Production Process And Marketing Overview - Shelter Me
Production Related Activities
Pre-production consists of both administrative and production related functions. An independent CPA is hired to establish books and records and formalize the budget estimates. The production process begins with hiring of the crew, holding auditions, securing approvals and permits for chosen locations, and purchasing raw film stock and other supplies. During this time Pemrick and Fronk Casting will assist us in acquiring a "name" actress or one who has established themselves in order to help provide a box-office draw for the film.
The actual shooting time will last approximately 30 days after which the editing and post-production activities include the selection of a composer to score the music and the compilation of a soundtrack. The soundtrack is then synchronized to the film and sound is mixed and completed. The film element itself is then conformed and transferred to a master reel. It is estimated that post-production activities will take four to six months to complete Chart 1 illustrates the composition elements of a film).
Distribution
The distributor creates and places the films with the help of advertising and promotion. They also purchase the prints and handle all shipping, accounting and collections related to exhibition.Theatrical rights are considered primary because they are the first and quickest revenues generated. This is also the first sequence of marketing. (see Chart 2). Chart 2 provides a broad outline of the financial return from a film's theatrical exhibition. Chart 2 explains the breakdown of a dollar spent at the box-office for a typical domestic release. After the exhibitor and distributor extract their portions, and costs such as advertising and publicity are taken out the production company is generally left with 40 cents on the dollar.
According to Variety, a major magazine devoted to the entertainment industry, movie theater grosses represent just 30% of worldwide film (according to 1990 studies). The result is that a motion picture need not be profitable at the box-office to make a profit. Ancillary markets provide revenue for all rights other than theatrical. Chart 3 represents an overview of how money moves through the various ancillary markets before it starts flowing back to the filmmakers.
Throughout the years, the market has shifted greatly, mostly benefiting the filmmakers. Chart 4 provides a breakout of elapsed time when the various sequential releases traditionally occur. It covers three time periods that display the shift markets.
Though distribution through theatrical avenues tends to generate the most capital, distribution through other venues such as pay-per-view, home video, cable television, network television and foreign markets can be just as profitable if not more so.
Marketing
On completion of the film our next step is to approach distributors. Our process will initially consist of screening the film for distributors. Once a distributor is secured (and this can also sometimes happen before the production process if first monies are in place, based on a distributor's enthusiasm for the project), they will then market and distribute the film, giving it the attention it needs.
If the chosen film representative cannot secure a favorable distribution arrangement, the film will then be submitted to a number of high-exposure film festivals. The targeted film festivals are:
1. The Sundance Film Festival
2. The New York Film Festival
3. The New Director's Film Festival
4. The Telluride Film Festival
5. The Berlin Film Festival
6. The Milan Film Festival
7. The Toronto Film Festival
8. The Cannes Film Festival
9. The Karno Film Festival
Distribution alternatives will also be pursued at a number of independent distributors and major studios.
Major Studios Independents
Columbia Tri-Star Miramax
MGM/UA Fox Searchlight
Paramount Island Pictures
20th Century Fox Samuel Goldwyn
Universal Alive
Savoy Gramercy
New Line Fine Line
Disney / Touchstone First Look Pictures
IRS Releasing
October Films
Industry
Shelter Me is slated as a low-budget, independent film. While the independent film-market has been virtually unknown to, or misunderstood by investors outside of the film industry, research shows that the yield for profit by independents is high. With cable, home video and international markets lined up as secondary outlets after an initial theatrical release, most independents can see a profit and return beyond their initial production outlay in the long run (See Chart 5).CHART 5
Industry
(Theatrical & Ancillary Markets)Pulp Fiction $10 Million $100 Million (January, 1996) The Spitfire Grill $3.5 Million $12.7 Million (December, 1996) Sling Blade $250 Thousand $25 Million (July, 1997) Chasing Amy $250 Thousand $12 Million (September, 1997 Soul Food $7.5 Million $43.5 Million (January, 1998) Eve's Bayou $5 Million $15 Million (March, 1998) The Apostle $5 Million $20 Million (April, 1998) A Simple Plan $17 Million $12 Million (One month in release)
Conclusion
This document provides a structured overview of a rapidly growing segment of the film market. Inspirational and uplifting films with dynamic characters and emotionally charged themes have always been a mainstay at the box-office. Shelter Me is such a piece, and deals with many prevalent social issues while retaining threads of romance, adventure and suspense. We feel that Shelter Me is an excellent motion picture property that will not only entertain audiences but earn a profitable return in the long run.
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