The DARK SIDE of the film industry.
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- Опубликовано: 13 июн 2024
- The state of independent film and the film business.
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video credits
Levi Holiman - • Distribber Review
Todd Jenkins - • Distribber/GoDigital a...
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This guy genuinely cares for filmmakers and filmmaking. Salute!
He was born to be a film maker
He's like the baby brother I would like to have!
I am at a loss for words regarding Distribber and the effects on hard-working filmmakers who spend incredible amounts of time and money to do what they love.
All I want to do is make films, never thought about this part of the business. I have to start researching. Thank you like always for this great information!
Definitely check Indie Hustle, linked above. Lots of info and scary stories from the industry and distribution sharks.
Eugenia Loli Thank you!!
Same here. just wanted to make some visual stories. but its good to know the shadows and business. Awareness always is a win :)
There are a lot of shady people & scum bags out there. There are a lot of big talkers, BS people. I'd suggest new film industry workers, students look into the better, respected film programs-courses. Be a intern, course from film business programs; SAG, PGA, DGA, Women In Film, NEA, PBS, Sundance, etc. Dont be naive. To enter contests or screen your film at festivals is good.
The truth is, it‘s an oversaturated market, flooded with mediocre products. Too many people trying to run before they can walk.
If you don’t have much experience, there is no reason to go big budget. You could just make films with your iPhone for 0 Bucks. With enough fantasy, it‘s the same movie from a storytelling point and you will learn much.
Want it to be eyecandy and shoot with Arri Alexa, skypanels, dollytracks etc? Fine, pay for it, but don‘t assume people will automatically throw money at you. There is a big chance you are overestimating your skills.
it's not. you fucking try to put out what's in your head with an Iphone and you'll end up shooting up. Either your school, your vein or your brains.
Big Boss what??
I have been making films and videos for years and it wasn’t until I discovered his channel that they started getting better
I'm married with a family in my 40's. Did a bunch of indie films (pre RUclips) in my 20's after my first stint in college studying film. Went on to make a full length, started working with the Union doing Camera/DP work and filmed in Asia, Europe, South America, and across North America. Still working in Media today (Directing Media at a Big Company currently), and able to provide a comfortable lifestyle for my family. It's been quite a ride.
I say all that to say, don't push to be the ULTIMATE NEXT BIG THING in film. Make the film for yourself first if you're passionate about it. Work hard and let the flow take you where it will. Maybe it'll get picked up or maybe not. But your drive may take you on another path you didn't think of. I started out in indie film (very passionate too) and 20 years later, I'm making shorts and commercials on a nice steady/legit salary because that was more realistic as the market became saturated (and I worked/lived in L.A during the DSLR filmmaking boom). Too many of my contemporaries wound up burnt out and insanely committed to being the next BIG DIRECTOR and are now old clinging onto a dream that is getting further and further away as life is passing them by.
There are literally THOUSANDS of filmmakers with stories that may be more appealing to studios and the masses than yours - and more coming. I don't say that to discourage. There's just too many filmmakers and TONS of content to choose from. I've seen 5 great shorts here on RUclips in the past week for free. How many filmmakers have there film on NETFLIX? And if they do, who's watching in droves? Bird Box is the only REAL Netflix blockbuster currently and that speaks volumes.
Studios are banking on well known franchises and IP's at this point to invest in the MAJORITY of content because they're bleeding dry on their "special projects" and even those aren't selling (Charlie's Angels anyone). A24 is the only studio I believe is making a good profit. But they're good releases are far and in between. Dream big, but be realistic as well. The more accessible the technology the more people will enter the profession. And thats GREAT that people get to tell there stories, but makes the reality of filmmaking being a lucrative career less a reality.
I agree with you
Dark side of the filmbusiness = everyone, but the few hotshots on top, are poor.
Why, oh, why did I have to choose film as my profession... One of the most arduous, soul-crushing, demanding, challenging, intimidating, insecure, outright painful paths one can choose in life. I mean, Art in general has always been painful as a path, but filmmaking is in a league of its own.
If your heart isn't with it, quit. It's the best you can do to yourself. Take on a simple Job. If you feel nothing but exhausted after a day of working on it, and have no fun whatsoever, don't do it.
Go work in retail for two weeks & you’ll come running & screaming back to film. 😂
3:41 this quote I think might've just save my filmmaking career.
Same here!
I think every independent filmmaker should ALWAYS regard money spent on their projects as money lost until they are proven otherwise. That's not only the name of the game but it's the only way to stay sane and continue enjoying the process of making films.
Wow... Only $36?? I had no idea that the income from AdSense was so low. Your feature deserves much more than that.
AdSense is fairly more complicated than that, but yeah, that hurts.
Search for his film with RUclips's restricted mode on and it won't show up. That says to me that RUclips placed it in a category that pays significantly less then the average video.
AdSense is one 1/4 of a penny per click.
That’s it... and that’s all.
RUclipsrs making money from RUclips been making money from sponsorships because of their popularity.
At one million clicks on a channel per month you maje around 90$.
So only the top 20 RUclipsrs were making actual money from AdSense *on RUclips* - you can make a LOT of money from AdSense revenues BUT you have to be a boss at it. It’s not magical. If anyone could start making money by uploading videos to YT we’d all be rich by now tbh people are gullible AF because we don’t receive any education in business in school.
IMHO RUclips is THE best platform out there because you have basically unlimited uploading possibilities to the entire world for 0$. Damn. Considering what it cost in servers to hold billions of videos on the internet at a rate of 3 billion views/day, I definitely thank the YT creators for one of the most amazing deal in internet business history with Google, and I couldn’t care less for YT AdSense.
You need to make your own ad to make money with ads (DUH) unless ads attract viewers (TV channel) but on YT they do the opposite.
But ads is why we can have YT. Those servers don’t run on God’s will tbh
@@jas_bataille nope, you are absolutely incorrect about that.
I just looked at one of my videos total revenue that has 100,000 views. The same as darious's movie has on RUclips, and my video made 356$ which is ten times the amount that his movie made from Adsense.
@@Differentmedia I was waiting for someone to say something like this. As I've said, AdSense is fairly a bit complicated. Sometimes, it's watch minutes from other countries that matter more, among many other factors. There's a video that explained it very well. I think I should look for it and post it here.
The independent film community needs to to come together to have a clearinghouse of aggregators, distributors, sales reps who do what they say and say what they do, who you can trust also, Name which aggregates, distributors and sales reps who are dishonest and steal from filmmakers.. we need to know names and company names, we need to know who to talk to and who to avoid..
There are long time sites like Productionhub.com Mandy.com Entertainmentcareers.net . If you have talent & are smart, plan you can do well.
Agreed
I think the title of this video is a bit misleading because it makes me think of dark things going on in the film industry, I think calling it the reality of the film industry would have been more accurate because this video is really more about how hard it is to establish a career in the industry. Also sorry if I seem nit-picky, I think this video gives off some really important advice
That wouldn't get views... no one wants to hear that they made a mistake
Wonderful that you're widening the discussion. Always a great watch!
I absolutely love your videos. They're entertaining yet very informative. It helps me so much! Thanks!
I was basically talked out of getting into this industry while taking classes at sf city college in 2007. My instructor who was teaching a script budget course basically said don’t expect to make money. I was offered a job to drive around a Bollywood director and wife to set and around the city for peanuts. I would have had to drop my other classes and not learn on set. I didn’t take the job offer. Ended up making some short films with friends then eventually got a construction job.
13 years later here I am trying to get into this again. I understand that I must be passionate about what I’m doing and most of us won’t make money. With that said I don’t care about the money I just want to create something I can be proud of.
What's up DD, I've gotta say you really leveled up on your speaking from the heart ability. It's like you didn't need a script. That's what's up. Respect
The best episode I've seen in four years. Thanks, "D" - quick, concise, informative and comprehensive.
This is an absolutely fantastic video on this important issue, Darious. Thank you so much for this insightful look into film distribution and how it all works. Cheers!
Some good points, that we ignore sometimes and feel alone in with our mistakes.
Thank you Darious for bringing this up. It's great to watch videos on screenwriting, composition, editing etc but these issues are equally important for anyone interested in filmmaking.
Man... you always share something interesting! Thanks for all
Thank you for this real talk. Shines on a light on how much stress and pressure indie filmmakers harbour including myself.
Great video! I got hustled early on took them to court and it was pretty much a slap on the wrist for them. I lost more money on lawyers fees. Go with your gut, talk is cheap if feels wrong it probably is. Money talks bullshit walks. But having gone through it and getting out of it I feel sharp as a tack to spot out bullshit. I kind of look at it now as my initiation to the industry.
Bro you are truly a blessing!! All of your videos are super educational especially for upcoming filmmakers. Keep spreading the knowledge Bro and stay blessed!
Hey man. I dig what you're doing. I'm glad to see this because what's spoken about is not about the focus of so many starting out that just are interested in "gear". Many miss that it's a business. My whole channel is based on EVERYTHING you've touched upon here. And the distribution point you made I've tried getting across for decades and have received a lot of resistance. The fine points of the acquisition agreement phase and the negative pick-up deal, distributors wanting to cross-collateralize the foreign distribution rights, even something as simple as not showing your project before it's completed are all things one needs to be mindful of. Yes, this is the dark side; the dark side of this business most filmmakers get a taste of if they get to the distribution stage. (There's far heavier stuff, fortunately many won't see firsthand). At 06:52 you mention how some filmmakers don't make their money back on a film, but the exposure paid itself off and then some. I always suggest to filmmakers to "decide on whether making money on this project is your first priority, or is having a strong calling card to showcase your work is, so you can have better financial and distribution options for the next project". Man, I can't tell you how many times over the years the person I was speaking to would be so offended by the question. And every single one of them never got their projects distributed. Not one. The trap! Yes! I strongly suggest getting an entertainment attorney BEFORE signing any deal for the reasons you speak about here. "If you want your money, you're gonna have to get an attorney and sue us." Balls these guys have. And they know not many will follow through. Plus they can always close the company and start it again under a different name the following day. This is the first time my hearing of an aggregator doing this. I have to reach out to Alex and check out your film and the documentary. Thanks for what you're doing. #NewHollywoodGeneration
Good shit bros! 🤘🏼🎯
As always great video. We all need these tips and reminding us it's all a business. You are a part of building the film creators community not tearing it down. And truly thanks for that
Well said. Welcome to the music ‘industry’ as well. People need to know this. Thanks for this video.
Welcome to any creative industry work.
I mean its basic freelance work
What an eye opener! Thank you for making this video!
I love your channel, D! Thank you for all this valuable information!
I hope you make it! I will miss your videos on RUclips but I still hope you make it, whatever that means to you.
Best of luck, Darious!
Great video! I agree there is not enough videos about this topic. Thanks for making this one.
thank you so much Darious! Love to see more videos about the business side of filmmaking! They are so insightful :)
Great Video thank you so much for this, keep working 💪🏾🎥
Great vid. More videos need to be made about the business of the film business. Box openings are the beginning and a focus on earning money is so very important. Appreciate you taking time to put this one out there. Adam
I was studying but I had to take a camera break & watch this. 💪🏾
I am currently experiencing this. I secured a distribution deal and I received my first producer statement since it's release and I we got NOTHING on the backend. The kinda good thing is we took an advance with the company and that advance is basically the company saying here's some cash to get you out of our way because everything we make after we put it out is ours. The companies claim that they are going to put $20k or more into marketing fees, which they don't really market your film like that and then they have to recoup the advance they gave you and all theses other bogus fees they throw in there. Not to mention they put you in an exclusive contract for a certain amount of years forbidding you to take the film to other platforms. They even have the power to make up some false statement claiming your film had "x" amount of streams and sales. It's a rough business for indie filmmakers especially since you don't have the capital to distribute and mass market it yourself. My advice to indie filmmakers when dealing with distributors is ALWAYS take an advance and a reasonable one. Get a recognizable actor(s) to help with getting the film out there, have good production value (especially sound), always negotiate a percentage off the gross, make sure there is an audit clause in the contract and if you can make your contract non-exclusive meaning you can take the film to other outlets, do that too. Good luck cause you will need it... Oh! And if you would like to see the film we produced, it's called, "Street Dreams - Los Angeles," and it's streaming on Amazon Prime, VUDU, TubitTV and Fandango Now
Thank you very much for making this video, Darious. I appreciate it.
thank you for talking about this!! really overlooked.
Keep this up dude.👍🏾 Your awsome for your work & fabulous for doing this video.
You laid it out so clearly! Wow, thanks 🙂
Hey thanks a lot for the insight, and keep on doing what you do
Subscribed immediately! The first two minutes is so legit. You are clearly knowledgeable about this stuff. Thank you!!!
I learned filmmaking by watching this channel, I started from the first video and watched every video on the channel, now I have the confidence like “I can really do this” 👍🏾👍🏾💯
You can do it Chris! Keep pushing bro.
Go for it!
thank you so much for sharing this! seriously distribution biz is quite a tough nut to crack in industry !
I recently found this channel. I’ve watched a few videos and I am very intrigued by the knowledge of this young man. Very good information to absorb. Looking forward to seeing more videos.
Darious please more videos about film industry and the business of moviemaking!!
One of your best videos! Thank you for the advice
as always, that is very informative. You know your stuff, thanks for sharing.
Good video. Thank you for this!
EXCELLENT again young man... Love the content.. Very impressive..
Thanks D. You´re an inspiration for all of us
I won awards as a director and editor while working as a Freelance editor, and I don't expect any stable income. However, if you are very confident with your skill and passionate about your field, you'll be successful. My advice is, don't try to be rich. Money comes after all of your hard work so just do your best guys!
Thanks for the info champ!
This is is the most in-depth and honest take on what can happen. I worked for years in TV and Film though not on my own projects. Now I am dipping my toe as a filmmaker and even though I know some of the pitfalls there is a learning curve. Great video
Very useful info man. Thanks for the video.
I just started film making and even though my work is not yet up to standard yet am glad you made this video and got me ready and prepared for those dark days ahead.
I love the different glasses that you always wear!
"We should have THE TALK"
film making version.
Thank you!
p.s. At least Netflix is considering doing the right thing. Here's a quote from a website talking about the Distribber fail, where they talk about Netflix saying, "However, there is one clear exception: Netflix. The streamer is working directly with filmmakers to account for payments that Netflix sent to GoDigital and were not passed on to the filmmakers. That means Netflix plans to pay out those royalties twice - this time, directly to the filmmakers - according to a person familiar with the situation." www.indiewire.com/2019/11/netflix-distribber-godigital-1202188326/
Hey Kev. That's a good look for Netflix. Got word from Alex. There are a few peeps coming to the table to help out. There's some light at the end of that tunnel.
@@D4Darious Excellent! Some good folks working hard to make things right. Just glad you didn't caught up in this. 👍
Mannnn my chest got tight! Like others have said, I never really thought about this and God just keeps allowing you to speak to us that really trying to get in this business. Thank you Darious!! Very Serious Topic ❤️
Wow this is great information about an area I know nothing about. Thanks!
My first feature film was picked up by a distributor I won’t say which one but if you investigate my channel you’ll be able to figure it out. I quickly discovered that most distributors are not interested in actually selling your film but just making sure nobody else does. They have had my film for over 2 1/2 years and I haven’t heard anything from them. Plus oversee brokers paid distribution companies to hold the film and that’s money they don’t have to share with us. And those brokers sell it illegally overseas under a different title and different name. When I found this out I was blown away a good friend of mine had this happen to she got a private investigator and a big lawsuit and everything to get her film back.
7:58 I'm smelling a class action lawsuit.
Darious. Thank you for this video (and so many others.) I much appreciate your sincerity and practical knowledge. Yes, you haven't broken into the big-leagues - yet, but I'm writing tonight to let you know that you are already having a profound influence in the art of film. I am an American filmmaker living and working out of Amsterdam. While I am actively pursuing my own career with my own productions, I am also teaching at university level to an international student population. I teach everything from concept development, script writing, pre-vis, crowdfunding, etc. Many of my lectures include your video tutorials (and instruction.) So a couple times a year I introduce and recommend many of these young people to you and your channel. Your work is clear and concise and speaks to the next up-and-coming generation of filmmakers. Thank you, sincerely, for your work and continued success on all of your endeavors. Keep up the good work! Your film-brother, Bob
The small guys always get the short end of the stick. Thank you for sharing this info we need more like this.
Kevin Smith once said that when he started filming Clerks had he known about the business side of film making, he would have quit right then and there. I'm not one for film school, but I would invest in going to a film specific business class, if there is such a thing.
6:21 Hit way to close the home, D4...needed to hear that 🙏
Can you talk about why animation feels so underrated in the entertainment business
Guilshad Joseph YES PLEASE
I've been wondering the same ... I draw on my channel and get hardly any subs ... drawing is my passion .. but I will keep at it
@@azae00Vids ikr it's not fair
yesss true, that would be nice
@GyvonJ I wish that were true.. however without support I can't do this as a career, I have other outlets as well, but it a long climb .. so there's that .. thanks anyways for your comment
Your vibe is cool .. thanks for the heads up warning ⚠️ 🙏🏿
Thanks for this video. I want to set up a production studio that creates live-action and animation films & series. I've studied the technical and artistic aspects of it, but this video reminded me that I haven't really gotten into the business side outside of basic business and management studies. Soo.... Yeah, thanks my dude.
I can't post my documentary on RUclips due to changes on the platform & the content. Tried other avenues but it was a major run around & waste of money. Love the video.
How did I just find your channel. Amazing video. Subscribed for sure!
I think topics like this are needed to be talked about more, most people just talk about the pretty art side, which is fine. But then there’s the ugly business side that can seriously affect EVERYTHING about your future films.
Great video man, really put a lot out there and it’s all solid imo.
i’m just getting started in filmmaking so thank you for saving me haha
I agree with you D 100%, this is the story of our life!, What drives us to keep going is to hope that one day we will be noticed by big production company OR which is more important we win people attention and support which i believe is much stronger than to get a contract from a production company because at that time you put your conditions and not to fall of the dark side of the industry
I'm not sure if I'm sad to hear about this or if I'm grateful for the warning. Either way, I'm definitely going to check out Indie Film Hustle. Thanks!
I love you man ... great source of influence
thank you bruhh.. i feel motivated by this! hehe
The Truth and Well Said. I keep my creations for me Family and friends. Thank you bro
man I am subscribed (i never ring the bell tho) but this video is the first one I see in my recommendations for a year
bump
Thanks for the video. I learned a lot today. It's a sad truth, but it's real.
I would like to see more of this type of videos, thank you.
very well summarized
Interesting stuff. Distribution always seems the most complicated part in filmmaking.
I just recently started working as a Production Assistant for my local film commission and I have enough experience now that I want to direct a movie and my whole family has been helping but your absolutely right there absolutely is a dark side to this industry
You are a good guy Darious. I hope you find the sweet spot(s) that will help fund your future in film making.
One of the realest on RUclips. Peace from Colorado
Thanks for talking it out loud, NEEDS TO BE HEARD. Love from India brother.
Sharing is caring - thanks for the tip. I was trying to reach out about a short. Would like to get in touch.
I want to score for independent films! This video was really insightful for progressing with a skill set.
Absolutely insane that this happened. I hope they are held to account.
Love your courage
Catchy title, better than "How Business Works." But your struggle seems like what every entrepreneur or small business owner has to deal with. Love your channel, keep swinging.
thanks for talking about this
Great topic and information bro! Keep it going! I would love to collaborate with you too.
If Unsound were on Hulu or Amazon or Netflix, I’d go and get my bank account sorted out, or buy a gift card; just, active effort type of things, to go and pay money to that movie’s existence. A good watch and you deserve some back for that.
Damn, thats sad that this happened. This reminds me of my roommates and a few friends who worked as videographers and editors for a company at Toronto Pride, and basically the company just went silent and took the money for themselves. This was after people had worked maybe 50-60 hours in total, over not that many days, some over multiple weekends.
After a few months, Pride basically paid the contracted workers themselves as a result, and they aren't even associated with them!
Thank you for sharing all of this DB. This is the sorta stuff we all need to be aware of so we can collectively weed out the snakes who take advantage of artists. It's total BS that this has to happen in the first place, but let's all get prepared and show em who's boss! 🎥👌🙏
The smarter we are, the less it happens. Love the hustle over there fellas.