Media Communications Richard Trombly Contact : Email : richard@trombly.com Wechat and phone: +86 13818837641 Media Communications

Introduction Producing and distributing your short videos “We don’t make movies to make money, we make money to make more movies.”- Walt Disney Often today people are making short films and not seeing it as a business. They are working for money and putting that into making their films

Producing and distribution There are no rules in filmmaking. Only sins. And the cardinal sin is dullness. - Frank Capra Another sin is not getting the legal issues right and having a film you can't distribute

Producing and distribution Green lighting your film “In every place there are 100 people who can say no and only one person who can say yes. You have to get a good piece of material to the right person.” – Robert Evans. Find the right people

Producing and distribution Green lighting your film “In every place there are 100 people who can say no and only one person who can say yes. You have to get a good piece of material to the right person.” – Robert Evans. Find the right people

Producing and distribution Budget No matter the size of your production, you need an accounting of the cost. Budget estimates are made before shooting Necessary to plan but also for finding financing

Producing and distribution Budgets And budgeting are especially important for advertisement and corporate videos or weidianying Request for quotes Can use Excel but there is budgeting software

Producing and distribution Budgets And budgeting are especially important for advertisement and corporate videos or weidianying Request for quotes Can use Excel but there is budgeting software

Producing and distribution Budgets Track costs during production Producer's main responsibility

Producing and distribution Budgets The line Above the line – creative people, screenwriters, directors, producers, main acting talents Below the line- line producer and all of the salaried staff from laborers, to lighting and camera crew to day-player actors

Producing and distribution Hollywood features may have 80% of costs above the line. Amateur and small films may have most of the costs below the line. Student films may be done on borrowed equipment, with friends for help, on digital storage cards for almost no cost.

Producing and distribution Proper formatting and style Budget software [like movie magic] Above the line Below the line Negatives P&A (distribution costs)

Producing and distribution Budget chronologically Preproduction costs Production costs Postproduction costs

Producing and distribution Budget chronologically Preproduction costs Production costs Postproduction costs

Producing and distribution Consider in-kind support Often you can get support from sources that will not give money CONTINGENCY – things will go wrong

Producing and distribution Hiring crew and actors Understand the costs related to people Meals, travel and lodging Staff accordingly Small productions may convince collaboration at reduced rates

Producing and distribution Renting versus buying Renting is a choice for filmmakers without a constant volume of customers. Renting however can lead to mishaps with equipment problems

Producing and distribution Renting versus buying Buying is smart if you have regular clients. Buy- charge reantal to the client Production companies will also for equipment rental business and “rent” to themselves at market rates.

Producing and distribution Renting Be clear what you need well in advance Be sure to know who to contact if there are equipment problems Be aware what they will and will not do to support your shoot.

Producing and distribution Renting Be clear what you need well in advance Be sure to know who to contact if there are equipment problems Be aware what they will and will not do to support your shoot.

Producing and distribution Funding Proposal even if only to family

Producing and distribution Funding Sources Film festival grants Film funds Charitable organizations Donors Investors Family and friends Corporate / product based funds

Producing and distribution Understand the wants and requirements of potential funding sources – Research them Find out people or organizations who have supported productions like yours

Producing and distribution Registration and copyrights IP protection

Producing and distribution Registration and copyrights IP protection Copyright center http://www.ccopyright.com.cn/cpcc/index.jsp

Producing and distribution You protect your IP Respect others' IP Rights and clearances Talent release forms

Producing and distribution You protect your IP Respect others' IP Rights and clearances Talent release forms

Producing and distribution Use of copyrighted material Songs , even song clips in the background on location are violations of copyright. May be able to obtain the rights Same for video, even on a tv in the background,

Producing and distribution Why show a film online? an online presence is essential Showing your film online can also help provide: A wide, varied and global audience for your film: who knows who may find your film online through the subject matter. A second life for your short: With TV channels rarely showing shorts, the internet plays a vital role in providing a second life for shorts after their festival life.

Producing and distribution Why show a film online? An online link to send out: Rather than having to make up hundreds of DVDs to send out, you can email the online link of your film to filmmaking contacts and industry pros. Feedback & testimonials: Industry interest: talent agents, festival programmers and buyers use online services to see new talents

Producing and distribution Online Length - shorter films are more popular .Most viewers won't watch over 10-15 minutes. Brightness - darker films can be hard to see. Subtitles/Text - subtitling or text should be strong and bold, as smaller fonts can't always be read online. NO BURNED IN. Fast Movement - some streaming technology struggles with fast or sudden movements in films.

Producing and distribution Online – have all the rights in case film fest is interested Should I put it online? Maybe only after given up on other distribution But few movies get distribution anyway Sites with revenue potential