As an indie filmmaker, our distribution options are always limited and changing. Unless you've already managed to build your own loyal audience after years of hard work (congrats by the way), AVOD streaming seems to be the, or one of the few options we currently have to showcase our work and potentially make some money.
We released our latest title in August (I won't mention the name because this isn't a pitch), a starless but straight forward, broad comedy that's getting solid reviews for rental/purchase on iTunes, Amazon, all those big ones, only to see it getting pirated literally everywhere. Not to say I'm surprised. I couldn't pay someone to bootleg my first movie so it's actually kind of flattering.
But here we are in a world where people don't have to pay to watch movies, where subscription streaming deals pay less than a penny per view, MG's are becoming next to extinct, I'm still holding out hope for the indie community and I'd like to think AVOD servers like Tubi are the next hope. Where the biggest issue that comes to mind is beating saturation. Which I like to believe can be overcome by hustle and good marketing.
Our aggregator is preparing to pitch us to all the major "free" platforms and recommends we get on as many as possible all at once (Tubi, Pluto, Freevee, etc). Has anyone had any success with AVOD? And if not, what do we do?
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I think AVOD will continue to grow now that the streamers are all going with ad tiers.
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Go with --
Filmhub
or --
Indierights
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Ben Rood Filmhub is an unethical company, IMO and my experience, and should be avoided at all costs. Indierights is betfter, Vuulr is best for deals. The IIPG is launchig the Direct To Audience Network, aiming to be operational by September 2023, which will allow independent producers reach a world-wide audience in the 10s of millions, with AVOD and TVOD options built in, and operating at cost. We aim to put all parasitic middle actor out of business, and upend the market economics so that independents, who make 90% of the "content" among them, take 90% of the industry revenues. For more information as it happens, join the website at independentproducersguild.org and consider becoming a general or full member of the Guild so you can have first access to the initiatives, and if you are so led, a hand in their development.
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I'm glad AVOD is doing tiers, it's definitely here to stay. And I'm typing this the day Netflix launches their AVOD service. The only issue is we're going to be competing with movies made over the last 60 years getting dumped on there as well.
Filmhub isn't my favorite, as I've got a movie on there currently. But it's better than nothing. I've spoken with Linda at Indie Rights and though I haven't used them, I've heard positive things from their filmmakers (you don't get scammed) and she's a delight. But everyone I've spoken with is pretty apprehensive to talk "numbers."
I have no clue how I've never heard of Vuulr. I'll be digging into that a bit more. I love the idea about the IIPG, I'm all for it. I'm just curious how it will draw an audience against the entire studio system. That being said, I support it 100%.
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"Where the biggest issue that comes to mind is beating saturation. Which I like to believe can be overcome by hustle and good marketing." I believe that too, Ben Rood. It reminds me of screenwriting. There are a ton of scripts being written and pitched, but with hustle and good marketing, a writer can sell their script or get a writing job. That's why I'm always on the lookout for ways to stand out as a writer/get my scripts to stand out. Hope the pitches to the major free platforms go great.
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w77qTe2SDKk
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=98JNyqbGTWg
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Maurice Vaughan "Saturation" doesn't exist. It's not possible to create enough filmed media to satisfy demand. All the studios and all the streamers know this. The challenge is to find enough. When industry people pretend that there is "saturation" they are parroting the words of studio distribution propaganda, used to justify why they lock out independents. If they believe it, they are de facto proving themselves unqualified to comment on distribution.
Maybe saturation of average or bad scripts, movies, and shows, Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg?
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The problem I'm referring to is that there's an endless supply of titles that pop up in an algorithm before you're going to find any of the titles I've produced. Unless I can drive traffic to platforms to specifically look for my stuff, they will more often than not be "buried." But, that's why we market.
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Marketing and hustling are always a must. No matter what the content or distribution, if you market and hustle your already outworking at least half of the competition. Having conversations like this is exactly what you should be doing Ben Rood! Talking with your fellow creatives, sharing experiences. While distilled to its truth, there may not be "saturation" as Shadow offers, if enough people say there is, then there is. No matter the truth or not. It's a variable to be considered. Ben I think you're right to hold out hope for the indie community and AVOD. I also believe that you should be keeping an eye on YouTube. Getting in on their push now. And if you're interested these webinars may be useful to you. Kristin Harris also does a couple distribution webinars specifically about Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime.
https://www.stage32.com/webinars/How-To-Grow-Your-Youtube-Audience-And-Reach-Millions
https://www.stage32.com/webinars/Release-Windows-and-Strategy-VOD-SVOD-A...
Regarding "saturation" - if it does exist, this site should shut down because there's no hope left for amateur filmmakers at all. But... it doesn't exist.
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There's always hope, Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg. :)
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Truly, there is always hope. The business is always changing and adapting. There are opportunities out there, maybe not the same ones but there are and will always continue to be.
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I launched an AVOD movie streaming service on Roku , online and coming soon to Amazon Fire TV. I do believe it is part of the future for indie filmmakers to thrive however filmmakers are going to have to step up there game to make their films successful. As a filmmaker you can not leave any money on the table. You need a theatrical release, even if it is limited. You will need to market your films for theatrical release and when they streaming. You will need to release your film on DVD and Blu-Ray as well.
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Maurice Vaughan and Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq saturation is only a issue for filmmakers who fail market their films . You have to look at a theatrical release as a calling card, and marketing ploy. People are most likely to look a film that was distributed theatrical. Maurice you can write may scripts however unless one script get produced and released theatrically you will not get pass the Hollywood gates to the read money. Plus your film have to make money. Most of the studios have $1 billion year operating budget. A financial mistake could result in them filing bankruptcy. All the Hollywood studios play to win and they only back winners, sure things.
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Raquel Deloatch We absolutely agree on that - "failing to market their films" is the key.
Thanks for the insight, Raquel Deloatch.