Swimming With Sharks

When I first finished Spirit Camp, I was in a panic... "I've got this great film, now what do I do with it?" You may have read the other blog posts about producer's reps... if not, check it out... but let me tell you, I am so glad I didn't sign on with a producer's rep. I have been able to consistently bring deals to the table without one... and it saves me ten percent.

I'll tell you how I do it later, but I'm very excited to have several offers, both domestic and foreign, to sort through... and I've only approached a handful of companies. The blood is in the water, and the sharks are starting to circle (and I mean shark in the nicest possible way, because I know you guys read this blog, lol). I decided to start with a small push allowing myself to adjust my approach if need be. There are pros and cons to this technique... the deals tend to stagger in, instead of all at the same time - and it seems everyone is in a hurry to lockup rights. Fortunately, I don't have investors to pay back, and I can take my time and negotiate a good deal - or walk completely.

Part of my plan from the beginning was to have a self distribution option, and even a hybrid type situation with traditional distribution. Fortunately today, self distribution is a viable option, provided you have a reasonable marketing budget to support a small DVD release.

It is a very interesting time, to say the least, and an incredible learning experience. I have talked to hundreds of filmmakers lately, researching the companies who have made offers, and I definitely recommend doing that before signing a deal. I have found that most directors and producers are very supportive and willing to give their time. Many thanks to all of you who were kind enough to take my calls and emails.

Win, lose, or draw, this whole experience has given me valuable insights regarding the qualities that make a film marketable, but that is the subject of another article...

Stay tuned...