On-Line Distributors/AF Tip of the Day

I was talking recently with an on-line distributor; they were inquiring about my films and were they available. They wanted a non-exclusive contract (which is the only deal I will ever do), for internet distribution they would be marketing just DVDs and they promised me 70% of all sales. I downloaded a contract and asked them why my contract said I would get 33% of the gross and not 70%? They apologized and sent me the new contract which was for 70% of the net.

We talked for awhile and when I asked for the email addresses of some of the other filmmakers who distribute through them (so I could see if they were happy); I was told that they don't give out that information. In my experience most legitimate distributors are happy to give you names and contact info from their other filmmakers. It's like asking for a reference, if other people speak well of you the odds are the prospective filmmaker will have a better feeling when it comes to signing the rights over.

Not only could I not get other filmmakers info, but when I asked about their use of sub-distributors for things like ipods, cell phones, web streaming, etc, and what kind of deals they cut with subs (because that will effect how much is left over to pay my 70% or 33% whichever I take), once again I was told that was information they don't give out…

Are these people serious?

I will continue this story tomorrow. Come on back and hear how it ends.

I need to get back to work now.

And now, your AF Tip of the Day.

Talking about your great script idea is not going to get it written
- - from The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide (coming in Spring 2008)