Customer Reviews

The Insider's Guide to Independent Film Distribution

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you've never had a movie distributed then this is a good starter book. It doesn't contain all that you'll need, but it will definitely get you thinking in the right direction. It's got a lot of info for a decent price.

However, if you've already had a flick distributed and are looking to get a better deal on your second flick, this probably isn't the book for you, as much of this is novice-only.

So for
Fledgeling filmmakers: 4 stars
Experienced: 2 stars

Also recommended: From Reel To Deal, the Dov S. S. Simens book, that has(besides some excellent filmmaking tips) plenty to say about getting distribution for your flick.

I am an independent producer and i just sold my first film. I have read about 4 books on distribution, and this one was by far the most complete and logical. The `real life' case studies provided for me a world of inspiration. Without being bulky, the book focuses on what is essential and every piece of information has a real life application. So if you only have the time for one book on the subject, I think this should be the one.
Numerous contacts and "who is who" are also provided in the book.

Mitch Anderson
Producer - "TheWorldWithoutUS.com"

I'm a story analyst for several studios and production companies here in Los Angeles, as well as a teacher at UCLA's Extension School of Entertainment. I also have a thriving consultant business for screenwriters and development executives in the entertainment business. Park's book is the only one I've ever read that actually describes the world of independent movies today -- not three years ago, or ten. This writer actually does what she writes about. This is a very very valuable thing in a business where many of the books are written by folks who's last experience getting a film made was 10 or 15 years ago. If you want to be smart in making your movie, you'll look at what gets bought and what doesn't. This book's the biggest help for that around. Sometimes the news is depressing -- but this writer offers solutions, not just problems. I was quite happy I bought this book. There isn't one in its class, on this subject, on the market.

The shelves are teeming with books on how to write your movie, how to make your movie, how to sell your movie, etc, so much of it subjective and predicated on wishful thinking in the end. With this book, Ms Parks has given fledgling filmmakers a pragmatic, insightful, easy to assimilate map on how to get our films out there! This is an excellent compass with all of the essentials clearly laid out to make the distribution of independent films a dream come true!

Stacey Parks has worked in the distribution side of the industry for many years, and is still involved. The wealth of her experience does show in the detail of this book. It looks at distribution from all angles, citing many imformative case studies from individual filmmakers who have been there, done that, and experts alike. One essential inclusion is what a filmmaker can expect to make financially in sales to world territories, with percentages you can expect from deals. To a filmmaker the distribution process can seem darkly inpenetrable, this book throws an immense amount of light on the subject, demystifying the entire process. Without doubt this is the best book on the subject out there.

This book was recommend to me at a film distribution seminar taught by Allen Chou. The book covers specific case studies on films, and topics that deal with distributing an independent film in today's economy, which makes it stand out from a lot of other books on distribution. "The Insider's Guide.." also covers some topics not covered in Chou's seminar. Parks' experience as a sales agent for 100's of films gives her a diverse perspective on the distribution landscape. Highly recommended.

My hat goes off to Stacey Parks for writing this book. It's a great resource and a huge help to indepdendent filmmakers, whether you are in pre-production, production or post-production. The book is chock-full of helpful advice and useful weblinks. Some may find this book depressing, because it exposes the dark truth about getting film distribution (i.e. that it is very, very difficult because the independent film market has oversaturated with "product" ever since the advent of digital video democratized filmmaking in the late 1990s), but the bottom line is that Parks is only giving you a dose of much-needed reality. I found this to be a very pragmatic, practical book which tends to bring your feet back to earth after you've read Robert Rodriguez's "Rebel Without a Crew" and gone off on flights of fancy. The fact is, what happened to Rodriguez and "El Mariachi" back in the early 1990s simply doesn't happen any more, or if it does, it happens a lot less frequently than it used to. The law of supply and demand states that when something is in oversupply, demand plummets. In the early 1990s, when Rodriguez sold "El Mariachi", independent films were in short supply, which is why studios beat a path to his door to distribute it. Nowadays, anyone with a camcorder can make a movie, so distributors are swamped with "screener" DVDs from indie filmmakers. This book tells you how to stand out from the pack, what strategies to employ to make sure your film finds a distributor. Parks also give you some very helpful advice on how to self-distribute your film if you choose to go that way.

My only gripe with the book is Parks's insistence that your film have at least one "A-list" star. To me, this repeateded recommendation is a bit US-centric. If you live stateside, you have relatively "easy" access to well-known actors (Parks mentioned David Strathairn at one point as an example). The problem is, if you live elsewhere in the world, your access to "name" actors is much more limited, especially if you live in a regional area. A filmmaker living in Sweden, or Kenya, or even New Zealand, would find it much, much harder to get a "name" actor than a filmmaker living somewhere in the US. I live in a regional city in Australia, so to get a "star" for my movie I'd basically have to pay not only their fee but also their expenses for flights and accommodation for the duration of the shoot, which I simply can't afford. Even many US filmmakers would be hard-pressed getting "name" actors for their films. I'm a micro-budget filmmaker, so the only way I'm ever going to be able to get a "name" actor into one of my films is if they agree to do a "freebie" cameo, and I very much doubt that an internationally-recognizable Australian star like Hugh Jackman or Nicole Kidman will ever do that for me. So Parks's constant "get a name, get a name, get a name" is pretty unrealistic for non-US filmmakers, especially those of us living in regional areas. Other than that, Parks's book is great, and I give it four stars out of five. I doubt you will find a better, more helpful book on independent film distribution anywhere, and the best part is, it's very current and up-to-the-minute. Bravo, Ms Parks.

Stacey takes us through a little of the history surrounding her subject, then via the logical stages associated to getting that indie distributed. Planning appears to be her major message rather than just making your film and then thinking 'what do I do now?' Obviously this is targeted at the newer or greener members of the film fraternity, but I would guess there's so many ideas in her book that she would help some no longer new members!

I particualrly like Apexdix C - Twelve ways to market your film. If you were lazy taking her advice through the book, then head for this summary and go forth and work on them.

I look forward to further updates when the only way we can market a movie is via the internet. Until then, it's a perfect starting position.

I was the unfortunate victim of a 100,000 learning curve involving getting my low-budget horror movie produced and to market. If I had read this book 5 years ago, it would have saved me that money! The book offers plain and simple terms when it comes to navigating the complex world of distribution and getting your project to the marketplace. It demonstarates the what and what-not to do involving prepariing your project for distributors. If you ever asked "What's next?" or "Now what?" you can turn to the next page to find out! Great Book!

Finally a new book that helps producers find distribution. Bravo! This useful guide helped me get my project to the people with the power to "greenlight." When I started my film company, I discovered a new broadband landscape of You Tube, Viral Marketing, and a multitude of self distribution avenues. Stacey's book provides real life examples and interviews with the pros. Thanks Stacey! Anton Kozikowski, Blur to Focus Productions.