Four years after my original guest post “Navigating Rejection With Grace” (May 10, 2011) we’re still navigating plenty of rejection (c’mon, does that really ever end!?) but also proud to share some “wins” – seven years in-the-making! Our doc FINDING HILLYWOOD (www.findinghillywood.com) has screened at more than 60 festivals around the world, and is available on iTunes (and a myriad of other digital platforms) this month!
I remember being knee-deep in production and fundraising just to finish our film. Grant-writing, crowd-funding, trying to stay positive, constant highs and lows… it all takes a toll. But then you premiere in front of a packed theater with friends and family who give you an emotional standing ovation, and it feels pretty damn good. Things can only get easier from here, right? We made an inspiring film about the universal power of story and the power of art to heal – themes that should resonate globally. We spent a lot of money to finish the film so people actually want to go to a theater and experience it. Mark Bell (Film Threat – http://www.filmthreat.com/reviews/69153/) called our film a “cynicism killer.” What distributor wouldn’t want to champion this film and share it with the world?!
Well – it turns out I had to follow some of my own advice from 2011 and apply it to navigating “distribution rejection” with grace. When we didn’t get accepted into top tier festivals or get an all-rights deal from our distributor wish list (which in hindsight I’m now grateful for), I was forced to think out-of-the-box about our distribution path. I realize that many producers find themselves in a similar position. After spending years of your life on a project it’s a hard realization that not everyone cares about your film as much as you do.
Rejection is embarrassing and not something that’s easy to talk about, even with other producers. Perhaps this is why I feel compelled to share just a few things I’ve learned while releasing our doc, in hopes that I can save other producers from going too far down the wrong path once your film is done.
1.) Nobody Knows.
I mean, who really knows what’s going on with distribution and windows and engagement strategies and marketing and metrics, blah, blah, blah…? Spend enough time talking with distributors, agents, programmers and you’ll get a million different opinions and strategies and budgets. “Nobody knows”, so hedge your bets and hire a good consultant who you trust, because at the end of the day it’s all a gamble, and who really knows the one true path for your particular film?
2.) Sell, Sell, Sell!
I wish we had started selling DVD’s and merchandise at our first festival screening but I was too scared by conflicting advice about whether it was a good idea or not. People want to leave the theater with something – make it easy for them to purchase merchandise while you have their attention. This could cover your cost of being there in the first place. (Please purchase our film on iTunes right now at https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/finding-hillywood/id916215909?ls=1 – see, I’m giving you the chance to buy something while you’re reading this!)
3.) Who Cares?
Nobody will ever care about your film as much as you do. Why? Because you have spent every waking hour thinking about it, pitching, begging friends and family to help you, and calling in every single last favor until you’re exhausted-burnt-out-curled-up-in-a-fetal-position checking your email every 2 minutes to see if you got into another film festival. So don’t be surprised when you get turned down from festivals that don’t love your film as much as you do. They obviously missed the boat.
4.) Chill Out.
Guess what happens once you get into a few good festivals? The festivals start calling YOU! It’s a pretty awesome feeling to not have to troll the Withoutabox “online screener-friendly” submission list every day because festivals are reaching out to YOU. “Work begets work” and in our experience, “festivals beget festivals” so chill out and get all of your ducks in a row before the storm comes.
5.) Be Ready.
When that storm does roll in, you’ll barely have time to make coffee in the morning. A few things you can do while you’re waiting for people to recognize your brilliance:
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Make a press kit that sells your film. Yes, this matters A LOT.
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Procure quotes and testimonials from recognizable sources.
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Hire someone to make a movie poster, postcards, and marketing graphics.
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Update your IMDB and Withoutabox profiles so people can find you easily.
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Have some money set aside for festival travel and shipping.
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Learn how to make a Blu-ray or hire someone to make a few you can use as screeners.
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Price out your exhibition options – is it worth it for you to make a DCP?
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If you’re convinced you want to do this again, get ready to pitch your next film.
I could go on and on, but please keep the conversation going by commenting with your own knowledge and tips! I would love to hear them and learn from you. After all, as producers, we are all in the same over-achiever boat!
Leah’s first feature, FINDING HILLYWOOD, is now available on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/finding-hillywood/id916215909?ls=1. She is currently in production on another feature documentary, BIG SONIA (www.bigsonia.com), with her husband / co-director Todd Soliday. For more of their work please visit www.inflatablefilm.com.
