ATTENTION BARE BONES SCREENWRITERS, FILMMAKERS, CAST & CREW!
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME REEL DO-IT-YOUR-SELF PROMOTIONS?
Don't wait until it's festival week to start publicizing your event.
Here's a CHECKLIST of stuff to consider:
[_]Start sending out EMAILS to your database of friends and associates.
(No Spam) Let them know that you and your project are a part of the Bare Bones Family of Filmmakers.
[_] Create a WEBSITE for you and your project, post photos, production
notes, pleas for help or anything that may interest the public in your project. You can also check out the possibilities
of selling your movie from your website.
[_] Prepare your PRESSKIT as early as possible so the media sources will
have photos to go with stories about your project. Drop 'hooks' that may work to interest people in wanting to see what
you've created. Remember you must show that you have PASSION for your project, whether it's a documentary or an action
feature. Don't take anything for granted, as this is not the time for modesty.
[_] Publish lots of BEHIND THE SCENES PHOTOS of your actors, your crew,
supporters, do not hesitate to place them on your website, on your flyers, in your stories, ets. The time to take photos
is during your rehearsals before or in between the camera takes. Assign someone to take these very valuable photos.
Use disposable cameras if necessary to allow for many candid shots. Skip the "hi mom" type shots or staged goo-goo eyes,
try to catch people being normal (if that's possible) doing what they do on set. Submit them on disc, hard copy, or
via email (in jpeg format).
[_] Make sure to include BIO/BACKGROUND INFO on your key cast and crew
(Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Producer, Writer, etc). Okay, if you did it all by yourself (Auteur) still tell
how you handled so many responsibilites. Have photos of you or the appropriate person at work in their assigned duties.
[_] Create a MOVIE SOUNDTRACK on a CD. Hopefully, you engaged the
services of a musician or secured some dynamic music to keep your movie interesting. This is a perfect opportunity to
involve some local musical talent in your project as it will give them exposure, even if your movie only exhibits on
the festival circuit. If you have 'stolen' popular music, be aware that you cannot sell your movie without getting
license or permission. (fees will be involved)
[_] If this is a REEL project to you, you will definitely create a MOVIE
POSTER that promotes your movie visually. Remember, no matter how small, short or cheap your movie is, it will seem
more important with a poster. The bigger the better. Lucky for you, the Bare Bones Movie Poster Contest is a staple.
So, go for it. There is no right or wrong, just be creative, yet take a look at what the big-guys do and copy, copy,
copy. Okay, don't violate anyone's copyright though.
[_] MOVIE FLYERS are useful when trying to encourage a large number of folks
to remember you and your movie. It's something they can keep, use to remember when and where your movie is playing,
or something to write notes on. (your phone number maybe) They should resemble your poster, press kits, postcards, etc.
Place any logos or other easy to remember items on it.
[_] MOVIE POSTCARDS are great to have when communicating with people who
do not have email. They are also good for promoting your project before and during the festival. Don't put show
times on them though, because you will want to use them at other festivals. Besides you usually have to order 1,000
at a time, so be sure to pick up any leftovers after the festival. Remember our Bare Bones Motto: "No frills-No
Waste".
[_] CAST & CREW PHOTOS & CREDITS. These are the lifeblood of your
project. Sure you've worked hard and we're glad to have you be a 'Filmmaker-In-Attendance', however, don't forget to
give everyone the credit that they deserve (or not). Boost the excitement around your "Indie Starz", it could pay off some
day. Think Halle Berry in Spike Lee's "Jungle Fever" or John Tavolta in "Pulp Fiction". You never know when
today's bit player becomes tomorrow's superstar.
[_] Want to show off your movie? Don't show it in it's entirety, plug
in your MOVIE TRAILER OR PREVIEW TAPE. Especially good for media. Also consider producing a Behind the Scenes
documentary. The Preview tape will give the festival director something to share with the news and TV media. Send at
least 3 weeks prior to the festival as that's when most media coverage occurs. Also, its good during the festival to
attract an audience to your screening.
[_] Bare Bones will schedule several opportunities for TALK SHOWS, for TV
and Radio during the festival. Try to make your schedule available for this event. Be prepared with any visuals
that you may have to share with the host. Leave a poster, a trailer, etc. Remember to be upbeat and enthusiastic
whenever you speak about your movie, screenplay, etc. You can even audition while you're here. (A good way to meet up
and coming talent)
[_] Keep copies of all NEWSCLIPPINGS for your Press Kits. The more
your name, the name of your movie is mentioned, the better. Since you don't have millions of dollars to pay for advertising
bites on TV, this is the next best thing. Think of ways for people to remember you and or your project. Name recognition
is important. If your project is later released, people will start to tell others how they met you personally, etc how
you're great friends, and so on.
[_] Take FESTIVAL PHOTOS while you're here. Get with other folks
and snap away. Of course, share some with us, but more importantly, place them on your website. Do that everywhere
you go, you never know when one of those photos becomes invaluable. As you meet other filmmakers and screenwriters and
producers, take a photo with them. (It'll last longer than your memory)
[_] Last but not least, place an AD IN THE FESTIVAL PROGRAM BOOK.
This is a good way to publicize your project and yourself. Check out our low-cost ads and get one. Our program
books are distributed world-wide and are keepsakes. (As most indie movie magazines are) If you submit an interesting
story about your production, cast & crew, it may be selected as a spotlight article in the program. The secret is
to do it early, not to wait til the last moment and then miss the opportunity altogether.
This is by no means the only things you may do to Shamelessly Self-Promote
your project, but the ones that come to my mind most often. You are to be commended for completing your project and
now it's time to take it to the next level. We, at Bare Bones will do everything possible to help you on your journey
as we hope to see you again and even possibly to work with you on some future projects.
Hope to see you at the Bare Bones International Film Festival. Invite
some of your colleagues to come, even if they don't have a film in this time, just come and join in the fun and network.
Your humble festival directors,
Shironbutterfly & Oscar Ray
