The Biggest Mistake Filmmakers Make Marketing Their Films by Sheri Candler

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[JordanCann]

If you’re in the BUSINESS of film she is absolutely right. It’s way easier to market your film when there is star power in it or the topic of the movie is recognizable. However don’t let this discourage you in putting out original content. Make sure it’s shot WELL, the sound is great, you have beautiful key art (movie poster) and one hellavu trailer! Lastly, use social media as your bases of promotion. It will be your best friend in getting your movie seen

[SheriCandler]

thanks for the really kind comments everyone!

[RawFilms]

This lady I really enjoy her insight and her knowledge. I'm 48 and I know everything and find that I know not so much. Sometimes a teacher, always a student this is how I approach productions

[Craftypiston]

"Telling the story that your resources allow for" Yes this. So well explained !

[filmcourage]

It's great to receive your comment. This is the third video segment we have posted with Sheri, thankfully we still have a lot more with her we will be sharing. We highly recommend following Sheri's FB page, she offers valuable insights on a daily basis. We're lucky she is as knowledgeable, passionate and generous as she is.

[jasonhammond]

If you think in this kind of one dimensional way, the films will themselves be morphed into this same frame. Thinking that the important things about a film are having a star and making money. This isn't what films are about. Films are art, films can be limitless. Its this way of thinking that stunts the growth of cinema. You aren't thinking with the audience in mind, you are thinking about money and then putting everything into that box after it. How many films that turned out to be some of the greatest of all time took a gamble? Have you ever heard of 2001 a space odyssey? Have you ever heard of Werner Herzog or Jean Luc Godard?  All of them, they weren't letting money or marketing strategies worries affect it, they made these films for one reason and one reason only, to make great cinema. Having this outlook that the only important thing about a film is how much money it makes, or giving up before even trying, really not taking any chances, is square and boring.

[pookipaintedpictures]

I think for myself, as a relative beginner in this field, this video is a nice groundwork piece to help gain an understanding of film marketing.

[DoorElevenProductions]

So many excellent points being made here regarding marketing and especially telling the story that your resources allow for. Very insightful and honest filmmaking interview.

[WavesWatcher]

I Love Edward Burns films! He is such an understated filmmaker. Take notes, Hollywood! ❤

[atlasmv]

Sheri is on a roll. Good stuff. Spot on.

[NIKONGUY]

Before one pixel/frame is shot, you should have a distribution plan in place.

[farmersonfilm]

Got me thinking as i would really like a film produced about the local commnity I live in and it is very powerful story and one many people may have heard about its over a roundabout. if anybody can help let me know big thanks Sarah

[carlmarl]

Everyone always says that small budget films fail in marketing because they dont hire anyone recognizable. Yes. It's 100% true... so how the hell am I supposed to hire someone recognizable on a small scale budget of 50k-100k? Do I pray that I have an angel on my shoulder and hit the lotto somehow?

[ryanbarker]

this video isn't about film being 'art, ' so unless you're kubrick or some such 'genius' i suggest you would be smart to consider how to make money in your chosen profession, and that depends on how well you market your own product. yes, i said product. if you want to make art-house movies, fine, great, no one is stopping you any more than anyone cares. but, you're ostensibly watching this video to glean some insight into marketing your movie, suggesting you don't want to starve to death telling 'important' stories about 'life's struggles' and all that bullshit. and, unless you're spending your own money, investors expect a return usually. that's why they're called investors, not benefactors.

so, if you're marketing your own product, just know who your audience is meant to be. that's the gist of it. that way you can show your commercials on tv during the appropriate times if you're so lucky to have that kind of money, and advertise accordingly. that way your brilliant movie will be seen by as many people as possible, you'll make a buck, investors will be happy, and you will have a reputation for making movies that are a good risk, meaning that you can keep making movies with other peoples' money.

there's an 'artistic' side to making a movie. make it any way you want. but, if you don't believe in marketing or any other parts of the business then you're just a damn assed fool and good luck. if you don't know who your audience is how can you market it effectively? who are you writing it for? for yourself? and you expect people to just be on board with that?

wishes, dreams and hopes make for poor business strategies.

[buknar]

It's good advice but also conventional advice. It's always been a risk, but what choice do you have? You gotta give birth to your child, and you're gonna keep going if you truly love it, and you'll have more kids, and eventually if you've really got something to say you'll hit a nerve, and all your early works will now be noticed more...Swanberg speaks about the importance of owning your early microbudget features so that down the line...you never know what will happen

[PUMPADOUR]

Total BS advise.
If one takes the middle road and does and easily identifiable movie like the other movies around the chance of break trough success are zero.
One has to do unique projects to put themselves on the map and differentiate themselves from the rest of the herd.
Look it up - every single director that made a name for themselves had something very interesting and special with their first project.