Navigating Today's Distribution Landscape To Successfully Release Your Film
Hosted by Kristin Harris
$49
On Demand Webinar - Available for immediate viewing and unlimited access.
Start Learning
Projects:
Hosted by Kristin Harris
$49
On Demand Webinar - Available for immediate viewing and unlimited access.
Webinar hosted by: Kristin Harris
SVP, Production & Development at Vertical Entertainment at Vertical Entertainment
Kristin Harris is a seasoned entertainment executive who has spent the past 15 years in the independent distribution space. She has held key acquisition, development, and production roles at Starz Media, Overture Films, and Cinedigm Entertainment Group. Kristin currently serves as VP, Distribution and Acquisitions at Good Deed Entertainment, where she oversees all aspects of the company's distribution arm and manages the release slate, which includes EXTRA ORDINARY, JOURNEY’S END, Spirit Award Nominee, TO DUST, and the Academy Award nominated LOVING VINCENT. Kristin has been at the forefront of distribution as it continues to evolve and is bringing her experience to the Stage 32 community. Full Bio »
Webinar Summary
The landscape of distribution has shifted dramatically over recent years and continues to change in this post-pandemic world.
While there are more places than ever to go to for distribution, there’s also more competition for your project to be noticed by distributors and, once distributed, for viewers to decide to watch your film over the other thousands at their fingertips. Moreover, with so many companies and services in this space, it can be difficult to determine which companies are actually on the up-and-up and which will treat your film with the respect it deserves.
If you’re trying to get your film picked up right now or hope to have your feature project distributed in the future, the most important step is to understand what the landscape looks like today and what your options actually are.
Let’s break it down for you.
Kristin Harris is a seasoned entertainment executive who has spent the past 15 years in the independent distribution space. She has held key acquisition, development, and production roles at Starz Media, Overture Films, and Cinedigm Entertainment Group. Kristin currently serves as VP, Distribution and Acquisitions at Good Deed Entertainment, where she oversees all aspects of the company's distribution arm and manages the release slate, which includes EXTRA ORDINARY, JOURNEY’S END, Spirit Award Nominee, TO DUST, and the Academy Award nominated LOVING VINCENT.
Kristin will teach you how film distribution currently works today, what options are currently available to you and your feature film, and how to best navigate this world to ultimately get people to watch your project.
Making decisions regarding distribution for your film can be a daunting task, but Kristin is going to give you the most up-to-date and comprehensive breakdown of what distribution looks like today so you can be armed with facts and strategies when finding the best release strategy for your own film.
Praise for Kristin:
"Very informative and have learned a great deal. Will definitely put to use for our Feature Film Projects. Thank you!" -Haskell A.
"Very good practical information detailed enough to get the lay of the land on this topic."-James P.
"Great info in a new age." -Mary M.
What You'll Learn
- What is Film Distribution?
- A quick overview of the Distribution landscape
- Historical Shifts + the post pandemic world
- Finding audiences
- Spreading awareness/Creating Demand
- Partnering with Distributors or engaging in DIY releasing
- Making Content Available on consumer platforms
- Monetizing the exchange
- Learning from your successes and mistakes as you move on to the next project
- Primary Release Models and Options
- Overview of common release types and windows
- DIY Distribution
- Understanding what’s right for your film
- Rights and Revenue Streams
- Terminology Overview
- Deal Structures
- Primary Players and Platforms
- All Rights Distributors ( ie - Searchlight, A24, Neon, GDE, SPC, Roadside)
- Festivals & Theatrical
- Digital, Home Entertainment & Non-Theatrical (ie - iTunes, Amazon, FandangoNOW, Vudu, GooglePlay)
- OTTs/Streamers (ie - Netflix, Hulu, Starz, HBO, Tubi, Amazon Prime + IMDBtv)
- Connecting with Audiences
- Starting early
- The filmmaker’s role in marketing
- The role of publicity
- Q&A with Kristin
About Your Instructor
Kristin Harris
FAQs
Q: How do I watch my webinar live?
A: If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Go to Webinar, you will receive an email from Go to Webinar with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. You can also access your webinar link in your purchase history located under settings in the top right-hand corner of your Stage 32 profile.
If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Zoom, you will receive a separate email from Zoom with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. Your login link will not be in your Stage 32 profile. If you did not receive your link via Zoom please email support@stage32.com.
Q: How do I watch my webinar on demand?
A: You will be able to watch your webinar on demand as many times as you’d like inside your Stage 32 profile. The recording is processed and posted between 24-48 hours after the webinar concludes. You can follow the instructions below.
YOU MUST HAVE A STAGE 32 PROFILE TO WATCH YOUR VIDEO – STAGE 32 IS FREE TO JOIN
If You Already Have a Stage 32 Profile:
- Log into your Stage 32 profile
- Click "Settings" in the top right-hand corner (gear icon)
- Click "Purchase History"
- Choose this webinar and click the link to view
- Go to www.stage32.com
- Create a profile using the SAME email address you used to sign up for this webinar. The email addresses must match in order to watch the webinar.
- Once you have your profile set up, you can view the webinar by clicking "Settings" in the top right hand corner (gear icon)
- Click "Purchase History"
- Choose this webinar and click the link to view
Q: What is the format of a webinar?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Webinars are typically 90-minute educational broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32. Your webinar will be taught by a working industry professional with in-depth teaching on a topic. If you are able to attend live you will be able to ask your Stage 32 Educator questions during Q&A.
Q: What are the system requirements to watch my webinar live?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.
If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.9 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live webinar. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer.
Q: What if I cannot attend the live webinar?
A: If you cannot attend a live webinar or purchase an on demand webinar, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A.
Q: Will I have access to the webinar afterward to re-watch?
A: Yes! Like all Stage 32 education, after the purchase of a live or on demand webinar, you will have on-demand access to the recording.
Q: How do I get a copy of the handouts provided?
A: If the webinar you take included handouts you can find them as downloads underneath your on demand video. You must be logged into your Stage 32 profile to view the video and get the handouts by clicking settings in the top right hand corner, then clicking purchase history.
Q: What if I need accessibility and accommodations?
A: Email support@stage32.com to request accommodations.
Thanks for your loyalty to Stage 32 Education. We value having you in the Stage 32 community.
If you have any further questions, we are always happy to help. Please contact Stage 32 support at support@stage32.com.
Testimonials
"The webinar was cutting edge and valuable information"
-Angela G.
"Very good practical information detailed enough to get the lay of the land on this topic."
-James P.
"Great info in a new age."
-Mary M.
Relevant Tags
Share with friends:
Questions?
Other education that may be of interest to you:
Exploring New Distribution Models for Independent Films Including the Latest: Virtual Theatrical
Theater closures brought on by the global pandemic are now leading exhibition and distribution communities to work together and think outside-the-box in order to preserve the arthouse theatrical landscape. Imagine a world without arthouse theaters. It’s a bleak concept for cinephiles and filmmakers alike. In a world where landing a traditional, theatrical commitment from a distributor is like winning the golden cup, what are our options when none of those theaters are open? More so, how do we keep independent theaters, already operating on thin margins, alive to fight another day and provide filmmakers, producers and financiers viable options to make profits on their films? Thankfully, there's a new an exciting option to explore. Navigating a successful theatrical release is an enormous challenge, in and of itself, when exhibition is operating normally. Add in a global pandemic and those challenges rise even higher. What are the options? Does your distributor simply claim force majeure and rush you into the home entertainment landscape? Will the home entertainment revenues be hurt by the lack of theatrical exposure? How do theaters survive and make money when they can’t have patrons at their physical locations? In times of crisis, it’s always impressive to see innovation born of necessity. Behold the birth of the "virtual theatrical" release, which has emerged and become a key player in these virtual times. But what is that exactly? How does it work? Can you make money and are other digital platforms willing to accept theaters playing in their sandbox? It’s the new Wild West. Kristin Harris is a seasoned entertainment executive who has spent the past 15 years in the independent distribution space. She has held key acquisition, development, and production roles at Starz Media, Overture Films, and Cinedigm Entertainment Group. Kristin currently serves as VP, Distribution and Acquisitions at Good Deed Entertainment, where she oversees all aspects of the company's distribution arm and manages the release slate, which includes EXTRA ORDINARY, JOURNEY’S END, Spirit Award Nominee, TO DUST, and the Academy Award nominated, LOVING VINCENT. Kristin has been at the forefront of this emerging distribution option "virtual theatrical" and will bring her experience to the Stage 32 community for you to understand what it is, how you can make money for your film from it and if it's right for you. Kristin will go over the current theatrical distribution landscape which has been affected by the COVID19 pandemic and discuss current available options for your film's distribution. She will introduce a brand new type of distribution, virtual theatrical, and break down the players, how it works from a macro and micro level and how it makes money. She'll go over how to navigate this new reality and how virtual theatrical folds into traditional and non-traditional release plans, reporting and logistics. She'll go over the pros and cons of a virtual theatrical release and help you decide if it's the right thing for your film. She'll also discuss what the future holds for distribution and buying habits in the current environment. These are challenging, yet exciting times for the industry and especially for those working in independent film. Kristin will give you all the current information and guide you through all scenarios including virtual theatrical to assure that your film has the best chance at profitability. Praise for Kristin's Stage 32 Webinar: "Very informative and have learned a great deal. Will definitely put to use for our Feature Film Projects. Thank you!" -Haskell A. "The webinar was cutting edge and valuable information" -Angela G. "Very good practical information detailed enough to get the lay of the land on this topic." -James P. "Great info in a new age." -Mary M.
Hulu Distribution 101
Ever wonder what shows development execs at different networks or platforms are hungry for? This webinar shows a top-line overview of Hulu’s evolution, business model, and what they’re buying from writers. Every network and streaming platform has its own unique approach to filling its development slate. Usually, that information is passed around within the industry, making it challenging for emerging writers to know and prepare themselves for what executives need. If you’ve ever wondered what award-winning streamer Hulu, and its sibling platforms Disney+, ESPN+, and NatGeo, are looking for from writers, this is the webinar for you. In this Stage 32 exclusive, you’ll see exactly how the entertainment industry is shifting from studios to streamers and how this impacts what they’re buying. You’ll learn the history of Hulu, its subscriber demographics, its business model, and what the decision-makers at the streamer are looking to buy. You’ll also study the ins and outs of what Hulu is currently producing and licensing, how to connect with the right team for your project, what to consider when you pitch them, and even what you need to know when it’s time to negotiate your deal. Taking you behind the scenes of the television development space is Kristin Harris, a seasoned entertainment executive with 15 years of experience. She has held key acquisition, development, and production roles at Starz Media, Overture Films, and Cinedigm Entertainment Group. Kristin currently serves as the VP of Distribution and Acquisitions at Good Deed Entertainment, where she oversees all aspects of the company's distribution arm and manages the release slate, which includes EXTRA ORDINARY, JOURNEY’S END, Spirit Award-nominated TO DUST, and the Academy Award-nominated LOVING VINCENT. With network mandates in constant flux with market demands and consumer behavior, it’s imperative to stay informed on industry needs to get your foot in the door. After diving into this webinar, you’ll understand how to approach buyers at Hulu, what they’re buying and producing, and how to negotiate your deal.
Netflix Distribution 101
Netflix raised the bar in original programming almost ten years ago, forever changing the television landscape. Since then, Netflix has maintained its status by growing globally, investing in quality, adapting to its audience’s needs, and often setting the trends. Many creatives strive to launch shows with this streamer, and this webinar will show you exactly what Netflix is buying and how to close the deal. When it comes to streaming and “bingeable” television, no platform or network comes to mind faster than Netflix. Netflix has been the home to some of the most-watched original series for almost a decade, including SQUID GAME, BRIDGERTON, STRANGER THINGS, MURDERVILLE, THE CROWN, GINNY & GEORGIA, and countless others. Netflix stays ahead of the curve in television programming by hunting for new voices, unexplored worlds, and backing a wide range of genres and formats. Their needs are constantly changing and largely only known to those close to the platform. So, if you want to know where Netflix is heading next, you’ll need insight from a current industry executive. Taking you through Netflix’s distribution plans is Kristin Harris, SVP of Production at Vertical Entertainment. Kristin has held key acquisition, development, and production roles at Starz Media, Overture Films, and Cinedigm Entertainment Group. She is also the former VP of Distribution and Acquisitions at Good Deed Entertainment, where she oversaw all aspects of the company’s distribution arm and managed the release slate, which included EXTRA ORDINARY, JOURNEY’S END, Spirit Award-nominated TO DUST, and the Academy Award-nominated LOVING VINCENT. Kristin is sharing her insight into the streaming giant exclusively in this Stage 32 webinar. She’ll take you through where Netflix has been and where they’re headed, showing you its current operations and business model. She’ll also cover originals vs. licensed content, release windows, how to effectively tailor your pitch to their brand, and what you need to know about deal structures so you can navigate negotiations. This webcast gives you a new approach to understanding and pitching, and the knowledge needed to close the deal with one of the world’s leading streaming entertainment service. Praise for Kristin's Webinar "Kristin is amazing! She is so knowledgeable and I learned so much today. She is realistic and honest and I so appreciate that!" --Maggie G. "Awesome amount of information and very helpful. Thank you!" -- Jody C. "Great insight into how distribution works." -- Lisa M.
Amazon Prime Distribution 101
The SVP of Production and Development at Vertical Entertainment will show you how to pitch a film or series project to Amazon Prime and navigate negotiations. From award-winning dramas to binge-able comedies to watercooler actions, Amazon Prime has a show for every audience, including THE BOYS, MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL, REACHER, HANNA, BOSCH… the list goes on and on. As broad as the platform’s tastes may appear, there is a clear strategy behind-the-scenes, and if you want to see your project streaming on Prime, you’ll need to know what Amazon is looking for to tailor your pitch and close a deal. Creators might not get too many opportunities to pitch a major streaming platform. What are they looking for in a show or film? How does revenue impact their choices of which projects to produce? And how do you make sure that when you do sell your show, you get paid as well as any other creator? With this on-demand webinar exclusively available through Stage 32, you can set up your pitch to succeed when it’s your turn to pitch. You’ll learn what Prime is producing and licensing, how they bring in revenue, the best teams to connect with for your project, and how to negotiate your deal effectively. You’ll also cover how Prime has chosen shows in the past and where they’re headed. Taking you behind the scenes of this online shopping conglomerate-turned-award-winning streamer is Kristin Harris, a seasoned entertainment executive with 15 years of experience, who currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Production and Development at Vertical Entertainment. She has held key acquisition, development, and production roles at Starz Media, Overture Films, and Cinedigm Entertainment Group. Kristin previously held the role of VP of Distribution and Acquisitions at Good Deed Entertainment, where she oversaw all aspects of the company's distribution arm and manages the release slate, which includes EXTRA ORDINARY, JOURNEY’S END, Spirit Award-nominated TO DUST (currently included on Prime), and the Academy Award-nominated LOVING VINCENT. With this insider look at Amazon Prime’s streaming business, you’ll be able to develop a strong pitch for your project that fits the streamer’s needs while ensuring you make a great deal for yourself and your team. With the television landscape changing rapidly, this webinar will keep you ahead of the creators looking to sell to Prime and show your ability to keep up with industry needs. Praise for Kristin's Stage 32 Education: "Well-timed, instructor is knowledgeable, engages the audience. Informative." -Shelly B. "Kristin was amazing! So knowledgeable and articulate. I learned so much." -Maggie G.
How To Develop Your 30-Minute Multi-Cam Television Series
Learn the fundamentals of how to create a successful multi-cam television series from a seasoned television writer who has worked on FX's IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, Freeform's BABY DADDY, Disney's SYDNEY TO THE MAX, and more! PLUS! You'll receive exclusive handouts to help you on your multi-cam comedy writing journey, including the script for the pilot episodes of FRIENDS, NEW GIRL, CHEERS, IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, BABY DADDY, and SYDNEY TO THE MAX! Multi-cam comedies are half-hour shows filmed in a studio in front of a live audience with multiple cameras directed toward standing sets, like a living room, that we get used to seeing in every episode. The multi-cam sitcom has been the mainstay of TV comedy since I LOVE LUCY first invented it in 1951. From CHEERS, SEINFELD, and FRIENDS to EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, BIG BANG THEORY, FULL HOUSE and FULLER HOUSE, so many of the mega-hit TV shows that we all know and love are multi-camera series. Even in 2023, multi-cam sitcoms are everywhere, with shows like LOPEZ VS LOPEZ, THE CONNERS, NIGHT COURT, THE NEIGHBORHOOD, and THAT 90'S SHOW garnering huge ratings and anchoring program schedules for their respective networks/streamers. There will always be a robust market for multi-cam comedy writers who can deliver laugh-out-loud scripts, which means writing your own multi-cam pilot will greatly increase your staffing and development opportunities. In fact, most kids and family sitcoms are multi-cams, which in many cases represent the easiest path to getting that ever elusive first writing job or sale. In a world where writing staffs and episode orders are shrinking and opportunities for writers to go to set and gain valuable producing experience are becoming less and less the norm, multi-cam television is one of the few genres where the traditional job of a TV writer/producer still exists. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, veteran TV writer Eric Zimmerman will teach you the essential elements that comprise a successful multi-cam television series - characters, tone, dialogue, and set ups, to name a few - so you can create your multi-cam series that sets you up for a successful career. Eric has been a working TV writer for 14 years, including writing on all 100 episodes of Freeform’s multi-cam hit BABY DADDY. Most recently, he served as a Co-Executive Producer on Disney’s multi-cam series SYDNEY TO THE MAX. He has also sold several multi-cam projects to Disney and Netflix, as well as worked on multi-cam network pilots. Eric wasn’t always a multi-cam writer. He got his start writing on single camera and animated series, including the Emmy-nominated DAN VS. But once he started writing multi-cams, he quickly fell in love with the genre. In this information-packed webinar, Eric will go in depth on the differences between writing a multi-cam versus single camera or animated sitcoms. He will give you the necessary tools to determine if your pilot idea works best as a multi-cam, single-cam, or perhaps the often hard to purely define “hybrid” series. Eric will also break down all the essentials of writing your own successful multi-cam pilot script, with an eye toward the goal of it serving as an effective writing sample or to be sold as a spec. PLUS! You'll receive exclusive handouts to help you understand multi-cam character and structure so you can write your own. Downloads include the PILOT SCRIPTS for: FRIENDS NEW GIRL CHEERS IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA BABY DADDY SYDNEY TO THE MAX If you want to explore the key elements of writing a successful multi-cam series and learn the process of writing your very own multi-cam pilot, this webinar is a must! "I am thrilled to be part of this vibrant stage 32 community! I have every confidence that my Multi-cam 101 class will prove more valuable to your life than food, water, and perhaps even air." - Eric Zimmerman
How to Find the Right Sales Agent + A Deal Terms Sheet Walkthrough
If you are a writer, filmmaker, digital content creator, or producer, it's important to not only understand the role of a sales agent, but how to find, vet and hire the right one. This is a vital, yet extremely overlooked aspect that could make or break the viewership and profitability of your film or project. In this challenging and competitive world of film and digital content finding the right sales agent is key. Understandably, many creatives, producers and digital content creators find venturing into the world of sales agents to be daunting. But it doesn't need to be! There are few who know the world of sales agents better than Daisy Hamilton, the SVP of Acquisitions for TriCoast Worldwide who has been involved in acquiring over 100 packages and titles. In this exclusive Stage 32 Webinar, Daisy will give you all the tools to navigate the minefield of sales agents. Just some of the questions Daisy will be answering include: What does a sales agent actually do? Where do I go to find a sales agent? How do I know if a sales agent is reputable? What sales (pre-sales, theatrical, TV, Streaming, AVOD) can I expect from a Sales Agent? How can I navigate deal terms. What does a deal terms sheet look like? What is actually selling right now? Let Daisy demystify the world of sales agents and help you protect the films, shows, and projects you worked so hard to conceive and create by getting your work seen and by increasing your likelihood of profitability! PLUS! Daisy will walk you through a Deal Terms Sheet so you know what to look for in your own deal! Praise For Daisy Hamilton's Stage 32 Teaching "Daisy is such an amazing teacher. I would take any course she teaches!" -- Samantha S. "This information is crucial for any filmmaker, writer, producer, exec...really anyone in the film world who wants to understand how this business works and how to make a career out of it." -- Lisa R. "The best webinar I've taken with Stage 32 thus far!" -- Nick M.
Register / Log In
