How Many Streaming Platforms Should You Pursue?
Showing Your Film Around The World
Evaluating Digital Aggregators
“Keep your face to the sunshine and you will never see the shadow.”— Helen Keller
If you’re a savvy indie filmmaker, you’ll want to focus on getting your film listed on a few of the major digital platforms like iTunes, Amazon, Hulu, Fandango Now, Google Play, Sony Playstation, TubiTV, and Vudu. You’ll also want to pursue the cable VOD stations like Time Warner Cable (SPECTRUM) and Comcast (XFINITY). If you’re an even savvier indie filmmaker, you’ll quickly realize that to achieve this, you’ll need to hook up with a competent and reliable aggregator. An aggregator is an intermediary between the filmmaker and the digital outlets. Many of these outlets (like the all-important iTunes) will only deal with approved aggregators. Also, the requirements of these outlets are so stringent and demanding that only an experienced aggregator with access to a full-service lab can navigate the process. This will also mean fewer delays in getting your film live.
There are a ton of aggregators out there pitching for your business (just Google film aggregators). The challenge is to pick the right one. To do so, I recommend that you check the following services with each aggregator you’re considering and compare their services with what we offer on our CINEMAflix DIRECT Program:
1. UPFRONT COST? Our cost is $950.00. That’s it. No extras. No surprises.
2. NUMBER OF PLATFORMS INCLUDED FOR THE COST? Our $950.00 cost includes the submission of your film to ALL of these outlets: iTunes, Amazon, Hulu, Fandango Now, Google Play, Sony Playstation, Vudu, TubiTV, and Hoopla. More platforms to follow and will be included at NO extra cost.
3. IS CABLE VOD (video-on-demand) INCLUDED? Our program includes Time Warner Cable (SPECTRUM) and Comcast (XFINITY) at no extra charge.
4. COST FOR ENCODING and DOING THE QC (QUALITY CONTROL)? Included in our price.
5. WHAT % WILL THE AGGREGATOR TAKE? Our associated aggregators will keep 20% of the income generated.
6. DEDUCTION FOR EXPENSES OR OVERHEAD? None with our program. This could be the killer. Expenses can often offset the entire income generated.
7. PAYMENT? You will receive payment within 30 days after we receive the income from the digital outlets.
Check and compare. That’s the way to evaluate aggregators.
View our website, www.cinemaflixdirect.com, for more details.
Going Direct to Digital, Cable, and DVD
“Champions keep playing until they get it right.”— Billie Jean King
Due to popular demand, we have formed a new division called CINEMAflix DIRECT. It’s geared to filmmakers who prefer to go directly to the digital platforms, cable VOD (video-on-demand) stations, and DVD wholesalers.
Check out our new website, www.cinemaflixdirect.com.
The cost is only $950.00. There are NO additional up-front costs, NO deductions for expenses or overhead, NO annual fees or charges.
For this one set price, we offer the following programs:
DIGITAL PLATFORMS. We’ll do the encoding, do the QC (Quality Control), and submit your film to digital platforms like iTunes, Amazon, Hulu, FandangoNow, Google Play, Sony Playstation, Vudu, TubiTV, and Hoopla. More platforms to be added as they become available. A listing on these platforms will allow your film to be accessed in almost every country in the world. Also, once listed, your film could remain on the platforms for a very long time.
CABLE VOD (video-on-demand). We have arrangements with two major cable companies: Time Warner Cable and Comcast. These companies can give your film access to over 40 million households in the U.S.
NO RISK DVD SALES. Your film will be marketed to large DVD wholesalers servicing retail chains (Walmart, Target, Best Buy), schools, universities, libraries, and military institutions. Your film will be prepared and placed on secure servers, making it available for purchase on an AS- NEEDED basis. No inventory to maintain; no warehousing; no missed business opportunities; no waste; no risk.
INCOME: You will receive 100% of the digital and cable income after deducting 20% for our associate aggregators. Check our website for details about DVD income.
Film Distribution – The 50/50 Rule
There’s Life After the Theatrical Run
Streaming Is Becoming a Flood
The Four Important Sources of Film Income
“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. They think they can change the world, and they often do.” – Steve Jobs
Streaming Films in 190 Countries
“I don’t try to guess what a million people will like. It’s hard enough to know what I like.” – John Huston
Earlier this month, Reed Hasting, CEO of Netflix, announced that Netflix is now available in 190 countries. Among the first to sign up was the tiny Reunion Island off the coast of Madagascar. “They must have good internet connections,” Mr. Hastings joked in a recent interview.
In the corridors and boardrooms in every Hollywood studio, the message is reverberating loud and clear—streaming films is the future. However, before you jump on the bandwagon, realize this: you are not the only smart one out there. Thousands of filmmakers are fighting feverishly to get their films listed on the most popular streaming platforms. Your job is twofold: (1) to make sure your film stands out from the herd and (2) If listed, to compel a great number of people to view your film.
Our CINEMAflix DISTRIBUTION Program will help you reach both goals by guaranteeing you a one-week run in a prestigious theater in New York and/or Los Angeles and by providing you with a professional, well-connected publicist to contact the film critics, write and send press releases, set up interviews (when possible), and compile and distribute production notes. This will give your film the push and the exposure it needs to succeed in this fabulous world of streaming. Grab it!
In addition, our program will market your film to the major digital platforms such as Netflix, iTunes, Amazon, Hulu, Sony, and Google.