Distributor Profile
Distributor FAQ: Talking to Oli Harbottle of Dogwoof Pictures
A look at the inner-workings of the successful distribution company, Dogwoof Pictures.
December 9th, 2008 | Nikki Chase
Dogwoof Pictures, a London-based distribution company, is experimenting with modes of distribution with Dogwoof Indie, which allows filmmakers to keep the rights to their film. Dogwoof is currently celebrating their most recent Dogwoof Indie release from filmmaker Franny Armstrong, The Age of Stupid (view the trailer here), starring Pete Postlethewaite as a man in 2055 who looks back on old footage of 2008 and wonders why we didn't stop global warming when we still had the chance. The Independent's Nikki Chase picks the brain of Dogwood release coordinator, Oli Harbottle, to get the scoop on this thriving distribution company.
Already a successful London-based distribution company, Dogwoof has launched its own DVD store, an independent distribution site called Dogwoof Indie (which allows filmmakers to keep all rights to their film), and Dogwoof TV, a platform that brings independent movies from the web to the television (in conjunction with blinkx BBTV).
Boom or Bust: The Cinema Guild's Ryan Krivoshey
Cinema Guild director of distribution, Ryan Krivoshey talks with the Independent about the evolution of independent film distribution
September 1st, 2008 | Jericho Parms
Ryan Krivoshey, the Cinema Guild's director of distribution, talks with The Independent about the evolution of independent film distribution, how the perception of the documentary has evolved since 9-11 and how Internet distribution has had an impact on the way films are seen.
Much has changed since 1968 when Philip and Mary-Ann Hobel created The Cinema Guild and television was the niche market for all things educational.
Case Study No. 3: "On Broadway"
Actor and producer Lance Greene talks about self-distributing "On Broadway" starring Joey McIntyre
April 8th, 2008 | Lynn Tryba
On Broadway, a movie about a working-class Bostonian’s attempt to stage a play in the back of an Irish pub, has received such a good response from film festival audiences around the country that the producers decided to self-release the film in Boston last month.
Case Study No. 2: "Buddy"
Filmmaker Cherry Arnold discusses self-distributing "Buddy," a documentary on Providence mayor Buddy Cianci
April 8th, 2008 | Lynn Tryba
Cherry Arnold didn’t know what she was in for when she started filming Buddy: The Rise and Fall of America’s Most Notorious Mayor. “If I had known all the work involved…,” Arnold says. “Pure ignorance kept me going. I underestimated by months at a time how long each step would take.”
Case Study No. 1: "The Sensation of Sight"
Filmmaker Buzz McLaughlin was so adept at self distribution, that he eventually caught the eye of a traditional distributor
April 8th, 2008 | Lynn Tryba
It’s no wonder Buzz McLaughlin feels some pride and relief. His New Hampshire-based film production company, Either/Or Films, just signed a distribution deal for its first movie, The Sensation of Sight, during the last week of March.
Adventures in Self Distribution: Three Case Studies
Three filmmakers talk about their experiences distributing their films themselves
April 8th, 2008 | Lynn TrybaUnless you get your film into the very top festivals like Sundance, Toronto, or Cannes, you'll probably have a hard time attracting interest from an established distributor. So how can you get your film in front of audiences? The makers of three successful indies—The Sensation of Sight, Buddy, and On Broadway (pictured)—chose to self-distribute. As The Independent's Lynn Tryba reports, this grassroots approach is hard work and there's no sure payoff. But self-distribution can work beautifully—turning a small film into a word-of-mouth phenomenon. Part 4 of our special report on distribution.
Long after they wrap their films, independent filmmakers struggle to get their projects seen by as many people as possible. A distribution deal with a mainstream distribution company is, of course, the Holy Grail. And in the quest for a deal, a filmmaker's family ties will often get strained, their bank accounts will dwindle, and their stress level will surge.
Download This: The Future of Distribution is Just a Click Away
A selection of internet distribution venues -- Movieflix.com, EZTakes.com, Jaman.com, and FilmOn.com
March 27th, 2008 | Michele Meek
If Hollywood is slow to make the leap online, independents are even more hesitant, fearing the gradual (or dramatic) shaving of their profit margins, which are low to begin with. What is the future of Internet film distribution? The Independent's Michele Meek takes a look the upstarts who are changing the way the distribution game is played, including Movieflix, EZTakes, Jaman, FilmOn, and, yes, Google Video.
Video blogs, vodcasts, YouTube -- in many ways it seems that independent filmmakers have taken the internet by force. But what about independent films picked up for distribution? In many cases, they are notably missing from the online arena. Companies like Zipporah Films, Women Make Movies and Davidson Films still stick with their tried-and-true model of
The DVD Isn't Dead... At Least Not Yet
Patrick Kwiatkowski, CEO of indie distributor Microcinema, makes a case for DVDs
March 27th, 2008 | Erin Trahan
The future of film distribution is all about downloading, and the DVD is poised for extinction, right? Not so fast says Patrick Kwiatkowski, the founder of Microcinema, a company that distributes independent features and shorts. He notes that independent filmmakers always struggle to make money, but that they have a better chance of making a few bucks from DVD sales than they do from downloads. Kwiatkowski recently spoke with The Independent's Erin Trahan, for Part 2 in our special report on independent-film distribution.
With a call for shorts for Independent Exposure 2008 open through the end of the month, The Independent wanted to talk strictly shorts with Microcinema’s founder, Patrick Kwiatkowski.
Distributor Q&A: Wolfe Releasing
How one of the oldest and largest distributors of LGBT films stays on top of an ever-changing industry
January 3rd, 2008 | Michele Meek
In the 23 years that Wolfe Releasing has been in business, LGBT cinema has flourished, moving beyond a cult following and entering the mainstream culture. And with
that, Wolfe's focus has shifted towards representing new award-winning LGBT
films from around the world, as well as rescuing classic lesbian and gay films
from oblivion. The Independent recently caught up with Wolfe executive Jenni Olson.
A lot has changed since 1985, when Kathy Wolfe started Wolfe Releasing in order to distribute lesbian films on video. For one thing, 20 years ago, the acronym LGBT—which stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender—didn't even exist.
Understanding the School Market: From Astronomy to STDs
The Independent's popular Distributor FAQ series returns with an interview with Joan Hartogs, the co-founder of Landmark Media
December 1st, 2007 | Katelyn Harding
The Independent's popular Distributor FAQ series returns. This month, The Independent's Katelyn Harding talk to Joan Hartogs, the co-founder of Landmark Media, based in Virginia, which distributes educational children's movies to schools and libraries. Among their recent titles: Animals A-Z about wildlife and Heads Up, a film about (you guessed it) the laws of gravity.
Running a family business. Keeping children’s education first. Staying independent through increased corporate consolidation amidst a radical overhaul of the way film and video is distributed. Given all of that idealism, it may seem that educational film and video distributor Landmark Media has its work cut out for it.
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