
I have a documentary that I am now shopping to distribution companies and I spent over $100,000 on making it and I want more than that back and worldwide distribution. I wanted to ask you, what kind of questions should I ask the companies I am speaking with to get what I want without them trying to screw me. I am new to this and I know my film is good. It has been in over 15 festivals this year and has won best international music documentary in one of them. There is so much interest but I want to make sure I go with the best deal. Please help me with some info I need to know before I talk with them. Thank you!!
April 15, 2009 at 9:43 pm |
Send us a screener of the film to our address, we are planning a film festival in Anaheim, California for the summer 2009. More details to follow. Any questions, email me at moviedistributionfacts@gmail.com
April 15, 2009 at 10:34 pm |
Hello Julie,
Sorry in my lateness to get back to you. I have been very busy lately. I would say you question lies in what exhibitioner takes the deal from the distributor. Or if any exhibitioner takes a deal from this film in the midwest or ohio for example. Or for example if United Artists, which has their own studio and theatres takes an interest. I guess it is about risk assesment to fill the seats at the theatre or if the thetres like the film. Remember, a distributor has to find a theatre that will take the film and they, the filmmaker, actors, and the theatre that is show it makes mucho dinero to feed everyone. Please reply with any questions you may have.
Hi there,
I found your blog. I’m wondering if you could offer me your opinion on something. I have been reading alot of “news” articles online about Terry Gilliam’s forthcoming film The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus. It is Heath Ledger’s final film. Like all Gilliam films, it’s an indie. I’ve read many (apparently erroneous) “news” articles that the film has had trouble finding distribution. Then I read a statement made by the film’s publicist that said they are waiting for a completed film to screen for US distributors and that the film has already been pre-sold to 90% of the rest of the world.
One question I have, is why, do you think, they would want to wait for the final cut to screen to US distributors, but be satisfied screening a rough cut to all other distributors world wide?
I also read another article where someone said that just because the film finds a distributor, does not mean it will be widely released … in other words, even though it may (I’m sure it will) secure a US distributor, that it still may only be released in major cities across the US (LA, NY). My question is why? I know it is the distributors job to market a film to exhibitors, but what criteria do exhibitors base their decisions on as to whether they even want to license a film at all? Is it based on the success/failure of previous films (genres) in their particular market? How do they know (think) a film will or won’t do well in their theater? In smaller towns, do they simply want the bankability of a big studio Hollywood cheesewiz film or what?
Thanks, Julie
April 15, 2009 at 10:34 pm |
Hello Alexa,
I am sorry for my delay in keeing up with posts as I have been busy. Here is the answers to your questions :
1. How could the movie seemingly be pre-sold to foreign distributors before a final cut, with no problems?
All movies have a pitch to sell them, and if producers and filmmakers and distributors need additional funds, this is how the invest. Not always is this a safe investment but presales have generally alot of success
2. What reasons could there be for producers to wait for a completed film before screening it to US distributors, especially since they have pre-sold the rough-cut overseas?
As per the last question, pre-selling does not mean the film has been completed with editing and scoring. Europeans love our movies and just a good investment partner. Americans don;t invest as much as the foreign market does most of the time.
3. Would an online “support forum” for a movie have any bearing at all on whether a film is widely released (meaning released in theaters in small towns, vs only big cities)?
I don’t quite understand the question. please rephrase what you mean by a “support forum”.
April 27, 2009 at 8:10 am |
Can you tell me how or the ways that straight to dvd production deals can be structured? When are the payments? Does a filmmaker ever get paid upfront? I’m so confused.
Chrissy
April 27, 2009 at 3:29 pm |
Hello Chrissy,
Do you have a film finished? This is the most important question because if you do a liscensing agreement can begin right away if the distributor likes it. You may have more luck overseas and i know a few contacts. If not, we can try to screen your film. If your movie is not completed, be prepared for alot of paperwork to convince the distributor to make it and this is the hardest thing of all. Check out a film distribution contents :
PR KIT/FILM DISTRIBUTION MEMORANDUM CONTENTS
This should clear up all you need to know. If you have you movie finished, we can help right away. Please reply with any questions to this email.
Respectfully,
Jonathan
June 30, 2009 at 5:49 pm |
HI There, Thanks for all you do!
I hope you don’t mind my asking a quick question: Where is the best place to find out about rules to follow if you do not want to disqualify yourself for distribution? ie: is it okay to sell the movie on your site, ebay, amazon, etc until you get a distributor?
Thanks!
July 2, 2009 at 3:49 am |
Hey John G. Amazing information on this blog. Thanks so much. Here’s my story and question…
I just finished a film and am talking to a small distributor who says he’ll carry the film. He just wants to know my pricing and payment policies. Isn’t that something he should be telling me? Or is he thinking I’m a wholesaler of some kind?
I’ve read your posts about saying $8 for wholesale (as an example), but what’s a standard markup for the retailer to sell to users? Double it? And how does the person pay me out? Do I ship him copies COD? Or net 30? I have 1000 printed already… in one scenario, I sell him my pre-printed dvd’s for $8, in another he takes a master and does his own run and pays me a percentage after he’s cleared his costs.
Any thoughts?
Sorry for the barrage. Thanks for any info.
Co.
July 12, 2009 at 7:18 am |
hi. i just finished my feature film and entered it into a couple of festivals, however i’m not too interested in wasting too much money in festivals as i know first hand a lot of it is political.
my question is, what’s the best way to contact distributors and what is a straightforward approach to find out if they are willing to purchase my film? how much advance money should one expect upfront if they like the product?
September 7, 2009 at 7:35 pm |
Hi Jon….I’m setting up a leased access cable channel and wanted to show “old” movies. Where is the best place to lease/buy movies, through your company or some other route?…Any info and or direction that you can steer me will be appreciated.
Thanks, Bill
November 3, 2009 at 4:32 am |
i shot my movie on dvdsd24f/p i have hard time to sell
pls help me where to go from hear