How to Make Money: Give Your Film Away for Free
source: http://workbookproject.com/2009/08/diy-days-philly-nina-paley-sita-sings-the-blues/
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- JonRaymond
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Nina Paley, indie filmmaker and entrepreneur, talks about how making your film available for free, as in free downloads, actually promotes it to the point of a lucrative sales profit. It seems counter to what we've been brought up to believe in our law and order capitalism where ownership and copyright equate to money in the bank.
The key point that Nina makes is that she still holds the copyright, so that no one else can distribute her film exclusively as their own. That way, when others copy or distribute ii, it is effectively advertising for her product. She then can make money on the DVDs and associated merchandise including some items that she personally endorses with a signature. That part cannot be copied. She says that many people who buy the film strive to make sure they buy it from her because they want to support the artist and not just some ripper.
Yet the traditional distribution companies and media outlets shy away from her because their legal departments cannot fathom distributing something they don't own. However, those distributors willing to go for it are making money on her film.
This is the crux of DIY filmmaking distribution. The days of Hollywood studio deals that leave filmmakers in the dust while many middlemen reap the profits is coming to and end. Is this their rapture?
The key point that Nina makes is that she still holds the copyright, so that no one else can distribute her film exclusively as their own. That way, when others copy or distribute ii, it is effectively advertising for her product. She then can make money on the DVDs and associated merchandise including some items that she personally endorses with a signature. That part cannot be copied. She says that many people who buy the film strive to make sure they buy it from her because they want to support the artist and not just some ripper.
Yet the traditional distribution companies and media outlets shy away from her because their legal departments cannot fathom distributing something they don't own. However, those distributors willing to go for it are making money on her film.
This is the crux of DIY filmmaking distribution. The days of Hollywood studio deals that leave filmmakers in the dust while many middlemen reap the profits is coming to and end. Is this their rapture?
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- groups:
- Entertainment, Movies, Upstream, Film, 6 more
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- tags:
- Movies, Indie Film, Filmmaking, Filmmakers, 3 more
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RENGACORP
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Trending towards fewer disabled embeds as the promotional business model for 2010 evolves.
- 2 years ago
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RENGACORP
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idealist
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this is so true... my friend was just telling me about about how this works. ya just cant be about the money!
- 2 years ago
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idealist
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keeesha
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Score one for the little "gal" or guy! That gives me hope because I am breaking into the "indie" film scene.
- 2 years ago
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keeesha
