The Redistribution of Indie Production
+ how to make the best use of AFM
I read something today that said Indie Production is starting to pick up steam now more than studio level productions - could that be true? Or is it just being redistributed out of the USA?
In my world, every project I am remotely involved with is shooting outside of the US or commissioning multiple international budgets to see if the existing budget can be brought down. Either way, I guess it’s good news for our industry but not necessarily for our US crews?
Comment below your thoughts on this…
In my last newsletter we talked about Pitching & Presenting at AFM and I announced the possibility of running a small Film Market Lab to help those of you planning to go this year with prepping your projects to put your best foot forward.
Since then I’ve fielded a few questions that I wanted to highlight some salient points that have been brought up….
AFM isn’t generally the best place to find equity investors. Back in the day when AFM was held at the Lowe’s there were sordid tales of filmmakers financing their films in the lobby lounge :) But I think those days are long gone (if they were ever here in the first place lol) and it makes sense - if you are an equity investor do you want to be wandering the halls of AFM looking for a place to invest your money? Most likely not! You’d be looking to your trusted sources (sales agents for example) or existing network/relationships to vet opportunities that come to you.
AFM is the best place to meet sales agents if you don’t yet have that piece of your financing puzzle. I would consider it time very well spent going door to door, stand to stand, meeting potential partners.
Speaking of international production, if you’re looking for a one-stop-shop of international filming locations to explore and have discussions with, the locations expo part of AFM is always a great resource for doing initial research and having productive discussions over what’s possible and getting referrals to production services partners.
Some other themes that have arisen that I’d cover in my Lab include:
How to best utilize your time at the market so it’s a good investment of your time and money
Address who to focus on trying to meet or NOT meet while you’re there and how to best do outreach ahead of time to have some meetings locked upon arrival
The best support materials and assets to have at the ready (where to spend your money or not waste money so you’re investing in assets that matter)
Best practices for follow up post-market including how and when, and how to close the deal if you left with interest in your project
How to manage expectations of what might transpire or NOT transpire so you go in with a realistic game plan
Email Me If You’re Interested!
I’m still compiling a wait list for the Lab but will close it on Monday. So if this is something you’re interested in, please email me directly at stacey@filmspecific.com today or this weekend with details on your project, so I can get back to you as to whether you might be a fit or if I can even help.
Any other questions? Please feel free to hit me up in the comments below!
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And that’s a wrap for the week! Have a wonderful weekend y’all and speak to you again next week…
Stacey
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