Be careful and realistic as you approach the distribution of your independent film.  On the positive side, options for independent filmmakers that want to do it themselves have never been better.  Downloading films is becoming more and more popular.  So a digital platform release of your film may be a viable option.  And with diligent use of social media, getting the word out about your film is feasible.

Let me know your distributor experiences - good and bad.  Everyone will benefit from this. Click 'Contact Us' and leave me an email.

Rule 2:  Hey, this thing we have now called the internet?  Well, it's your best pal.  You can use it to vet the distributor that wants your film so desperately.  Contact filmmakers that have been in the distributor's catalog for a year or two.  Talk to them.  Use Facebook, or go through their website.  Ask them what they honestly think about the distributor.  Have they seen any revenue?  How's the accounting reporting?  These filmmakers will give you the real scoop.  Listen to them.

Rule 3:  Call the prospective distribution company on the phone.  It sounds prosaic, but in this day of texting and e-mail, phone calls often don't occur.  Why should you call?  Because you can tell a lot by the way you are treated by the person answering the phone.  Trust your gut.  When I was vetting a distribution company recently I called the company and received a wierd vibe from the receptionist.  She was ULTRA-careful in finding out EXACTLY who I was and WHY I was calling...long pauses between questions.  Was I an irate filmmaker calling to find out what was going on with my film?  That was the message.  It was chilling.

Rule 4:  Ask yourself if you really need to work with a distributor at all.  In other words, what can a distributor do that you can't do?  Promotion will fall on the filmmaker's shoulders anyway.  The indie distributor won't do it for you.  And there are aggregators out there that can place your film on various digital platforms for you.  Check out THE FILM COLLABORATIVE, for example.

Rule 1:  If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  This is basic advice but I'm bringing this up because the first-time filmmaker is sometimes blinded by the light.  First-time filmmakers are convinced that they have the next JUNO and it's just a matter of getting the film out there.  Don't be stupid.

What these predators do is sweet talk you and promise you the moon.  They'll say, "You'll make millions and your film will be in every theater across the country!  Then we'll hit the foreign markets.  Yes - that's what we'll do for you!  Just sign here."  I know this sounds silly.  But you'd be surprised how many first-time filmmakers sign on the dotted line after hearing this.

The bottom line is that these predators are volume dealers and despite their rhetoric of how they like to work with filmmakers, etc. - they won't.  Their way of doing business is more direct to DVD or TV - whichever gets them a quick couple of dollars.  Their investment is minimal so it's all profit for THEM.  Look out for 'creative' accounting.  What is 'creative' accounting?  How about $2500 for a single long distance call?  A filmmaker told me this line item showed up on their accounting paperwork.  Really.  Will you see revenue from a company like this?  The chances are slim to none and slim is on his way out of town.

First of all, what is an Independent Film predator?  They are less-than-legitimate indie film distributors that want to distribute your film.  And unfortunately, there's a bunch of 'em.