Typically a distributor will pay the producer an upfront fee for the distribution rights and then a percentage of sales minus expenses. It's not really in the best interest of a distributor to not release a movie they have paid for. But that's where scams come in.

Some companies charge the filmmaker a fee. Since the company has already gotten paid, there isn't much incentive to spend the money to release the DVD because they have already been paid.

I know of one company that's been in business for 15 years. They charge movie makers between $1,500 and $3,500. All it takes is five movie makers a month to fall for their scam and they are earning between $7,500 and $17,500 per month or roughly $200,000 a year.

A legit distributor pays the movie maker, takes on all the expenses of distribution and earns a percentage. Typically the split will be 30/70 in favor of the distributor until they have recouped their costs, then 70/30 after that.

But each movie, movie maker, distributor and distribution deal is very different.

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

Great advice many thanks

Just wanted to let you know I appreciate the thanks, Roy. Too many people ask questions on these boards and then never bother to offer a simple "thank you".

I'm glad that the time I took was appreciated by someone.

Certified Instigator, I say thanks to you also!

You laid out the distribution game in simple straightforward terms.

I'm new to this board and this is my first post. I come from the news, comic book, animation fields and because I have investors who are interested in film I have to delve into the independent film industry. I have tons of friends who are in the film business but I've avoided getting into it with them. Too many horror stories.

I'd like to know more about distribution. If there's a company running a scam, believe you me I've got the connections to put that to a stop fast.

Thanks for the advice. This info will help me and countless others trying to get their movies viewed by more than the people helping make them.

"Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try."

So say the film is finished, it gets in a festival and a sales person from a distributor sees it and is interested. What information on the film will the distributor require from us to distribute the film?

Will they check all location permits, make sure the project is SAG signatory if you have a SAG actor in the film, make sure the budget looks correct? What "after post production" things need to be in order for film makers to ensure a smooth transition into distribution?

I too thank you certified instigator! Your input and advice are more than valuable!

David

David Schatanoff
D Studios Productions

Thanks, CI, I never knew that distributors pay up front, though I heard that the movie-distribution business is a good one. Every business is different, and every business is interesting, at least to me.

One more thing about scams - they tend to get into hard selling, and, if you say no, they can really, really get bad, so watch out for those, and try to catch the warning signs. Also remember that, where there's business (and money), there are no friends or family, just potential enemies. I'm sorry, but that's the business world.

quote:

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Originally posted by DavidScJr
Will they check all location permits, make sure the project is SAG signatory if you have a SAG actor in the film, make sure the budget looks correct? What "after post production" things need to be in order for film makers to ensure a smooth transition into distribution?

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Yep. They will need all that and more. Just a few things:

Screen Credits - A typed list of the final main and
end credits as they ultimately appear on screen
and a list of all contractual screen credit obligations
and any photograph/likeness approval rights.

Paid Advertising Credits - Artwork title credit obligations,
Billing block credit obligations, Excluded advertising
credit obligations, and any and all logos which must
contractually appear below the billing block.

Statement of restrictions - a statement from the
Licensor listing all dubbing, cutting and any other
restrictions applicable to the Picture of which Distributor
and its licensees must be aware, or confirmation that
there are no restrictions.

Music cue sheets - A Music cue sheet stating for each
composition in the Picture: the title, the composers,
publishers, copyright owners, performers, arrangers,
usage, performing rights society, as well as the film
footage and running time.

Copy of Copyright Certificates (Motion Picture & Screenplay)

Copies of Contracts/Releases for all music, acting, and
other work Needed if there is no E&O policy. If an E&O
policy exists, then this was provided to them.

And that's just the beginning....

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

quote:

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Originally posted by Shaolin_PHIST

I'v heard about people having problems with distributors. Exactly what is the distribution process? Does the filmmaker pay the distributor? Does the distributor keep the profits from DVD sales? Do filmmakers get a percentage of the DVD sales? Can distributors choose not to release a movie after recieving it?

"Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try."

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scott galbraith