How Much Money Do Independent Movies Make? - J. Horton

[@filmcourage]

Subscribe to J. Horton's KZbin channel kzbin.info

[@albenjammin]

I'm so glad you interview all types and sizes of filmmakers.

[@ronineditor9920]

Exactly my struggle. I have $100K saved for a prove-it Indie that I wrote and will direct but I could only get mildly known actor and every distributor says they need bigger names. People say, "Just make it!" I want to but I also want to at least break even and I'm tired of the runaround with different producers.

[@interstellarbeatteller9306]

If you believe in the quality of your script & directing skills, then greenlight it and set a project start date. If no producers want to get involved then get people you trust to help. If you can raise a budget like that, then maybe you distribute & sell the movie yourself. ....Or write a script for a movie budgeted at 10k with the view to selling it for 20k & getting the attention of some more serious producers/distributers # El Mariachi style

[@VangelisFilms]

Update on this post? In my experience, cast bankability is relevant depending on the genre. You’d almost be best served to cast up-and-coming social media personalities with big followings and contractually obligate them to promote it, rather than try to get a name (possibly) affordable for a 100k film - ie the Danny Trejo’s and Michael Madson’s of the world. Also, the larger distributors will definitely look at a film’s stars since the names are what give a film an edge internationally. Several reputable smaller distributors will gladly take a good genre film with production value and no name talent.

[@Epilepticchefproductions]

Any movie is a gamble even studio level. If you don't want a risk maybe look for something else to do.

[@memesahoy79]

Whomever this J Horton guy is he sounds like he makes movies that make money.

[@chasedudley7403]

He is a Good Man

[@cobymarcum1442]

Real numbers! 🎉👏👏👏 Thank you!

[@TeacherRaf]

Thank you, J. 👍

[@roathripper]

shit, this guys been in the trenches, fair play to him.

[@justinwinkle1101]

Happy death day is one of the best films I have ever seen....I love that movie and want more...you are great bro..keep up the Dreamm..

[@Bfolks84]

Happy Death Day wasnt his movie…. his movie was called Death Day which the distributor changed the name to because Of its similarity to the first film.

[@chasehedges6775]

A successful movie entertains. A failure of a movie is disappointing.

[@VangelisFilms]

It’s really crazy how unpredictable the new model of distribution (re: streaming placement only) is for Indie films. Marketing certainly can help but doesn’t seem to really influence the platform’s algorithms. Plenty of films that do zero marketing that make great money and vise versa. Filmmakers aren’t really empowered to effectively market since there’s very little data as to where the money they ARE making is coming from. Tubi - for example - is in 5 different countries but does not make their whole catalog accessible in each. It’s very difficult to find out which countries it’s available in. Would be amazing if Tubi allowed filmmakers to buy special placement on the carousels for periods of time. Discoverability on that platform is another huge challenge. I’m determined to crack this indie-film-money-making nut and I appreciate the conversations this channel has!

[@osian3854]

I think Amazon Prime Video or Netflix should really open up their platform to indy content. I think that would really be a game changer for filmakers.

[@roathripper]

isn't that what youtube does by default?

[@VangelisFilms]

Another huge question I’ve debated with distributors is the release strategy. The traditional release window model seems to be ineffective for most low-budget indies. Seems like hitting the market at once on SVOD, TVOD and AVOD can allow a film to ride initial momentum into organic growth and reach via the algorithms. Would love to hear other’s thoughts on this.

[@Ayogenius67]

Thanks j

[@brandonm8479]

If I’ve missed some, please someone link them for me, but are there any Film Courage videos that discuss Brand Integration deals?

[@filmcourage]

Here are a few - kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4Ovk4tqdqqla7c - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYDCiIimrd2Ij9U - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIPSon-hgc-Abrc

[@filmcourage]

One more - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqPPYZuXhNF5rLM

[@yondie491]

The DISTRIBUTOR changed it to make it sound like an Asylum type intentional rip-off? yeah um... I'm going to go ahead and say that *MAY* have been part of why it failed so hard (in addition to the reasons you've listed).

[@jimthebob2696]

ask Asylum. They've made a whole industry and millions around that statagy.

[@yondie491]

@@jimthebob2696 hence the reference

[@gurpreetsinghaulakh481]

6:00 9:50

[@filmcourage]

What do you like about this video?

[@Hyplum]

Jay always keeps it real. Tom of knowledge especially in the indie space

[@ArronRouse]

Jason is like the lead character from a movie about making low-budget movies.

[@cobymarcum1442]

His humility. He doesn’t pretend to be someone that he’s not. He takes full ownership of his successes as much as he does his projects that didn’t do as well as he had hoped.

[@rainerbuechse6923]

He is a very likeable and open guy

[@laughingspider2199]

Real Numbers. Honest answers.

[@teachgold]

Ten-minute watch time isn't great. Great tag.

[@lowbudgetmic]

Self distribute like self publish... 😮