In my last article I discussed foreign sales agents and their role in the distribution of independent films. Now let’s turn to domestic deals. “Domestic” is usually defined as North America, which is comprised of the USA and Canada, as well as their possessions, territories, commonwealths, protectorates and trusteeships. For …
Like most working independent film producers, I’ve pitched my projects to more potential financiers than I can remember. I’m always relieved when they’re seasoned film investors because then I can focus on the creative aspects of the project, the production and distribution plan, and the recoupment structure. When I pitch …
May 15th, 2011.
I am given a book by my favourite poet, Bob Hicok. In it there’s a poem about the 2007 Virginia Polytechnic Institute massacre – to date the deadliest shooting of innocent people by a single gunman in US history. This excerpt from the poem …
There we were, my Producer Alex Reinhard and I, straight off the plane from California to LGA. Pulling up in front of us was the M60 bus that would take us to the fabled NY subway. Three M60’s later, we were finally able to board amidst the pushing and shoving …
When I set out to produce my first feature-length documentary, Brothers On The Line, I knew that a tricky funding and distribution road lay ahead. Narrated by Martin Sheen, the film explores the lives of my grandfather and great-uncles, Victor, Roy, and Walter Reuther, firebrand labor organizers and social justice …
Summit of independent creative producers hosted by MoMA, Indiewire, and Zipline Entertainment in December 2009.
I’m very fortunate to be friends with many accomplished independent film producers–people whose films have screened at the best festivals, won significant awards, gotten picked up by major distributors, earned healthy gross receipts, and …
With the start of the Festival De Cannes and accompanying Marche Du Film, one is reminded that film is both an art form and a business. The festival will exhibit approximately 22 feature films in competition, another 20 in Un Certain Regard, 6 Out of Competition and 10 in Special …
I’ve been in theatrical distribution for 5 years (a short time by some standards), and have already seen the playing field shift dramatically. 5 years ago, I interned at a reputable distribution company that no longer exists. 3 years ago, I placed trailers in art house theaters that …