The BRUTAL Truth About Indie Film Distribution | John Kim

Want PROFESSIONAL SCREENPLAY COVERAGE to Make Your Script Stronger? 👉 https://covermyscreenplay.com Want to Learn How to MAKE MONEY With Your Indie Film? 👉 http://www.filmbizbook.com Subscribe to my YouTube Channel! ➡️ https://www.indiefilmhustle.com/youtube ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The indie film distribution business has changed dramatically, but too many filmmakers are still building their movies around a marketplace that no longer exists. In this conversation, veteran film sales and distribution executive John Kim breaks down the realities filmmakers need to understand before spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on an independent movie. After decades in the business, including time at Paramount, Disney, independent distribution, and eventually building his own operation, John offers a distributor’s perspective on star power, budgets, Netflix, Amazon, TVOD, AVOD, Tubi, film festivals, marketing, key art, trailers, and why simply making a good movie does not guarantee anyone will watch it. We also dig into dangerous distribution contracts, marketing caps, long-term agreements, filmmaker expectations, the value of recognizable actors, and why filmmakers should think about distribution before production begins. John explains why making the cheapest possible version of your movie can sometimes be the smartest strategy, why your thumbnail and trailer matter enormously in an overcrowded marketplace, and why AVOD and YouTube were becoming increasingly important distribution opportunities. This is a candid look at the business side of filmmaking—and a reminder that understanding your audience and marketplace can be just as important as making the movie itself. Timecodes: 0:00 - Episode Teaser 01:36 – Distribution Reality 03:40 – Riches to Rags 09:14 – The $250K Problem 18:05 – Build Your Career 24:50 – TVOD Is Changing 32:58 – Why Stars Matter 39:34 – Spending on Talent 47:24 – The Netflix Myth 51:44 – Amazon Reality 54:04 – Leave Ego Behind 58:46 – Distribution Horror Stories 1:01:41 – Dangerous Film Contracts 1:15:12 – Make It Cheap 1:26:44 – Film Festival Value 1:42:09 – YouTube Is Next For links to today's guest - click below: 👉 https://indiefilmhustle.com/john-kim/ ==================================================================== Want to Know How I Almost Made a $20 MILLION Movie With the MAFIA? Read Shooting for the Mob — My Insane True Filmmaking Story ➡️ https://amzn.to/2T23HK3 ==================================================================== You can listen to my podcast on any platform! iTunes: http://apple.co/1PrGesV Sticher: http://bit.ly/2SWJBAN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2SQrsUm Sound Cloud:https://spoti.fi/2Nwstfq Need more filmmaking inspiration? Check out my book Shooting for the Mob (Based on the Incredible True Filmmaking Story) ➡️ https://amzn.to/2T23HK3 #JohnKim #filmdistribution #indiefilm #independentfilmmaking #filmmaking #filmmarketing #indiefilmhustle