In the current issue of
Filmmaker we've got a piece on the non-theatrical release strategy of 2005 Sundance entry
Love, Ludlow. I've met the film's writer and executive producer David Paterson on a couple of occasions, and he's one of the more colorful and shameless (I meant that only in a good way) self promoters around. So I wasn't surprised to get another email from David updating me on the DVD release his film.
At the 2005 Gotham Awards, Caveh Zahedi urged indie filmmakers to consider the release of their film as just another phase in the film's creation. Paterson, given the sales numbers he mentions, seems to have taken Zahedi's advice and succeeded admirably.
This email was sent out to a number of prominent film journalists. (Paterson has since been hired to write the Disney/Walden film
Bridge to Terabithia.)
________
Okay guys,
Ya gotta toss me a bone now.
In it's first week of release, my little no nothing film was Number 1 on the straight to dvd release.
It gets better. Blockbuster, which has about 45% of the distribution Market, DOESNT carry my film.
That means I beat all the titles carried by blockbuster in the first week.
It gets better. Amazon.com has just RAISED the price of my DVD three dollars.
Unheard of for a unknown arthouse indie release.
So I'm beggin ya, pleading with you, if you haven't written about me yet, PLEASE do it now!!
I don't know how long I can break these records and create phenomonal sales without you guys.
I mean I will if I have to, but my arms are gettin tired.
My 20 million Disney film comes out next year, but I'm not worried about press on that one.
I NEED YOUR HELP NOW!
Respectfully,
David L. Paterson
"The hardest working Man on the periphery of Show Business."
________
# posted by Matthew Ross @ 2/26/2006 12:20:00 PM
Comments (4)
What does it mean "number one straight to DVD"? Based on what reporting? Rentrack?
For indie filmmakers, tracking ancillary markets is one of the toughest things, so it would be great if filmmakers like David could add more detail to letters like this just so everyone else can use it to understand the market better.
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posted by Scott Macaulay @ 2/26/2006 2:32 PM
It was the number one rental of all straight to video releases for the week of Jan 31-Feb 5th. This of course excludes any animated releases of the same week cause there's no way to out sell scooby doo or Krom and his special groove.
The info was relayed to me by my distributor, Polychrome. And Scott's question is a good one, cause if my distributor hadn't told me, I would never have known it.
D Paterson
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posted by David Paterson @ 2/26/2006 7:57 PM
Hey, Paterson. Congrats on the numbers, man! And good luck with the publicity.
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posted by Eric @ 2/27/2006 3:07 AM
You've gotta love Jay Patterson's (related to David?) performace in this. He's one of the best unsung character guys in the biz
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posted by @ 2/27/2006 9:36 AM
