IFH 343: The Dark Underbelly of Predatory Film Distributors – BEWARE!

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The Dark Underbelly of Predatory Film Distributors – BEWARE!

I’m pissed off guys. I’m tired of getting emails, messages, and calls from filmmakers who have been or are going to get taken advantage of by a traditional film distributor. THIS NEEDS TO STOP! So many filmmakers have been taken advantage of by predatory film distributors over the years that is has become a punchline. It’s not funny.

These predatory film distributors are destroying the lives of filmmakers. I know filmmakers with families that extended themselves financially to make their films. Then once they sign on the dotted line with a predatory film distributor never hear from them again. These poor filmmakers have little to no recourse. They basically made a non-tax deductible donation to the distributor.

This is a moral issue. This shouldn’t be business as usual. Things need to change!

It’s disgusting and it needs to stop. In this episode, I expose a lot of tricks these predatory film distributors use to con and steal from filmmakers. I also talk about some other options filmmakers have and discuss what a good film distributor looks like. I even call out one of the good guys in the film distributor game.

Even self-distribution is not safe. I’ve been a big supporter of the film aggregator Distribber over the years because they were of great help releasing my film This is Meg. But many of the people I worked with there have left the company. The Distribber I promoted for years is not the same company that is in business today. I have been hearing way too many stories about filmmakers not getting paid, can’t get anyone to return their calls, and I just need to call this out.

“I NO LONGER recommend that ANY filmmaker use Distribber to self distribute their film.”

This is just a taste of what you can expect to hear in this episode. I truly hope this helps filmmakers out there and please spread the word.

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LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Rise of the Filmtrepreneur®: How to Turn Your Film into a Moneymaking Business
• Indie Filmmaker’s Survival Guide to Film Distribution – eBook
  
• Filmtrepreneur® Podcast
• Filmtrepreneur.com
• Filmtrepreneur – YouTube
• IFH 274: Distribution Myths, SVOD, and AFM with Linda Nelson
• IFH 017: Indie Film Distribution on VOD with Linda Nelson
• Indie Rights
• IFH 088: Why Filmmakers are Always So Damn Broke & What They Can Do to Change It
• Alex Ferrari’s Shooting for the Mob (Based on the Incredible True Story) Book- Buy It on Amazon
  

SPONSORS

1. Musicbed (1 FREE MONTH – Coupon Code: INDIEFILMHUSTLE)
2. Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve (FREE DOWNLOAD)
3. $1 Closed Captions for Indie Filmmakers – Rev ($10 Off Your First Order)
4. Rise of the Filmtrepreneur®: FREE AUDIOBOOK
5. Indie Film Hustle TV (Streaming Real-World Film Education)
6. Alex Ferrari’s Shooting for the Mob (Based on the Incredible True Filmmaking Story)

REAL-WORLD STREAMING FILM EDUCATION

1. Indie Film Hustle TV (Streaming Real-World Film Education)
2. Hollywood Film School: Filmmaking & TV Directing Masterclass
3. Filmmaker in a Box – Learn How to Make an Indie Film – 18 Hours+ of Lessons 
4. Storytelling Blueprint: Hero’s Two Journeys
5. The Dialogue Series: 38 hours of Lessons from Top Hollywood Screenwriters

FILMMAKING RESOURCES

1. Bulletproof Screenwriting® Podcast
2. Six Secrets to getting into Film Festivals for FREE!
3. FreeFilmBook.com (Download Your FREE Filmmaking Audio Book)

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