Caught Between a ROCK and a HEART PLACE

Merry Christmas

Hello everyone. Haven't posted in a while - we've been busy with the sales ROCK and a HEART PLACE before Christmas. People began to discover the dvd and have been purchasing copies as Christmas presents. Also, we were at the last two public Holiday Express concerts at Count Basie selling the dvd's after the concerts.

Thanks to ALL our supporters over these past months of distribution. The only thing more difficult than making the film is MARKETING the film! And we've been hustling. But we're not finished by a long shot just because the holiday season is coming to a rapid close!

While we may have made one of the best holiday documentaries to come along in a while, ROCK and a HEAT PLACE is also a great resource for inspiring volunteerism, service learning and community service. Those are the areas we'll be concentrating on promoting the documentary in the new year.

We're also looking for corporate sponsors to sign on and help distribute the documentary to their employees, local schools and other civic organizations. So if you know any corporation or business who would like to have their name attached to one of the most inspirational documentaries of 2007, send them our way.

In the meantime, have a great, safe, happy and healthy holiday. We'll keep you posted on our progress right here.

Merry Christmas

-Michael

On Line Interviews

Our press kit continues to fill with more places to read about ROCK and a HEART PLACE. We're featured in the Independent - an online magazine for and about independent filmmakers. The December issue features a cover story by Fernanda Rossi, the Documentary Doctor. Pictures,  the trailer and  an "Anatomy  of a Film" all highlight ROCK and a HEART PLACE. Thank you Fernanda!

-Michael

Why Buzz?

The marketing is working, we are getting press, see both www.buyindies.com and www.independent-magazine.org and publicity should help sales of ROCK and a HEART PLACE for the holidays.  Finding ways to create, discussion about your film, i.e. “buzz”, is a bit like following a treasure map.  Each step is like following murky clues, go in this direction and you will find new opportunities, but the key is to capitalize on each step along the way. 

Case in point, many sites now have a review area where buyers can relate their experience with the product, by means of writing a review.  This is an area where any supporters who have purchased the film, can broadcast their comments to a larger audience now, as opposed to just relating their congratulations to only the filmmakers.  It can be as little as one line or as long as a feature review, the target is to get everyone to help.  If everyone has a hand in your success, there is a groundswell of popularity for the film, a people’s choice award for the film.

While none of this guarantees sales, it is vital that you keep encouraging people to watch and comment about the film. The more who watch, the more who could, by word of mouth, talk it up, remember it and therefore be interested in you as the producer, buy it for friends, or share it with others.  Someone along this path may be willing to invest in your next venture, based on their positive impressions of your last project.  It is an effort that regardless of outcome, keeps the name of your film alive in the minds of others -- viewers, distributors, other filmmakers --- and that’s good for your film and for your future as a filmmaker. And that's Tip #3 of the Top 10 Distribution Tips to Market your Independent Documentary on DVD.
- Nancy