If you actually have a choice between signing an aggregator or a small but reputable distributor which is best for an ultra low budget feature? both can get you onto VOD platforms but neither offers marketing. in both situations it's up to the filmmaker to do all marketing. the only difference I see is that distributors take a larger chunk of revenue. Is it simply a status thing? Is it more impressive to sign a distributor?
Distribution : Aggregator vs distributor by Nena Eskridge
Aggregator vs distributor
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A difficult question to answer precisely, since concerning whichever deal you take, the details, including their cut, are crucial. With our low budget horror film, we went with a Sales Agent because he could take the film overseas and sell world wide. As far as promoting the film, we consulted with several people who do on line promotions. One suggested building a following for the leading lady, in effect, promoting her and then getting her to help promote the film. We're working on that. We also found someone who writes a blog in which she gives advice, comments on current events in the entertainment world, etc. She has a large following and indicated that she will promote our film. We're looking on line for others like her. Our SA did get our film up on VOD and in effect, we're continuing to do the on line promotion ourselves. In researching how to promote a film on line, I have not run across a 'magic bullet'. It seems to come down to looking for economical ways to do so and then you keep plugging away at it. And we did do the standard stuff, press releases both here in LA and in Colorado where we shot, as well a screening in LA for the industry. The latter didn't cost much because our producer was a graduate of USC and they were willing to give us a nice theater and some announcements for free. Hope it helps.
Thanks, Doug. good info. can I ask you to give me a few of the benefits of going with a SA rather than a distributor? some dist do sell worldwide. I've always heard that it's best not to sell all rights to one company, but I have no idea why. The dist I'm talking to is reputable and wants all rights. can't figure out why that would be a disadvantage. congratulations, BTW, for getting your film finished and online. I'm sure it will have a great and long VOD run! What's the title?
It's titled 'The Warning'. I don't think there is a specific advantage to going with an SA versus a distributor if, as you are, you're getting the offer from a company you find to be reputable and they can go world wide. I think there are issues related to genre which sometimes affect the choice of the sales people with whom one does business but that may not apply here.
It all depends on what each is offering. Though if you go with a sales agent you're doubling the turn around time on paperwork and money. Which could mean at least a 6 month wait on things like "advances". Going with a sales agent also means you have a second entity taking a percentage and a second way for you to lose all your money when they declare bankruptcy. The advantage to using a sales agent is you may get distribution in countries that would be hard for you to find distributors on your own. If you go with an agency be sure to discuss what countries distribute first. Having your movie distributed in, say, Australia before it hits North America may have your film streaming for free before it even ends up here on VOD
This a great question that hasn't really been answered. Hope to get more opinions on this subject.
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I am always going to go with an aggregator like AkyumenTV and www.akyumen.com because our goal is to provide our global subscriber base with GREAT content from around the world - the emerging markets of APAC, EMEA and Russia have such a high thirst for global content - aggregators like AkyumenTV that partner with filmmakers to deliver their great work to a global audience and share in the revenue success for the lifetime of the distribution... should be the way INDIE filmmakers approach the "NEW PARADIGM" of global mobile content consumption!
Terry. I went briefly to the link for Akyumen and their products (phones, tablets, etc.) Do they also offer films to their customers?
I'm a Media Representative/Sales Agent for Indy films. I'm looking for comedy atm.
Leanne. Forgive what is probably an ignorant question but what does ATM stand for? TIA
Sorry, means At The Moment
Thanks and no problem. If it's not proprietary, what's prompted your interest in comedies in particular? Obviously a good comedy will sell, but I had read that comedies did not do so well in foreign markets because of the challenge of translating humor into other languages. (I did read that rom-coms are very popular in Italy.) TIA.
Thanks.
So, Aggregator or Distributor?
Does the Distributor need an aggregator?