Mar 5, 2013

The Big Question How to make money with short films

If you read only one article on short film distribution this month, read this one from Short of the Week. Written by filmmaker Ivan Kander, the article is ostensibly about changes in short film distribution, but it also includes a sharp critique of short film distributor Shorts International.

No one denies that Shorts International works for a handful of high-profile short films, such as those nominated for Academy Awards, but as the article makes clear, their model simply does not work for the average animated filmmaker. Their business model may have been appropriate five years ago, but as of 2013, they are an anachronism in the short film industry. They take too many rights for the limited financial rewards and exposure they offer in return.

Solutions exist, but companies in the short film community have been slow to implement them. The latter is a major source of income for established independent animators like Don Hertzfeldt and Bill Plympton.

Vimeo, by virtue of its visibility and user base, is perhaps in the best position to significantly influence the film distribution game. Their recent introduction of a "tip jar" was a step in the right direction, but what I would really like to see them do is introduce a micropayment system. For example, Vimeo filmmakers could charge 5 cents per view. As a viewer, I buy a $5 credit from Vimeo, and every time I watch a movie that requires payment, the site automatically debits 5 cents from my account. Vimeo could charge 10% for this service (that's half the price for a 5 cent movie). 500,000 movies at 5 cents a piece. views, the filmmaker would earn $22,500 and Vimeo would earn $2,500. Add in 25-cent downloads, and you instantly have a more effective model for short filmmakers than the Short International, iTunes, and YouTube partner programs combined.

(Money sucking rich man photo via Shutterstock) [9]