Global consumers are embracing new technology, trying new applications, and viewing content on digital platforms. The democratization of media plays a key role in how that media is distributed. As digital content creators are making successful careers by building a powerful brand as independent filmmakers, it is important to note that these creators have stories to tell that often don’t reach mainstream media platforms. These films often depict “true stories” and are told without a huge Hollywood budget. The stories are raw, organic, and heartfelt but, also, entertaining, educational, and inspiring. It’s advocacy delivered and consumed in a way to make a bold and powerful statement—I’m here and I’m not going anywhere!
Through devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, gaming consoles, and Smart TVs, digital content creators can serve their content via a real-time connection and directly reach the consumer. This creates a bridge between the creator and the global consumer market. As video consumption evolves, binge-watching has become a trend among millennials and generation Z consumers. They are a huge contributor to purchasing new technology for consuming media and they’re showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, they are expanding their influence and voicing their preferences at a rate they are leaving many digital content creators struggling to keep up with the demand. So, not only is understanding the importance of distributing your content digitally, it’s also crucial to know what consumers want to consume and how they consume it.
According to Neilsen Wire, there VIDEO 360 2017 REPORT on August 24, 2017, states, “The number of people streaming and downloading movies has nearly doubled in the past year, and a quarter of the population has live streamed programming like sports events, TV shows, awards shows and news events. Streaming is most popular among teens.” It adds, “The Nielsen Video 360 report explores how consumers in the U.S. discover and view film and TV content across devices and channels, the drivers and barriers to purchase, attitudes around long-form and short-form content, and the trends in free and paid streaming.”
As Nielsen stated, the key word is “short-form” content. As short films are beginning to gain recognition at high-profile film festivals, such as the Cannes Film Festival, a digital content creator must note that only the best will be able to take make use of this opportunity. I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with an up and coming film director, Ethan Paisley, who thoroughly knows the importance of producing good content. His short film, “Wilted” was screened at the Nice Filmmaker Festival, May 5-12, at Hotel Novotel, in Nice. On May 17-19, it was screened at the Palais des Festivals during the Cannes Film Festival. Here’s what he had to say.
Hi, Ethan! Thank you for sharing your amazing experience on your last adventure. You attended the 71st Cannes Film Festival and your film “Wilted” was chosen to screen at the Cannes Court Métrage. Well deserved! Tell our readers about the experience.
It was definitely a proud moment to find out that “Wilted” would screen in Cannes. The festival is very special to me, having screened another film titled “Point 453” in the Marché last year. I attended in 2016 for 453, and it changed my life: I learned the sales process, met network executives, and blew off steam at some of the wildest parties I’ve ever witnessed. Unfortunately, I won’t be in Cannes again until the Lions Festival in June! However, I did get to live vicariously through the social media of “Wilted” cast and crew who were in attendance this year. The film screened in the video library AND the Marché in a jam-packed screening room with a very diverse crowd. We’ve since been recruited by over 5 film festivals for official selection and approached by Distribber for VOD sales in the USA and UK. Distributing this film will be my summer project, among others…
I’m noticing an increase in CANNES accepting short films from independent filmmakers. This is awesome and I’m thrilled to see this. How important is it for independent filmmakers to work towards having their films screened at high-profile festivals, such as Cannes and Tribeca?
What makes Cannes so unique is that it’s both a festival and a market, and lots don’t understand that. My films are only a piece of the extravagant market pie overseen by the Cannes Film Festival. Therefore, it’s a great intersection between creative thinking and cold cut sales where filmmakers can learn both sides of the film business. Tribeca and Sundance are not marketed. However, like film markets, they’ve begun to introduce more, category-specific awards that diversify the content solicited at these festivals. For example, at Tribeca, they have a student category for New York residents. This gives an underrepresented demographic, young people, a platform to share their work and meld into the mainstream media market. The Mill Valley and San Francisco Film Festivals, near to my home, have already begun doing this on an international level. In this day and age, independent filmmakers have more opportunities to make their movies at a young age, or with new media, or without any help at all, and festivals recognize that. So don’t be afraid to flush away $80 on Sundance! There might be a category you didn’t know existed that you’ll win.
Digital content has transformed how people consume media. According to Nielsen’s “Q2 2017 Total Audience Report,” over 50% of “TV homes in the U.S. now own at least one internet-enabled device capable of streaming to a TV set.” The emergence of such devices is satiating consumers’ desire to access content with the press of a button.” This connects digital content creators through streaming services, such as Netflix. As a digital content creator, how do you see this as a plus for independent filmmakers?
In this day and age, making a movie is comparable to building a birdhouse. It’s difficult, but it’s accessible. Media means the medium between private press and a public audience, and in the wake of new media, this line between private and public has dissolved. For example, YouTubers and social media stars earn a yearly salary that exceeds the average return on an independent film. This means it’s more competitive to be a filmmaker, but it’s also a lot easier to compete. In this way, it’s critical that filmmakers get started right away by uploading their content to social media and building an outstanding brand that can be relatable to the broader world. Do you think more people consume media in movie theaters or on their phones, on a daily average? Exactly! So make the phones your priority: get to know your audience while you get to know your craft. As artists, filmmakers tend to worry about protecting their own vision and making a movie “the right way.” But it’s a different world for artists. Why do I need $1 million and an Oscar-winning actor for my movie when I may be able to make that much back with $10K budget and a cast of popular YouTubers? It’s possible and it’s what audiences are demanding. You may not agree with this new phenomenon, but it’s how things are getting done. In 100 years, SVOD will take over the world and there won’t be any movie theaters left. Who knows? Netflix might monopolize the film industry; it’s not ideal, but it’s where we’re headed.
Thank you for sharing your insight! It’s greatly appreciated. It will be beneficial to those who are aspiring to achieve success with their content. So, what’s next for you?
I have two shorts and a feature I’m still taking around the festival circuit, and I’m simultaneously delivering them to sales agent for SVOD distribution with iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, and Seed&Spark. I’m also in-development for two features and a documentary. I will be shooting another movie in New York end of July if we’re financed in time! As busy as I like to think I am, I still have that occasional thought where I ask myself what I’m doing and what’s gonna be next. But it’s all about one thing at a time and staying focused on who I am, what I want, and where I’m at. I have good people around me and I’m happy.
I look forward to catching up with you in the future! Thank you for your time. 🙂
You guys are the best, thank you, Tiffany!
Ahhh . . . Thank you, Ethan! The feeling is mutual!
Ethan is a powerhouse! It’s always a joy to interview him! I look forward to catching up with him on the set in New York City in July 2018, for behind-the-scenes coverage of his new film.
As Ethan mentioned, he’s working with a team that is assisting him in getting his content into SVOD and VOD platforms, such as Amazon Prime. Distribber is an awesome service for digital content creators. According to their website, “As an aggregator, Distribber is one of only a few preferred companies from whom major platforms (like iTunes, Hulu, Amazon, VuDu, Netflix, FandangoNow and others) acquire content. In addition to providing access, our service includes encoding, quality control and delivery.” Learn more by visiting their website. It has information on the types of platforms your content can be delivered, including placing your film with the best platform.
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Also, don’t forget to watch “Point 453” on Amazon Prime next week! Further, on Ethan’s website, he talks about “Point 453” with great passion. He shares, “‘Point 453’ was inspired by an episode of depression I encountered in late 2015. The script started as a simple love story about anxiety, loss, and broken hearts. To further structure the early script, I found I could give depth by incorporating factors of mental health. I researched these factors through friends, family, and when production on 453 commenced, I came to learn how common the dynamics that the script examined were on a general basis. It’s safe to say at least 70% of the Point 453 team had a relationship with mental illness and agreed that it was a conversation that was not happening.”
I could easily see how much this story means to Ethan. So, to see it receiving global distribution is more than phenomenal is absolutely amazing! Make sure you put “Point 453” on your Amazon Prime Watchlist when it releases next week.
I hope this article has helped and inspired you. Feel free to contact me on Twitter @TiffUnscripted, Instagram @TiffanyUnscripted, Facebook @TiffanyUnscripted, and my website at tiffanyunscripted.com. You can follow hashtag #tiffanyunscripted on Instagram. If you have a story to share, I would love to hear from you! I’m the Managing Editor for Your Film Review at Occhi Magazine. I’m also a DVD Netflix Director. DVD Netflix also accepts independent feature-length-films to showcase via their digital platform. Check out their “Independent” section and rent or add to your queue today!
Thank you for reading!
Connect with Ethan:
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm6704806
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ethanbpaisley
Instagram: https://instagram.com/ethanbpaisley
Facebook: https://facebook.com/ethanbpaisley
Web: www.ethanpaisley.com
Read all previous interviews with Ethan: https://occhimagazine.com/?s=ethan+paisley
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