If a teenager was to form a group (about 15 people) of highly motivated teens, got a camera (a pretty cheap one) and started filming; would it be possible to make any money from our movie making endeavors to later purchase better equipment? And keep working our way up with better equipment while we improve our skills?
I am in the planning stages and have some people very interested in forming a small production team. We are not just interested in having fun with the camera (which is going to be a blast), but to work together as a team, and follow the production process. We would each be assigned positions, (Director, DP, Grip, Gaffer, Location scout, Editor, Composer, Foley...) The money we have to invest in this little project is very minimal, (which is ok, because you don't need great equipment to learn stuff), but we would like to eventually acquire better equipment as we improve our film making skills.
So my question: How would a team as described above go about "Making Money", or "Purchasing Better Equipment"? I would be thankful for any input.
Future Director,
Tyler Ives
Future Director,
Tyler Ives
The only way I know of to make money on your movies is to
- find a distributor willing to PAY for the distribution rights to your movie
- distribute it yourself via direct marketing
In order to find a distributor willing to pay you for the rights, you need to have a movie that the distributor thinks will MAKE money.
A movie made by a dedicated group of people (teenagers or not) as a learning experience isn't a product a lot of people are willing to pay to see.
I doubt that you and your friends - while looking for movies to rent on a Saturday night - look for movies made by people you've never heard of, starring people you've never heard of made with a minimal investment because the movie makers are still learning.
And you aren't alone. People are careful how they spend their money. Trying to convince people to spend that money to watch a movie made by inexperienced movie makers on a minimal budget is going to be a tough sell.
Not impossible. Just tough.
My suggestion is to learn your craft and hone your skills before you think about selling your product. The DVT market is currently saturated by young, ambitious movie makers with cheap cameras, minimal investment and a LOT of desire and heart.
Distributors are inundated with product. They are looking for movies they think will sell - not for movies made with drive, ambition and talent.
Make a few short movies. Enter them in contests - offer them for view on short film web sites - get feed back. Then make a few more.
Keep working your way up that way. Then when you have the skills and experience to match your drive, ambition and talent you can approach distributors with your amazing script, your 3 or 4 award winning short films and your established group.
They might even fund the the movie so you don't have to worry about that end.
Good luck! You're in for a great experience.
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress. -Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
Thank you for the input! I appreciate it.
Future Director,
Tyler Ives
Future Director,
Tyler Ives
I agree with CI.
Landon D. Parks
Producer / Director
Dark Vision Films
Landon D. Parks
www.landon-parks.8k.com
