How I Make a Living off my Independent Films

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How I Make a Living off my Independent Films

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Күн бұрын

How I Make a Living off my Independent Films
A Tale of Two Filmmakers.
Today I'm breaking down my strategy for making ends meet as an indie moviemaker, without having to do contract or freelance work.
My mission here is to help independent filmmakers earn more money what they love, making movies, and to make a positive impact in the filmmaking community through the power of video. I publish weekly videos on Indie Film Marketing, Indie Film Distribution, and independent filmmaking in general.
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Пікірлер: 34

@JHorton 4 жыл бұрын

5 Steps towards a more successful Indie Film - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pMp0eLGpt7vagYk.html

@philwurtzel2461 4 жыл бұрын

I think it would be interesting for us fellow filmmakers to talk about what we need/$$ to make from our films to take it from hobby to part-time or even full-time work. I'll start. I left LA for an opportunity in the mid-west (started a business that didn't pertain to films). I treated my films (Shorts/Docs/Features) as a hobby and made a little from DIY screenings and DVD sales (remember those). Then with the acceptance of Digital Film-making (from the buyers) and getting away from film (romantic to use but not cost effective) thank god, the cost to produce/turn around and the quantity of projects I was able to complete rose quickly. I'm not at J. Horton's level yet but in the last 5 years I've done the following: 4 - Features 5- Shorts 1- Doc 1-Podcast The majority of my income is from features & the one podcast. The Doc did okay but I need to study J. Horton's model more, he's got it figured out. The Shorts brought in some loose change is all. Average over these 5 years is $32,000 per year. And the majority has actually happened in the last year because with so many projects "out in the market" my quarterly reports and payments that come with the reports have grown nicely. The key is to keep pouring gas on the fire. I've got 3 features in prep and 2 Docs I'm shooting footage for. I'm done with Short Films for the time being. I will not be closing by real biz anytime soon of course but I do now consider film-making my part-time job.

@philwurtzel2461 4 жыл бұрын

100% agree on Linda @ Indie Rights and then using Film Hub as Plan B. I've been very happy with Indie Rights on my Doc. Good pivot J. Horton

@JHorton 4 жыл бұрын

what's your doc?

@philwurtzel2461 4 жыл бұрын

@@JHorton The Barn Theatre: Tomorrow's Stars Today. Had some great names sit for interviews (Jennifer Garner, Dana Delany). We have done very well selling the DVD at the actual theater we did the Doc about. They get about 35,000 people a season come through to see plays/musicals and we have been (over the last few years) selling about 750-900 copies per year (@ $19.95 minus the $4 production cost = $15 net per) I keep $10 per copy and the theater keeps $5.

@dolliedreams 4 жыл бұрын

Great video - I really enjoy your content, especially since things are changing so fast for indie filmmakers trying to get the hang of distribution to the best channels.

@JHorton 4 жыл бұрын

thank you. I'm learning new things every day. I try to keep up on new stuff.

@ThePowerPlayz 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for providing such specific information.

@JHorton 4 жыл бұрын

no problem. thanks for checking it out.

@ThePowerPlayz 4 жыл бұрын

@@JHorton Three big ideas of yours 1) filmmakers need to create more content, 2) filmmakers need to study the business side as much as the artistic and craft side, 3) filmmakers need to support the work of other filmmakers and the work and lives of people to whom they're trying to sell their films

@JHorton 4 жыл бұрын

pretty much. Pretty good idea for a video too, thanks.

@grantpichla 4 жыл бұрын

Great video! Near the end you mention no longer uploading directly to Amazon, but having Film Hub do it (for certain films). Why have them do it, and not yourself? What's the benefit of that? And for those, do you allow 'free for prime users' or keep it mandatory that the film is rent-only?

@JHorton 4 жыл бұрын

there's a few reasons. I did a filmhub video a few weeks back that lays out most of them. Then a video coming on monday that further explains it. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pLefobh0t5uao4U.html In a nutshell the way filmhub alogrythm works is it submits you to more platforms based on the performance of the channels it places you on first. Amazon is one of the bigger ones. Without those metrics you're not as likely to be picked for some of the better platforms like Tubi. Also if you upload to amazon yourself, you're ineligebible for IMDbtv. And they just started concidering amazon an all in one thing. meaning they no longer will submit you to AMAZON ROW without having US and UK rights too. It's a long term gain v.s short term gain thing. Right now, today, you'd make 20 percent more on amazon US and UK on you're own. But it'll hurt you more over time. And my gut says amazon's pay scales are going to get worse over time. The only real downside is you do lose the daily metrics which can be very helpful. But I think the overall bottom line is more important. Also, this is something I just started doing. I may be singing a different tune 6 months from now

@watsonryan907 Жыл бұрын

How long were your documentaries when you made them so fast?

@JHorton Жыл бұрын

Anywhere from 50 to 90 mins.

@Blocher117 3 жыл бұрын

Great video, I'm a newbie and wondering HOW you get work. Like are you just filming stuff and then pitching it to companies or uploading them? both? I want to film but I don't know where/how to distribute them. Thanks!

@JHorton 3 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure I understand the question. Are you asking how to get work in the film industry? Or how to sell your projects?

@Blocher117 3 жыл бұрын

@@JHorton I'm sorry, yeah we make films here on youtube but don't know where to find income doing it? Like do you find a production company to work for? Or do you make your own stuff and just upload it somewhere? I guess who is signing your paychecks and how exactly do you find these opportunities? Thanks so much I am so lost haha

@JHorton 3 жыл бұрын

@@Blocher117 yeah I started out working for others. Created a resume and reel And applied for jobs... now I make my own stuff and put it out through distributors or marketplaces like filmhub

@Blocher117 3 жыл бұрын

Ok, is there like an "indeed" out there for filmmakers wanting to find work? I just don't know where to start other than upload to youtube. Thanks for all the insight by the way.

@JHorton 3 жыл бұрын

@@Blocher117 It's been years since I've done it. But I used to use mandy.com, craigslist. Stage32. Linkdin. They all list entertainment jobs.

@TheButchBerryCompany 4 жыл бұрын

When you say you upload to Filmhub, Amazon US and UK, but don't upload directly to Amazon, what's the difference between saying you upload to Amazon US and you don't directly upload to Amazon Prime? Do you mean that the film will still get on Amazon but only through Filmhub?

@JHorton 4 жыл бұрын

Yes.. It will be on Amazon but only through filmhub.

@tonypmedia 5 күн бұрын

If Amazon allowed consumers to upload videos, it will be a havok. Amazon US is more to say the clearing house so it can be checked and everything else THEN it goes to prime and whoever else. Like music, you can magically submit to Spotify, you use magroove or cdbaby...etc

@giambronefilms1668 4 жыл бұрын

Can I pitch you a couple of ULB projects?

@JHorton 4 жыл бұрын

I'm not really looking for material. As far as producing goes, I'm just doing my own stuff.

@giambronefilms1668 4 жыл бұрын

@@JHorton Okay. Thanks.

@burrdaddy 2 жыл бұрын

1 cent per hour on Amazon?!

@JHorton 2 жыл бұрын

yeah, on Prime (free with prime) If it's rental or sale your get 50% or maybe 60% it's been awhile since I checked. And the 1 cent an hour, it was a sliding scale, from 1 to 12 cents depending on your CER (customer engagement ranking).

@watsonryan907 Жыл бұрын

If indie rights likes your movie do you make more with them rather than filmhub? I thought filmhub was the best. Im about to finish my first narrative film and figured id just use filmhub

@JHorton Жыл бұрын

It really depends on the movie. I typically submit projects I think have more mass appeal and potential to indie rights. They don’t take everything though.