Distribution

You can learn more and sign up here! https://www.stage32.com/education/products/understanding-limited-theatri...

Can't wait for the webinar tomorrow!!

Just spoke to Mark, he's super excited!

I am very excited for this webinar. I'm looking forward to answering your questions tomorrow!

Only top tier talent will do this, and not all will succeed. Not all movies are going to see a theatrical release which costs money. Back when Slumdog Millionaire was made, WB wanted to go straight to DVD with it. Danny Boyle, the director, asked if he could take it to Fox Searchlight. They allowed him. It was a theatrical release, won best picture in 2008. Tom Cruise fought hard to ensure Top Gun Maverick was released theatrically. Finally, just because it's an item in a contract doesn't mean the other side will accept it. Many times one side will say, "that's off the table," meaning it's not included.

Dwayne Williams Would be nice, but that clause would likely kill any deal for the vast majority of filmmakers. I frankly don't know of anyone who could even think of this, for the last couple decades, save a couple. Think about the repercussions though - how is anyone with brains going to agree to that given the thousand or so variables in whether the film might be any good or whether people will want to see it or not? Some proposals are only sensible in very specific instances.

That's so awesome Michelle Alexandria.

Thank YOU Michelle for the incredible webinar, we are so lucky to have you and your knowledge !

Fantastic opportunity for people who don't know much about the sales and distribution process to learn how this part of the business works. I worked at sales agencies for 10 years but its oddly not a part o the process that isn't as openly talked about as it should, yet it is a key part of your film's life.

I totally agree Ashley Renee Smith

Having the chance to experience this success first-hand, living close to the area where the movie was shot, was truly inspiring. These stories are a boost of optimism!

I forgot the tag Sam Sokolow :)

Such a great post Chiara Torrisi. Sometimes we forget to reach out to our local market, who may be the most invested in seeing a local producer thrive. Local media, for sure, like to feature projects that have a local connection.

I totally agree Debbie Elicksen

Amanda Toney, this is such an interesting move and definitely one to watch for indie filmmakers and producers. Both Shout! Studios and Gravitas Ventures have built reputations around championing independent voices and niche content, so seeing them come together could open up some new opportunities in the distribution space.

It’ll be really interesting to see how this impacts their acquisition strategies moving forward.

An always useful reminder that content is king. As distrbution platforms expand and new ones launch, having content that you own - including indie films you make - is a great position to be in.

Gravitas has one of my films (almost ten years old at this point). I wonder if this will have any bearing on the financials for it.

This is completely awesome, Amanda Toney - and a real avenue for independent filmmakers that seems to only be gaining steam and greater accessibility. My question would be on final delivery of the film itself. What legal elements do fimmakers need locked up to distriibute themselves (clearances, licenses, crew & talent agreements, etc.) and what are the technical specs to actually screen in the theaters (is it digital files, resolution specs, etc.). That would allow indie filmmakers to know what to aim for right out of the gate so they don't need to redo things or chase those elements to take advantage of this business model. What a cool webinar and opportunity for the community - go Stage 32!!!

Amanda Toney that sounds cool, Amanda. I’d like to ask about straight download strategies for events, please.

That sounds so great Amanda Toney. This is just the type of content that makes this platform so special.

Oh certainly needed! Amanda Toney it's always admirable and welcoming seeing Stage 32 keeping ahead with industrial necessities and more!

Sounds worth checking out. My question would be about the chances for success if you don’t travel with the film, doing the roadshow thing. I think it sounds like fun to tour with your film — but only if you have no family responsibilities keeping you at home. Kind of a young person’s game, like a musician touring with an indie band.

Pluto is owned by Paramount, by the way.

Awesome development Debbie Elicksen!

Ewan Dunbar, Looking at similar films and studying who handled their sales and distribution is such a smart strategy, especially for indie filmmakers trying to build a realistic target list. The company credits section is a goldmine if you know where to look. Super helpful advice!

You're welcome, Ashley Renee Smith. Mubi showcases features and shorts. Maybe more. I haven't explored the streaming service that much yet.

You’re absolutely right, Mark Deuce, YouTube can be a great place to start, especially for getting your work seen quickly and building an audience. The challenge, though, is that discoverability can be tough. With so much content uploaded daily, standing out and appealing to the algorithm takes a really strategic approach.

Consistency, strong thumbnails, searchable titles, and clear audience targeting are key. It’s also important to think like a marketer: what makes your story clickable without losing its integrity? How can you position your content to speak directly to the niche you’re trying to reach?

YouTube rewards engagement, so building a community around your project through comments, behind-the-scenes content, and even short-form clips can help boost visibility and attract the right viewers.

It’s definitely not a “just upload and hope” kind of platform, but with the right plan, it can be a really powerful tool for niche storytellers.

No truer words were spoken Ashley Renee Smith. There is no such thing as one size fits all for every audience. Finding out where your audience lives is the first step into marketing.

Absolutely agree. One of the most powerful aspects of indie filmmaking is the freedom to tell niche, personal, or culturally specific stories. It’s not about mass appeal — it’s about deep connection. The key is clarity: knowing your audience, your message, and the unique emotional truth you’re bringing to the screen.

IMO honest marketing for screenx and 4dx would be something like "trying yesterday's technology over again today." Wrap-around walls were done and largely abandoned long before I was a teen (many decades ago), as were cinema seats that move, tremble and excrete odors and mist, etc. Contrary to the marketing, these exact ideas have proved time and again to distract from the narrative experience, rather than enhance it (contrary to the screenx marketing that asserts it enhances the narrative). That is not to say that marketing it as a different experience than that of traditional cinema wouldn't work or that some audiences shouldn't like it. It is to say that, IMO, it's suited for media that crosses into gaming or amusement park ride experiences, by definition.

Good point Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg. Anybody remember “sensurround”?

It's cool to see some theaters trying to elevate, or evolve, the experience. I agree with Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg, that a lot of thsi has been tried before in different ways, but also think that making the experience more dynamic is worth trying. And, yes, Leonardo Ramirez - I remember sensurround - my experience was Rollercoaster starring George Segal and Henry Fonda. I also saw John Waters' film Polyester in a theater as a little kid - scratch and sniff Odorama - weird enough to never forget. Always ready to try something to enhance a theatrical experience and imagine 4dx is way cooler than Odorama :)

Sometimes, audiences aren't ready, and it's all about finding the moment when the tech is where it needs to be to meet audience expectations. It's true that experiences like these have been attempted before, but many of the Gen X and Gen Alpha viewers who are seeking them out are experiencing them all for the first time, and it's so wildly different from watching things on their devices at home that it's an exciting experience.

I think the next medium is vr goggle movies. Theaters are trying to mimic it, while charging exuberant amounts to watch what’s out now. Nothings made for being on three walls. I say three, till they expect you to twist around and see what’s behind you. Nobody’s releasing made for vr format movies yet. I’ve always thought a single big screen is no different than a big tv athome, why see it in the theater where they charge a lot, and I can’t pause it. I can’t take a bathroom break w/o missing stuff. Don’t give me a big ass drink and think I won’t miss something. I think it’s cool to be adding surround views and smells, but vr is really set up better for it. That’s where as a film maker, I would try to be. Personally, it would take a really cool immersive story to need all that anyway. Maybe a first person view.? Or beautiful shots of nature all around you. But something like interrogation room scene doesn’t need 3 walls around you to feel a part of it, unless u want the audience to feel claustrophobic. Stuff on the sides is hard to focus on anyway, the minute the scenes are one side wall, then the others side wall.. and not infront of you will make u question why you are watching this harder to follow format.. it would be not as great. It could be cool but, I see ways it limits the audience from seeing everything. Think like a Where’s Waldo movie where you spend time searching for him.. do u want two more walls to have to look at?? I don’t. But like a horses running across a grassy hillside.. ya that would look even cooler w more screen.