The Positive Impact of Video on Demand to Independent Films
It is a sad fact that filmmaking by independent producers entails a
significant amount of risk. Without any backing from the distribution
machinery and clout of a major studio, the filmmakers are often at the
mercy of third party distributors who may or may not effectively
deliver. It would be fortunate if the said parties actually do their
best in ensuring that the films gets to be shown in major venues where
more people can have the chance of seeing it. Otherwise, the producers
would have to content themselves with the very little proceeds that they
may get from the exhibition.
The internet, however, has positively impacted independent films and
their makers. Through websites that facilitate video on demand, an
independent film that may not have been well promoted in the mainstream
could still get a larger viewership because it is made available on the
internet. The process is actually simple. Once the film is done, the
producers would just have to make their film listed in video on demand
sites. They would submit copies of their films to the owners of the
said sites who would then promptly make these accessible to those
interested in viewing it after they have paid the right price.
However, maximizing video on demand features does not mean that
independent filmmakers no longer have to worry about promoting their
films. They should still to do, at least, in the internet where their
work has been made available. They may have to create trailers and post
these in YouTube and other video and social network sites. The aim is
to generate keen interest on the film and to whet appetites or
curiosity, enough to encourage people to go to video on demand sites and
order it. Writing reviews for the film and publishing it online are
two other techniques that could support the effort of making the film
ready for viewing online.
It may sound exaggerated but people are actually becoming so drawn to
the internet that they have the tendency to stay at home and watch
movies on their computers instead of going to the theatres. This is
obviously a big disadvantage for mainstream cinema whose main source of
income is based on the box office. Independent filmmakers, on the other
hand, find the internet as the great equalizer. In video on demand, they
share the same space and attention as the big-budgeted commercialized
offerings of the major studios.
Filmmaking may at first be considered as a more sophisticate artistic
endeavor. However, once it is done, it is also a product that must be
sold in order to recover the expenses made. This is the reason why
producers should seriously ponder on the appropriate steps in marketing
the film to the viewing public. There is no doubt that online video on
demand is considered as one of the least expensive solutions.
Nevertheless, even if this is utilized to the fore, efforts at having it
screened in widescreen should still be made in order to increase the
number of income sources.
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