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Creating a film
is a very long and arduous process that requires months if not years of
planning, networking, selling, and backbreaking work. Once in a while, a
talented filmmaker comes across an interesting and engaging script, is able to
raise the funds to film through family and friends, and produces a well-made
movie with new and cost effective technology. A great film is in the works, but
what comes next? How does a talented filmmaker with a great cast and crew generate
interest in their masterpiece?
Facebook has been
a social staple for many years as a source for connecting lost friends, posting
pictures of newborns and dogs alike, and a venue for checking up on former
flames. Twitter on the other hand has emerged as a tool for businesses,
projects and individuals to establish a brand and to connect to a vast audience.
For filmmakers, Twitter has become a necessary platform for funding, marketing,
advertising, and distributing movies.
According to DSLR Filmmaker, Twitter has allowed filmmakers the opportunity to break free
from the confines of major motion picture studios and exhibit more control over
their projects. It is a free and far reaching method of attracting a large
following for a film. By creating networks and engaging audiences and industry
professionals, an independent film can reach far beyond a few followers to make
a substantial impact in the market.
The topic of
Twitter as the newest filmmaking trend was the subject of a 2013 Sundance Film
Festival panel. The website SocialTimes reported on the event,
relaying the success that filmmakers have found in utilizing the social media
platform. From promoting their films to even finding distributors outside the
festival arena, Twitter has proved to be a lucrative piece in the filmmaking
process. Using what Ava DuVernay has coined as a “riches in niches” mentality,
fellow filmmakers have found marketing success in tweeting free soundtrack downloads,
contests, and chat sessions with casts and crews. DuVernay also shared her personal
twist of Twitter fate when queen of endorsements, Oprah Winfrey, tweeted about the filmmaker’s project, Middle of
Nowhere, to her more than 18 million followers after sending her the film.
Thom Powers of Stranger Than Fiction compiled a “Top 10 Twitter Tips for Filmmakers”.
His suggestions are simple and easy to implement for even the most novice
social media users. His tips range from making a memorable Twitter name with a
professional profile to utilizing hash tags, retweets and scheduled tweets to
make the most of the platform. The critically important message across the board is to take advantage of the connections to
industry professionals and audiences that are at a filmmaker’s “virtual
fingertips”. This forum brings the most influential individuals in any industry
together and makes them accessible to anyone. Making contact and establishing
relationships can open doors and transition a film from amateur to mainstream
at a limited cost financially.
As a soon-to-be
graduate of the Entertainment Business Masters of Science program from Full
Sail University, I have researched the effects of social media on successful
film production marketing campaigns. I have discovered that in reality, Twitter
is just one piece in a complete film marketing and promotion strategy, but it
has become a vital component. Audiences are changing the way they view and
connect with movies and expect to have the entire filmmaking experience at
their fingertips. Adding Twitter to a film marketing strategy is not only
beneficial, but is expected in the current market and can assist in projecting
a film onto the big screen.
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