Hi everyone, I’m Patrick and this is my first time posting on Shooting People. Two weeks ago I was approached by James Mullighan to blog about a self-distribution project I’m running at Met Film. Some of you might know the Met Film School, it turns out we’re actually a group of three companies, Met Film Post, Met Film Production and the Met Film School and we develop, produce and post-produce a variety of feature films and television programs… Bet you…

Interesting New York Times article about how Bottle Shock Director Randall Miller is releasing the film himself, together with his wife and co-writer Jody Savin. Along with the expenses incurred if you go it alone there are other caveats to bear in mind: “You‘ve got to have the phone numbers,” said Tom Bernard, the longtime co-president of Sony Pictures Classics. “Self-distribution is good, it can work, but filmmakers who are so innovative in making movies have to channel some of…

Following on from the last post on new distribution alternatives, have a look at this Filmmaker Magazine article by Lance Weiler on how to distribute your films online. He provides some examples including the exclusive Internet release of Ed Burns’ Purple Violets on iTunes – and also adds a list of companies that are helping filmmakers reach audiences and sell their films online. Very useful stuff.

Check out this article by Peter Broderick (originally published in the IDA’s Documentary magazine) on new distribution opportunities including 7 tips for narrative and documentary filmmakers. ” Creative distribution strategies are enabling [filmmakers] to get their films out more widely, earn more money and have greater political impact than would be possible through traditional distribution deals.”

Thanks to Agnes Varnum for bringing our attention to this New York Times article about how John Sayles and Maggie Renzi are pursuing a grassroots marketing strategy for their latest film, Honeydripper, and reaching out to an older audience who are often ignored by mainstream distribution.