He’s right about that marketing fee. Either get it extremely low or no marketing fee at all! I promise you will not see any money. That’s the distribution company’s way of getting ALL the profits and they know it cost lawyers to run an audit. And definitely keep your contract terms low and non exclusive
Great insights, and rings pretty true... Good video! I look at most contracts with the same "first blush"... Personally, I just start with "dubious terminology" and count the amount of Latin terms that are overtly included... Dubious terminology is a bit broad... SO for the most part, look for clauses and phrasing that start to allow more than one simple interpretation. Watch the number of "where-as" phrases. It's business, so they exist... but there's a limited purpose for that single phrase. It does only mean so much... DO NOT EVER blithely listen to the guy "translating" the contract as you read. He's there to SELL... not a single reason else. SO actually put for the effort to both READ and INTERPRET for yourself. If that's difficult, be suspicious... As stated in the video, it pays dividends to be fairly versed in grammar and spelling. Real attorneys are supposed to be available to construct contracts without a whole lot of hell to pay... Mistakes may happen, but should be minimal... Dubious terms also includes that Latin stuff... Vague and antiquated linguistics are generally used for the simple (laughable if not so serious) purpose to deliberately cloud the issues and obstruct your understanding of the clause or statement of duties... It might well pay dividends to get an peruse a Latin to English dictionary so some "shady" contract wording doesn't convince you to sell worse than the heart and soul of your whole team in a single signature... While there's a certain scholarly tradition of Latin reference to forms and some court related functions, again, there's a limit. Sensibility (and a count) will help you start to notice "the little things" that are just "off putting" about a contract... Finally, the "pressure sell"... Limited time offers, tension techniques, and all the literary and theatrical means to induce you toward a sense of need or urgency should raise a suspicion as well. Any sales person who tries to put the pressure on is trying to confuse you. Simple as that. The tension, urgency, pressure is all building up for the simple (again laughable) technique to get you to forget that you've got PLENTY of time to see your own attorney(s) for advice... This is because the "seller" understands all too well that as soon as you have the quiet to sensibly think about the deal, you're GOING to notice stuff is REALLY WRONG with what you're being asked to sign away... and I DO mean "sign away"... If it's AT ALL possible / feasible, get the thing in front of an attorney. Part of your budget should probably already be estimated (and allotted)to cover some attorney fees for just this sort of thing... AND it might be well advised to deliberate on what sorts of attorney duties you may NEED to afford, even before undertaking a project. That way, even if you chance to run over-budget, it's not by an irrecoverable amount. ;o)
I write family and faith driven supernatural dramas. I would spend money to have a one on one with Mark!!! My biggest challenge, is not having those I can trust, in my court! I love this stuff, but not wanting to get screwed in the process!
That 20% fee figure really made me question the offers I’ve been getting😕😕I’ve been getting 60-70% fee offers but I’m still ready to take them because I really just care about getting my movie released right now I don’t care too much about making money
And this is what makes it extremely difficult for filmmakers to earn revenue from their work and hands over all the power to distributors. They'll just keep making ridiculous offers that allows them to keep the majority or all of the money and just say "take it or leave it" to the filmmaker.
Hi Adam, Mark is referring to P&A or prints and advertising. Here is an article from 2017 which goes into more detail on the topic - stephenfollows.com/prints-and-advertising
"I can get a trailer cut for a grand...(shrug)" How condescending and insulting is that? This is the message you want to send on Film Courage? Really? Not exactly the message I thought you guys represented. I thought you held the philosophy of respect for professionals and those that put their lives into the craft in terms of education and countless hours put in. It's attitudes like this that are the problem in our industry. More and more people are devaluing the craft of filmmaking. Making it difficult for anyone to take seriously and approach with any sense that those performing services in the production pipeline should be treated with something above a condescending shrug. How unfortunate. It is what it is I guess. :/
Film Courage Because that comment isn't even in line with the market value for hiring an editor to do that job. Unless you're someone clearly trying to take advantage of someone. It's not just slapping stuff together to music. It's irresponsible that he would suggest that this should be a reasonable expectation. That's why it's offensive.
![How Distribution in Film Works - Film Distributors Explained [Stages of Filmmaking, Ep 6]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BPtliDtwQpQ/mqdefault.jpg)
He’s right about that marketing fee. Either get it extremely low or no marketing fee at all! I promise you will not see any money. That’s the distribution company’s way of getting ALL the profits and they know it cost lawyers to run an audit. And definitely keep your contract terms low and non exclusive
You’re very welcome. All great content here on Film Courage
Thanks for this videos....really appreciate it!!
Great insights, and rings pretty true... Good video!
I look at most contracts with the same "first blush"... Personally, I just start with "dubious terminology" and count the amount of Latin terms that are overtly included...
Dubious terminology is a bit broad... SO for the most part, look for clauses and phrasing that start to allow more than one simple interpretation. Watch the number of "where-as" phrases. It's business, so they exist... but there's a limited purpose for that single phrase. It does only mean so much...
DO NOT EVER blithely listen to the guy "translating" the contract as you read. He's there to SELL... not a single reason else. SO actually put for the effort to both READ and INTERPRET for yourself. If that's difficult, be suspicious...
As stated in the video, it pays dividends to be fairly versed in grammar and spelling. Real attorneys are supposed to be available to construct contracts without a whole lot of hell to pay... Mistakes may happen, but should be minimal...
Dubious terms also includes that Latin stuff... Vague and antiquated linguistics are generally used for the simple (laughable if not so serious) purpose to deliberately cloud the issues and obstruct your understanding of the clause or statement of duties... It might well pay dividends to get an peruse a Latin to English dictionary so some "shady" contract wording doesn't convince you to sell worse than the heart and soul of your whole team in a single signature... While there's a certain scholarly tradition of Latin reference to forms and some court related functions, again, there's a limit. Sensibility (and a count) will help you start to notice "the little things" that are just "off putting" about a contract...
Finally, the "pressure sell"... Limited time offers, tension techniques, and all the literary and theatrical means to induce you toward a sense of need or urgency should raise a suspicion as well. Any sales person who tries to put the pressure on is trying to confuse you. Simple as that. The tension, urgency, pressure is all building up for the simple (again laughable) technique to get you to forget that you've got PLENTY of time to see your own attorney(s) for advice... This is because the "seller" understands all too well that as soon as you have the quiet to sensibly think about the deal, you're GOING to notice stuff is REALLY WRONG with what you're being asked to sign away... and I DO mean "sign away"...
If it's AT ALL possible / feasible, get the thing in front of an attorney. Part of your budget should probably already be estimated (and allotted)to cover some attorney fees for just this sort of thing... AND it might be well advised to deliberate on what sorts of attorney duties you may NEED to afford, even before undertaking a project. That way, even if you chance to run over-budget, it's not by an irrecoverable amount. ;o)
Wow! Good to know. I'm learning so much. Thanks!
He’s a Totally Right
My local Best Buy stopped carrying DVDs.
That's sad. :(
I write family and faith driven supernatural dramas. I would spend money to have a one on one with Mark!!! My biggest challenge, is not having those I can trust, in my court! I love this stuff, but not wanting to get screwed in the process!
How hav you been screwed
That 20% fee figure really made me question the offers I’ve been getting😕😕I’ve been getting 60-70% fee offers but I’m still ready to take them because I really just care about getting my movie released right now I don’t care too much about making money
Did u ever release your movie?
And this is what makes it extremely difficult for filmmakers to earn revenue from their work and hands over all the power to distributors. They'll just keep making ridiculous offers that allows them to keep the majority or all of the money and just say "take it or leave it" to the filmmaker.
Homie no,dont do it
Yep yep he’s on point
What is PNA that he mentions 40 seconds in?
Hi Adam,
Mark is referring to P&A or prints and advertising. Here is an article from 2017 which goes into more detail on the topic - stephenfollows.com/prints-and-advertising
You rock!
I cut my own trailers for NO MONEY AT ALL. Just get expertise in everything and you donneed nobody #BobRodriguez
Good point, Adobe subscription and a week of tutorials, that's really all you'll need, there are also templates.
interesting
Hi Karen :)
Hi Mychal! Thank you for watching.
"I can get a trailer cut for a grand...(shrug)"
How condescending and insulting is that? This is the message you want to send on Film Courage? Really?
Not exactly the message I thought you guys represented. I thought you held the philosophy of respect for professionals and those that put their lives into the craft in terms of education and countless hours put in. It's attitudes like this that are the problem in our industry. More and more people are devaluing the craft of filmmaking. Making it difficult for anyone to take seriously and approach with any sense that those performing services in the production pipeline should be treated with something above a condescending shrug.
How unfortunate. It is what it is I guess. :/
Sorry not understanding? Why does this offend?
Film Courage Because that comment isn't even in line with the market value for hiring an editor to do that job. Unless you're someone clearly trying to take advantage of someone. It's not just slapping stuff together to music.
It's irresponsible that he would suggest that this should be a reasonable expectation. That's why it's offensive.
Are you an editor?
Film Courage I am an editor with motion graphics and visual effects experience yes. Primarily a freelancer.
Good to know. Why is the cost so upsetting to you?