Distribution Models

One really helpful link that one of my advisors gave to me was from an article that Peter Broderick wrote about "Maximizing Distribution."

Broderick emphasizes the importance of creating a web presence and reaching the core audience before the project is released:

During the filmmaking process, the filmmakers will have one to three years to learn how to reach their core audience most effectively. They will also have time to create an effective Web presence. This will enable them to build a valuable mailing list as they are creating awareness for their film within the target.

Broderick also stresses how that a film's e-mail list will help create a personal audience base that can give filmmakers more security and flexibility in their future projects.

Today's filmmakers have an unprecedented opportunity to build and nurture a personal audience. Thanks to the Internet, filmmakers can now have a much more direct connection to a personal audience, made up of individuals they can communicate with...

At first this group's size may seem insignificant (in the tens or hundreds), but it may increase to thousands before long and, after several films, could reach tens of thousands.

Each member of this audience can buy a ticket and encourage others to see your film in theatres, and later buy the DVD for themselves or friends. Filmmakers sending out periodic updates to their personal audience should be able to create a sense of connection and loyalty. Filmmakers may be able to carry much of this audience to their next projects. They can also benefit from direct feedback from this audience: e.g. reactions to the film in theatres may help filmmakers decide on the best extras for the DVD.

By open-sourcing the post-production of this film, I hope to get a lot of people involved with helping shape and create this project and creating a community of citizen journalists who are collectively helping create a new form of media. If this interests you, then by all means, sign up to the mailing list.