We all work in sales though few of us planned for that. We prefer to think of ourselves as artists and we studied, trained, fought and starved for the fine art of SHOW business. Not many of us aimed for the sales department.
Our aim was off. Writers sell scripts to producers. Directors sell productions to actors. Producers sell to everyone. We're all in the BUSINESS of Show. Want to work? Accept your fate. They lied to you in film school.
Here are five steps to guide you.
1. Know exactly who you're talking to. The meeting is over if you begin, "Dear Sir and/or Madam...." You have to do your homework before you open your mouth.
2. Understand the needs of the person you're pitching. If you can't solve specific problems, move on. No one wants more problems; people want solutions.
3. Explain why you're the best choice. (Or your film, idea, script, talent, whatever.) Never, ever bash the competition; if you can't stand on your own, move on. Quickly.
4. Believe in yourself and your project, completely and unalterably. Anything less will come through like a grease stain on your best dress shirt.
5. Picture the results, not the process. Never explain your film. Show the finished film with your words. Share your vision. You are, after all, a filmmaker. Prove it.
Want to read more...? Visit: ReelGrock
Thank you to contributing writer: Norman C. Berns, An Emmy-award winning producer. Berns' documentary series, The Writing Code, is currently airing on PBS. Production work has included features and documentaries, TV series and commercials.
A certified Movie Magic instructor, Norman was an early beta tester for Screenplay Systems budgeting and scheduling programs and was part of the Set Management development team that created ProductionPro Budget. A columnist for the seminal online publication, WebZine Weekly, Norman has written for The Directors Guild and Tripod, Inc. His column currently appears in BTL News. He blogs on ReelGrok (www.reelgrok.com) and Pavaline (www.Pavaline.com) .
Norman is a consultant to the Roy W. Dean Film & Video Grants and is on the Board of Advisors for People With Disabilities Broadcasting Corporation and an advisor to Pavaline. He is moderator of The Budgeting Group and owner of the online film community, ReelGrok. He has taught film production and software for Media Services, The Directors Guild, Filmmakers Bootcamp and others. His popular seminars are offered online and in select locations across the country.
A member of DGA, SAG and Actors Equity, Norman has been creating films and preparing budgets, schedules and business plans for the past 25 years.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Guess Who’s in Charge Now…?
We're all facing a new world of DIY distribution. Here are ten key steps to help ease the process.
1. Surround yourself with pros who know how to handle tasks better than you. If you're the smartest person in the room, find another room.
2. Know the audience for your show. Think specifics, not generalities. See them, feel them, touch them.
3. Plan your marketing and promotion, from the concept to the creation. Budget for every step of it. Then budget even more money.
4. Build a website that's smarter than sunshine and as seductive as a spider's web.
5. Start networking now. Tweet, blog, e-blast, post, teach, lecture or screen every day from now until you start your next film.
6. If you're not selling, you're not doing your job. What's your job? Your job is to sell your script, sell your production, sell your ideas to your actors, sell your film to your audience. Sell.
7. Plan every step of your marketing and distribution before you start to make your movie.
8. Think ROI, but understand that "profit" has to be measured in more ways than money. Know exactly why your investors invested. And what they want in return.
9. Give away far more than you ever hope to sell. If you don't leave a trail of breadcrumbs, no one will follow you to your movie.
10. Write a business plan that's honest, complex and profound, insightful, exciting and seductive. Make it as tenacious as a fishhook. Let it seduce your investors, entice your audience and guide you into production.
Want to read more...? Visit: ReelGrock
Thank you to contributing writer: Norman C. Berns, An Emmy-award winning producer. Berns' documentary series, The Writing Code, is currently airing on PBS. Production work has included features and documentaries, TV series and commercials.
A certified Movie Magic instructor, Norman was an early beta tester for Screenplay Systems budgeting and scheduling programs and was part of the Set Management development team that created ProductionPro Budget. A columnist for the seminal online publication, WebZine Weekly, Norman has written for The Directors Guild and Tripod, Inc. His column currently appears in BTL News. He blogs on ReelGrok (www.reelgrok.com) and Pavaline (www.Pavaline.com) .
Norman is a consultant to the Roy W. Dean Film & Video Grants and is on the Board of Advisors for People With Disabilities Broadcasting Corporation and an advisor to Pavaline. He is moderator of The Budgeting Group and owner of the online film community, ReelGrok. He has taught film production and software for Media Services, The Directors Guild, Filmmakers Bootcamp and others. His popular seminars are offered online and in select locations across the country.
A member of DGA, SAG and Actors Equity, Norman has been creating films and preparing budgets, schedules and business plans for the past 25 years.
1. Surround yourself with pros who know how to handle tasks better than you. If you're the smartest person in the room, find another room.
2. Know the audience for your show. Think specifics, not generalities. See them, feel them, touch them.
3. Plan your marketing and promotion, from the concept to the creation. Budget for every step of it. Then budget even more money.
4. Build a website that's smarter than sunshine and as seductive as a spider's web.
5. Start networking now. Tweet, blog, e-blast, post, teach, lecture or screen every day from now until you start your next film.
6. If you're not selling, you're not doing your job. What's your job? Your job is to sell your script, sell your production, sell your ideas to your actors, sell your film to your audience. Sell.
7. Plan every step of your marketing and distribution before you start to make your movie.
8. Think ROI, but understand that "profit" has to be measured in more ways than money. Know exactly why your investors invested. And what they want in return.
9. Give away far more than you ever hope to sell. If you don't leave a trail of breadcrumbs, no one will follow you to your movie.
10. Write a business plan that's honest, complex and profound, insightful, exciting and seductive. Make it as tenacious as a fishhook. Let it seduce your investors, entice your audience and guide you into production.
Want to read more...? Visit: ReelGrock
Thank you to contributing writer: Norman C. Berns, An Emmy-award winning producer. Berns' documentary series, The Writing Code, is currently airing on PBS. Production work has included features and documentaries, TV series and commercials.
A certified Movie Magic instructor, Norman was an early beta tester for Screenplay Systems budgeting and scheduling programs and was part of the Set Management development team that created ProductionPro Budget. A columnist for the seminal online publication, WebZine Weekly, Norman has written for The Directors Guild and Tripod, Inc. His column currently appears in BTL News. He blogs on ReelGrok (www.reelgrok.com) and Pavaline (www.Pavaline.com) .
Norman is a consultant to the Roy W. Dean Film & Video Grants and is on the Board of Advisors for People With Disabilities Broadcasting Corporation and an advisor to Pavaline. He is moderator of The Budgeting Group and owner of the online film community, ReelGrok. He has taught film production and software for Media Services, The Directors Guild, Filmmakers Bootcamp and others. His popular seminars are offered online and in select locations across the country.
A member of DGA, SAG and Actors Equity, Norman has been creating films and preparing budgets, schedules and business plans for the past 25 years.
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