Cinema News Wire

How Cinema News Wire Can Help You

2011-12-16T12:56:00.000-08:00

Cinema News Wire is an information resource for film distributors, journalists, tv and radio show producers, and independent film producers.

Our Selected News provides links to stories of interest to independent film producers.

Our Featured Films are of interest to film industry professionals and journalists interested in learning about our clients' completed projects, and also their projects in development.

When I do a press release distribution for a client, I refer the journalists to my client's page where they can download the press release and other relevant information. Here's a sample of Richard Yeagley's The Tradesmen: Making an Art of Work, which included clips of Dirty Jobs' Mike Rowe.

Baltimore journalists used that page to obtain introductory information on the film before they prepared their coverage of his premiere and subsequent screenings. You can see how Michael Sragow covered the film as a result of our publicity outreach.

Many times journalists like Michael who visit our pages to learn about a specific client, will browse the site and then inquire about other films on the site.

Our Noteworthy section displays films that may be of interest to media outlets and distributors.

Here are four samples of Noteworthy section pages that I prepared for these four producers: Frank Huguenard, Sebastian Doggart, Victor Goss, and Gavin Rapp.

The Noteworthy section is passive marketing. Google and other search engines routinely index our sites, so those pages will be returned to people using those search engines searching for the terms and phrases included in those pages.

We also provide active publicity and marketing services to independent producers and production companies who would benefit from professional outreach to media outlets and potential distributors.

I encourage you to submit your project for editorial consideration for our Noteworthy section.

Please feel free to contact me for more information about our sites and services through the Cinema News Wire Contact page.

Steve Thompson
Thompson Communications

Charles A. Thompson, Phil Lansdale, Cliff Robertson

2011-09-11T00:42:00.000-07:00

Charles A. Thompson

Things didn’t go quite right somehow, during a routine childhood procedure I developed bleeding or something and almost didn’t make it.

When I awoke, the first thing I saw was my father’s face. He stayed with me, made sure I came through. Then he taught me a great deal about how to get things done.

To this day, my guiding force is “What would Dad want me to do?”

Don Carr and Phil Lansdale

Phil Lansdale hired a ninteen year old living in Laguna Beach who decided to make something of himself. Phil’s door was always open, and he tought me everything I needed to know about the advertising agency business.

Once I made a mistake that cost 4day Tire Stores around $10,000. He and partner Don Carr were as understanding and forgiving as anyone might be in those circumstances. Phil said “Well don't worry Steve, there are things I did when I was sixty-nine that I wouldn’t do today at seventy.”

Academy Award Winner Cliff Robertson

On the day I met Cliff Robertson he asked me “Where were you born Steve?” He put me at ease immediately. I had to take him back to his hotel in Philadelphia, he and I got into a Cadillac STS rented by the producer. I said “You’ll have to bear with me Cliff, I drive a Mustang.” He said “So do I Steve.”

Over the next nine years Cliff’s door was always open to me, and I learned everything I needed to know about the movie business from Cliff.

Cliff Robertson was a genuine gentleman. He was the most grateful person I have ever known.

There was nothing quite like checking my business voicemail and hearing “Hello Steve, this is Cliff . . . “

I learned as much through observation of Cliff as I did through asking him questions.

Three years ago we met up at East Hampton Airport for an interview with a Swiss journalist, where he proudly showed us his Beech Baron. After the journalist took some photos, and I helped him return the plane to the hangar, he complimented my flight crew skills (which of course I had only learned that day!)

We drove to the town of East Hampton for lunch, and we followed him in his ’68 Mustang with “Beverly Hills Ford” framing the license plate.

I will miss Cliff, as will many, many others.

But Charles A. Thompson, Phil Lansdale, and Cliff Robertson haven’t gone completely. They leave behind the gifts they graciously and generously gave. Those parts of themselves that they gave freely, which have become a part of me and everyone else they touched.

The world is a better place because of these men.

Steve Thompson

September 11, 2011

2011-08-31T09:01:00.000-07:00

Who is this guy?

I'm Steve Thompson, and I love movies.

I remember my Dad taking my brother and I to see The Alamo back in the early 60s.

I remember seeing Bonnie and Clyde at the Crest Theater in Philadelphia in the late 60s. Then Steve McQueen in Bullitt, The Thomas Crown Affair, and many others.

Back in 2000, after twenty years in the advertising agency business,

I decided to move out of manufacturing marketing and into promoting movies,

and I'm grateful that the industry has welcomed me.

I've been fortunate enough to promote over thirty films, and work with

Academy Award Winner Cliff Robertson for the last nine years.

In late 2010, I got to attend a screening of Bullitt in Hollywood with the cast,

and Steve McQueen's family. To me, that was a once in a lifetime opportunity,

which I was extremely fortunate to be able to experience and enjoy.

Now, no one can tell me what's impossible. I have no magic powers. I decided upon what I wanted to accomplish with my life, and I did what I thought was necessary to attain my goals. And one day at a time I made it happen.

There are no guarantees in the movie business, and there is no one right or wrong way to do things. I have a set of opinions based upon my experience, but I also know that everyone has their own path to follow.

I know what has worked for me, and that's what I offer to my clients.

I encourage you to contact me if you would like to join me in this journey in one way or another.

steve@thomcomm.net

856-942-4434

August 31, 2011

When Should an Independent Producer Consider Distribution?

2011-02-08T08:49:00.000-08:00

I can easily understand why so many producers focus on story first, cast second, production funding third, and distribution a distant fourth. After all, why consider distribution when there isn't even a project to distribute?

Once again I turn to the wealth of information clarified in the recently published Producer's Business Handbook from Variety.

Major producers fund the development stage of their projects. That funding covers the project's legal groundwork as well as initial contact with potential distributors. In fact, major producers go as far as to form separate business entities, usually an LLC, for the development stage of their films. That way at any time, even though the project is still in development, the project can be valued and sold to another company.

Naturally your goal is to obtain a distribution commitment, as would be possible when developing a film like The Da Vinci Code where the book enjoyed a substantial proven existing following.

So if you are going to consider distribution during your development phase, you are going to have to think like a distributor -- demographics. Who is your film's audience? How will your story be received across the US, and in foreign countries? What are the personal demographics of your audience, and why will your film appeal to them over all of the others available to them? In other words, how will your distributor make money with your film? If you answer these questions, and provide the info to your potential distributors, you'll enjoy a great advantage over all of the other producers looking for distribution who are focusing solely on story.

Of course obtaining any level of distribution agreement during the development phase has a positive effect on the availability of production funding.

But what if you don't obtain a distribution commitment during development? Then you want to continually stay informed of which companies are acquiring which films, so you'll always know who has an interest in your style of film.

As your film continues to take shape, keep all of your potential distributors informed of attachments, as any one of them may appeal to one of your prospects. As you move into production, you'll want to continue to keep those potential distributors informed, for the same reason: at any time one may develop a serious interest in your project.

And what if they don't respond? Distributors, particularly acquisition executives, are extremely busy, listing to pitches from every media, day in and day out. Even if they don't respond, they are likely still aware of your project, and can therefore always respond to you when conditions change on their end in a way favorable to you.

I would advise anyone interested in developing and producing a film to pick up a copy of the Producer's Business Handbook from Variety. It's a great resource for gaining an understanding of how the larger established producers work profitably, and it will provide you with inspiration on how you can reach your goals in a minimum length of time.

Order a copy of Variety’s Producer’s Business Handbook at www.focalpress.com/producer Use discount code 46436 to receive a 30% discount with ordering through Focal Press.

Learn more about the marketing services I provide to producers at: www.thomcomm.net/featurefilmmarketing.html

E-Mail me directly at steve@thomcomm.net

Your Film, and Your Production Company as a Brand

2011-01-20T10:18:00.000-08:00

The newly published third edition Variety’s Producer’s Business Handbook is a must read for anyone involved in the business end of filmmaking.

Coming from a publicist background, I found it highly informative in helping me “fill in the blanks.” In the film business there’s always more to learn. This volume may help you to see the big picture with much more clarity, by providing you with an expanding foundation of knowledge of film industry best practices on a wide range of issues. I think it will help you make better, informed decisions on all of the day to day issues you face as producer.

Various distribution issues are reviewed, and I’ll write about them in subsequent postings, but I found one section in particular exceptionally thought provoking.

The authors make a compelling case for viewing your film, and your production company, as a brand.

Of course that principle is easy to understand with respect to a large established company like Disney, but what relevance might branding have on the typical indy film? Plenty!

During the pre-production process a producer’s primary concern is funding the film’s production, which naturally involves analyzing the plusses and minuses of various forms of investor and bank financing.

But what about ancillary rights? Your characters will be wearing clothing, eyeware, footwear, and probably jewelry. Won’t they be using computers, cell phones, driving cars, eating at restaurants? All of these aspects and many, many more are potential revenue streams for the producer through the licensing of product placement and other ancillary rights. Plus relationships with major brands can help build the producer’s credibility with potential distriburtors.

Naturally, product placement revenue stems from your charactors’ favorable use of those branded products.

To discover how widespread product placement of branded products is in feature films, check out: www.brandchannel.com/brandcameo_films.asp then think about how some product placement might work for establishing your characters, and enhancing your story.

Then add it all up, and you can easily envision how all of those well known brands, used skillfully, can in turn help you to establish a brand for both your film, and your production company.

When you begin approaching distributors -- which from now on you’ll be doing beginning in pre-production -- those distributors are going to consider one fundamental question: Who demographically and geographically will be seeing your film? Therein lies the true value of developing a brand consciousness for your films and your company: People really do respond positively to brands. You will be presenting an extra level of proven audience demographics to your potential distributors for their consideration, and distributors know that when a film works, the audience wants more!

The audiences you develop are going to want to see the same characters again, or other films with characters they can identify with and relate to in a similar manner.

Films will always revolve around a strong story, but by considering your story’s branding potential, you can face the competitive financing arena, and improve the probability of producing subsequent films by considering the branding aspects of both your individual film, and your company producing your films.

Order a copy of Variety’s Producer’s Business Handbook at www.focalpress.com/producer Use discount code 46436 to receive a 30% discount with ordering through Focal Press.

Learn more about the marketing services I provide to producers at: www.thomcomm.net/featurefilmmarketing.html

E-Mail me directly at steve@thomcomm.net

Micah Brandt’s Wetter: Robbery of the Heart Screening in Los Angeles

2010-03-17T10:21:00.000-07:00

Like so many other German cities and towns, Wetter was robbed of its most priceless treasure by the Nazis; its Jews. Recently the town has resolved to reclaim that treasure. In a five day long ceremony – culminating in the rededication of the old synagogue as a cultural center for learning and understanding – the town of Wetter is honoring its remaining Holocaust survivors and their families from around the world. Follow Harry Weichsel and his family as they attempt to bridge the generational gap on this incredible journey of cultural and spiritual rebirth, in Wetter: Robbery of the Heart.

More Info on CinemaNewsWire.com

G. Anthony Joseph Profiled by Rene S. Garcia

2010-02-25T12:00:00.000-08:00

Contract Killers producer G. Anthony Joseph profiled by Rene S. Garcia, Jr. on Buzzine and WorkingAuthor.com

Updated Broadcast Schedule Posted

2010-02-01T16:52:00.001-08:00

“Contract Killers” Updated broadcast schedules posted @ www.cinemanewswire.com/Contract_Killers.html

A PRODIGAL FEAST exciting updates

2010-01-25T12:28:00.000-08:00

This is no longer a "small little" independent film done out of a few bucks, sweat and tears... although these factors are still involved in production, now we have the big boys in Hollywood co-producing with us!

Equilibrium Entertainment, a reputable company that was involved in producing such films as CHICAGO and 3000 MILES TO GRACELAND joins us to make this project happens - because, as the "Senior Vice President" of the company said to me from across the table "I like you, and I like this project!" - and I said "cool".

Anyways we also got an A-list special effects dude who works for Marvel and is currently doing effects for the new THOR movie to work for us for free - if you ask me why would a dude of this caliber work for me for free - my answer is: "don't know, but its ... cool" - anyways everybody loves the script and the team, and that IS the reason why we are getting such amazing professionals to join the team - so in fact I do know the answer to the above question!

Guile Branco's "A Prodigal Feast"

2010-01-22T12:14:00.000-08:00

And you think your family is dysfunctional!

A Prodigal Feast is a tale of love and betrayal with an S & M twist. A dark comedy of what happens when relationships go dismally awry. A schizophrenic mother loses her mind; while a loveable immigrant finds true love until All secrets will be revealed at the "FEAST"...

Both sickos and psychos will love this movie. Which one are you?

Guile Branco
BrightKnight Entertainment

A Prodigal Feast on Cinema News Wire

Halloween 2012

"Contract Killers" on Starz, The Movie Channel, and Showtime Extreme

2010-01-21T13:41:00.000-08:00

The exciting, fast-paced thriller Contract Killers from G. Anthony Joseph's company Tritan Northstar Entertainment, Los Angeles, is now screening on Starz, The Movie Channel, and Showtime Extreme.

Contract Killers is the high tension story of Jane Bradford (Frida Farrell) who is entangled in a sophisticated government conspiracy. Framed by the CIA as a murderer, hunted across oceans, her only hope is to uncover the secret she was unwittingly paid to erase. Once an assassin, Jane is now a mark herself, stalked by the CIA's Special Activities Division aka US Government contract killers. But proving her innocence to contract killers isn't easy. The CIA's assassins don't ask questions. They don't even think. They just pull the trigger.

Starring Under Siege star Nick Mancuso and featuring powerful performances from an ensemble cast of international actors that include Frida Farrell (Sweden), Rhett Giles (Australia), Christian Willis (Australia), Wolf Muser (Germany), Steve Boergadine (USA), K. Lee Sherman (USA), G. Anthony Joseph (Trinidad) and Paul Cram (USA). Director of Photography Andre Lascaris hails from Greece and the music video for the movie Toro Toro is performed by Machel Montano (Trinidad) featuring Shaggy (Jamaica.)

You can download our press release on the Starz, Movie Channel, and Showtime Extreme broadcasts, including broadcast schedule, at: www.cinemanewswire.com/Contract_Killers.html

Please let me know if you would like to speak with producer G. Anthony Joseph or any of the cast members.

Director Olga Sapozhnikova at NATPE

2010-01-21T08:24:00.000-08:00

Dubai filmmaker Olga Sapozhnikova will be attending NATPE promoting her fascinating short film "Hidden Beauty" which was recently a Market Recommended Film in the Dubai International Film Festival Market. She also has several projects in development.

An insightful documentary not only on the beauty of Arab women, but their inner strength as well. The film is a portrait of four fascinating women who the director calls her "heroes": Three Arab women who have flourished in the traditionally male dominated Arab society, and a fourth who tells her story of moving from her native Finland to Dubai, UAE to find an Arabic man to marry, while embracing Arabic culture in the process.

One of her "heroes" is Jamilya, who is the only woman in United Arab Emirates working with four hundred men in an ambulance service. Jamilya has saved many people from fires, accidents and collapsed buildings. Her story was so inspiring, that the ruler of Dubai: His Royal Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, came to her home to personally express his gratitude for her service to their country. (An event depicted in the film.) As the single mother of five children, in "Hidden Beauty" Jamilya shares her opinions on the beauty of women, especially Arabian women.

You can download a copy of our current press release on Olga's page at CinemaNewsWire.com

"The Map Reader" from Arkles Entertainment

2010-01-18T12:35:00.000-08:00

Last year I learned about "The Map Reader" while the film was out on the festival circuit. Producer John Davies sent me a screener, and I absolutely loved it!

I love films that take us on a personal journey, like "The Shipping News" and "An Unfinished Life." Produced in Aukland, New Zealand, "The Map Reader" is the story of sixteen year old Michael, influenced by his "friends," driven by his heart, and forced to decide how to live his own life.

This film deserves to enjoy a substantial audience.

For more information and to view the trailer check out the film's page on Cinema News Wire.

Check back for updates!

Welcome to the Cinema News Wire Blog

2010-01-07T07:12:00.001-08:00

My intention is to provide independent filmmakers with an inexpensive way to connect with entertainment media.

Whenever a producer who has been selected to participate in our On the Horizon or Festival Circuit programs would like to publish a message, the producer can add their message to the blog, along with a link to their own site and their pages on Cinema News Wire.