Here are some online and social network film marketing tactics that we think are very effective. It may help you and your team generate some additional marketing ideas.

Darfur Now Documentary
From Participant Productions:
http://prod.takepart.com/social_network/action/darfurnow/

Wal Mart Movie
This is Robert Greenwald’s film:
http://www.walmartmovie.com/

Four Eyed Monsters
Check out this post on our blog:
Four Eyed Monsters

MySpace examples
http://www.myspace.com/aninconvenienttruth?
http://www.myspace.com/climatecrisis

Facebook examples
http://www.facebook.com/pages/This-Darling-Life/14420535055

YouTube examples
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=oxfamamerica
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=milotube

Best of luck with your outreach efforts!

First in a series of posts dedicated to describing the most common forms of film financing. Based on “How to Fund Your Film” by Robert C. DiGregorio, Jr. imageMATTE Executive Producer

Part I:

Soon after an idea for a project first comes to you, start thinking about distribution for the final film. Your hopes for distribution (film festivals, in theaters, television, DVD, online, cable/satellite, etc.) will shape where and how you seek funding. In addition to the distribution platforms, the next step is to consider the range of potential distributors. These options may range from major studios, to independent studios, television stations or cable networks.

The most common type of film funding is industry financing. This umbrella term can include several potential sources. Studio Development Production Deals are in-house studio production financing. A studio creative executive approves your pitch and then thus begins the long road towards production.

The studio production deal is a vanishing breed and almost impossible for first-time filmmakers to obtain. However, several of the indie film divisions of the major studios are on the lookout for new talent. They sponsor contests, screening programs, and workshops or labs. For example, take a look at Searchlab from Fox Searchlight.

Contributed by Christina Chen,
UC Berkeley student

An occasional series of posts that will discuss the extensive process of putting together a grant application.

Part II:

When putting together your grant application, the two largest components are the script and the budget. However, the other supporting items can also make or break it.

The synopsis should be brief yet descriptive, and in principle, should reflect the essence of the work. This is one of your tools to encourage the reader to accept your grant proposal. Also, in terms of the biography, it should essentially be a tailored resume that includes anything relevant from college coursework to previous work experiences with film.

Your entire grant application should be a well-crafted piece of artwork in and of itself. Straddling the line between a lack of relevant information that could potentially sway the reader, and an overwhelming deluge of relevant but useless facts, is the key to receiving the grant.

Get more specific details from the following link:
http://2billiondesirables.multiply.com/journal/item/2

Contributed by Christina Chen,
UC Berkeley student

by Toni Casala

Born Lauren Keyana Palmer, you may remember Keke from her performance in the critically acclaimed, award-winning film Akeelah and the Bee, but Keke was far from wet behind the ears when she starred in her role as Akeelah Anderson.

As a small child growing up in Robbins, Illinois, Keke showed her parents Laurence and Sharon Palmer that her performance skills packed a lot of power when she belted out “Jesus Loves Me” in her church choir.

In their home recording studio, Keke’s mother Sharon helped Keke harness her vocal abilities, and both parents were dedicated to taking her on auditions and helping her to perfect her acting skills. In 2004 Keke landed her first big role in Barbershop 2: Back in Business playing the part of Queen Latifah’s niece. At this point, it was more than apparent that Keke had star-potential, so the family left behind their newly purchased home and their secure jobs to head to California.

Keke’s accomplished resume includes a role on the CBS series Cold Case, a national K-Mart commercial, and even a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for her role in Wool Cap. She is currently the youngest actress to ever receive a nomination in a Lead Actress category. She has also won the 2007 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in Akeelah and the Bee. She also co-starred in the highly-rated Disney Channel Original movie Jump In.

Though her acting career has blossomed, Keke considers music her first love and has signed with Atlantic Records. Her newest album “So Uncool” includes an ode to her Chicago roots. The Palmer’s decision to leave the Chicago area in pursuit of Keke’s dreams turned out to be a good one, but they were definitely challenging times.

In his interview with Children In Film, Laurence Palmer talks about the challenges of being a Power Parent.

[Read more]

Earlier this month the State of New York put the finishing touches on its new tax credit plan:

NY To Triple Tax Break For Filmmakers

The expanded tax credit comes during tough fiscal times with the hope it will bolster a business Paterson said generates billions of dollars of economic activity in New York each year.

The change will give film companies a 30 percent tax credit — up from 10 percent — for qualified production costs and extend the program from 2011 to 2013.

Here is the summary from WNBC

NY Times Square

New York’s Governor Paterson said in the official press release:

“It is vital to our state’s economy that New York remains a premier destination for film and television productions,” said Governor Paterson. “The entertainment industry plays an important role in fostering economic growth by promoting our state on movie and television screens across the world, and creating thousands of jobs for New Yorkers.”

Wall St.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said: “Film and television play a major role in New York City’s place as a world-class center for culture, and the industry’s continued growth will play an important role in our efforts to diversify the economy. The expansion of the Empire State film production tax credit program is good news for New York City, and I thank Governor Paterson for signing it into effect.”

The International Consumer Electronics Show has a special focus on content this year:

Content

Today’s world is a digital one, where content progressively drives consumer technology sales. Music, movies, games. Text, audio files, pictures. Content is any sound or image delivered to an audience through a CE product. It’s at the heart of consumer technology, and CES is at the heart of it all. Content is everywhere at CES. It spans all consumer technology markets, every product, each part of the show floor. Experience the art of content at CES.

Find out what is happening at this year’s show: http://cesweb.org/attendees/markets/content.asp

The show also features the latest installment of Digital Hollywood, seminars on the latest in digital entertainment.

Digital Hollywood

Revolution. Redefinition. Refocus. Those are the themes of this year’s Digital Hollywood sessions, where we’ll examine how the “three Rs” are affecting content, entertainment, social networking, product innovations, the digital home, consumer perceptions and market forces. These are some of the most popular sessions at CES, because they’re jam-packed with up-to-the-second information, insights and predictions. Sign up now before space is gone! Take advantage of the CES Ultimate Pass for a guaranteed seat at every session.

It is not too late to register: Digital Hollywood details.

If you are interested in Children’s toys & entertainment, this free conference at CES also looks extremely interesting:

The Sandbox Summit: A Playdate with Technology

Had enough of the grownup CES stuff? Jump into the world of digital kids at the Sandbox Summit. Kick off the morning at the complimentary power breakfast, where we start th conversaion. Get a handle on the toys, trends and products that are shaping the way kids play today. Join the PLAYOFFS, where digital natives go head to head; then move on to the Sands’ exhibition to test drive the gear that’s defining the next generation.For more information please visit www.SandboxSummit.org.

Great post on Johanna Blakley’s blog over at the Norman Lear Center. She provides an account of the recent AFM Film Financing Conference held in Santa Monica. Some interesting insights into film funding trends:

How do you convince a financer that you’ve got a marketable film?
Once again, financers could care less who’s directing. The real gatekeeper in this business is . . . get this: the sales agent. If you’re a new filmmaker and a credible sales agent has decided to hawk your film, the financing is yours.

Isn’t it hard to get a film financed these days? Why, no! There’s so much “dumb money” out there (read: hedge funds) that the barriers to entry are lower than ever. This may come as a surprise to every indy filmmaking friend you have; their problem is that they probably haven’t made an expensive enough movie. Got a film under a million? Ask grandpa to fund it. Got a film over $10 million? Now you’re talking.

What genres of movies are the easiest to presell (i.e., to sell the rights before the film is made)? According to Nu Image CFO Trevor Short, generally action movies and thrillers are the best bets. Comedy and drama are tough because the quality of the film depends on (get this) the execution.

Get the full story

When it comes to film funding, it is a lot harder to finance your film from jail!

Nov. 9, 2007, 7:17AM

Film producer arrested in Los Angeles in suspected movie-financing scam

From the Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — A film producer has been arrested on suspicion of using bogus contracts with foreign distributors to help secure more than $35 million in loans to finance movies, federal authorities said Thursday.

Gary Howsam, 56, was taken into custody Monday at Los Angeles International Airport on a criminal complaint accusing him of bank fraud, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said.

He was released on $500,000 bond and placed under house arrest with an electric monitoring at a friend’s residence in Los Angeles. If convicted, he could face as many as 30 years in federal prison.

There is more to this story on Film Funding at the Sacramento Bee

ENCHANTED ©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Photo Credit: BARRY WETCHER/SMPSP SUSAN SARANDON

Although written with a focus on talent endorsements, these guidelines are helpful in leveraging talent as a part of film promotions.

Do’s and Don’ts of Working with Celebrity Talent

By Lou Bortone

Top talent endorsements are a staple in marketing, with more than 20% of advertising today featuring a famous face, voice or likeness. The reason is clear: Celebrities sell. Consumers pay attention to brand-name talent because they are attracted to the familiar. Three ways a star spokesperson can be used by your business include:

1) Advertising – Celebrities can pitch your product via print, television, radio, etc.

2) Appearances and events – Celebrities can make personal appearances for your business at events ranging from charity fundraisers to grand openings.

3) Media opportunities – Your spokesperson can speak on your behalf on TV talks shows, or at press conferences, trade shows or other media events.

Things to keep in mind when hunting for a celebrity spokesperson include:

• Define your objectives

Determine what you expect from your partnership with your spokesperson and how to best utilize their talents. Clarify your needs and expectations from the get-go.

Get-It-Done: Brooks International and Burns are a couple of many agencies who specialize in booking celebrity and sports talent. These talent brokers can help you assess your needs.

• Find the right fit

It’s important that the spokesperson you hire is a good match for your product or service. The clearer the link between your company’s product and your talent, the better the partnership will work. (Think Michael Jordan and Nike!)

Get-It-Done: The Hollywood-Madison Group uses a proprietary database called the “Fame Index” to match businesses with appropriate talent. The Fame Index contains the names of 10,000 stars and uses 250 categories to match talent to businesses and products.

• Plan well in advance

When deciding on a celebrity spokesperson for your business, start early. Make your plans at least 6 months in advance. The bigger the name, the longer the lead time.

Get-It-Done: Celebrity Focus and The Celebrity Source are two talent agencies who can connect your company with talent and help you navigate the celebrity maze.

• Consider the costs

Talent fees and celebrity endorsements run the gamut from a few hundred dollars for a local DJ appearing at a business to literally millions of dollars for an international movie star. Catherine Zeta-Jones’ long-term endorsement deal with T-Mobile was reportedly worth 20 Million, but T-Mobile’s U.S. sales jumped 25% during the campaign.

Get-It-Done: If you’re looking for major star power, you can go with Hollywood biggies like William Morris or PMK/HBH Public Relations. On a smaller scale, many local celebrities can be contacted directly or through their management.

• Make contact

Talent agencies, entertainment marketing firms and even speakers bureaus can put you in touch with potential celebrity spokespersons. Contacting talent can be easier than you might think.

Get-It-Done: In addition to some of the agencies listed above, the Screen Actors Guild provides an actor-locator service.

Other things to keep in mind when shopping for a celebrity spokesperson include:

• Don’t be afraid to ask. Maybe that certain superstar is not out of your reach or budget.

• Consider “B-List” stars who may be more available and less expensive.

Local talent such as home-town athletes may be your best shot.

• Make sure you have an “out” clause in case your celebrity gets negative press or is involved in a scandal. (Sorry Britney!)

—

Lou Bortone is an award-winning writer, marketer and television producer who spent over 20 years in the television industry, including several years as Senior Vice President of Marketing & Advertising for Fox Family Worldwide in L.A. Today, Lou specializes in helping entrepreneurs create breakthrough video for the Internet. Email Lou at lou@theonlinevideoguy.com or visit http://www.theonlinevideoguy.com .

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