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VSDA
Last Tuesday and Wednesday I went to the VSDA convention in
Vegas. You might be thinking to yourself:
What is VSDA? Well, the answer to the last question is no. I went out there
with my mom and sister who flew in from Florida. Thanks, you
two, for coming out. I had a really great time.
VSDA was originally for the Video Software Dealers of America
which at first meant mom and pop rental chains or other buyers
of the home video maket. Video stores would venture into
booths for different distribution companies and buy films out
of their catalogues for their stores. It was also a gathering
place to hear about new ideas and products for the home video
market. Over the years the majors have taken over like
Blockbuster and Hollywood Video, so now the convention has
changed. Today the market includes an Indie Fest and a more
generalized approach to pull in an larger audience to the
convention.
This convention matters to me as a filmmaker because I like
to learn the trends of the video distribution market. It's
also a great way to get all the distribution companies in one
hotel for 200 bucks. How many times have you sent screeners
to distribution companies to never hear anything back? Even
after several follow-up calls. This convention starts a face
to face relationship. However, it's not with an acquisitions
person. The people from the distribution companies who attend
are the sales reps. Some of these smaller straight-to-video
companies work very closely with each other so it was cool to
meet the reps who might one day be selling my movie.
At VSDA you really can't find money. Anything is possible but
it's not that type of convention. When I got back, a buddy of
mine said he heard a rumor that I found an investor for a
100K. Not likely unless I buddied up to someone who was
winning a lot of money at the craps table.
My questions were answered in this convention. What is all
this hype about VSDA for and is it better for me as a filmmaker than the American Film Market (AFM)? Like I said before,
VSDA was a great way just to meet people and learn how the
sales reps are pushing their current content.
I had a list of people I wanted to see which I feel are in the
realistic realm of my films production value:
There were a few others that I can't remember off the top of
my head. All I had with me was the opening 6 minutes of our
movie. The convention is set up in floors. Imagine a huge
hotel and going up to say, floor 28. On that floor you need a
pass to walk in the hotel hallway to the suites. The suite
doors are open and you walk into a suite run by Think Films,
Baker and Taylor, or even Paramount. When you walk in you sit
down with the sales reps, take screeners, or learn about their
current content.
On a side note, at this point I didn't really feel it
necessary to walk into any of the majors. When the film is
completed I would have a rep take it to a bigger company.
I was asked the question, "If I only had one chance to go to
one of these film markets which one should I go to as a film
maker?" If your goal focused on domestic distribution I would
say the American Film Market over VSDA. AFM has more
filmmaker seminars and is geared more to selling films. Also take
note that AFM is located in Santa Monica and a lot of people
just show up 'cause it's a cool place to be. However, AFM is a
little bit more pricey.
Like I said before, VSDA is cool to learn how movies are sold
and to learn trends. Also, I got some tips from the different
sales reps on how their acquisitions people like to be
solicited.
Usually, us indie filmmakers only have X amount of dollars to
make a film. Typically, X isn't very much money either. We
have to maximize our spending with the little money we have,
but still let people we know exist. I heard over and over
again at VSDA that it's a buyers market. If I am not willing
to make the deal then the distribution company has 9 other
films just like it. By starting personal relationships, which
leads to a comfort level for the buyer, I think ups my chances.
Some Quick Notes: Last Friday I heard I was on two TV shows. MTV's Yo Mamma and
Court TV's LA Forensics. I actually got a chance to work on
the MTV show 5 different days. It was some quick, cheap cash!
The other show, LA Forensics, I worked on two days as a cop.
The episode I was in, called "Super Print", will re-air again on
Wednesday the 19th at 10:30pm. I had some speaking lines in it
but they were cut down due to the voice-over nature of the
show.
Why does it matter to me as a filmmaker?
Can I find money for my movie there?
Mark, did you hook up with any hookers out there?
I saw a couple teasers for the new Rocky Balboa trailer. I am
super bias but it looks bad ass. I am really excited to see
that. Probably more so than any movie I can think of in years.
"My Middle Toe Is Longer Than Yours" is ©2006 by Mark Terry. Webpage design and all graphics herein (except where otherwise noted) are creations of Nolan B. Canova. All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2006 by Nolan B. Canova.