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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 16 2007, 5:22 PM EDT (current) | TomySky | 718 words added |
| Aug 16 2007, 5:22 PM EDT | TomySky |
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Okay, so your movie's done. It's awesome.
Your mom, your dad, and your guppy love your movie. Your brother's negative review doesn't count. He's just jealous and needs to start reading this website or doing what he's good at instead of just being a critic of your work. But that's another topic entirely.
Because your movie is so incredible and beneficial to the human race, you, being the philanthropic person that you are, want to allow others the great joy of viewing your life changing video. But how?
Burning DVDs takes a lot of time and money. But even if you had a truckload of DVDs and a DVD duplicator at your house, postage alone would kill you. So mailing this thing to everyone will not work.
The internet may seem like a great place to get your movie seen by millions. And while millions of people watch movies on the internet, only 62 people have currently watched my incredible film that I posted on MySpace months ago.
This is where Marketing comes in. You may think of marketing as the one billion cans of soda with the latest blockbuster movie coming out printed on the side or as trailers you see at the theaters. But you really don't need, nor can you afford, these kinds of things. Instead, here are a few ideas to get you started.
1. Post it on-line. Definately get it up on your MySpace, YouTube, or whereever else you have a web presence. It would be a great idea to build a website just for the movie as well. The great news is that it doesn't have to cost money. Make a blog for it. Create a new MySpace for just the movie. Then tell everyone you know (not just on your friends list) to visit your movie's site and link to it.
2. Have a Premiere. If you can get your hands on a red carpet, a nice tux (or dress), and a bottle of sparkling cider you're more than set. Even if you don't have any of those things, have it at your parent's house (with their permission, of course) and serve popcorn and watch it on their 17" TV. Pack it out. Invite the cast and crew (probably just you) and all your friends and relatives in the area.
3. Have free screenings. I mean, that just sounds awesome: Come to a special, one night only, screening of (insert your movie's title here). Absoultely FREE! Arrange with your Youth Group, Troop Leader, School, or even a friend with a Giant Screen TV to host a screening of you movie. You could even try your local library or college campus. If you find the right people, they will be thrilled to help you promote your movie because they love seeing youth create awesome stuff.
4. Go to film festivals (maybe). If you have tons of time and money (considering your zero budget film) you can go to festivals. They typically cost money to enter and you have to travel somewhere; they don't take place at your house. ...that's a great idea: Host your own little film festival. Your buddies are now making movies too, right? So make it official. You're filmmakers now. You don't want to go to some festival that costs $125 bucks anyway only to take fourth place and walk away with nothing.
But again, know your audiance. Who do you want to see this movie? Where are they likely to be where you can talk to them about your incredible movie? If it's your friends, they will be at school or youth group. If it's old people in your community, they will be at the Old Folks Home or some all you can eat buffet. If it's people who like to work out, they will be at a Recreational Center (which should let you post a bullitin poster about your film and may even let you show your film in one of their rooms).
Marketing doesn't have to be difficult, nor expensive. But remember, you're making these movies mostly because you love to make movies, not because you think everyone will demand to buy a copy or come see it. Make it available to the everyone you know, but don't be hurt if only your guppy shows up.
Your mom, your dad, and your guppy love your movie. Your brother's negative review doesn't count. He's just jealous and needs to start reading this website or doing what he's good at instead of just being a critic of your work. But that's another topic entirely.
Because your movie is so incredible and beneficial to the human race, you, being the philanthropic person that you are, want to allow others the great joy of viewing your life changing video. But how?
Burning DVDs takes a lot of time and money. But even if you had a truckload of DVDs and a DVD duplicator at your house, postage alone would kill you. So mailing this thing to everyone will not work.
The internet may seem like a great place to get your movie seen by millions. And while millions of people watch movies on the internet, only 62 people have currently watched my incredible film that I posted on MySpace months ago.
This is where Marketing comes in. You may think of marketing as the one billion cans of soda with the latest blockbuster movie coming out printed on the side or as trailers you see at the theaters. But you really don't need, nor can you afford, these kinds of things. Instead, here are a few ideas to get you started.
1. Post it on-line. Definately get it up on your MySpace, YouTube, or whereever else you have a web presence. It would be a great idea to build a website just for the movie as well. The great news is that it doesn't have to cost money. Make a blog for it. Create a new MySpace for just the movie. Then tell everyone you know (not just on your friends list) to visit your movie's site and link to it.
2. Have a Premiere. If you can get your hands on a red carpet, a nice tux (or dress), and a bottle of sparkling cider you're more than set. Even if you don't have any of those things, have it at your parent's house (with their permission, of course) and serve popcorn and watch it on their 17" TV. Pack it out. Invite the cast and crew (probably just you) and all your friends and relatives in the area.
3. Have free screenings. I mean, that just sounds awesome: Come to a special, one night only, screening of (insert your movie's title here). Absoultely FREE! Arrange with your Youth Group, Troop Leader, School, or even a friend with a Giant Screen TV to host a screening of you movie. You could even try your local library or college campus. If you find the right people, they will be thrilled to help you promote your movie because they love seeing youth create awesome stuff.
4. Go to film festivals (maybe). If you have tons of time and money (considering your zero budget film) you can go to festivals. They typically cost money to enter and you have to travel somewhere; they don't take place at your house. ...that's a great idea: Host your own little film festival. Your buddies are now making movies too, right? So make it official. You're filmmakers now. You don't want to go to some festival that costs $125 bucks anyway only to take fourth place and walk away with nothing.
But again, know your audiance. Who do you want to see this movie? Where are they likely to be where you can talk to them about your incredible movie? If it's your friends, they will be at school or youth group. If it's old people in your community, they will be at the Old Folks Home or some all you can eat buffet. If it's people who like to work out, they will be at a Recreational Center (which should let you post a bullitin poster about your film and may even let you show your film in one of their rooms).
Marketing doesn't have to be difficult, nor expensive. But remember, you're making these movies mostly because you love to make movies, not because you think everyone will demand to buy a copy or come see it. Make it available to the everyone you know, but don't be hurt if only your guppy shows up.
