Category Archives: Distribution

Festival vs Online Release

Posted on by Ben Phelps

Another interesting blog about a filmmaker’s journey – to release festival or online?

One of the key aspects of my work, at this stage, is building an audience, some might call it a tribe. I think it’s essential for the modern day indie filmmaker. The unique way in which I’m doing this is by sharing absolutely everything I am going through as a filmmaker online. Through my film website, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Vimeo.  Note, building up an audience takes time, often years and it’s a great way of attracting talent to your projects as they can see quite clearly just how serious and professional you are.

via Guest Post: Getting your work out there. The festival vs the online release | Philip Bloom.

Here’s the short film too:

The Science of Netflix drama production

Posted on by Ben Phelps

Interesting article about the strategy that went into the creation of House of Cards. Big brother is… programming.

The company financed “House of Cards” after seeing many subscribers watched Oscar-nominated director David Fincher’s movies and that others are fans of its protagonist, Spacey. It resurrected the canceled series “Arrested Development” after similar analysis.

via Netflix’s Hastings Says Viewer Data Underpins Programming – Bloomberg.

Cannes Marché 2011 – How not to pitch

Posted on by Ben Phelps

Lesson 1 – I note that there were two Aussie films in the mix – Sam Worthington’s Drift and The 25th Reich. Good on them for trying to sell their films, either before or after production. That’s the entrepreneurial spirit we need to see more of in Australia.

Lesson 2 – Notice what the Americans do that others don’t? P.I.T.C.H. Except for the Aussie spruiking The 25th Reich.

Lesson 3 – Don’t leave Work Experience Girl at your booth. She won’t/can’t sell your film.

Nice Shootin’ Cowboy and Checkpoint are online!

Posted on by Ben Phelps

My short films, Nice Shootin’ Cowboy and Checkpoint, are now online. Festival regulations have prevented us from doing so until now.

Watch Nice Shootin’ Cowboy in HD on the full screen mode. Crank up the volume to play it LOUD!

Watch Checkpoint in HD on the full screen mode. Crank up the volume to play it LOUD!

Crowd funding case study #1 – The Tunnel

Posted on by Ben Phelps

Luci Temple has insightfully dissected the financing strategy for an Australian crowd funded feature film, The Tunnel. There’s two parts to the article – Part 1 and Part 2. Read both. Notice the trend. Everyone seems to raise $10-15K from supportive family and friends. And then the money seems to dry up. I was a big fan of the concept of crowd funding. However, I’m increasingly thinking that the incredible amount of time that it takes (at the sacrifice of ‘creative time’) might be better spent convincing wealthier financiers (eg West Australian mining magnates ;) ) to invest in your project. Nonetheless I hope The Tunnel raises its entire budget and it’s creatively successful. After all, it’s a challenge in this current filmmaking climate. Good luck to them and congrats to Luci on her analysis.