Please Advice. What now with my Canadian Provinces Documentary?

[Andrey Blanco]

Hey, I have almost finished my documentary, but honestly not sure what the next step should be...

If you want to learn more about the project CBC published and article with an interview with me talking about it:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-b...-filmmaker-canada-day-new-brunswick-1.4175042


In summary I did a Coast to Coast trip in Canada trying to create a piece that would should the greatness and uniqueness of this vast country and transmit as much in 50minutes throught inspiring stories of other fellow Canadians . My Initial plan was to get a Canadian Broadcaster to buy the rights, I had approached almost all the Local Producers for CBC, Global TV, ETC Some had responded just saying that they only fund regional production and other simply ignored me. I filled all the possible forms online with all broadcasters, Provincial Tourism Organization, Car Makers, Online Broadcasters, etc I could think off but not luck who so ever. Some are willing to distribute it but for free :S

This is a Teaser I just finished:
https://vimeo.com/223504922
password: canada


I think is a nice project but I recognise my lack of knowledge for distribution or finding investment.

My Goal from the beginning was to launch it to commemorate Canada's 150th anniversary on Canada Day Which is next Saturday

Being 100% honest, I am not sure what to do? I expent $20,000 in the trip (Me and another camera man that supported me) plus work 10 solid months on Editing. Some of my ideas are:

1) Lauch it for free and put a TIP pot for people donate if they wish
2)Charge very little like $1 or Something to everybody that want to watch it
3)Offer for Free the First 3min and then Charge for the rest.

Please I'm seeking for advise as at this point I am running out of ideas and maybe time if I still want a Canada Day release, this was an important project for me, I had a lot of fun filming it but honestly editing was not that fun So at the end of the day it was worth it but I am a bit discoraged by the lack of support

 

[Johnny Friday]

Blanco:
It's always difficult to go from shooting to post to finally distribution....Trying to get anyone to green light an independent film is nearly impossible. At least with any kind of budget...or after shooting...getting someone to rep you. I've made four films now as an independent, BUT i've enlisted the expertise of a good writer/editor and finally MOST important....sales or distribution person/fim. There are a lot of ways to begin earning on your film......least of which i think are the options you suggested....if you have a good film, compelling story, nice imagery etc....then you might want to get with someone that can assist with tweaking the story/edit and also help with distribution. this is usually a partneship of indipendents and requires someone that knows the distribution end of things....i've done quite well with my stock footage for docs, but only because i worked with the right person....they spearheaded the story fine tuning and editing along with any sales through distributors or other engaging market places like Amazon. But i'd say these are not places you can just go and do it all on your own...not to mention who has time for that.....i'd suggest leave that to someone that knows and that's their job in life, just as your job is to make nice pictures and sequences for a story....

In the end, i think donation cans and vimeo pay per view etc....might not be very good return. Hard to earn back 10months of $$ and time.....or in other words, might be more difficult to continue with this strategy.

Johnny

 

[David Battistella]

Hey Andry,

Great looking trailer, made me homesick for a moment. As someone who traveled the whole county making a film about shinny hockey I can appreciate you pride, love and enthusiasm for Canada. I was lucky enough to have the NFB fund my film after two hardy ears of trying to sell them on the idea of national pride associated with hockey. Canadiana is a hard sell, er, it's something Canadians love to talk about but don't want to pay for.

You should think first about organizing screenings in every location you went to, local libraries or small town theaters, and set it up with you appearing to talk about what you found and experienced along the way. Look atSix String Nation as a model. Also try to get on local CBC radio shows like Ontario morning etc. maybe invest in a publicist to help you get the word out there.

Making the film on your own is 15% of the work. Now you do the 85% of selling your passion for Canada to Canadians. I would also consider a short book about your experiences and selling that and the film on Amazon.

Cheers,
David

 

[Nick Morrison]

This looks amazing. Have you thought about contacting Netflix or Amazon?

You should also submit it to a million festivals.

And post lots of small snippets on a dedicated Youtube channel. One snippet per region. Give your footage a million interlinkable ways people can find you.

This is seriously good stuff. And serious people need to see this. So get it out there. In front of real people. Submitting online won't work. You need to get this into fests, where real distributers will see it, where real people who care can sit down and talk with you.

Look how effective this was on me!

I haven't written a post this long in months.

Seriously, this footage is amazing. And your tone and style is fantastic. I'm way, way impressed.

 

[Andrey Blanco]

This looks amazing. Have you thought about contacting Netflix or Amazon?

You should also submit it to a million festivals.

And post lots of small snippets on a dedicated Youtube channel. One snippet per region. Give your footage a million interlinkable ways people can find you.

This is seriously good stuff. And serious people need to see this. So get it out there. In front of real people. Submitting online won't work. You need to get this into fests, where real distributers will see it, where real people who care can sit down and talk with you.

Look how effective this was on me!

I haven't written a post this long in months.

Seriously, this footage is amazing. And your tone and style is fantastic. I'm way, way impressed.

thank Man! your words mean a lot to met

 

[Andrey Blanco]

Hey Andry,

Great looking trailer, made me homesick for a moment. As someone who traveled the whole county making a film about shinny hockey I can appreciate you pride, love and enthusiasm for Canada. I was lucky enough to have the NFB fund my film after two hardy ears of trying to sell them on the idea of national pride associated with hockey. Canadiana is a hard sell, er, it's something Canadians love to talk about but don't want to pay for.

You should think first about organizing screenings in every location you went to, local libraries or small town theaters, and set it up with you appearing to talk about what you found and experienced along the way. Look atSix String Nation as a model. Also try to get on local CBC radio shows like Ontario morning etc. maybe invest in a publicist to help you get the word out there.

Making the film on your own is 15% of the work. Now you do the 85% of selling your passion for Canada to Canadians. I would also consider a short book about your experiences and selling that and the film on Amazon.

Cheers,
David

Thanks David, I found your Hockey Film on the NFB website. I watch some of it but I will watch it on full during the weekend, Wow that underwater shoot in the frozen lake was amazing.

 

[Andrey Blanco]

Thanks Johnny, After years of doing corporate work I decided to do my first own project I think I'm learning the hard way but as they said: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger"

Blanco:
It's always difficult to go from shooting to post to finally distribution....Trying to get anyone to green light an independent film is nearly impossible. At least with any kind of budget...or after shooting...getting someone to rep you. I've made four films now as an independent, BUT i've enlisted the expertise of a good writer/editor and finally MOST important....sales or distribution person/fim. There are a lot of ways to begin earning on your film......least of which i think are the options you suggested....if you have a good film, compelling story, nice imagery etc....then you might want to get with someone that can assist with tweaking the story/edit and also help with distribution. this is usually a partneship of indipendents and requires someone that knows the distribution end of things....i've done quite well with my stock footage for docs, but only because i worked with the right person....they spearheaded the story fine tuning and editing along with any sales through distributors or other engaging market places like Amazon. But i'd say these are not places you can just go and do it all on your own...not to mention who has time for that.....i'd suggest leave that to someone that knows and that's their job in life, just as your job is to make nice pictures and sequences for a story....

In the end, i think donation cans and vimeo pay per view etc....might not be very good return. Hard to earn back 10months of $$ and time.....or in other words, might be more difficult to continue with this strategy.

Johnny