Let Independent Filmmakers share in their success
The Internet is the key to providing transparency and accountability in the Independent film industry
Discussion panels at both Cannes and Tribeca focused on this years' 'hot topic' - transparency within the film industry in terms of distribution, marketing and revenue shares. Bob Alexander, President of Internet-based independent film distributor, IndiePix, argues that with more Independent filmmakers now being offered many different ways of getting their films "out there", the industry needs to ensure that the filmmaker knows what's happening to their film and understands their share in its success. The Internet holds the key by enabling filmmakers and distributors to work together.
"Until recently distribution was a black hole, and once a project vanished into the market place, filmmakers had no option or choice but to fade into the background.
"In an almost desperate attempt to get their work out to an audience in the past, some filmmakers have signed themselves up to questionable binding contracts, such as online streaming mediums, which result in minimum revenue and very little scope for filmmaker input. Other kinds of agreements completely separate the filmmaker from his work's audience. For example, when a distribution deal seemed to be in doubt for Slumdog Millionaire, Fox Searchlight stepped in and agreed to take on distribution costs of the film in America while Pathé signed up for distribution in Britain and France. As much as 50 per cent of the US takings went to Searchlight - chairman Rupert Murdoch - while as much as 70 per cent of the UK revenue went to cinemas. Where the profit from a film goes has never been a straight-forward equation.
"What alert filmmakers and contemporary distributors are now pulling together to build is a transparent industry, in which filmmakers are partners with their distributors as their films reach consumers. This is totally consistent with and supportive of the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) movement among filmmakers and the increasingly sophisticated technologies available to distributors. IndiePix is demonstrating how this can work. We work closely with filmmakers in designing distribution strategies, and we also encourage them to be available and contribute to the distribution, marketing and commercial process as much as they might like. Being involved is a good way to build an understanding of the economics and finance of distribution - its risks and rewards.
"With Internet reporting and tracking techniques, there is no reason why filmmakers cannot see who has their film and how it is doing whenever they want to, instead of waiting for monthly or quarterly sales reports. In 2008, we launched IndiePix Studios as a "virtual studio" where filmmakers can see how the commercial activity on the channels are presenting their titles. The continued evolution of this site will enable filmmakers to review sales and accounting statements in a secure environment, review contracts, submit and update film information, and network with other filmmakers from around the world. Our goal and the objective of this site is to work with filmmakers as partners, not in a rigid vendor-supplier contractual framework, and build a mutual understanding and appreciation for the special skills that each of us is bringing to each film."
Discussion panels at both Cannes and Tribeca focused on this years' 'hot topic' - transparency within the film industry in terms of distribution, marketing and revenue shares. Bob Alexander, President of Internet-based independent film distributor, IndiePix, argues that with more Independent filmmakers now being offered many different ways of getting their films "out there", the industry needs to ensure that the filmmaker knows what's happening to their film and understands their share in its success. The Internet holds the key by enabling filmmakers and distributors to work together.
"Until recently distribution was a black hole, and once a project vanished into the market place, filmmakers had no option or choice but to fade into the background.
"In an almost desperate attempt to get their work out to an audience in the past, some filmmakers have signed themselves up to questionable binding contracts, such as online streaming mediums, which result in minimum revenue and very little scope for filmmaker input. Other kinds of agreements completely separate the filmmaker from his work's audience. For example, when a distribution deal seemed to be in doubt for Slumdog Millionaire, Fox Searchlight stepped in and agreed to take on distribution costs of the film in America while Pathé signed up for distribution in Britain and France. As much as 50 per cent of the US takings went to Searchlight - chairman Rupert Murdoch - while as much as 70 per cent of the UK revenue went to cinemas. Where the profit from a film goes has never been a straight-forward equation.
"What alert filmmakers and contemporary distributors are now pulling together to build is a transparent industry, in which filmmakers are partners with their distributors as their films reach consumers. This is totally consistent with and supportive of the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) movement among filmmakers and the increasingly sophisticated technologies available to distributors. IndiePix is demonstrating how this can work. We work closely with filmmakers in designing distribution strategies, and we also encourage them to be available and contribute to the distribution, marketing and commercial process as much as they might like. Being involved is a good way to build an understanding of the economics and finance of distribution - its risks and rewards.
"With Internet reporting and tracking techniques, there is no reason why filmmakers cannot see who has their film and how it is doing whenever they want to, instead of waiting for monthly or quarterly sales reports. In 2008, we launched IndiePix Studios as a "virtual studio" where filmmakers can see how the commercial activity on the channels are presenting their titles. The continued evolution of this site will enable filmmakers to review sales and accounting statements in a secure environment, review contracts, submit and update film information, and network with other filmmakers from around the world. Our goal and the objective of this site is to work with filmmakers as partners, not in a rigid vendor-supplier contractual framework, and build a mutual understanding and appreciation for the special skills that each of us is bringing to each film."
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