The Complete Online Filmmaking Reference - Film Distribution ...

Always stand so you will be at the left side of the picture as seen from the
camera, so when the picture is printed and the people are listing in a
caption your name will be first. Always be pointing at something like the
screenplay or a clipboard. Get some of you looking serious and some smiling. The best picture will end up in your
publicity kit.
Typical publicity photos deliverables list
Filmmakers are often stunned by the list of deliverables when they sell a film. Here is a typical list of the
publicity photos that film distributors are going to want to get.
Black and white photos (three sets of contact sheets or digitals) with the subjects identified
100 production stills depicting scenes of the cast in performance
50 informal or casual photos of principle members of the cast and crew
25 gallery or portrait sitting photos of cast in and out of character
Color photos (slides or digitals) with the subjects identified
150 production color shots of scenes
50 candid shots of cast and key production team members
35 portrait shots of principal cast
The very important task is to be looking for any opportunities to create publicity for your film. Talk to the local
media, newpapers, magazines and television and let them know of any reason why they might want to run a
story on your film. Any interesting local connection, a local actor in the film, the subject is of special interest, etc.
Get creative and come up with ideas. You will want those articles in your press kit for when you go to the
festivals.
Are there any aquisition agents who have called to ask when they can see your picture? Call them and ask them
if they would like to visit the set to watch a particularly interesting scene get filmed.
Find out the names of any local film festival directors or judges and see if they would like to visit the set or talk
about your film. They will probably be flattered since they are film nerds and never get invited onto a set. Get
one of them interested and you are a shoe-in to their festival.
And since festival directors talk to other festival directors they may spread the word about how great your film is
going to be and you may find yourself getting invited to other festivals instead of having to pay entry fees and
hope you get in.
Finally if you can do it, get someone to shoot some video of the production, especially interviews with the stars
while they are waiting to perform, and you will have good material for a "making of" feature on your film's DVD.
Jump to the next part of the Film Marketing Buzz article in the Postproduction section.