There's No Way Around Alternative Funding Models For Films & Series
+ how I plan to approach MIPCOM
I’m deep in the throes of MIP prep and have so many thoughts/ideas/take-aways and it hasn’t even started yet lol.
I’m heading there with the thesis that the way forward with both scripted and unscripted series (and features for that matter) are alternative funding models and my mission is to uncover every nook and cranny of that…. and leverage it for my slate of projects. Oh and report back to you guys too :)
The words alternative funding models can mean so many things and are thrown around willy-nilly these days but there’s no denying that the traditional commissioning model for series is under duress and new global distribution opportunities are beckoning. Think AVOD/FAST, MCN’s, and Niche Streamers.
The question is what kind of revenue can these new platforms support? I’m going to find out and then reverse engineer the creative from there. Because if the revenue isn’t there to support these new funding models for the shows and movies we want to make, it won’t be sustainable. There has to be upside for equity investors to participate and part of that will be in retaining ownership in the shows we make and having the expertise on how to exploit them across the new global distribution landscape.
Sound too heady? Hopefully I’ll be able to synthesize all this and break it down into practicalities after the market.
In the mean time if you have any questions or points of discussions, let me know in the comments below….
Or email me at stacey@filmspecific.com if you have a completed series or feature on which you’re keen to explore alternative recoupment models.
I look forward to hearing from you and discussing all this further and in more depth soon…. until then -
To your success,
Stacey
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I started out in the standup comedy world before shifting to features and have seen a big shift in the distribution of standup specials - the shift moving from producers to the comedians and shifting from licensing to Netflix, etc., to self distribution on youtube and other platforms. The main reason being the streamers are cutting costs and not providing the larger sums to producers/comedians. So I am planning on shooting/producing several standup specials I have written and then building up a Youtube channel...which if I can build a large audience then I will also use it for AVOD on films, series as well. Things are changing. Creators can keep control and ownership of their product if it can be produced using low budgets. Marketing is the key. Keep creating! Curtis Kessinger