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Indelible experiences vs. Social media butterflYinG

As you hear more and more about how "social networking" sites are a requirement to be successful with your independent film project it kinda of seems like you NEED that to be seen or heard... as you probably know my new film nor I have a Facebook page, a twitter account or any other type of web presence besides this blog and my youtube account...

So I clearly am just some weirdo shutin with no friends IRL or online...OR I have some other type of strategy...

My strategy is to create INDELIBLE EXPERIENCES... I believe instead of always "being there" whether it be online or through communicating with people I know in real life... I choose instead to bank on my film's being indelible experiences... I put so much into them and they are so different I believe that even know people see over 9000 things a second they won't forget that weird ass film with the doll and the 8bit stuff... so even if years go by they will remember it... I don't need to constantly remind people that I exist in a desperate struggle to keep myself somehow relevant until I have another film to promote/sell... if people forget about my films and me than that's my fault... So my strategy is betting that even though I've disappeared for a few years that when people see stuff from my new film they'll remember that bedroom animator strange guy and will be interested in seeing my new film..

If you make one of a kind films... they are scarce...so they have theY own special value...

BUT I do realize that may of you do frequent various social networking sites and and want to be able to share and discuss the new film with people... So when the time comes and I have the promotional materials available I will make that known... and I will hand them over to the people that want to step forward and act as "Heart String Marionette" ambassadors to they own circles of influence... Strange Ambassadors if you will....

So instead of me all N00B trying to set up Facebook pages and all that I'll give the materials to the people out there who want to help out and work with me to promote the film beyond the small group of hardcore peeps in teh strange audience...

From the brief experiment that was the conspiracy that was screwed around with a few months ago I learned that people are sick of the remakes, and re-imaginings... they are sick of the same old thing with a new wrapper... and since for the most part the films out there are cut from the same bland, tired stock I think the time is right for a completely NEW ORIGINAL and OUT THERE high quality animated feature film for ADULTS... and because of what the MPAA has been doing and the Hollywood studios continue to do... I think many people would be happy that they hard earned money would be going to some weirdo working alone in a room rather than a big fancy studio.

So that is my strategy... create something unique and powerful that people cannot get anywhere else... I mean with youtube and social media things WILL get around if they are noteworthy and if you play your cards right on the business side you should do alright...

One of the errors I made with the last picture was that when I put the trailer out I had no merchandise for sale... your trailer might get ten views or a million... and if it gets a million I bet a good number of those people would want a poster or a T-shirt... so this time I'll be ready...

I look at other films like Iron Sky as a reference... the film isn't due out till 2012 yet they've had stuff for sale since 2009... but they also have had a good social media presence that whole time... but I think the first time you publicize your film you should have something for people to buy...

I've been secretive with my new film so I couldn't really sell merch that just says "coming soon" on it er something  ^ ^ I've learned to be smarter with the business stuff up front so that you can make money all the way along instead of one big chunk for the initial rush when the Dvd is released and then just a little trickle till the next film is ready to go...

Also with every speaking engagement I was doing I SHOULD HAVE brought a box of DVD's or other merch and sold them at every place I was speaking or screening the film... I know most of you will be like DUH YEAH M DOT??! I just didn't have my head all the way in the game the past few years...

So based on emails I've gotten from people and from the recent survey I did... I learned that I wasn't doing my job... there are things people wanted from me in regard to the film and I didn't make it available... so this time I'm going to make sure I make all the stuff people want...

I guess that's why people have managers or agents er whatever... but you have to sign contracts with those people and the contracts I've seen terrify me 0_0

Its like in 2007 when tons of talent agencies were contacting me and I just ignored them haha... NOW I'm not complaining I stand by my choice to remain free from any contracts... I ignored them because I didn't know HOW they could help me or what I wanted from them...I just felt there were all these people who wanted something from me and that made me uncomfortable so instead of signing up out of fear I just walked away and went back to creating a new film...

I'd rather have a bunch of people across the internet act as distributed agent's, managers and publicists instead of some d00d sitting in LA doing that... The very first "TV" interview I did was with this news station in Toronto because some d00d on youtube contacted the station and told them they should interview me ^ ^ So I think there's a lot of power in that...

I live to work... so I hope enough of the world will appreciate my new work so that I can do it again ^ ^ and again and again and again haha

It's like a big gamble... and I'm about to throw down all my chips... am I nervous? Nah! Cause this film is going to be so fucking amazing I'd be so proud to know that I even completed it ^ ^

But hopefully when I start publicizing the film...more than 50 people will know about it ^_^

Comments

  1. I have been reading this blog for I dont know how many years now, so you can count me in! I wont be yelling at my friends like "BUY THIS DVD", I will do it more subtle, like sending around links and telling them they should watch it and stuff. Like a ninja... With ulterior motives :D Any way M dot you rule! NOW GET BACK TO WORK!

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  2. I think you have it right with the philosophy of "get the film done first, then you can hype it full time." One person can only do one thing full time, be it making the film, or making some merch, or hyping the film. This time be ready, when you launch have everything up there for immediate sale. Might add some time to the release, but man will it be worth it. I fully believe it's all about the venue too, if you're able to bring a pile of DVDs and merch and show your film at various places, that's gonna go a long way. I intend to have an HSM party with all my friends when the film hits, and of course I'll hype the hell out of it. Good stuff man.

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  3. I wonder if you could do an android live wall paper that was based on new movie. hopefully you still have that free droid from google. Maybe there are a some cool sound bytes that would make great ring tones too.

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  4. @Stefan

    Thanks d00d! ^ ^

    @Zephyrstar

    Yeh hmmm I need to think of some ways I can help people have they own party screenings..I think that would be a fun way to see it if it can't get in theaters.

    @dbmuse

    I still have a Nexus One... I looked into making live wallpapers a few months back but I could only find solutions that required programming...I applied for google's app creator beta but never got an invite... I can do ringtones though ^ ^

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'd be happy to help in any way I can. I can set up a decent Facebook page for the film if you like. I'd also act as a distributor (I have experience in shipping). You just let me know what you need and I can get myself and other friends together to help.

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  6. @Ricky

    SuitE ^ ^ We'll have to POSSE UP when I got all the stuff ready to go... I already feel not so alone with the film so thanks yall!

    ReplyDelete
  7. It would be my pleasure to do anything to help you and push your film forward! You just give me the word, and I'll see to it. plz I wanna contribute some more!

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  8. I'll be watching you with a close eye (a big bloodshot, up all night animating and rendering eye...) once you're done HSM and start promoting it... I'm still not convinced that the 'indie' way put forward by Arin Crumley et. al. is as "successful" in the financial sense... (not that money is the prime motivator for my films, but it is nice to have beer and groceries on occasion)

    The independent animator has a lot to go up against vs the big turkey farm studios... but we will be successful in the long term, as long as we can connect to the people who are sick of the regurgitated remakes and reboots and want to see original works...

    I'll be telling everyone I know about HSM once it comes out, at least... (if it's any good ;) :P

    ReplyDelete

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