Self-Distribution can save the low budget movie

Self-Distribution is another aspect of low budget independent filmmaking which of course includes guerilla filmmaking. It must be carefully explored by every independent screenwriter, producer and director. With the great influx of movies being made it's important to give your movie every opportunity for success.

Let's first talk about four walling. Four walling is a term used when a producer would rent an exhibitor's (theatre owners) screen. The producer pays the exhibitor a flat fee for a specific length of time to show their movie.

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The producer would generally pay for all advertising and get a percentage of ticket sales. It doesn't take long for the producer to determine if their movie could survive with this type of distribution.

Many times this happened after the producer was unable to get a distribution offer. What was the producer to do? Sit and let his movie collect dust or try selling it themselves?

The biggest downside to four walling is expense. Not only did the producer pay for the theatre and advertising, they also needed a 35mm print.

With the new video advances in cameras and projection the producer no longer has to work with film at all. Even if the exhibitor doesn't have a video projector the producer can rent one for pennies on the dollar compared to transferring their video to film.

So four walling a movie is still active and quite frankly growing, but the biggest opportunity for Self-Distribution is, yes you guessed it, the internet.

Instead of a producer advertising to a broad spectrum of people for a theatrical four wall release, the producer now can target specific groups who have like interest in the movie's subject. The producer can then just sell their movie directly from a website. As an example, one of the most popular and growing internet markets is Christian Filmmaking.

A hugely popular part of internet distribution is the producer controlling their movies' presentation and advertising. Let's also not forget, they aren't sharing profits from sales. It's their website and their movie. They can either handle all sales and shipping themselves or work with a fulfillment house.

I remember a recent presentation I gave to a class. When I said it is better to get 100% of $25,000 in sales than 35% of nothing from a distribution contract, you could almost see the light go on in their eyes.

Self-Distribution whether by four walling, the internet, or a combination thereof, may not be for everyone. For me, it just makes sense to research every avenue. Who knows, a successful four wall or internet distribution may lead to securing a profitable negative pickup or distribution contract.

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