I used to do festivals, but what's worse than the entry fees is the insane waiting time of tying up your film. So now I release on youtube and one of my films is approaching 2 million views. It is a much better calling card than a lame laurel from a mediocre festival.
Wow, that is super impressive and congrats! I definitely should have started investing my time into RUclips much earlier. Looking forward to checking out your films!
There's only a handful of film festivals that actually count in terms of publicity. SXSW, New York, and of course Sundance......and the odds of getting into those are like winning the lottery.
As much as I struggle for funding when producing a film, I need all the money that I can get and film festivals, etc mean nothing to me. I see all these films that say winner this, winner that but the wins do absolutely nothing for the film or the filmmakers. Its just a way for those conventions to make money. I agree with you 100%.
I hear ya! That’s really why I wanted to start this channel - to talk about how filmmakers can shift their focus to invest in themselves and not throw money away on legacy paths to success. Thank you so much for watching and hope you decide to stick around!
Great video. Totally agree. I turned my focus to RUclips and now worry less about technical production values and just concentrate on script/story. I try to use the RUclips style of video to tell the story, rather than the traditional filmmaking process. There’s a real immediacy to it. Write a script one week and then screen it to the public the next. Actors really love that too because they can see their work and the characters they create Technical advances have opened up filmmaking to too many people to make film festivals viable. But those advances have also opened up platforms like RUclips.
@@FamousMotionPictures No problem. There’s a great video on this subject by wolfcrow called “My film festival results might anger you just the right amount.”
I think you touched on some interesting points. However, I think it’s overall a very one sided video. I think one has to think a lot about where to submit, what festivals play your kind of thing (I.g look at past winners), plan it out so that you only submit as an early bird… patience is key here… etc. etc. Even if it’s a tiny film festival for someone starting out that will most likely lead (if selected) to a spot in their local or regional newspaper. And the idea that all these fees add up, well you can say that about anything. I love the occasional cigar and if you were to add it all up I have probably smoked a couple grand. Some of the cigars were shit and I will never buy again others I really enjoyed. Your film might be great or it might be shit. My advice is to submit to a couple (whatever is comfortable for you, so instead of going out and buying a new pack of cigars, just go without for a month or two and submit to festivals instead: if you think your shit is good enough), then move on to the next project. Rinse and repeat
I like what you have to say. You come across as honest and informed. Regarding constructive feedback, it would have been nice if you introduced yourself by name. I personally feel that the video could have been about half the length and still conveyed the same information. I'd also like to see you insert some clips, even if just stock footage, to help strengthen the visual impact of your points. Finally, perhaps improve the lighting of your studio. Overall, I enjoyed it. Hope that helps.
Thanks so much for watching and for your feedback - I really appreciate it! I’m still trying to figure out my RUclips setup/format and had batch-recorded a few videos (this one included), so these early ones are definitely pretty rough. I think they get much better! Thanks again and hope you stick around!
Absolutely! Because artists can’t really control the outcome of a contest, I’d much rather invest in myself than roll the dice. Thanks so much for watching!
Also, most of the festivals don’t even watch the submissions! You pay money per submission, hopping that someone will watch your film from beginning to the end, only to find out that some festivals don’t even klick play at all or play only few seconds or minutes. Then you get the general rejection email. So, yea, festivals, nowadays are a waste of money, most of them anyway.
@@FamousMotionPictures I hear you. I feel like The only possibility to get noticed is to submit your work to the big guys, Sundance, sxsw and etc. but your level and budget needs to be up to their standards in order for them to accept the film in their program…..or at least the story has to be sooo good or unique that they could close their eyes on everything else.
It should only take about 5-6 mins to explain well enough about the reason why spending a lot of money on buying fesitval lottery tickets is not worthy. You kept repeating similar points in 18 mins. As an audience, what I'm expecting is, first of all definitely know why, but more important is "then what?" If you offer some other good strategies in detail, not only it will make more sense of your theme, but also it will make the video more enjoyable and educational. Making youtube video is also the same as writing a script. You tell a 6 mins story in 18 mins. Bad script and bad storytelling.
I used to do festivals, but what's worse than the entry fees is the insane waiting time of tying up your film. So now I release on youtube and one of my films is approaching 2 million views. It is a much better calling card than a lame laurel from a mediocre festival.
Wow, that is super impressive and congrats! I definitely should have started investing my time into RUclips much earlier. Looking forward to checking out your films!
Great job and congrats! Any tips on marketing or what helped get you to now over 2 million views?
There's only a handful of film festivals that actually count in terms of publicity. SXSW, New York, and of course Sundance......and the odds of getting into those are like winning the lottery.
I agree with your sentiment about paying for contests/festivals.
Thanks so much for checking out this video and I’m encouraged that you feel the same way!
As much as I struggle for funding when producing a film, I need all the money that I can get and film festivals, etc mean nothing to me. I see all these films that say winner this, winner that but the wins do absolutely nothing for the film or the filmmakers. Its just a way for those conventions to make money. I agree with you 100%.
I hear ya! That’s really why I wanted to start this channel - to talk about how filmmakers can shift their focus to invest in themselves and not throw money away on legacy paths to success. Thank you so much for watching and hope you decide to stick around!
Great video. Totally agree.
I turned my focus to RUclips and now worry less about technical production values and just concentrate on script/story. I try to use the RUclips style of video to tell the story, rather than the traditional filmmaking process.
There’s a real immediacy to it. Write a script one week and then screen it to the public the next. Actors really love that too because they can see their work and the characters they create
Technical advances have opened up filmmaking to too many people to make film festivals viable. But those advances have also opened up platforms like RUclips.
Definitely. RUclips is really a new experience for me but I’m super encouraged by your comment and really appreciate your support! Thank you so much!
@@FamousMotionPictures No problem. There’s a great video on this subject by wolfcrow called “My film festival results might anger you just the right amount.”
I think you touched on some interesting points. However, I think it’s overall a very one sided video. I think one has to think a lot about where to submit, what festivals play your kind of thing (I.g look at past winners), plan it out so that you only submit as an early bird… patience is key here… etc. etc. Even if it’s a tiny film festival for someone starting out that will most likely lead (if selected) to a spot in their local or regional newspaper. And the idea that all these fees add up, well you can say that about anything. I love the occasional cigar and if you were to add it all up I have probably smoked a couple grand. Some of the cigars were shit and I will never buy again others I really enjoyed. Your film might be great or it might be shit. My advice is to submit to a couple (whatever is comfortable for you, so instead of going out and buying a new pack of cigars, just go without for a month or two and submit to festivals instead: if you think your shit is good enough), then move on to the next project. Rinse and repeat
Yeah. Same here, had one accepted film years ago, and no hits since. Started doing my own 4 walls, then youtube kinda happened.
I hear ya. Would much rather spend time and money on making films and cool content!
I like what you have to say. You come across as honest and informed. Regarding constructive feedback, it would have been nice if you introduced yourself by name. I personally feel that the video could have been about half the length and still conveyed the same information. I'd also like to see you insert some clips, even if just stock footage, to help strengthen the visual impact of your points. Finally, perhaps improve the lighting of your studio. Overall, I enjoyed it. Hope that helps.
Thanks so much for watching and for your feedback - I really appreciate it! I’m still trying to figure out my RUclips setup/format and had batch-recorded a few videos (this one included), so these early ones are definitely pretty rough. I think they get much better! Thanks again and hope you stick around!
I have similar thoughts about Film Music Composing competitions, even though I was among the finalists several times.
Absolutely! Because artists can’t really control the outcome of a contest, I’d much rather invest in myself than roll the dice. Thanks so much for watching!
@@FamousMotionPictures
Exactly.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I'm a subscriber now 😊
That’s super encouraging to hear - thank you very much!!!
Also, most of the festivals don’t even watch the submissions! You pay money per submission, hopping that someone will watch your film from beginning to the end, only to find out that some festivals don’t even klick play at all or play only few seconds or minutes. Then you get the general rejection email. So, yea, festivals, nowadays are a waste of money, most of them anyway.
Thanks so much for watching! Yeah, they definitely aren’t working for me and it’s a super competitive and crowded avenue to finding success.
@@FamousMotionPictures I hear you. I feel like The only possibility to get noticed is to submit your work to the big guys, Sundance, sxsw and etc. but your level and budget needs to be up to their standards in order for them to accept the film in their program…..or at least the story has to be sooo good or unique that they could close their eyes on everything else.
LOL...Bold...
Haha fortune favors the bold! Thanks so much for watching!
Agreed. Thanks for your talk.
Thanks for watching!
@@FamousMotionPictures you are welcome. The 2023 landscape has forever changed the game.
exactly these are my thoughts as well
I really like your channel. My audio sucks. Can you tell me what to do? 😞
The times, they are a changin’
They most certainly are!
They certainly are!
Whats the name of the book?
Rebel Without A Crew - excellent read!
It should only take about 5-6 mins to explain well enough about the reason why spending a lot of money on buying fesitval lottery tickets is not worthy. You kept repeating similar points in 18 mins. As an audience, what I'm expecting is, first of all definitely know why, but more important is "then what?" If you offer some other good strategies in detail, not only it will make more sense of your theme, but also it will make the video more enjoyable and educational. Making youtube video is also the same as writing a script. You tell a 6 mins story in 18 mins. Bad script and bad storytelling.
is this a feature video? haha people dont have time. 2 mins max is fine. I would edit using only the main points...keep it short
I sent a film in and found it pirated on you tube..mf
But seriously..rebel without a crew is now a myth..and you that uses that example..I walk away..does not equate