Comments on: Budgeting For Your Film In Today’s Marketplace http://independentfilmblog.com/archives/budgeting-for-your-film-in-todays-marketplace/ Exploring ways to make movies that sell! Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:27:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: financeanalyz http://independentfilmblog.com/archives/budgeting-for-your-film-in-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-1314 financeanalyz Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:42:22 +0000 http://independentfilmblog.com/?p=143#comment-1314 Film industry is highly been a great business today in the market. But only those who has the budget could afford to do such film making. What is important here if you really have an idea of what are the earning potential of your film.Just like what other have said. Film industry is highly been a great business today in the market. But only those who has the budget could afford to do such film making. What is important here if you really have an idea of what are the earning potential of your film.Just like what other have said.

]]> By: John http://independentfilmblog.com/archives/budgeting-for-your-film-in-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-803 John Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:35:02 +0000 http://independentfilmblog.com/?p=143#comment-803 Stacey, Great Post. I just got back from South by South West and what your talking about really resonates. Fact is the old distribution model doesn't work anymore because of the web, piracy etc... I'm involved with INCUMEDIA.com which is a business network for Creative Pros to find the projects they want, the staff and tools they need and the business partners to help get the there. We launch in a couple weeks but you can check out our fbook fan page here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/INCUMEDIA/107461872607618 best regards, J Stacey,

Great Post. I just got back from South by South West and what your talking about really resonates. Fact is the old distribution model doesn’t work anymore because of the web, piracy etc…

I’m involved with INCUMEDIA.com which is a business network for Creative Pros to find the projects they want, the staff and tools they need and the business partners to help get the there. We launch in a couple weeks but you can check out our fbook fan page here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/INCUMEDIA/107461872607618

best regards,

J

]]> By: Shehzad http://independentfilmblog.com/archives/budgeting-for-your-film-in-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-542 Shehzad Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:50:04 +0000 http://independentfilmblog.com/?p=143#comment-542 I think Hollywood has been bowled over by the potential of indie filmmakers making no-to-low budget movies, and more importantly the potential to make big money from these low cost products. A film like Sherlock Holmes cost around $150 million or thereabouts, then the spend another $250 million marketing it. A film's budget is relative to the marketing costs must be inherent in the final analysis. There is no magic formula which Hollywood has in its arsenal apart from incredibly big marketing teams and and massive marketing spend. Something which alludes the vast majority of indie filmmakers. And most likely why they will struggle to compete in the marketplace, he who shouts the loudest and all that. I'm embarking on my own feature film venture, and have managed to setup a small cast and crew and more importantly given marketing much consideration. Details of which can be follow via the link below http://pendulumdrift.blogspot.com/ or further details can be found on www.filmedup.com It's a big ocean of indie films out there all awash of some distant shores, whilst Avatar and the likes always find the homing beacon and ready to open wallets (even in these tough times, funny that). I think Hollywood has been bowled over by the potential of indie filmmakers making no-to-low budget movies, and more importantly the potential to make big money from these low cost products.

A film like Sherlock Holmes cost around $150 million or thereabouts, then the spend another $250 million marketing it. A film’s budget is relative to the marketing costs must be inherent in the final analysis. There is no magic formula which Hollywood has in its arsenal apart from incredibly big marketing teams and and massive marketing spend. Something which alludes the vast majority of indie filmmakers. And most likely why they will struggle to compete in the marketplace, he who shouts the loudest and all that.

I’m embarking on my own feature film venture, and have managed to setup a small cast and crew and more importantly given marketing much consideration. Details of which can be follow via the link below
http://pendulumdrift.blogspot.com/ or further details can be found on
http://www.filmedup.com

It’s a big ocean of indie films out there all awash of some distant shores, whilst Avatar and the likes always find the homing beacon and ready to open wallets (even in these tough times, funny that).

]]> By: admin http://independentfilmblog.com/archives/budgeting-for-your-film-in-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-533 admin Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:49:52 +0000 http://independentfilmblog.com/?p=143#comment-533 Hi Parris, They're just not paying that much period.... Stacey Hi Parris,

They’re just not paying that much period….

Stacey

]]> By: Parris Moore http://independentfilmblog.com/archives/budgeting-for-your-film-in-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-532 Parris Moore Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:33:54 +0000 http://independentfilmblog.com/?p=143#comment-532 I think the neat thing about this posting is that he is going to distribute it himself, totally ignoring the distributors. His distribution story is as important as his budgeting! What if a person makes his film for 1 million instead of 5 million, are distributors willing to pick that up? What is the "Price" or magic number, Distributors are willing to pay for Indy films. What exactly is considered an worthy/Indy film anyway, meaning if I get Jude Law and 5 other stars in my film for 5 million, and it has a great story with a dynamite director, why would they not buy it and distribute it like any other film, or is it because I made it and not the studios, (because they just don’t want to spend the money outside of their system?). What I am asking is, if it is a really great movie will they still buy it! 5 million or what ever it cost! Or are they saying no to Indy filmmakers period! I think the neat thing about this posting is that he is going to distribute it himself, totally ignoring the distributors. His distribution story is as important as his budgeting!

What if a person makes his film for 1 million instead of 5 million, are distributors willing to pick that up? What is the “Price” or magic number, Distributors are willing to pay for Indy films.

What exactly is considered an worthy/Indy film anyway, meaning if I get Jude Law and 5 other stars in my film for 5 million, and it has a great story with a dynamite director, why would they not buy it and distribute it like any other film, or is it because I made it and not the studios, (because they just don’t want to spend the money outside of their system?). What I am asking is, if it is a really great movie will they still buy it! 5 million or what ever it cost! Or are they saying no to Indy filmmakers period!

]]> By: Frank Casanova http://independentfilmblog.com/archives/budgeting-for-your-film-in-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-531 Frank Casanova Sun, 10 Jan 2010 23:04:36 +0000 http://independentfilmblog.com/?p=143#comment-531 While Variety and Hollywood Reporter are "clues" as to what the numbers are, I would not characterize them as gospel by any means. Heck, the numbers will even vary depending if you're talking to the Director or to the Producer... They all have a different perspective and different motivations to disclose the numbers they release. Another clue I just picked up this week from another producer is this: If the production company is a corp, etc. their annual reports must be on file and public record. With some investigation, therein maybe some valuable information. While Variety and Hollywood Reporter are “clues” as to what the numbers are, I would not characterize them as gospel by any means. Heck, the numbers will even vary depending if you’re talking to the Director or to the Producer… They all have a different perspective and different motivations to disclose the numbers they release.
Another clue I just picked up this week from another producer is this: If the production company is a corp, etc. their annual reports must be on file and public record. With some investigation, therein maybe some valuable information.

]]> By: Victor Brown http://independentfilmblog.com/archives/budgeting-for-your-film-in-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-530 Victor Brown Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:36:44 +0000 http://independentfilmblog.com/?p=143#comment-530 This is great information Amy. For any industry, it is so important that we "show and prove" realistic sales projections in our business plan. We must all be willing to join organizations like Film Specific, purchase subcriptions to Hollywood Reporter and Variety, and sign up for search engines such as IMDB PRO, and ShowBizData.com. The competition for dollars is to critical for us to be "penny wise and pound foolish". Setting a goal each year to spend something to develop our plan is wise. Regardless of whether it's $200 per year for online subscriptions, or $20,000 a year for an expert to prepare a fundable, viable, and feasible plan for the production of an indie film, we need to use our own money (and/or friend and family money), to make sure our plans contain viable information. Believe me, investors are watching to see if we are investing in our own plans, and will know that we did, when they see the results of our excellent research. This is great information Amy. For any industry, it is so important that we “show and prove” realistic sales projections in our business plan. We must all be willing to join organizations like Film Specific, purchase subcriptions to Hollywood Reporter and Variety, and sign up for search engines such as IMDB PRO, and ShowBizData.com. The competition for dollars is to critical for us to be “penny wise and pound foolish”. Setting a goal each year to spend something to develop our plan is wise. Regardless of whether it’s $200 per year for online subscriptions, or $20,000 a year for an expert to prepare a fundable, viable, and feasible plan for the production of an indie film, we need to use our own money (and/or friend and family money), to make sure our plans contain viable information. Believe me, investors are watching to see if we are investing in our own plans, and will know that we did, when they see the results of our excellent research.

]]> By: admin http://independentfilmblog.com/archives/budgeting-for-your-film-in-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-529 admin Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:49:44 +0000 http://independentfilmblog.com/?p=143#comment-529 Hi, yes, I'm here :) in terms of following what realistic sales figures are.... Sundance is coming up - be sure to follow the trades for what the acquisition prices are. Same with AFM that just past -- I wrote several times about how necessary it is to follow the sales figures from a market like AFM. Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and Screen all print sales figures, acquisition prices, etc. So there are constantly opportunities to find what realistic sales estimates and acquisition prices are, you just have to dig a little.... I also publish sales projections charts on my site Film Specific which I update quarterly. It's one of the services I provide for my paid members and take the work out of doing it yourself: http://www.filmspecific.com/members/department73.cfm But this is definitely information you can gather on your own - I suggest following the upcoming festivals and markets in the trades: Sundance, Berlin, MIPTV, and Cannes. Also of course I'll be covering this in Distribution In Reverse program I'm teaching (referenced in this post) and going over specific projections and estimates based on my experience. Hope some or all of this helps! :) Hi, yes, I’m here :)

in terms of following what realistic sales figures are….

Sundance is coming up – be sure to follow the trades for what the acquisition prices are. Same with AFM that just past — I wrote several times about how necessary it is to follow the sales figures from a market like AFM. Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and Screen all print sales figures, acquisition prices, etc.

So there are constantly opportunities to find what realistic sales estimates and acquisition prices are, you just have to dig a little….

I also publish sales projections charts on my site Film Specific which I update quarterly. It’s one of the services I provide for my paid members and take the work out of doing it yourself:

http://www.filmspecific.com/members/department73.cfm

But this is definitely information you can gather on your own – I suggest following the upcoming festivals and markets in the trades: Sundance, Berlin, MIPTV, and Cannes.

Also of course I’ll be covering this in Distribution In Reverse program I’m teaching (referenced in this post) and going over specific projections and estimates based on my experience.

Hope some or all of this helps! :)

]]> By: Miklos Philips http://independentfilmblog.com/archives/budgeting-for-your-film-in-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-528 Miklos Philips Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:45:24 +0000 http://independentfilmblog.com/?p=143#comment-528 If you are a member of FilmSpecific you can get access to documents of reasonable sales projections at markets given your project genre/ A or B-lis actors attached, etc. If you are a member of FilmSpecific you can get access to documents of reasonable sales projections at markets given your project genre/ A or B-lis actors attached, etc.

]]> By: Ann Winchester http://independentfilmblog.com/archives/budgeting-for-your-film-in-todays-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-527 Ann Winchester Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:09:39 +0000 http://independentfilmblog.com/?p=143#comment-527 I totally agree, agree, and so HUGELY agree with both of the above remarks that I have nothing to add :-)) Except, perhaps, "Stacey are you there .....??" I totally agree, agree, and so HUGELY agree with both of the above remarks that I have nothing to add :-) )

Except, perhaps, “Stacey are you there …..??”

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