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SkekRob's avatar

This was right up my alley. Looking to implement these strategies on my current project. Thank you!

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Stacey Parks's avatar

Awesome - glad it was helpful!

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Cherelynn Baker's avatar

Excellent timing on this question because I chose to go to the inaugural HumanX event instead of SXSW. I'm not going for the full week with education track as usual at NAB this year. In the post lockdown entertainment industry, I definitely think going is more of a luxury for the business versus a necessity for business. From a legacy standpoint, I think the festivals and award shows are for nostalgia nowadays, not for storytelling or the business of storytelling! What's your next event you plan to attend?

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Stacey Parks's avatar

That sounds about right @Cherlynn! Not sure on next events bc my schedule is already pretty packed for the year doing actual productions so we'll see!

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Joe Orlandino's avatar

Stacy, great post and you posed a very timely and important question.

As a past, regular attendee of AFM and Cannes I would weigh in a say that based on today's media landscape the ROI in attending film markets is negligible. Travel and accommodation costs could easily be in the thousands. Whereas, money and effort may be better spent working with and developing relationships through a combination of ProIMDb, Cinando and LinkedIn Pro. A compelling website helps too.

Also, if filmmakers are paying close attention, the advent of AI is bringing about a seismic change in the craft of storytelling through Motion Pictures. Once the 'Uncanny Valley' is conquered with MetaHuman characters, filmmaking will forever be democratized.

Check out what's coming in that area with GTA VI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdBZY2fkU-0

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Stacey Parks's avatar

@Joe thanks for weighing in. I agree about the rising costs of attending film markets and festivals so you just have to be really surgical with a strategy for these to make sure there's some ROI in there somewhere. Otherwise, I've found success using online tools and connecting with folks outside of these events as well as taking specific trips to a location and doing in person meetings that way. The costs of events has risen so much over the years it's become hard to justify!

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Tim Romero's avatar

Thank you Stacy.

I'm going to print this out and put in on my bathroom mirror and my office.

-Keep making your films

-Reimagine your projects as lower cost alternatives

-Shelve bigger scale/bigger budget projects for later

-Wear many hats, make more with less people, locations, gear

-Accept ‘new’ distribution as your source for audience and revenue

-Adapt grassroots marketing tactics to increase surface area. Start with my marketing cheat -sheet

-Rinse, repeat

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Stacey Parks's avatar

Ha! I love that idea Tim!

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