5 answers
Wyatt
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
5
Questions
Asked
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How do I get a movie in theaters?
How do I get a movie in theaters?
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5 answers
Matt MacLennan
Screenwriter
3
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Matt’s Answer
Hey, Wyatt.
It depends how you define "your movie".
If you mean a movie that you have written or directed or acted in or produced, then you have two options:
1) You do whatever your creative job is (writing, for example) for a studio that produces the film. Once it's produced, they can sell the rights to show it to a movie theatre or streaming service. Then those places show the movie to an audience.
2) You make your own movie independently of any studio and then you sell it to a studio after it's done. You do everything - hiring crew/cast, finding a director or writers, etc. You get all the creative control of the project, but you have to find the budget to make it on your own. Typically, these are low/no budget films that catch the eye of major studios when the films are shown in prominent film festivals. The ones that get huge buzz at festivals usually get sold for a lot of money.
For example, "The Blair Witch Project" was made for 60,000 US dollars. Artisan Entertainment bought the rights to show it for 1.1 million dollars. It went on to make over $140 million domestically and over $248 million worldwide.
You can find documentaries about how film/television series are made. Or documentaries about specific aspects of filmmaking. There are also lots of books on the subject as well.
Do research via watching interviews on YouTube and other sources - either "The making of" videos or videos by people who work in the film industry.
Watch documentaries and research people in the entertainment industry.
Research which studios make which movies and which movies have been sold because they were shown at festivals.
It depends how you define "your movie".
If you mean a movie that you have written or directed or acted in or produced, then you have two options:
1) You do whatever your creative job is (writing, for example) for a studio that produces the film. Once it's produced, they can sell the rights to show it to a movie theatre or streaming service. Then those places show the movie to an audience.
2) You make your own movie independently of any studio and then you sell it to a studio after it's done. You do everything - hiring crew/cast, finding a director or writers, etc. You get all the creative control of the project, but you have to find the budget to make it on your own. Typically, these are low/no budget films that catch the eye of major studios when the films are shown in prominent film festivals. The ones that get huge buzz at festivals usually get sold for a lot of money.
For example, "The Blair Witch Project" was made for 60,000 US dollars. Artisan Entertainment bought the rights to show it for 1.1 million dollars. It went on to make over $140 million domestically and over $248 million worldwide.
Matt recommends the following next steps:
Richard Tracy - IMBA
Sales
17
Answers
Batavia, Illinois
Updated
Richard’s Answer
This is relatively straightforward because it's the same advice from anything.
Go find someone who's had a movie become so successful that it was available in the theaters and asked them how they did it.
Question you need to ask yourself is how you're going to find that person and get them to talk to you?
My advice for that question is to find someone doing a local Movie production and go participate in a few of those which will help you learn more about the industry and that will be your way in.
Whenever you see something being filmed go try and be a volunteer maybe you can just help clean up afterwards and get to know people that way.
If you go to production company's websites you can find out about upcoming film shoots because actors have to do tryouts for films so that's all happening far in advance of any actual filming so the way you get into it is you identify where people are trying to capture roles and then follow that thread to the actual production and go spend time on some sets.
If you do all that and you like being on those sets so much that you're willing to hang around and pick up trash just to be seen then the people there will recognize you and that will be your way in.
Go find someone who's had a movie become so successful that it was available in the theaters and asked them how they did it.
Question you need to ask yourself is how you're going to find that person and get them to talk to you?
My advice for that question is to find someone doing a local Movie production and go participate in a few of those which will help you learn more about the industry and that will be your way in.
Whenever you see something being filmed go try and be a volunteer maybe you can just help clean up afterwards and get to know people that way.
If you go to production company's websites you can find out about upcoming film shoots because actors have to do tryouts for films so that's all happening far in advance of any actual filming so the way you get into it is you identify where people are trying to capture roles and then follow that thread to the actual production and go spend time on some sets.
If you do all that and you like being on those sets so much that you're willing to hang around and pick up trash just to be seen then the people there will recognize you and that will be your way in.
Steve Jacobson
Creative Leader/Content Creator/Producer/Editor/Storyteller
51
Answers
Westlake Village, California
Updated
Steve’s Answer
Thinking about showcasing your movie in a theater? If you've got a film ready for distribution, reach out to agents who specialize in this. There's a chance that movie studios might be interested in independent films like yours. Yes, the journey to make this happen can be long, challenging, and at times, frustrating. But remember, if your movie holds something unique and valuable, similar to Blair Witch, studios will recognize that and distribute it. The key is to find a representative or agent to negotiate the deal with the distribution company, also known as the movie studio.
In today's digital era, consider having your independent movie featured on a streaming service. You'll still need a representative, but the process might be slightly more manageable. Plus, platforms like Amazon Prime allow you to upload your movie, rent it to viewers, and potentially earn some revenue. The challenge here is promoting it so that people know it's available to watch. I recently finished an independent feature-length documentary titled THE ALBUM with a friend, which was his passion project. We succeeded in selling it to three markets in Europe, and it's now available on Amazon Prime.
If you have a smaller film that you simply want to be seen in a theater, consider submitting it to film festivals. If it gets selected, it can gain some recognition. THE ALBUM, for instance, has been screened in theaters nationwide thanks to these festivals.
Wishing you all the best on your filmmaking journey!
In today's digital era, consider having your independent movie featured on a streaming service. You'll still need a representative, but the process might be slightly more manageable. Plus, platforms like Amazon Prime allow you to upload your movie, rent it to viewers, and potentially earn some revenue. The challenge here is promoting it so that people know it's available to watch. I recently finished an independent feature-length documentary titled THE ALBUM with a friend, which was his passion project. We succeeded in selling it to three markets in Europe, and it's now available on Amazon Prime.
If you have a smaller film that you simply want to be seen in a theater, consider submitting it to film festivals. If it gets selected, it can gain some recognition. THE ALBUM, for instance, has been screened in theaters nationwide thanks to these festivals.
Wishing you all the best on your filmmaking journey!
Deborah Unger
Actor/writer
11
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Deborah’s Answer
Have you made a movie? If not, make one! You can start small. Lots of people learn their craft by making short films. You can then enter the finished short film into film festivals. Or find an organization that needs some entertainment and offer your film. Or to other schools. Encouraging the arts is a great thing.
Taking the above steps will help you to move closer and closer to your goal of getting your movie into a theatre. Do the work, and it can happen.
Taking the above steps will help you to move closer and closer to your goal of getting your movie into a theatre. Do the work, and it can happen.
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1879
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Wyatt !
There is so much information about what you are asking that it would not fit on this page. I am going to refer you to some information that I think would help you understand the process of getting a film into theatres. Although the links below may be helpful, there's a lot more information you will probably want. My best advice would be to see if you can meet with your local college's dean of the Film Department or a nearby Film School. Have your questions ready.
I would also advise to double check with the city, county or town hall in the area in which you want to show the film, just to go over any local criteria involved. Also see: HOW MUCH IS IT TO GET A LICENSE TO SHOW MY MOVIE -https://videolibrarian.com/articles/essays/how-much-is-a-license-to-show-movies-in-public/ AND MOVIE LICENSING https://insaneimpact.com/movie-licensing/ .
I hope that this has been of some help, but if you go to Film School you will learn all the ins and outs in an organized way.
Wishing you all the best !
DISTRIBUTION https://topsheet.io/blog/complete-guide-to-film-distribution
HOW TO PITCH A MOVIE https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-pitch-a-movie
HOW TO START A FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY https://howtostartanllc.com/business-ideas/film-production
PLACES TO SHOW YOUR SHORT FILM https://www.thefilmfund.co/12-ways-to-get-your-short-film-seen/
GETTING A LICENSE TO SHOW YOUR MOVIE IN A THEATRE https://smallbusiness.chron.com/obtain-license-show-movies-private-theater-21924.html
There is so much information about what you are asking that it would not fit on this page. I am going to refer you to some information that I think would help you understand the process of getting a film into theatres. Although the links below may be helpful, there's a lot more information you will probably want. My best advice would be to see if you can meet with your local college's dean of the Film Department or a nearby Film School. Have your questions ready.
I would also advise to double check with the city, county or town hall in the area in which you want to show the film, just to go over any local criteria involved. Also see: HOW MUCH IS IT TO GET A LICENSE TO SHOW MY MOVIE -https://videolibrarian.com/articles/essays/how-much-is-a-license-to-show-movies-in-public/ AND MOVIE LICENSING https://insaneimpact.com/movie-licensing/ .
I hope that this has been of some help, but if you go to Film School you will learn all the ins and outs in an organized way.
Wishing you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps: