Internet Marketing For Indie Films
My long time favourite filmmakers have been the Coen brothers, and I am no doubt not alone in this sentiment. Even their first film, Blood Simple, is an intricate example of movie making genius. And even though Hudsucker Proxy was considered a financial flop, I loved it. You know, for kids. In a few days their latest movie, , will be appearing in theatres across North America (Nov. 21 to be exact). The Coen brothers have achieved phenomenal success that many independent filmmakers can only dream of, and they are truly big movie men. But what if this is your first film, or second film, you have little or no marketing budget, and you really want your independent film to be seen. With the advent of widespread int
ernet use, the task of marketing an independent film has become that much easier.
The independent film is a prime target for an aggressive online marketing campaign, and many movies have already taken to the internet to make their movies viral. Take, . They allow fans of the movie to and the fans can then wear these shirts and market the movie wherever they go. Instant cult classic. The No Country For Old Men has a great Coin Killer game, as you can see from the photo. I tossed the coin, and of course lost, just my luck. And I guess they take losing a coin toss pretty seriously. Including games with a viral element is another great way to market your independendent movie online. There are also possibilities in social media marketing and social bookmarking.
But what if your movie is not appearing in theatres across North America? Why not make your movie available online. Anyone who wants to see it can so do so. Offer to sell and ship DVDs, sure. But stream the movie online most certainly.
So here is what I will do when I finally make my first independent film (a contemporary rendition of a Bertolt Brecht play I am fond of, and I will say no more).
- First, I would stream my movie online and allow people to watch it for free. Clearly, my movie is not making it to any theaters, but heck yeah I would people to watch it.
- I would also have some kind of forum where people could talk about my movie, comment on it and such.
- As well, I would do like Napolean Dynamite and provide people with some kind of viral agent for promoting my movie offline.
- I would promote my movie to indie film bloggers and ask them to check it out, and if they like it, please feel free to mention it. ;) I would Digg and Stumble too.
- An interactive element to the site (advergame) would be nice.
- And, to top it all off, I would engage a search engine optimization campaign that would have my site rank on the first page for indie films.
I think that if my indie film was any good (which of course it would be) I would be well on my to independent filmmaker success. Don’t just innovate with your movie, create a culture around it and that will be your ticket to success. Create an intricate world that people can integrate themselves that is based on your movie. ;)
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Posted: November 16th, 2007.
Comments: 6
Comments
Comment from
Time: November 17, 2007, 10:52 am
Number 4 in your list is what I’m hoping can happen in my case. I would love to give indie filmmakers a little publicity on my new site, once it really gets going :)
Comment from Danielle
Time: November 17, 2007, 12:27 pm
Okay… when I make my indie film the first email I send will be to you. And OMG you would love my movie. I have been playing with this idea for about 10 years now (that’s a long time in me years).
Comment from
Time: November 18, 2007, 2:36 pm
wow, other post from you that I love.
I would love your movie too.
This post makes me remember a little project of mine…
I tried to do a movie 8 (9?) years ago, with some friends and one investor as a producer, a 20 mins. black and white 35mm. movie.
That….that project started so well `cause first off I convinced to the producer to NOT GET INVOLVE in the project, only as $pon$or.
I was the director :) `cause the whole idea was mine (It`s still mine). Obviously the screenplay was written by a talented friend of mine, and we had a great fashion photographer as advisor. I tried to do an UNUSUAL movie where the story it not only the script and the screen. The movie involves ALL elements including the promotion items like the posters design, the fliers, even the tickets design, even the little 3 stages website. I tried to show a story where not only the actors and actresses are the only stars of the movie, no, the sound, the screen, the photography, the further planning of each frame is part of the story.
I drew the whole storyboard (I got a long experience in storyboards), I did the design of each frame, I wanted to show each second of the movie perfectly designed, perfectly planned, the path of the cameras, taking care of each element on screen, I remember we planned the position of each element of the scenes, the position of chairs, the position of the tables, etc, the amount of black color of each scene, all the sound was specially exclusive pre-made for the movie (thanks to a friend of mine he`s a sound engineer), `cause it was part of the story.
The result:
Sadly…another failed project: Not enough money and the rent of the 2 cameras was too short and VERY expen$ive, so it ends saved on a lost box (I don`t know where is it right now) and the conclusion for me was a great:
“…BAH!”
The idea of advergames it`s great!, I remember the website of the film “Requiem for a Dream” (is not a flash advergame I know) years ago, I remember I was shocked!!!!!, that website was PART of the feeling of the movie.
I heard about the Coen Brothers but I`d never seen a movie from them, I will looking forward in the torrents for learn about them, I like to learn about indie films, If you like the Coen bros. I bet they must have a great cinematographic work and I would love it.
(Oh, I`m sorry I just realized this comment is too long :S)
Comment from
Time: November 18, 2007, 8:25 pm
Radiohead recently did something similar to this: they put their latest CD “In Rainbows” on their website and let their fans decide how much to pay for it. If you wanted to get it for free, you could download it for nothing (there was a $3 or $4 processing fee). If you wanted to pay $10 for it, so be it.
I thought this was brilliant. They probably reached millions of new listeners with this strategy. On top of that, loyal fans like myself gladly paid $10 or so for a CD of their music.
If you offer your film for free or let people decide how much they’d pay for downloading it to a DVD you’ll probably get lots of free press and positive buzz, just like Radiohead.
Comment from
Time: November 21, 2007, 6:38 pm
Hey Darlin’,
Just wanted stop in and wish you and your family a very wonderful and deliciously awesome Thanksgiving! :)
Shine on,
Aaron
Comment from
Time: November 25, 2007, 7:02 pm
@Danielle: Sooo, what’s your idea? ;) My cousin and I are looking to invest into a pretty decent camera in about a month. It’s time to stop aspiring to make short films and just do it :D
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