ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

9 years, 4 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Not sure you'll have a better platform than youtube - a global audience watching in their own time, for free. I'm not familiar with The Community Channel, but I can't imagine it has the reach of youtube

9 years, 4 months ago - wendy Zakiewicz

Thanks Paddy. The idea of broadcasting it on Community Channel is that I could do it in conjunction with youtube/ vimeo. So just wondering if you know other broadcasters/ festivals which let you do this?

9 years, 4 months ago - Paul Campion

You'll need to promote your film in order to build an audience. Youtube has the biggest audience, but you're also competing with a thousand other films being added every week. If your film doesn't go viral very quickly, it may get lost amongst all the other films competing for the audience's attention. Getting a run at film festivals may be a better option first, particularly documentary festivals - once a film starts getting a lot of festival screenings, other festivals will then start to approach you and ask to screen it - generating it's own publicity. At the same time, if you get into a festival or win an award, you want to be getting that information out via the film's website, blog, facebook & twitter feed etc. You need news about the film to generate publicity in order to promote it. This is a LOT of work, but promotion is part of the process of making any film. A successful run at festivals may then generate more interest when it's released on Youtube etc. Some festivals require that a film isn't online first, while there are many that are ok with it already being shown online. Hope that helps.

9 years, 4 months ago - wendy Zakiewicz

Since poising this question I have done a bit of searching and was surprised to realise that not just a few but many festivals allow submission of films already online or broadcast to enter (and I assume give them as much chance of success?).

9 years, 4 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Hi Wendy, not ask festivals at equal, some are merely commercial affairs to make the organisers cash from the application fees. Just remember to always be discerning and do your research. Look on YouTube for 'looking for an audience' about the Swansea Bay FF and be cosy before spending money.

9 years, 4 months ago - Anthony Sabanskis

Like the trailer and premise of the film. My mate lived on a narrow-boat all throughout Uni. I'd like to see the full thing. Let me know if you get a date for the community channel. Cheers.

9 years, 3 months ago - wendy Zakiewicz

I have now put the film online- both youtube and vimeo. And I'm gonna submit it to the festivals that don't require exclusivity, and any broadcasters (like community channel) who want to show it. It's only been up a few hours and it seems to be spreading quickly.
The link is https://youtu.be/5upAf7waaLg

9 years, 3 months ago - Sue Carpenter

I have the same question as you - I've made a film about Alice, who is running 106km around Isle
Of Wight on 30 April in aid of Mind, in memory of her cousin Nana who tragically died last year. I originally posted the full 9 min version and a 5 min version on Vimeo, and have now put the shorter one on YouTube too. In a few days: 12 views. How do some of these campaigning films go viral and make £££ for causes? I note your canal boat film has had 1800+ views! How does that happen, I wonder - did you promote it somehow? Sue

9 years, 3 months ago - wendy Zakiewicz

Hi Sue
Im no expert at social media- I only joined Facebook a month ago, and I hate this part of making films! But I started promoting the film in relevant groups on FB, like various boating groups, with a trailer for people to watch. I did a packed out screening and then had lots of people wanting it to become available. Some people were trying to find a way to broadcast it on my behalf because they wanted to support it (like NBTA a travellers group), but it seems to be a difficult task unless you know the right people. So I decided to just go ahead and publish it on youtube and vimeo. And with that again I have just put on a few posts on FB and everyone else has shared and done the rest. I think it just shows that people are interested in the subject and shocked by what they see (plus they llike the film!). So now I'm just hoping it will just keep spreading!
In your case I would try to latch onto Mind who will have a big network, and then think of any other interested groups like runners, etc and then focus on them. Hope that helps.