This is one of the most useful videos about indie film online. If you want some form of success for a no-budget no-star indie, think LOCAL LOCAL LOCAL. Local cinemas, local venues, local audience. Also, streaming is useless without a headshot of a star you can put in the thumbnail, and even then the payouts are terrible. Very informative video and thank you for being honest about the finances of your film.
I worked in Hollywood for about 8 years and I briefly worked for a film distributor. The best advice that I got from those years is “every film has to have a star”. Which basically means if you want to sell your picture you need a “star”, that could be a recognizable name (even if they are only the film for 10 minutes) or the genre could be the star (like the horror genre). Most films are hard to sell if there are no recognizable names unless they are horror films. Even with the names it’s hard to sell films these days!!
Some attentive viewers might have noticed that my numbers don't quite add up. That's because I forgot to mention that I sold some more DVDs and Blu-rays in local shops or directly to people who wanted to see the film and contacted me afterwards. These grossed around 300€. The rest are just rounding errors, but are overall correct. I ended up selling 90 DVDs and 18 Blu-rays. It's more than I stated in the video, but I stand by what I said: A professional media production was too much and I will definitely make the media by myself next time for those who want to collect movies (and since I have produced hundreds and hundreds of DVDs for clients I am certain they will be of good quality). I still have hundreds of copies of "Ungeheuer" lying around, so if you are interested, I have enough. ;)
Thanks a lot Joe, for sharing your experience in such a frank way. 😊🙏🏽 Have you seen J. Horton's channel? I think you'll be able to get some nice revenue from the movie still...
Great job Joe-- way to go with your film! And fine presentation here! I made a $5000 documentary, which won the "People's Choice Award." But it made no money, so I studied Digital Marketing to see how to sell stuff. My advice: 1) Don't go to pricey film schools. 2) Spend as little as possible on your first films. 3) Learn the business side of things. 4) Learn by doing. PS: You got this!
Thanks for this real story and useful information. Your film looks way more expensive than $5000! Are you enjoying the production part or the directing part more? Did you have a production designer?
Your channel is so underrated. I hope you make more movies, maybe with that S1! I also bought one. Make more movies, friend! I would like to find a group of likeminded filmmakers who would help make eachother's movies. Maybe everyone pitches in money for the other's movies, and split the profit evenly. And each filmmaker gets a turn for help to make their movie, switching the roles. Maybe, a max budget so it's reasonable. Eh, think of it as unofficial film school. Much cheaper too, and likely more valuable.
Great .........very interesting story , unfortunately too often if there are no influential friends the money does not come and even a good project cannot see the light
![[TH] FS vs BME - VCT Ascension Pacific - Lower Bracket Final](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wnygqsR2Fig/mqdefault.jpg)
This is one of the most useful videos about indie film online. If you want some form of success for a no-budget no-star indie, think LOCAL LOCAL LOCAL. Local cinemas, local venues, local audience. Also, streaming is useless without a headshot of a star you can put in the thumbnail, and even then the payouts are terrible. Very informative video and thank you for being honest about the finances of your film.
I worked in Hollywood for about 8 years and I briefly worked for a film distributor. The best advice that I got from those years is “every film has to have a star”. Which basically means if you want to sell your picture you need a “star”, that could be a recognizable name (even if they are only the film for 10 minutes) or the genre could be the star (like the horror genre). Most films are hard to sell if there are no recognizable names unless they are horror films. Even with the names it’s hard to sell films these days!!
Thanks for making this video.
Some attentive viewers might have noticed that my numbers don't quite add up. That's because I forgot to mention that I sold some more DVDs and Blu-rays in local shops or directly to people who wanted to see the film and contacted me afterwards. These grossed around 300€. The rest are just rounding errors, but are overall correct. I ended up selling 90 DVDs and 18 Blu-rays.
It's more than I stated in the video, but I stand by what I said: A professional media production was too much and I will definitely make the media by myself next time for those who want to collect movies (and since I have produced hundreds and hundreds of DVDs for clients I am certain they will be of good quality). I still have hundreds of copies of "Ungeheuer" lying around, so if you are interested, I have enough. ;)
Thanks a lot Joe, for sharing your experience in such a frank way. 😊🙏🏽
Have you seen J. Horton's channel? I think you'll be able to get some nice revenue from the movie still...
Thanks for your suggestion, I will check it out!
Great job Joe-- way to go with your film! And fine presentation here! I made a $5000 documentary, which won the "People's Choice Award." But it made no money, so I studied Digital Marketing to see how to sell stuff. My advice: 1) Don't go to pricey film schools. 2) Spend as little as possible on your first films. 3) Learn the business side of things. 4) Learn by doing. PS: You got this!
great advice
Thanks for this real story and useful information. Your film looks way more expensive than $5000!
Are you enjoying the production part or the directing part more?
Did you have a production designer?
What a great channel, I have watched several "Joe For Video" videos now and have thoroughly enjoyed every one.
Love to hear that, thank you very much!
Your channel is so underrated. I hope you make more movies, maybe with that S1! I also bought one.
Make more movies, friend! I would like to find a group of likeminded filmmakers who would help make eachother's movies. Maybe everyone pitches in money for the other's movies, and split the profit evenly. And each filmmaker gets a turn for help to make their movie, switching the roles. Maybe, a max budget so it's reasonable. Eh, think of it as unofficial film school. Much cheaper too, and likely more valuable.
they are really serving me up your videos dawg!
Haha, that's great 😄
Great .........very interesting story , unfortunately too often if there are no influential friends the money does not come and even a good project cannot see the light
I appreciate you sharing this info. It's helpful and inspirational.
I wish i had 1000 subscriber
I hope you reach that goal, your videos look great!
wow! thanks for those informations joe! really need to check out the movie asap. looks rad !
Thanks, glad you like it!