Know-How Exchange : Strategy

Who would buy this film?

The kind of people who want persuade their constituents not to take drugs are usually in government. They invariably have very fixed ideas about imagery, messages and so on to be used in such anti-drug promotions. Your film might not tick all the boxes they have in mind.

Why not show the film to people from your government's department of health and ask them if they think it's suitable. You could give them the rights to use it with their own top and tail - for a fee you negotiate with them.

The problem here is you are dealing with a monopsony - potentially multiple suppliers but probably really only one potential customer. Not an ideal position from which to negotiate.

Dear abhijeetnain,

Stop thinking about selling.

Put your movie on Youtube. Set up a Twitter, and Facebook account or use your existing account. Promote your move through these channels.

Start a blog based on ant-drug messages and link to movie directors, producers, and production houses. Use THAT channel to promote the movie and make it clear that you're available for other movie projects.

Focus on stories, value, benefits, skills, and abilities and the money will come as an offshoot—as the icing, not the cake.

I hope this helps.

Gary Bloomer
Wilmington, DE, USA

Definitely don't wait to sell it. YouTube it and put a few links at the end, if you want, that directs people to some place you can make money...IF that was your goal.

Michael

Have you studied the effectiveness of your movie's message? One of the results of anti-smoking campaigns is an uptick in smoking. This is well-described in Dan Ariely's "Predictably Irrational" book.

Also, the organization that might be interested in paying to air the ad may want you to re-edit it for their needs.

If the movie is beautifully shot, then consider listing it with companies that specialize in stock video footage. People looking for the imagery and/or message will be able to find you.

Gary's idea of using YouTube (or other online media) may be useful to you as well.

hi abhijeetnain

It looks like you just made something interesting deliberateness and think that it will bring you money. It definitely could be so. But before asking people where to sell your product, you need to run it by some professionals who make similar stuff to make sure that it actually is worth anything. I don't wanna disappoint you, it actually can happen that someone who is not doing it for living, coming up with great stuff. But you need to make sure it's not that "other" scenario - when you think you've done something fabulous, but it's just that type of stuff pros through to the garbage by dozens. I would suggest placing it on youtube with copyright sigh and limited access and show it to some professionals. You will get valuable input and, may be, come suggestions.

Whatever Happens -
Good luck!
Natasha Chernyavskaya
Artographica
Los Angeles, CA

It is a public service announcement.

You may get someone to air it on TV but they won't pay you for it :)

Good lluck.

Matthew

Gary has hit one nail on the head. Please allow me to add another point. You are unlikely to sell this – it is too worthy and everyone has a different opinion about what their idea of worthy is and how much it is worth.

Go for the “film for free” route.

If I’m not mistaken, Al Gore did not initially sell the rights to “An Inconvenient Truth” He retained them, then sold himself to all of the highest bidders whilst cleaning up on the populist environmental front at the same time. Made a very convenient fortune!

A decent, beautiful film with an anti-drugs theme could go the same way via YouTube, FaceBook and so on. Look at the success of the imitators of Philip Glass’s Koyaanisqatsi on YouTube for inspiration!

Steve Alker
Xspirt