THE LONG ROAD Production Update 4th Nov 2018

Hi Roadsters

I hope you’re all well. Here we are again with an update. 

I’ve been continuing to research alternative distribution methods as I plan for the film’s release next year. 

I recently attended a really interesting seminar at the Satisfied Eye Film Festival (http://seiff.shp.media)

about self distributing. 

One of the sessions was with filmmaker Howard Webster (https://m.imdb.com/name/nm3609140/)

who is developing a potentially brilliant process for self-D that could help film makers like me get their films out to a decent sized audience. This is a growing audience that at this point is pretty untapped by the industry. 

I’m not allowed to talk about much at this stage (out of courtesy to the filmmaker really) and of course like all new ways of doing something it might not pan out but the potential is definitely there. 

The thing is it shows that there are many different ways to release your film and that the industry is changing massively and it’s the smart film makers who are looking for alternative routes.

The old days of waiting on someone to pick up your film on a bad or even worse indifferent deal are over and it really is down to the film maker to build an audience and get their film seen. 

To me this has always made sense. I started making films when my parents bought me a super8 camera as a kid. I had several paper rounds and I would save my wages up until I could buy a Super8 cartridge of film. This would last about 4 mins so I would have to really plan out my films so that I could make a film per cartridge. I didn’t have access to editing back then. This was the early 80’s and a very long time before home editing software. 

Once the film was shot, which usually involved my friends and I running around Leckwith Hill in ski masks or hanging off Cogan quarry, I’d send it away by post and about two-three weeks later get the film spool back. I’d then invite my school friends over to my house for the premier and then charge them 5p for the privilege. 

So for me Howard’s way is a natural continuation of this and if all works out I can’t wait to try it out. If it doesn’t, never mind, at least  he tried and on to the next mad plan. 

To further support the idea that I’m doing the right thing I have been offered another deal on my horror film Through The Looking Glass (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009CZWGHO/ref=tmm_aiv_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1346785061&sr=8-23)

that will see it released on even more VOD platforms in the US. Not bad for a film first released 11 years ago. 

It has just become clear to me that as an indie film maker a bog standard sales distribution deal is probably not worth the paper it’s written on. It really feels like we’re at a brave new world stage for indie film makers but that no one has fully formulated what that brave new world is yet. I find it an incredibly exciting time to be an indie and although it’s much more work and harder, the opportunities are potentially greater than ever before. 

Until next time

May the road rise with you. 

Craig

The Long Road Production Update Oct 2018

LR UPDATE 1st Oct

Hey Roadsters

Hope you’re all well. So as promised here’s my monthly update on the film. That’s two months in a row now. 

Having talked to a couple more sale’s agents this month I have decided that self distributing the film is definitely the way forward. 

The overall feeling is from the sales agents that given the current climate there isn’t enough interest in this kind of film and the offers I’ve got will basically kill the film after a few months. We’ve all put in too much time and effort into this film for it to be shelved after 6 months. 

From the experience I’ve had on Through The Looking Glass I know that I can get more from the film by putting it out myself. As I said last month I’m still signing deals on that film even though I released it 11 years ago. That’s a great shelf life for any film. I know Long Road will do the same. 

I am now putting plans together for a limited cinema release through Our Screen for next year as well as VOD, Blu Ray and DVD on Amazon to follow. 

Our Screen is a new process for me and I’m excited to see how it’ll work. Basically you book cinema screenings and if you sell a certain number of tickets the screening goes ahead. 

This is great as it then it becomes about marketing the film. 

Of course we have to sell the tickets in the first place but that’s when you can all play a part. If when the time is right, between us all we can share and share and share the release on social media then we can drum up enough ticket sales to make it a reasonable cinema release. 

When that happens I can then get the reviews to screenings and hopefully get some great reviews. 

If we can do this we can get the film noticed and pick up some reviews then more screenings will follow. 

I will also be sending the film to the festivals and hope to pick up some screenings and who knows maybe an award or two. 

There’s still a lot of work to do but I’m more up for it now than I’ve ever been. It’s a great film and the film world is changing so there are more opportunities for this kind of film than there used to be. 

Until next month May the road rise with you. 

Cheers

Craig

The Long Road Production Update Sept 2018.

Hi Roadsters

I hope you’re all well. Here we are again with an update. 

Not much to report this time but I did promised I’d be updating more regularly. 

I am currently putting a release schedule together and I am planning to put the film out through Amazon as I did with Through The Looking Glass. 

I found that putting the film out this way meant that the film had a more considered release and a longer shelf life as a result. It meant we could build reviews and audience as opposed to needing to have a big weekend release which realistically the film wouldn’t have got. It’s such a competitive market and if you don’t have the full might of an advertising campaign that a traditional distributor offers then you’ve no chance. This way we have been able to build word of mouth. 

If I’d put the film out through traditional distribution routes then it would’ve been a small release and the film would have played for a few weeks and then disappeared. 

Having done it the way I’ve done it I’ve retained rights and have just finalised a release deal with a new distributor - 11 years after I first released the film. That is an amazing life for a film. However the down side is I have had to work harder, there had been less of a publicity push than a larger distributor would have provided and the money doesn’t come as regularly as it might. 

I have found this method suits the way I work and I fully intend to build on this for the release of The Long Road. 

I am looking to release the film early in the new year and will be chasing up deals for VOD and TV releases through other distributors later in the year. 

At some point I will also be organising a screening and will let you know closer to the time. It would be amazing to see you there. 

Until next time

May the road rise with you. 

Craig