The Business of Filmmaking: Building a Business and Networking Strategies in the Movie Industry

Front Cover
Maria Johnsen, Mar 13, 2023 - Art - 440 pages

The business of filmmaking is a multifaceted and intricate industry that encompasses various aspects such as production, distribution, and marketing. Success in this field requires a combination of talent, creativity, and business acumen. Filmmakers must possess a thorough understanding of the market, identifying trends and opportunities to capitalize on. Additionally, they must adeptly manage budgets, negotiate deals, and foster relationships with investors, distributors, and other industry stakeholders.

Recent years have witnessed significant transformations in the film industry due to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology and the surge of streaming services. While traditional movie theaters retain their importance, an increasing number of viewers now prefer online or mobile platforms for film consumption. Consequently, filmmakers must adapt to these evolving trends and find innovative ways to engage with audiences.

My goal in writing this book is to raise awareness about film marketing processes and the art of building a business and network within the film industry. Unfortunately, colleges and universities often neglect these critical aspects, with the majority of lectures and programs focusing solely on the technicalities of filmmaking. Merely obtaining a master's degree in film production is insufficient for success in this field. To thrive in filmmaking, like any other business, one must cultivate relationships with various stakeholders, ranging from cast and crew to sales agents, distributors, exhibitors, lawyers, and publicists.

This book is not another typical guide to filmmaking. Instead, I delve into the essential elements of building a successful business in the movie industry, emphasizing the impact of artificial intelligence on different aspects of the filmmaking process. Furthermore, I discuss strategies for increasing the value of one's film, such as hiring A-list actors for low-budget projects and more.

 

Selected pages

Contents

Building a Strong Relationship with Film Distributors
312
Developing a Successful Film Franchise
320
Crafting an Effective Film Pitch Deck
329
Building an Online Presence for Your Film
333
Working with Film Composers and Sound Designers
337
Building a Strong Relationship with Award Shows
341
The Importance of Film Research and Analysis
344
Creating a Memorable Film Tagline
348

Building Relationships with Key Players in the Film Industry 21
104
Navigating the World of Film Investors 8 1 Understand the types of film investors
116
Navigating the Challenges of Film Production Chapter 30 Overcoming Obstacles and Staying Focused on Your Vision
129
Understanding the Role of Film Festivals in the Industry
136
Creating an Effective Film Marketing Strategy Chapter 35 Utilizing Film Trailers and Teasers for Promotion
145
Planning a Successful Film Premiere
157
Navigating the Complexities of Film Ratings
169
Developing a Successful Film Merchandising Strategy
178
Building a Strong Brand Identity for Your Film Company
191
Working with Location Scouts and Set Designers
205
Utilizing Special Effects and CGI in Your Film
220
Building a Strong Relationship with Film Investors
235
Chapter 53 The Role of Film Distribution Companies in the Industry Chapter 54 The Importance of Audience Feedback in Film Production
249
Building a Strong Online Community for Your Film
264
Creating a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign
268
Developing a Successful Film Distribution Strategy
276
Managing Film Production Risks and Insurance
285
Understanding the Role of Film Festivals
294
The Role of Film Awards and Recognition in the Industry
303
Understanding the Role of Film Producers in the Industry
351
Managing Film Distribution Costs
361
Navigating the Complexities of International Film Distribution
365
Developing a Successful Film Marketing Campaign
369
Creating a Compelling Film Logline
373
Working with Film Directors and Producers
376
Building a Strong Relationship with Film Buyers
380
Using Social Media to Connect with Your Audience Chapter 20 Engaging with Film Festivals and Distribution Platforms
384
Understanding Film Contracts and Negotiations
388
Working with Film Editors and PostProduction Professionals
392
Crafting a Strong Film Treatment
396
Identifying and Targeting Your Films Key Audience
400
Building Buzz for Your Film Through Social Media Marketing
404
The Recent Technological Advancements in Film
408
Artificial Intelligence in Film Production
411
Implications for the Future of Film
413
About The Author
415
BIBLIOGRAPHY
417
Copyright

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About the author (2023)


Maria Johnsen is a film and television writer, director and producer. She has published 43 fiction and nonfiction books, which are on sale in bookstores and online. Some of her non-fiction books are academic and educational materials on post graduate level at universities in North America and Europe such as: “The Business of Filmmaking: Building a Business and Networking Strategies in the Movie Industry”, “The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Digital Marketing: The next big technological break”, “Blockchain in Digital Marketing: A New Paradigm of Trust”, “Multilingual Digital Marketing: Managing for Excellence in Online Marketing”,” Sales in The Age Of Intelligent Web”. Maria has also written books in German, French and Dutch Languages.

Maria runs Golden Way Media Films a production and development company in London, UK.

Maria Johnsen is also director and founder of Golden Way Media an award winning multilingual digital marketing company in Norway. In 2016, she was ranked #6 digital marketing influencer in the world by Onalytica Company who runs Influencer Relationship Management (IRM) solution in the UK and U.S.A. She was also ranked among top 100 global artificial intelligence A.I. and Fintech influencer by the same company.

Maria Johnsen holds a degree in political economy, Beauty Arts from Sorbonne University in Paris, BA in Information technology, BA in informatics, Master of Science degree in Computer Engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Johnsen graduated from Royal Holloway University of London, where she received an M.A., in Film Production, with an emphasis in Writing, Directing and Producing Film and TV.

In 2019 Maria received The International Star Award for quality leadership, innovation and excellence. The convention was held in Geneva, Switzerland.

Maria wrote, directed and produced successful films which are streaming on Amazon Prime in North America, UK and Japan. Maria ‘s short films are streaming on the following platforms in Australia, Canada, Mexico ,New Zealand, United States, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama via Tubi , It is streaming in Brazil nationwide.

Platforms to watch this film are: Roku, Fire TV, Android, iOS, Comcast, Samsung, Vizio, Web, Android TV, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Apple TV, Cox, Tivo, Telstra, Hisense, Rogers, Echoshow, Enseo.

Maria Johnsen’s films are streaming in 168 countries.

Maria has written 11 commercially viable screenplays in the following genres: Science Fiction, Drama, Horror, Crime, Fantasy, Action Thriller and Biopic which are in –pre-production.