Hey Stacey. I like all you are doing here, but I have to say on this point, I beg to differ. I think it is rare for True Indies to successfully find a home on digital releases now, at least those on the major Global Streaming Platforms. They don't make money for niche movies and they should be avoided until the last step in their cycle. I wrote more about it here. https://tedhope.substack.com/p/it-is-time-for-doc-and-indie-filmmakers
Thanks @Ted for commenting and linking to one of your great posts! I think we're mostly saying the same thing - I'm still a big believer in the indie theatrical and have done so with almost every films I've produced in the last several years. However it does cost a pretty penny and I want to acknowledge that most filmmakers won't have the luxury of doing a theatrical release and for that, there's a long tail of digital platforms to avail themselves of.... and I hear what you're saying on TVOD by the way! I've been the beneficiary of successful TVOD windows and seen others' as well (even into the six figures), though I've also seen that window flop. But each and every film I'm personally involved with we definitely have a bespoke plan in place including theatrical unless finances just don't allow, and then we gotta get creative haha. Thanks again and let me know if I'm missing something in your assessment!
I’ve had some sort of theatrical release for most of my films, and even though the economics don’t always work in our favor, it has helped with streamer deals by raising the profile of the film, and I even had a very lucrative foreign deal tied to a US theatrical commitment on a film. Even though every film and situation is different and the landscape is always changing, it’s my opinion that anything you can do to stand out in the vast sea of content is something very much worth considering.
Yep, agreed! I've experienced a similar 'halo effect' of even a small US theatrical release especially when you can generate positive press and buzz that you can leverage for bigger streaming and international deals 👍
I'm not sure if theatrical is *directly* profitable for indie film, but I do think it could have an indirect effect if the filmmakers do the road show. Connecting directly with audiences after the film in a Q&A or talkback or frankly just a small gathering/party is a chance to build real fans of the filmmaker's entire universe (not just the one film). So if they have a universe of products that accompany their film or a backlog of previous work on digital, I could see an indirect ROI over a longer time horizon. A longer play, but potentially a compounding one!
Thanks for breaking this down so thoroughly. It's so helpful. Would def love a Distribution Audit one-off when I'm at that point in production on my next one.
Just my curiosity but do you have any thoughts as to why the movie Wolfs was scrubbed from a wide release. I read a one line description of the film, comedy about two 'fixers' who like to work alone but are forced to work together, which sounded like it had better be funny (my taste of course). That said, the movie had two big stars which suggests it could be 'box office'. Did the film test badly? TIA
It boiled down to Apple didn't want to spend the money to do a wide release. Their mandate recently changed internally and they can't keep losing money on theatrical releases (loss leaders) ...
Hey Stacey. I like all you are doing here, but I have to say on this point, I beg to differ. I think it is rare for True Indies to successfully find a home on digital releases now, at least those on the major Global Streaming Platforms. They don't make money for niche movies and they should be avoided until the last step in their cycle. I wrote more about it here. https://tedhope.substack.com/p/it-is-time-for-doc-and-indie-filmmakers
Thanks @Ted for commenting and linking to one of your great posts! I think we're mostly saying the same thing - I'm still a big believer in the indie theatrical and have done so with almost every films I've produced in the last several years. However it does cost a pretty penny and I want to acknowledge that most filmmakers won't have the luxury of doing a theatrical release and for that, there's a long tail of digital platforms to avail themselves of.... and I hear what you're saying on TVOD by the way! I've been the beneficiary of successful TVOD windows and seen others' as well (even into the six figures), though I've also seen that window flop. But each and every film I'm personally involved with we definitely have a bespoke plan in place including theatrical unless finances just don't allow, and then we gotta get creative haha. Thanks again and let me know if I'm missing something in your assessment!
I’ve had some sort of theatrical release for most of my films, and even though the economics don’t always work in our favor, it has helped with streamer deals by raising the profile of the film, and I even had a very lucrative foreign deal tied to a US theatrical commitment on a film. Even though every film and situation is different and the landscape is always changing, it’s my opinion that anything you can do to stand out in the vast sea of content is something very much worth considering.
Yep, agreed! I've experienced a similar 'halo effect' of even a small US theatrical release especially when you can generate positive press and buzz that you can leverage for bigger streaming and international deals 👍
I'm not sure if theatrical is *directly* profitable for indie film, but I do think it could have an indirect effect if the filmmakers do the road show. Connecting directly with audiences after the film in a Q&A or talkback or frankly just a small gathering/party is a chance to build real fans of the filmmaker's entire universe (not just the one film). So if they have a universe of products that accompany their film or a backlog of previous work on digital, I could see an indirect ROI over a longer time horizon. A longer play, but potentially a compounding one!
Thanks for breaking this down so thoroughly. It's so helpful. Would def love a Distribution Audit one-off when I'm at that point in production on my next one.
Yep entirely possible with a long term view though the key is controlling costs as I've seen some road shows spiral out of control lol
Just my curiosity but do you have any thoughts as to why the movie Wolfs was scrubbed from a wide release. I read a one line description of the film, comedy about two 'fixers' who like to work alone but are forced to work together, which sounded like it had better be funny (my taste of course). That said, the movie had two big stars which suggests it could be 'box office'. Did the film test badly? TIA
It boiled down to Apple didn't want to spend the money to do a wide release. Their mandate recently changed internally and they can't keep losing money on theatrical releases (loss leaders) ...