New Service

After receiving this request many times, we would like to announce a new service of "One-on-One Private Sessions" with filmmakers to help them move forward. We can discuss specific step by step strategies for budgeting, producing, casting and distribution. A one hour session costs $199. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

We would like to congratulate Giancarlo Santos & Sean Yu for winning Big Vision Empty Wallet's F*ck Valentine's Day Film Competition. As a proud sponsor of the competition, we are glad to award them one Quick Film Budget.

Quick Film Budget is pleased to announce our upcoming seminar "Getting Your Script Into Production":
April 12th - 7pm at the Showbiz Store & Cafe (Los Angeles, CA)

We hope to see you there. If you would like to inquire about scheduling a seminar near you or if you would like to RSVP, please email us at Info@QuickFilmBudget.com

Check QuickFilmBudget.com for a sample film budget!

Marketing

Studio marketing departments specialize in movies that fall either into one genre and one targeted demographic or one genre and all demographics. Just think about a horror film like "Saw" or a comedy like "American Pie". They each have a clear genre and are targeted at one demographic. A film may become more successful than expected if it ends up appealing to more than the targeted demographic, like "The Hangover". Studio marketing departments like these movies because the marketing plans have a simple message and only has to find one type of audience. The other end of the spectrum is a movie that one genre aimed at all demographics, like "Avatar" which was an action film aimed at everyone. The trouble happens when audiences can't tell if a movie is a horror film or a drama. It muddles the marketing strategy and can end up attracting none of the intended demographics, instead of both of them.

This discussion of marketing is relevent to filmmakers when you are writing or selecting your screenplay because the end goal is always to get a big theatrical distribution. Sometimes, you may need to market or distribute a film yourself. Some film budgets even include a line item for marketing and distribution. In deciding how to spend this marketing and distribution funds, you will realize why you can't market your film to everybody and should focus on one demographic like college guys or children or dating couples.

Check QuickFilmBudget.com for a sample film budget.

Trailers

Of course, the quality of the feature film itself is extremely important when selling it to distributors. But an important tool used to sell it is the trailer which is about 60-90 seconds in length and conveys the genre, tone and scope while featuring the stars in the film. Most sales agents will demand a trailer before they agree to sell the film. As a result, make sure that your film budget includes a line item for either "Sales Materials" or "Trailer".

Here are some helpful tips in creating the trailer.
1) Hire a professional trailer editor. There is a difference between a feature editor and the trailer editor in that a trailer editor only has about 100 seconds to convey the entire message and they generally know what kind of shots to look for to create the trailer.
2)Look for an editor who has access to editing equipment so you don't have to pay for an avid.
3)The trailer editor should have a resume of other trailers in the same genre.
4)Most importantly, make sure the trailer rocks!