Behind the scenes from top selling indie documentary through digital distribution

Exclusive

MacHEADS documentary director Kobi Shely is joining DocMovies to share his experience with DIY and digital distribution strategies he applied for his film. DocMovies aim is to to aid filmmakers in a host of areas related to DIY and digital distribution. We'll go behind the scenes to understand how the business of DIY really works. If you are documentary filmmaker, and wondering whether investing years in self promotion of your doc can generate profits from iTunes, hulu, snagfilms Amazon VOD and your DVDs, than you need to read the next series of articles dedicated to help filmmakers avoid mistakes, gain their rightful earnings and protect their documentaries.

MacHEADS Comprised of interviews with Apple's most ardent followers and fanboys, Kobi Shely's feature-length documentary offers a detailed examination of the cult of Mac while exploring the possibility that the company previously defined by its unwaveringly supportive community is fast becoming just another trendy brand.

MacHEADS went to become hulu and Snagfilms #1 most popular movies, and was the #1 documentary rental and purchase on iTunes and Amazon VOD, it was #7 top selling documentary of 2009 on iTunes. Following was distribution deal for CNBC and television deals all over the world.

Applying your film to digital distribution

The landscape for independent filmmakers has changed vastly since the days when agents, film festivals, government support, and TV execs determined whether or not your film would see the light of day. Today the Internet offers filmmakers direct access to a worldwide audience through digital marketing and distribution providing exciting opportunities for creative and financial self-sufficiency. Applying your film to the digital platform is now a viable choice for independent filmmakers to obtain revenues, while still taking advantage of the classic system of distribution that includes commercial screenings, festivals, television and DVDs. The challenge is how to maximize the potential of digital distribution services like iTunes, Amazon VOD, hulu, Snagfilms, and at the same time bolster your DVD, television and screening revenues. Keep in mind that who calls the shots, you or your distributors, will depend on the contracts you’ve signed with distributors. It’s a common misconception to think that all films can get on iTunes or Hulu. You will need to find a distribution company who manage contracts with the leading platforms. That also means that what ever profit you make splits twice, once with the digital service (iTunes, Hulu and so on) and again with your distributor.

"Keep in mind that who calls the shots, you or your distributors, will depend on the contracts you’ve signed your distributor"

iTunes, Amazon VOD, Hulu and Snagfilms Revenues in the U.S and Outside

The iTunes store is available worldwide, however, its market is primarily in the US. In Europe it's nothing to rely on.Canada is the second largest iTunes store, though the numbers there are slightly better, but still not really a factor for indie producers. There is also a major drawback, because each country has different distribution arrangements, you will need to find a distribution company that can sign contracts with iTunes UK, and iTunes Canada. Bubblegum is also a good revenue option outside the US. From what I know European distribution companies have no experience selling movies to iTunes and platforms alike. Double check when promised international distribution. The more distribution outlets your movie have, the more likely to gain profits. The iTunes U.S store is truly a revenue option. Selling a documentary on iTunes can earn a filmmaker around the high five figures number and for exceptional documentaries (Gary Hustwit's Helvetica) it can max to high six figure number. All depends on how much you reserved when signing a digital rights contract with distribution companies.

Screen Australia announces investment in 20 documentaries

Screen Australia today announced an investment of $4.5 million in 20 documentaries. The investment will trigger production worth over $15 million. The documentaries approved in the July funding round include Wide Open Road, an Australian social history of the 20th century – viewed through the windscreen of the cars that we so cherished. The documentary by Paul Clarke will be produced through Screen Australia’s National Documentary Program.

Fifteen domestic documentaries were approved for investment including Sex: An Unnatural History, a six-part factual series hosted by Julia Zemiro that will explore the last 50 years of Australia’s sexual landscape. The series will be executive produced by Penny Chapman, produced by Michaela Perske and written by Mark O’Toole.

This new Toolkit section of DM aims to aid filmmakers in a host of areas related to new media and DIY filmmaking. The new categories in the Documentary and new Media directory will continue to evolve and it is our hope it will become a valuable and useful asset for documentary filmmakers and others. This is the largest resource to date for all your DIY needs, from mass emails, flyers, designs, to streaming options, DM will help you get all the valuable information needed for your indie. Our goal is to gather as much information possible and we'll be glad to get your feedback. So look no further, as the saying goes Knowledge is power (But only if you know how to acquire it)

Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!

The Film Fest Marketing Project  is a volunteering service created by young filmmakers. It shows film festivals and filmmakers how to turn inexperienced volunteers into expert guerrilla marketers. They offer volunteers designing and implementing a customized marketing plan for your film.

Great resource can be found on their web page here.