Went to an IFP24 Market orientation meeting tonight. This doesn't mean Souvenir's been selected for the market yet; it was a Q&A session for filmmakers hoping to participate in the Market. Here are the bullet points, primarily as they relate to Souvenir:
In the section Souvenir's entered, they'll select 15 shorts from probably 2-300 submitted.
The major prospects for a short film are pretty clear, and the Market is useful for at least the first two (in order of priority to me): first phase of a feature/series; calling card; and acquisition/distribution target.
To wit, focus more attention on film festival programmers and production companies than on distributors and buyers.
Be prepared to discuss the next project, whether it's expanding the short into a feature or directing another script (both)
Also, focus efforts not only on the short term (hook me up!), but on the long-term as well. (It's a relationship business, after all.)
Spend wisely (i.e., not that much) on glossy press kits, promo gear, etc. for industry people. They don't really care; they're looking for and at product, the talent; not the peripheral crap. (But what about all those muffin baskets I've been sending out?) Save the glossy promo material for the fundraising.
LOLOL. Jon Stewart just said, "We're Oldie McOldington," on The Daily Show. And now Rupert Everett's tearing France a new one. Heh. He's funny.
Of course, as soon as I started this entry, I turned on IFC and Ridicule was on, so I had to watch it. It's by Patrice Leconte, and it is a rippingly funny, smart movie about the court of Louis XIV, where wit was the coin of the realm, so to speak. Here's Roger Ebert's review.
