Laura I can only speak in general terms. Dance films do tend to do well and have an established niche. I think many filmmakers want to try to distribute their films directly and bypass "established" distribution. Going through a regular distributor means they will theoretically give up half or more of the "gross" but it also means they will get into the more well known ways to get a film out there. In general most distribution companies for this type of film do not pay much if any "advance" and so I have seen many filmmakers or producers want to go the Kickstarter route ( which actually may also end up with regular distribution). I am not taking sides on this as there are trade offs but I know of many films where offers were in fact made for distribution but then the impression was left that the film could not get "distribution"
Despite what many folks ( mostly outside of the film business) say is some kind of golden age for people to make and distribute films on their own as well as independent films in general . in fact it is more difficult than ever in many ways particularly in the educational market due to smaller budgets, fewer companies and an increasing desire for films to be on large collection platforms which are frankly not a good deal for filmmakers. Again I think dance films have a very healthy niche in both theatrical and educational market but they are going to suffer from the same distribution issues noted above as most documentaries. PS I have watched a film recently about one the worlds most well known choreographers and here the producers are just waiting for the best offer which is understandable so there is lag time between completion and distribution even on "commercial" dance films. Jessica On Wed, Mar 2, 2016 at 9:03 AM, Laura Jenemann <ljene...@gmu.edu> wrote: > Hello, > > > > As some of you know, one of the reasons that I love being a media > librarian is because I love dance. Not only is the audiovisual medium > critical to capturing dance, but understanding how the human form moves has > been a part of cinema history since…well, a long time, from what I can tell. > > > > I’ve been researching a lot of great looking dance films lately: winners > of San Francisco Dance Film Festival, Dance on Camera, and others. What > surprises me is how few of these films seem to have distribution. While I > have seen many films on dance as a video reviewer, the films submitted for > review aren’t always the same as those winning the awards at the festivals. > > > > I’m particularly surprised that one film about a very famous choreographer > I first learned of years ago is running an Indiegogo campaign for DVD/VOD > distribution. I would think that this film would have broad interest to > those outside of the dance community, given that the choreographer has > worked with Michael Jackson. > > > > I’m simply curious and hoping to learn: > > Why do many award-winning dance films lack distribution, while others > don’t? Is it because dance is a niche interest? Or are there other > reasons? > > > > I look forward to hearing your thoughts and creative ideas. > > > > Regards, > > Laura > > > > Laura Jenemann > > Media, Film Studies, and Dance Librarian > > George Mason University > > 703-993-7593 > > ljene...@gmu.edu > > > > VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of > issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic > control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in > libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as > an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of > communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video > producers and distributors. > > -- Jessica Rosner Media Consultant 224-545-3897 (cell) 212-627-1785 (land line) jessicapros...@gmail.com
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
