Think Outside the Box Office: The Ultimate Guide to Film Distribution and Marketing for the Digital Era

by Jon Reiss

The independent film community is a buzz with the collapse of the traditional independent film distribution model. No longer can filmmakers expect their films to be acquired and released nationally. But just as the digital revolution created a democratization of the means of production, a new hybrid model of distribution has created a way for independent filmmakers to take control of the means of distribution. This hybrid approach is not just DIY or Web based it combines the best techniques from each distribution arena, old and new. Jon Reiss spoke with countless filmmakers, distributors, publicists, web programmers, festival programmers and marketing experts to create this ultimate guide to film distribution and marketing for the digital era. Unlike any other book on the subject, Think Outside the Box Office is the first to address the new distribution and marketing landscape facing filmmakers today. Throughout the book, Reiss redefines the process from a filmmaker s point of view empowering the reader to create unique strategies for their individual films. Filmmakers are hungry for information on how to distribute and market their films. No single resource exists that combines all of the knowledge and tools now available to them. Think Outside the Box Office fills that void. The book is a break through step-by-step nuts and bolts guide to distributing and marketing a film. Each chapter addresses an essential aspect of a film s release and offers specific techniques so filmmakers can take control of their distribution and marketing destiny. Instead of buying multiple out of date books and searching the web for hints and tips now all of this information is available in one place for the first time. Topics include: o Audience identification and targeting o Negotiating split rights agreements for your film. o A reclassification of film rights from a filmmaker s perspective. o Your distribution and marketing team. o Integrating marketing into your production and post o Social networking crowdsourcing and crowdfunding. o Budgeting for distribution and marketing. o Redefining the theatrical release. o Booking a conventional and unconventional theatrical release. o The new role of film festivals. o Conventional and web marketing. o How to sell DVDs with a distributor and on your own. o How to negotiate with digital distributors and aggregators. o How to DIY your digital rights. o Using transmedia for marketing and expanded creativity.

356 pages, Paperback

First published December 8, 2009

About the author

Jon Reiss is a critically acclaimed filmmaker who has produced and directed three feature films most recently Bomb It about graffiti, street art and the battle over visual public space throughout the world. His experience releasing Bomb It with a hybrid strategy was the inspiration for writing 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. Last spring, Reiss launched Think Outside the Box Office: The 2 Day Workshop in London, Amsterdam, NY, Los Angeles, Vancouver, San Francisco, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, with more on their way. Jon was recently brought on board the IFP to help transform their Independent Filmmaker Labs into year-long completion and distribution labs. He also teaches in the Film Directing Program at Cal Arts and advises filmmakers on their distribution and marketing strategies and execution.

Reviews

[Kitten Calfee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vital textbook for independent filmmakers or anyone working on marketing and distributing a film in today's digital age. Highly recommended!

[Maris Lidaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really eye-opening book on distributing and marketing a film on the modern era. While some of the information may be a bit outdated (like using MySpace). The concepts are applicable more than ever for us independent filmmakers to get our work seen and purchased. This revitalized my approach to my career and gotten me excited about the possibilities for filmmakers and artists to earn from their work.

[Jeff Boulton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jon Reiss has written an insightful and engaging book that leans on his personal experience taking on a hybrid approach to the distribution and marketing of his film "Bomb It". He implores filmmakers to understand the importance of both distribution and marketing in their world, and he challenges them to take an active hand in this side of their filmmaking process.

While the conventional parts of the industry are well explained, the sections dealing with the ever-evolving digital side of the business are extremely dated. I looked for an updated edition of the book without success, as it appears the 2010 edition is the only one available. It would be great if Jon updated these sections with current content and released a new edition.

I had hoped to find some of that updated information on the book's website (http://www.thinkoutsidetheboxoffice.com/) but there doesn't seem to be any new updates. In fact, the entire resource section, which is referenced often in the book, is no longer available. :(

[Critical · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has a great deal of useful information for indie filmmakers. The only drawback is that it is already a bit dated, which is unavoidable for a guide on such a rapidly changing industry. If I had read this in 2010, I would probably give it at least one more star. I think the text is most useful for filmmakers working with a modest budget, but for those on a truly minuscule budget, much of the information will not prove actionable. All that said, I recommend it for anyone who is looking to break into the world of independent filmmaking.

[Fritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential reading for the indie filmmaker

[Paul Munger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for an indie filmmaker. Thorough and insightful, it's a go-to resource for all things marketing and distribution.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for independent filmmakers. Totally comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about marketing/distribution in the digital era.

[Camila Buralli · Rating 4 out of 5]

De 2009 pra cá as coisas mudaram muito, mas é um livro que faz um passo a passo detalhado do processo inteiro de distribuição.

[Michael Storch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful book!

[Peter O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The new 50/50 does not concern net profits. It concerns a shift in thinking for filmmakers about allocation of resources when making and distributing their films. The new 50/50 is as follows: 50 percent of your time and resources should be devoted to creating the film. 50 percent of your time and resources should be devoted to getting the film out to its audience, a.k.a, distribution and marketing." - page 37.

Think Outside the Box Office is an ESSENTIAL operating and reference guide for any independent filmmaker. If you do not practice the knowledge in this book, then do not bother being an independent filmmaker!

[Donna Roberts]

Very practical resource for DIY distribution.