Comments on: Truly Free Film http://whereisyourline.org/2009/12/truly-free-film/ Empowering young leaders to end sexual violence. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:53:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Nancy http://whereisyourline.org/2009/12/truly-free-film/comment-page-1/#comment-1542 Nancy Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:01:46 +0000 http://whereisyourline.org/?p=810#comment-1542 I agree, social media is a slow process- and needs to be authentic, not forced or "sold", and is most certainly about relationships and an exchange. And yes - the thought of 5,000 fans in pre-pre-production seemed terrifying, and possibly inauthentic. Do you think there are resources out there to help folks better understand the process or relationships? I will definitely check out the book, and maybe its the answer to my question! I also think "Fans, Friends and Followers" may be touching on the same stuff. http://www.scottkirsner.com/fff/ Thanks for the recommendation! I agree, social media is a slow process- and needs to be authentic, not forced or “sold”, and is most certainly about relationships and an exchange. And yes – the thought of 5,000 fans in pre-pre-production seemed terrifying, and possibly inauthentic. Do you think there are resources out there to help folks better understand the process or relationships? I will definitely check out the book, and maybe its the answer to my question! I also think “Fans, Friends and Followers” may be touching on the same stuff. http://www.scottkirsner.com/fff/
Thanks for the recommendation!

]]> By: Sheri Candler http://whereisyourline.org/2009/12/truly-free-film/comment-page-1/#comment-1541 Sheri Candler Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:23:17 +0000 http://whereisyourline.org/?p=810#comment-1541 Hi Nancy, just reading your post (and Ted's repost). Indeed it is time for filmmakers to start taking control of their film's destiny and this process has to be born into the script. A successful film and filmmaker pays close attention to the marketable elements of the story and who it will appeal to well before the first camera rolls. A marketing plan and a person to implement it are imperative. I think it is a little bit much to suggest that a filmmaker should get 5K fans before even finding financing, and continue to add 500 a month. Social media is a slow process, especially for an unknown filmmaker, that's why it needs to be started early. Better to engage as many fans as possible and let them help you to add more. It isn't so much a number as a relationship you have with them. Build a core following (1K is a great core) and they will follow you from film to film. Let them in on your process. In order to do this well, the filmmaker (or someone on their team) needs to be comfortable using social media. It isn't a one way conversation medium. Too many of the uninitiated use it the wrong way. But used correctly, it is low to no cost and extremely effective and almost the only way a low budget filmmaker has to find an audience. There is a new book you might want to check out on the subject that Ted is discussing called Think Outside the Box Office by filmmaker Jon Reiss. He is self distributing the book and you can read about it here http://www.thinkoutsidetheboxoffice.com/ Hi Nancy,
just reading your post (and Ted’s repost). Indeed it is time for filmmakers to start taking control of their film’s destiny and this process has to be born into the script. A successful film and filmmaker pays close attention to the marketable elements of the story and who it will appeal to well before the first camera rolls. A marketing plan and a person to implement it are imperative.

I think it is a little bit much to suggest that a filmmaker should get 5K fans before even finding financing, and continue to add 500 a month. Social media is a slow process, especially for an unknown filmmaker, that’s why it needs to be started early. Better to engage as many fans as possible and let them help you to add more. It isn’t so much a number as a relationship you have with them. Build a core following (1K is a great core) and they will follow you from film to film. Let them in on your process.

In order to do this well, the filmmaker (or someone on their team) needs to be comfortable using social media. It isn’t a one way conversation medium. Too many of the uninitiated use it the wrong way. But used correctly, it is low to no cost and extremely effective and almost the only way a low budget filmmaker has to find an audience.

There is a new book you might want to check out on the subject that Ted is discussing called Think Outside the Box Office by filmmaker Jon Reiss. He is self distributing the book and you can read about it here http://www.thinkoutsidetheboxoffice.com/

]]> By: Tweets that mention where is your line? » Blog Archive » Truly Free Film -- Topsy.com http://whereisyourline.org/2009/12/truly-free-film/comment-page-1/#comment-1540 Tweets that mention where is your line? » Blog Archive » Truly Free Film -- Topsy.com Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:22:34 +0000 http://whereisyourline.org/?p=810#comment-1540 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Nancy Schwartzman, Creative Producer. Creative Producer said: where is your line? » Blog Archive » Truly Free Film: This is an excerpt from the blog Truly Free Film, by indie film pr http://url4.eu/tJRG [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Nancy Schwartzman, Creative Producer. Creative Producer said: where is your line? » Blog Archive » Truly Free Film: This is an excerpt from the blog Truly Free Film, by indie film pr http://url4.eu/tJRG [...]

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