by Sara L. Gordon

It seems these days; independent filmmakers are springing up everywhere. Imdb (The Internet Movie Database) lists at least 150 films schools in the United States alone. So it is no wonder that there are numerous film festivals in practically every state in the U. S. at this point. Plus many untrained filmmakers are learning on their own and making movies. Especially with the advent of online based training and digital tutorials. With so many filmmakers out there, what can an independent filmmaker do to really stand out from the crowd?

At The Sundance Film Festival each year, filmmakers roll out innovative marketing schemes and memorable forms of self-PR. I have heard of filmmakers wandering the streets handing out beautiful posters and postcards by world famous designers. And also filmmaker often give away quirky giveaways designed to ingrain the film’s name into potential audience member’s memory: for example, pacifiers with the film’s name on them, cupcakes dealing with the film’s theme, even things like condoms (with the film’s name of it, of course) get handed out at Sundance. These types of promotion really do work to create a buzz and make people tell their friends about a film. If on top of (sometimes) brilliant marketing strategies, the film is actually truly good, well then the filmmaker does have something he or she can potentially take to the bank.

However, most filmmakers sadly don’t make it to the spectacle that is The Sundance Film Festival and many dream of Hollywood but don’t live there or make it there. However, a filmmaker definitely can have his odds increase with the right strategy and some real thought given to what can promote a film.

For example, filmmaker press kits can be average or they can be outstanding. These types of things do make a real difference when one is going around marketing a film. A press kit has standard items in it like photos, postcards, biographies, CD of film stills, images of cast and crew. I have seen filmmakers throw together these press kits in colored elementary school student looking envelopes and call it a day. I have also seen filmmakers put tremendous amount of time and care into these kits. Often they consult with designers and put together something truly impressive.

Filmmakers also need to place thought and care into things like postcards and flyers. There are so many online printing companies vying for business, the cost of these type of items have really gone down in recent years. Perhaps offer an art student or graphic design student a hundred dollars to help you with a design if you can’t afford to hire someone professional. Hiring a student can’t hurt, it can likely only help perfect your image and your promotions.

Whether it should be a reality or not, things like press kits represent a filmmaker’s film and are often the first impression a buyer or distributor in Hollywood will receive. Part of an aspiring filmmaker’s job for achieving his or her dream is to make these items look as polished and well thought through as possible.

Once a filmmaker has thrown together thousands of dollars behind making a film, he or she owes it to the film and the film funding sources (yes, even if it’s a guy with a credit card and dream) to spend a few hundred dollars on printing materials that look genuinely nice. These items can make a real difference. http://www.squidoo.com/Getting-film-Funding

About the Author Sara L. Gordon is currently working in the film industry. She studies independent film making and film distribution. http://www.squidoo.com/Getting-film-Funding