1. Flipping through racks of discs is more fun than the telephone book precision of an online music store. You never know what mis-filed gems you’ll stumble across. 2. CDs are rarely copy protected so you can load them onto whatever devices you have without risking arrest or enormous civil penalties. 3. You get cover […]
Most people know what a filmmaker does – they make movies, right? And a film producer has the most thankless job of all: he or she builds the movies from the ground up. The film producer’s job goes like this: – get a screenplay – get a director and cast – get the money – […]
I will start by giving credit right off the bat to my futurist heroes Gerd Leonhard and Seth Godin who spend way more time than I do contemplating issues on the future of the media business and how to succeed. What I get out of their talks and posts has helped me to formulate this […]
The future of advertising is on the Internet. This is not up for debate. Over the last decade, the Web has revolutionized the way in which the public chooses what products to consume, especially in regards to the film industry. Recent productions, from Juno to Snakes on a Plane, have found an audience thanks in […]
In some music business schools, they still give students assignments that go like this: “Assume that you have one million dollars. Make up a marketing plan on how to promote a band.” Here’s a realistic assignment: “Go to MySpace. Pick a band. You have zero dollars. Now go promote them.” Although most bands would like […]
Why do I need a Barcode on my CD? The short answer is “because the retailers who will be selling your CD for you require it.” It’s the way a retail sale is identified, inventory levels are tracked, and sales are credited. Even if you sell primarily at shows or out of your trunk, you […]
Two years ago, the word on the street said that all the undiscovered talent was on the Internet. Sites like Ifilm.com and Atomfilm.com were getting unknown talents onto A-list movies. Lately, we aren’t hearing anything like that. Is the Internet dead for distribution? Hardly. Broadband, and other faster Internet connections are making it even MORE […]
X-Deal. X-deal or exchange deal is a scheme where two parties will agree on mutual benefit. Find another zero budget filmmaker who has the goods you need and try to offer your services in return. Of course, you have to be picky, too. You have to know the filmmaker’s expertise before offering him a deal. […]
Why Copyright My Music? If you see yourself as a serious musician (and I presume you do), you would be wise to register your original songs with the U.S. Copyright Office (if you reside outside of the U.S., skip to the section on International Copyright below). This will protect you in the event that someone, […]
Great filmmakers are great storytellers. We make films to share something-to let other people see what we see, hear what we hear, and most importantly feel what we feel. The really good films make us see life not just as it is-but as something more. This is the primary goal of all good filmmakers-to freely […]
