The Film Collaborative (TFC), the non-profit full-service provider dedicated to the distribution of independent film, is pleased to announce a new eBook scheduled to be released in September called “SELLING YOUR FILM WITHOUT SELLING YOUR SOUL: Case Studies in Hybrid, DIY, and P2P Independent Distribution.”
Presented by online platform Prescreen and written by TFC co-executive directors Orly Ravid and Jeffrey Winter in association with well-known filmmaker/author Jon Reiss (Think Outside The Box Office) and marketing/social media strategist Sheri Candler, SELLING YOUR FILM WITHOUT SELLING YOUR SOUL is a series of in-depth Case Studies examining the ways that today’s filmmakers are approaching new distribution models. Case Studies featured in the eBook include Ride The Divide, The Cosmonaut, Sita Sings the Blues, Note by Note, Bass Ackwards, Adventures of Power, American: The Bill Hicks Story, Undertow, For the Bible Tells Me So, and web series PioneerOne.
Focusing on case studies of recent films that chose hybrid and DIY distribution strategies rather than traditional all-rights deals, “SELLING YOUR FILM WITHOUT SELLING YOUR SOUL” seeks to demystify the myths around indie film distribution, and present accurate pictures of revenue models, marketing strategies, distribution spends, and detailed ancillary and digital distribution numbers.
The goals is to peer behind the curtain of secrecy usually associated with distribution, and celebrate the independent spirit of many indie filmmakers today who take matters into their own hands rather than wait for traditional deals to bring their film to marketplace. Other areas covered include sales numbers, grassroots outreach, relevant tools and services, crowdfunding, and community building.
Released digitally, “SELLING YOUR FILM WITHOUT SELLING YOUR SOUL” will be available first for Apple iBooks (Regular and Enhanced Editions, compatible with iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch), and then on Amazon Kindle (Regular Edition for Kindle devices, as well as all Apple and Android mobile devices), Barnes & Noble Nook, and Downloadable ePub (electronic book format), viewable on all computers. Release is targeted for September 13th, timed for IFP’s Independent Film Week in New York City. The book will be available for free, supported by Premiere Sponsor Prescreen. Any future versions – including traditional printed versions if applicable – will be announced at a later date. The website for SELLING YOUR FILM WITHOUT SELLING YOUR SOUL is www.sellingyourfilm.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
THE FILM COLLABORATIVE
Orly Ravid and Jeffrey Winter, co-executive directors The Film Collaborative is the first non-profit committed to distribution education and facilitation of independent film. Launched in early 2010, TFC offers independent filmmakers a full range of education about distribution, distribution services, and marketing services including sales representation, service theatrical releases, hybrid distribution, grassroots marketing, traditional marketing, digital aggregation, distribution consultation, and contract consultation. In its first 18 months, TFC has already provided its services to more than 100 independent films. For more, go to www.thefilmcollaborative.org
JON REISS
Author of Think Outside the Box Office, Filmmaker, Professor Named one of “10 Digital Directors to Watch” by Daily Variety, Jon Reiss is a critically acclaimed filmmaker who has produced and directed three feature films. The hybrid strategy for the release of most recent film, Bomb It, about graffiti and the battle over visual public space throughout the world, served as the inspiration for his book Think Outside the Box Office: The Ultimate Guide to Film Distribution in the Digital Era, the first step-by-step guide for filmmakers to distribute and market their films. Reiss is now working with numerous film organizations, film schools and festivals to bring a variety of distribution labs and workshops around the world and was recently brought on board the IFP to help transform their Independent Filmmaker Labs into yearlong completion, distribution and marketing labs. For more information, go to jonreiss.com
SHERI CANDLER Marketing Strategist / Social Media Expert
Sheri Candler is an inbound marketing strategist who helps independent filmmakers build identities for themselves and their films. Through the use of online tools such as social networking, podcasts, blogs, organizational outreach, online media publications, and radio, she assists filmmakers in building an engaged and robust online community for their work that can be used to monetize effectively. She has participated in panels and workshops on social media marketing for filmmakers at the American Film Market, Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, National Screen Institute of Canada and National Association of Latino Independent Producers. She writes articles for Microfilmmaker Magazine covering the issues of marketing and distribution for microbudget films and is the co founder of Twitter discussion series #filmin140, a monthly virtual panel covering topics of interest to the independent filmmaker. For more information go to shericandler.com.
