Overcoming the "Unsolicited Submissions" Barrier

First of all, don't worry, everyone starting out promoting a script or film for the first time receives the "Unsolicited Submissions" rejection letter.


Why the Policy Exists

What is typically stated: Your script or film may include elements that are also in other projects.  You may feel that those elements are proprietary to your story, consequently you may conclude that the other producers stole your idea.  More than likely they didn't, and the company you contacted does not want to defend itself against your claim.

Also, there may be elements to your project that don't qualify you to even offer it to another entity yet, even for consideration.  So the company you are contacting doesn't want to waste time considering your project, if there is a possibility that your project isn't legally ready.  So even if they like your project, they're not going to get involved with you unless they are sure you are legally ready to present it.


Your Essential First Step

You must hire a qualified entertainment attorney to evaluate your project, and clear it for offering in the marketplace.

You must do your homework, learn how the system works, then get good at working within the system.

Acquaint yourself with deliverables.


Who Should You Contact

Distributors are notorious for not dealing with independent producers directly, sales agents are generally more receptive to working directly with producers.

Research your contacts in advance, many specialize in specific genres.

Even though you probably feel that your project is unique, and in some ways it is, once you enter the marketplace, be prepared to embrace the concept of comperables.

The funniest comperable I ever heard was: "Under Siege is Diehard on a ship."

Everyone who will consider your project will want some understanding of why you feel your project will succeed commercially, based on some earlier success.  


How You Should Contact Them

Remember, our discussion is on "Unsolicited Submissions," the keyword being "Unsolicited."  

Now that you understand the basics of qualified intellectual property (your film is cleared for presentation by an entertainment attorney), and the concept of comperables, you may be ready to begin making your contacts.

You introduce yourself, you describe your project in basic, non-confidential terms: genre / audience / comperables.  You offer to provide more information.

Once an acquisition executive asks you for your materials, likely a screener DVD, you review the request with your attorney, and if your attorney agrees, you make the submission.

Don't worry, you may still receive the "Unsolicited Submission" rejection letters.  This is a business where there are absolutely no guarantees, even for the largest, most experienced companies.

And it may be a while before you hear back, if ever.  Be patient, not pesky.


The Submission Waiver

Many companies require a signed Submission Waiver accompanying your materials.  They may offer you their Submission Waiver.  Now think that through for a minute, if they are willing to offer you the use of their Submission Waiver, who do you think it will benefit, you or them?  

My attorney has prepared a Submission Waiver for my clients which benefits my clients.  Your own attorney should also provide you with a Submission Waiver that benefits you.


Overall

The independent film business is highly competitive at every stage.  You need to constantly keep your eyes open for ways to strengthen your competitive advantages.

Get out there, learn everything you can, so you can proceed with confidence.

I can help you, click here to hearn how!

Best of Luck to You!

Steve Thompson

Thompson Communications

www.thomcomm.com

856-942-4434

Skype: stephen.thompson580

steve@thomcomm.com

Here's to a Brighter Tomorrow!

Publicity stimulates activity. Whether the task is building audience anticipation, or bringing your project to the attention of buyers, publicity makes things happen.

And when we make things happen, today becomes better than yesterday, and tomorrow becomes even better than today.

I'm serious about making things happen. Yesterday someone thanked me for helping them sell out a community screening that took place on Sunday. He said " . . . couldn't have done it without you, my friend. . . Thanks so much for all your effort . . . I mean, a packed house! You do your job, and you do it well . . . "

Today, the producer / director added: ". . . thanks for working so hard on this project for me. You went above and beyond my expectations, you are a class act, and I can't wait to make another film, just so you can work on it!!"

In May I did some pre-Cannes work for a group that got them some good trade media coverage, and they ended up selling the film we promoted into a dozen foreign territories.

I'm not claiming that any of us accomplish these things alone. It takes a good story, cast, director, producer and countless other people who know what they're doing to make a project work.

But good publicity can be the spark that brings everything together, and moves everything forward.

I want to work with you to help you create a better future for yourself, your company, and even your family! 

I know it's possible, I've seen it happen.

To find out how we can make it happen, all you have to do is get back to me, and we'll pick up from there!

As always, thanks for your consideration!

Steve Thompson

Thompson Communications

856-942-4434

steve@thomcomm.net

Some Good Advice from an Academy Award Winner

I never quite got used to the idea that I could pick up the phone and call Academy Award Winner Cliff Robertson and ask him questions about the film business.

In Cliff's Water Mill, NY Home, 2005

Nevertheless, for ten years he was always available to me, and never hesitated to answer my questions, and offer me his assistance.

Naturally I often wondered what it took to win an Academy Award.  Since I was fortunate enough to have arranged many interviews for him, and I was present for quite a few of those interviews, I heard him answer many questions regarding his Academy Award win.

Cliff Robertson as Charly Gordon with Claire Bloom

One constant theme I recall is that from the time he acquired the film rights to the original book Flowers for Algernon*, through the entire filmmaking process, he knew he was the best actor to portray Charly Gordon.  He also knew that everyone he worked with on the project were the best in the industry.

So I learned first hand that good, even magical things happen once we finally decide to become the very best at what we do.

Although I tell everyone I work with that I have no magical powers, I just work hard, smart, and keep an open mind, to produce the best results for my clients, my goal is to be the very best I can be in my work.  So maybe I do have some magical powers afterall!

Are you looking for publicity for your projects?  Then just get back to me, tell me what you have in mind, and let's work some magic!

Here's to your upcoming Academy Award!

Steve Thompson

Thompson Communications

856-942-4434

steve@thomcomm.net

Services for Independent Filmmakers

* I just learned that author Daniel Keyes, Flowers for Algernon, passed away on Sunday.

"The Reluctant Detective" A Comedy Feature Film Produced Entirely in Connecticut, Community Screening Sunday June 22, 4pm at the Historic Bijou Theatre, Bridgeport, CT

The Reluctant Detective, written, produced, and directed by Stratford, CT resident Christopher S. Lombardi will be shown in a community screening on Sunday, June 22, 2014 at 4PM at the historic Bijou Theatre in Bridgeport, CT.  The screening is offered as a community screening available to the creative community in the area in which it was produced.  

Tickets are available are available at The Reluctant Detective website, on a first come, first served basis.  A donation of a non-perishable food item is requested, which will be donated to a local food bank.

The historic Bijou Theatre in Bridgeport is the perfect location for screening this film, because according to Christopher S. Lombardi:  “The film has a definite vintage period feel.  As much as I wasn’t trying to make a 1940’s film in the present time, there are certain elements that harken back to those days.  Some elements include the pattern of speech, the props, the wardrobe and the credit sequences.  I think that the public will notice all the little touches that went into making this film look and feel like a vintage screwball comedy.” 

About the Film

The Reluctant Detective revolves around Bennett Stephens, a well-known actor on a highly rated Cable-TV crime show.  

Set in the present day, while on vacation with his wife in her hometown -- a town that seems to be frozen in time -- he reluctantly gets involved in solving a double homicide.  Along the way Bennett meets many friends, foes and colorful characters.  Bennett is assisted not only by his lovable wife Kelly, but by his new friend Fish, a street wise but gentle hearted gangster who is also visiting the town on vacation.  

Bennett must now rise to the challenge of trying to crack the case!

About the Filmmakers

Writer, producer, director Christopher S. Lombardi is a graduate of Western Connecticut State University with a degree in Communication and Media.  Lombardi says “The production of The Reluctant Detective is the story of a filmmaker with a vision and a story to tell, but there is so much more to it too.  I was lucky to have some really great shooting locations.  We shot at the same train station that Alfred Hitchcock shot scenes of Strangers on a Train.” 

The film stars Bristol Pomery as Bennett Stephens, Elise Rovinksy as Kelly Stephens and Lou D’Amato as Fish.  

Bristol Pomery is a New York based actor—Queens to be exact.  He has worked mostly in Independent film and theatre as well as some TV.  He was most recently seen on the FX show The Americans.  The Reluctant Detective is the third film Bristol has filmed in Connecticut—the other two are Marathon and Janie Charismanic.  Recently, Bristol starred in Driving Miss Daisy at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford.    

Elise Rovinksy is a graduate of the Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting.  Elise also studied Drama at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.  Elise is living the life of a working actress in New York City.  Elise has starred in many feature films, TV commercials and print ads.  Her most recent Come Morning had its world Premiere at the Austin Film Festival.

Lou D’Amato is a Southern Connecticut based actor and has starred in many feature films, TV commercials, Cable Television shows and recently 2 TV Pilots.  Lou studied with 2 time Academy Award® Nominee Jill Clayburgh in New York and Aaron Spieser in Los Angeles.  The first film in which Lou was featured was also filmed in Connecticut, and starred Gregory Peck. 

About The Bijou Theatre

The Bijou Theatre is housed in a building over 100 years old, and is one of the oldest buildings in the country that continues to be used as a movie house.  It is a multi–functional venue run by people with integrity and an open minded philosophy.  The Bijou Theatre is a symposium for film, theatre, art, comedy and music.

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For Press Inquiries 
Please Contact Steve Thompson

Thompson Communications

856-942-4434

steve@thomcomm.net

Archstone Unveils Three Exciting New Films, and Their Inside Story at Cannes

Archstone Distribution is unveiling three exciting new films at Cannes:

Gutshot Straight 

Starring starring George Eads, AnnaLynne McCord, Steven Seagal, Vinnie Jones, Stephen Lang, Ted Levine, and Tia Carrere.

Click for Full Information on Gutshot Straight

Out of the Burning Blue 

Starring Chris Klein, Victoria Summer, and Werner Daehn

Click for Full Information on Out of the Burning Blue

Julia  

A neon-noir revenge thriller centering on Julia Shames, who after suffering a brutal trauma, falls prey to an unorthodox form of therapy to restore herself.

Will be screening three times during the Cannes market: May 15th at 20:00 at Palais F, May 17th at 20:00 at Palais D, and May 20th at 12:00 at Grey 3.

Click Here for Full Information on Julia

Scott Martin, Michael Slifkin, and the Inside Story of Archstone Distribution

Scott Martin and Michael Slifkin are not only involved with the distribution end of the business, but they are also actively involved with the production end of the business too! With seven films in various stages of development and production!

Click Here for Full Information on Scott Martin, Michael Slifkin, and the Inside Story of Archstone Distribution

Scott Martin and Michael Slifkin are in Cannes, and can be reached if you would like to speak with them.

For more information, just get back to me:

Steve Thompson

Thompson Communications

856-942-4434

steve@thomcomm.com

Worldwide Publicity in a Week

Thursday May 8, 2014

Two weeks ago I began working with a Los Angeles based distributor / sales agent, on a press release on their acquisition of foreign rights to a film that they will be offering at Cannes.  I did our first press outreach last Thursday.

Fortunately Screen Daily, Tommy Garrett's Highlight Hollywood, and Deadline London published the story, then it was syndicated to websites all over the world!

And I'm still working on getting them covered elsewhere!

I would love to help you promote your projects.  My rates are very competitive, I think if clicked on that link above, you can see for yourself that my work is professional, but most of all I think you would like working with me!

Just get back to me for more information.

Best of luck to you!

Steve Thompson

Thompson Communications

856-942-4434

LinkedIn

Facebook

Twitter

Creating a Professional Film Publicity Structure

For many of my clients, I am the first marketing professional they hire. Most likely because they know they can benefit through publicity, but they don't know where to start.

I figure publicity is like trying to cut your own hair, you can get it done yourself, but it's probably better to have someone do it who knows what they are doing!

Fundamentally, creating a professional publicity structure is simple: A promotional message is created that will inform recipients, and motivate them to take a desired action.

With a typical film, the message can vary, depending on the media outlets we are pitching to cover your story. It becomes a balance between providing them with what they expect to receive on your type of project, but at the same time giving them something that they (and consequently their audience) have not seen before.

I assist my clients in creating a promotional message according to those guidelines. Then I create a web based resource for the people I'm contacting on behalf of my clients: Press releases, trailers, photos, are all available for download at one central location, so journalists and broadcast show producers always have the most current promotional materials available for download, at their convenience, so that's what I mean when I mention a professional publicity structure.

Every film, and every producer's situation is completely different. Experience is valuable, but keeping an open mind, and being flexible is also important.

I want to hear your ideas on the subject, so please get back to me, or give me a call at 856-942-4434.

Best of luck to you with your projects!

Steve Thompson

Thompson Communications

856-942-4434

LinkedIn

Facebook

Twitter

ps: True story . . . a publisher from an entertainment media outlet -- someone who receives my press releases, and has worked with some of my clients -- asked me today for assistance in promoting them!