A-Z of VOD Panel

Presented by Watchmedia, 19 May, 10:30-11:30, UK Pavilion  

Chair: Mike Gubbins, Film and Media Consultant

Speakers:

Peter Dutton, Co-founder, The Movie Partnership

Peter Gerard, CEO and Co-Founder, Distrify

Uri Levanon, Digital Consultant, Watchmedia

When your film is up against big names, such as Disney and Warner Bros, do you have the same chance to convince viewers to watch your film?

According to the speakers of the “A-Z of VOD” panel, the answer is yes.

“Figure out how to distribute publicity on your film,” said Uri Levanon, Digital Consultant for Watchmedia.

“You’ve got to tell your audience where they can get the film,” said Peter Gerard, CEO and Co-Founder of DIstrify.

“Get the world passionate about your film,” said Peter Dutton, Co-Founder of The Movie Partnership.

The panel advises producers to avoid exclusivity when possible. As Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu are taking over the Web, do niche sites have a chance of survival? Yes. However, it is important to be involved in both virtual monopolies, such as Apple and Netflix, as well as niche sites, such as sites dedicated to the horror genre.

The panel also urges producers to know your film type and the right time and place for it.

Additionally, according to the panel, make your film available in a lot of places. When your film is exclusive, it encourages pirates, who will find it somewhere else. Make a relationship with your audience, so wherever they discover your film, they can also discover a place to get it.

“It’s not rocket science, it’s pretty easy. You just have to get yourself out there,” said Levanon.

How do you set yourself apart?

“There’s always a demand for something new and innovative and creativity always wins,” said Levanon. 

Written by Lillian Schrock, Photo by Lillian Schrock