Has Apple confirmed indie film self-distribution?
March 8, 2008 | 2 Comments posted | Filed under AppleTV, Distribution, iTunes
The holy grail of rumor confirmation is often a company executives slip-of-the-tongue, or an inadvertent web site posting. One of our astute readers (thanks Aaron) led me to this section of the Apple website. Do these few words confirm that Apple will soon allow indie filmmakers to distribute and sell their wares on iTunes?
We have discussed the probability of indie film self-distribution through AppleTV on this blog and podcast before (see episode 6). Apple already has a program in place for indie musicians. They can simply fill out an application, submit their work for review, and upload MP3 files to the iTunes Music Store.
The program is currently for music only, which the site states several times. However, at one point the site mentions promoting “your music, TV show, or movie” right after the paragraph on submitting your content. (see image above. highlight added.)
The link in that sentence leads to the iTunes Affiliate Program, which allows anyone with a web site to post links to iTunes content, and receive a commission on a sale. For example, here’s a link to a cool Bob Dylan Album. Buy a song through this link and Apple will send me a nickel!
But the sentence uses the word “your” when referring to music and movies. Does it simply mean your favorite movie, or literally your movie. One might think the former were it not on a page all about uploading and selling your user-created content. The previous paragraph is titled “Submit your content” and this paragraph is titled “Market your content.”
Earlier this week, Apple started another program for indie devlopers to sell iPhone applications in a similar fashion, with one big difference. The developer sets the price. This is a unique option that Apple does not even offer major music publishers or film studios.
Are we soon to see a similar program for indie film producers? Even disregarding this little web clue, I think so and here is why.
But what do you think? Is this a slip up that confirms Apples future indie plans? Or is it just a oddly worded phrase into which I am reading way too much. Post your feedback in the comment section and let me know.
Ahh, the internet. There is no better place to over-analyze minutia.
Apple soon to distribute and sell indie productions.
March 7, 2008 | 5 Comments posted | Filed under AppleTV, Distribution, iTunes
A few weeks ago on the podcast, I postulated the possibility of selling your movie through Apple. I discussed the idea of low- to no-cost independent movie distribution via the iTunes Music Store, and suggested that this would happen someday soon.
Independent producers can’t currently sell movies in this way, but yesterday Apple took another step toward making this happen.
Steve Jobs and company announced that they will begin distributing and selling independently-produced applications for the iPhone in June of 2008. Anyone who can write a computer program will be able to sell it through their new App Store. It’s like the iTunes Music Sore for computer programs.
But here is how it significantly differs from the iTunes Store model, and why it is important to filmmakers. The iTunes Store only sells TV shows and movies from major film and television studios. The App Store will sell independently-produced content, at a price set by the producer. This pricing model is a first for Apple.
It will work like this. A programmer writes an app for the iPhone and submits it to Apple. Once it passes an internal review process, Apple posts it to the App Store where anyone can purchase it with a single click, right on their iPhone, iPod Touch or computer.
Although these are not movies or video, take note of the way they are approaching the business plan and compensation, because I feel quite certain that we will soon see a similar model for video and film producers.
Apple handles the hosting, bandwidth, and credit card transactions at no cost to the developer. The developer sets the price of their program, and splits the sale with Apple 70 % to the developer, 30%. to Apple. There is a one-time nominal $99 fee to join their developer program, but other than the cut of the sale, there are no other costs or charges. This is really an amazing deal for developer and programmers.
I expect to see them create a similar deal soon for video and film producers, possibly later this year.
When this happens, it will be a game changer for indie filmmakers. The concept of stocking your movie on the same “virtual shelf” beside major Hollywood releases, with no manufacturing or distribution fees is quite unprecedented. Customers will purchase, or possibly rent, your movie with the click of a button. And Apples send you checks monthly.
Never before has this type of distribution power been available to the indie filmmaker.
Filmmaker One HD - Pemieres March 2008
February 9, 2008 | Comments? | Filed under AppleTV, HD, iTunes
Filmmaker One will soon launch a companion video show, Filmmaker One HD in March of 2008.
The new show will present supplementary video content to accompany the material presented in our audio show. For example, we will feature film clips, gear images and whatever else we think might enhance the show and the community.
The show will be produced and distributed in High-Definition video, and made available through iTunes, RSS, Apple TV and on the Filmmaker One web site.
More details to come as the show takes form. Have any ideas for the show? Let us know in the comment area.
Why Podcasting? Apple TV and digital self-distribution.
January 20, 2008 | 2 Comments posted | Filed under AppleTV, Distribution, Everett Rogers, MacWorld Expo 2008
Aspiring filmmakers take note. If you are not intimately familiar with the various digital distribution channels such as YouTube, RSS feeds, WordPress blogs, Social Networking sites and Podcasting, you need to become so quickly, and discover how to bend them to your will.
The independent digital-distribution landscape is quickly evolving from a hobbyist community of techno-geeks into a viable suit-and-tie business platform. This has happened in less than the 3-years of existence of the internet media know as the Podcast. Quite a speedy transition, even when compared to the the rapid rise of the VCR, which took 10 years to reach a “critical mass.”
Everett Rogers
All the above criteria and more have been met in one-third the time in the arena of podcasting. The critical mass moment has arguably passed for self-published digital distribution. Here are just a few quick points to consider:
- The iTunes Music store will feature your content right beside offerings from major film and television studios. The playing field could not be more level.
- The public is downloading well over 100,000,000 shows per month.
- This instant, worldwide distribution is available to anyone with some motivation, at little to no cost.
Almost all this content is free to the viewing public, but this does not mean that authors and content creators are doing all this out of the kindness of their hearts. There is serious money to be made here.
Current monetization models involve sponsorship, insert advertising or product placement, and new models are being experimented with every day. While most content creators attempting monetization are making little more than beer money, some serious independent producers are earning a living with their content.
The percentage of producers who have quit their day job is minuscule, but growing. I will talk more about financial models developing in this space in a future article, but my point is that now is the time for content developers like you to dive in and start experimenting.
One of the barriers to entry with podcast consumption has been the level of complexity in obtaining the content. Although relatively simple to computer-savvy consumers, the multi-step process could be compared to the early days of programming a video tape recorder.
In the ’70s, and well through the ’90s, it was commonplace to see a flashing 12:00AM on the front of most VCRs. Few viewers took the time to learn how to set the clock, much less programme the device to record a season of Three’s Company.
Fast-forward to 1999 when Tivo made time-shifting television a no-brainier. But wide-spread adoption of the DVR was still a half-decade away. Tivo’s first profitable quarter wasn’t until mid 2005.
In 2008 we are on the verge of a similar and accelerated version of the same. Although iTunes could be a bit friendlier when it comes to searching for shows, it is still the best (and worst) thing to have ever happen to podcasting. The proliferation of portable media devices has also helped. Filmmakers should be aware that all current iPod models can now play video. But the biggest boost may have come from Apple last week at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco.
Apple TV, their semi-successful set-top box, was revamped with some important new consumer friendly features:
- Movie rentals (SD and HD)
- Lower price
- No computer required
That last point is the key for widespread adoption. The previous version required syncing with a computer running iTunes. It worked, but was strictly for the early-adopter crowd. Now that AppleTV is a self-contained, easy to use, media machine, this is a space to watch closely.
But haven’t pay-per-view movies, digital downloads and podcasts been available before, in lots of other devices? Sure, but not in as comprehensive of a package. Not with the user interface, marketing power and aura of tech sheen that Apple brings to the table. It will be an interesting study to watch how Steve Jobs and company sell this hardware and consumer experience to the public when it officially ships a few weeks from now.
Our mission here at Filmmaker One is not only to help you through your movie making journey, but also help you understand what to do with it once it’s in the proverbial can.
Filmmakers - attention must be paid. This is part of your future.
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- Expanded Filmmaker One Show coming soon
- These guys won a prize, and so can you.
- Filmmaker One - episode #9 - The Screenplay - The Second 10 Pages
- Has Apple confirmed indie film self-distribution?
- Apple soon to distribute and sell indie productions.
- New Media Expo - Las Vegas
- Episode #8 - The Screenplay - The First 10 Pages
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