Is product placement worth an indie moviemaker’s time? Theresa Pickett explains how placement deals work and how to approach brands for your film.
Is product placement worth an indie moviemaker’s time? Placing brands in movies can be very appealing to some companies who want the appeal of their product to seem authentic. With video production taking more of a turn toward viral videos, companies receive regular requests from bloggers who create video reviews. Your film production can have appeal to companies hoping to reach a wider audience.
How Does Product Placement Work? You can secure funding for having a product in your movie. By showing a product in your movie in a positive way, your movie would attempt to make a statement to the audience that the product is worth purchasing. Since crowd funding is so popular today, receiving payment for having an item in your film may be worth the time.
Another approach to product placement would be to receive an item for free in exchange for putting it in your movie. Receiving an item for free can be worthwhile if you can get an item that you could use later. Get an item that you would have purchased anyway for free to practice wise budgeting practices.
How to Work with Companies to Do Product Placement
Contact the companies you want to work with directly. In your pitch email, include information about your qualifications as a moviemaker as well as a link to your website. Show links to any work you’ve done in the past. Your pitch should have as much data as you can include about the potential reach of your project. You could describe the amount of views your website gets, successful crowd funding campaigns, and the reach that your social media audience has. Companies want to work on projects that have the potential for a bigger reach.
When you’ve drafted a good, final draft of your pitch, create a spreadsheet where you can put the contact information for the PR professionals. There, you can make notes about the conversation you have. Some companies might have specific requests, so stay very organized, especially if you might work with more than one company during your production.
When capturing your scene, whether it is drama or comedy, when you are doing “Over the Shoulder” (OTS) shots, it is important that you get your camera as close to the eyeline as possible. This means based on the 180 degree line, you want to get the lens as close to the line, basically have the camera positioned right over the “downstage” shoulder of the actor who is listening to the actor you are capturing. In this way, the actor’s look or “eyeline” will appear more directed towards the person they are speaking to and not at some abstract point outside the frame. Keeping the camera as close to the line as you can also allows you to get two sizes of coverage without moving the camera – a basic “Medium Close up” (MCU) featuring the shoulders of the actor being captured and as well a “Close up” (CU) and if you need it – an “Extreme Close up” (ECU).
Camera position is very important because you either bring the viewer closer to the action of the scene, or you move them away when the camera is positioned at a place away from the eyeline. When you do this, the viewer becomes an observer and not a participant. The other benefit of this kind of camera placement is training your actors, who might be students, to get used to the close proximity of the camera. This is an important lesson, particularly for theater actors who are used to performing on stage, to hundreds of people without anything in their way. When the camera is on the eyeline, they learn a valuable lesson in gauging their performance and vocal energy.
Pro Media Gear
ProMediaGear manufacturers premium Photo and Video gear for professionals and serious enthusiasts. From camera specific tripod mounting plates, flash brackets to video sliders. The PMG-DUO Sliders feature industry first Dual Track System, Curved and Straight track in one slider body. Made in USA products, based in Chicago suburb. ProMediaGear exports worldwide.
Samyang has specialized in the design and manufacture of high performance professional quality lenses for over 40 years. Engineered and optimized for cine and video, these high performing prime Cine lenses unleash the full imaging potential of Full Frame, APS-C and Micro Four Thirds cameras. Manufactured in Korea, Samyang VDSLR II lenses utilize an aluminum alloy chassis, specialized glass types and coating techniques, including Nano Coating, to produce serious tools for videographers who appreciate high image quality with quiet, silky smooth and complete focusing control. VDSLR II features include tight color matching, de-clicked aperture control rings, unified focus gear and aperture gear positions, T-Stop calibration, plus dual right and left side aperture and distance scales.
New York Festivals
New York Festival’s World’s Best TV & Films competition honors programming in all lengths and forms from over 50 countries. Dedicated to both the Television and Film industries, categories mirror today’s global trends and encourage the next generation of story-tellers and talent: Animation, Comedy, Corporate, Drama, Documentary, Feature Films, Movie Trailers, Music Videos, News, Promos, Reality TV Drama, Sports, Telenovelas, Webisodes, Best Performance by an Actor/Actress, Special Event, Innovation, Technical Production Team, CSR, Best Screenplay, Video Art, and Best Host. www.newyorkfestivals.com The City College of New York,
“Our two-year MFA is the only graduate-level program of its kind: we are a truly international community, with ready access to the finest talent and production resources of NYC. Our faculty is a close-knit team of professional filmmakers devoted to the success of our students. As a selective, hands-on program, we offer Documentary and Fiction tracks in an affordable and accessible public university, and open doors to the independent film world of NYC and beyond. Our students’ work screens at Sundance, Cannes, Tribeca, and other major film festivals across the globe. Find your voice. Tell your story. Join us!”
For more information on the program and how to apply, please visit:
iFootage Gear
IFootage is a creative and innovative company who specializes in Photographic equipment. The concept of iFootage designs is from the inner need of the professional photographers and senior media persons, who are from England and China. In 2013, iFootage presented the unique Shark Slider S1 which created super smooth shooting. In 2014, the 1st Wireless motorized controller system in the world, S1A1 came into being. In 2015, the powerful multi-functional Electric Control PTZ, S1A2 will be one of the best tools of photography/film production.
IndiPro Tools
INDIPRO TOOLS, New York based manufacturer of power and audio solutions for DSLR/Video equipment. Developers of the Unique Power Grid system that combines power and XLR audio all in one compact unit, and also proud to announce the new release of the Universal Power Pod System that’s powered by either 2 or 4 Canon LP-E6 batteries, these units are now available in 7.2 volts and 14.4 volts. A large array of cables is available for this system, from DSLR to video and accessories. Big Battery Power from Small Battery Solutions. Made in USA.
Oyen Digital
Oyen Digital is an innovative developer and manufacturer in the storage industry, specializing in external solid state and conventional hard drives for videographers, independent filmmakers, professional photographers, and many other industries. We are dedicated to developing groundbreaking storage products using our extensive knowledge and experience in audio/video production and mass storage. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Oakdale, Minnesota, we have established a reputation for high quality products and exceptional customer service.
Eye Of Mine
Eye Of Mine Action Cameras has a passion for innovation. “We specialize in custom camera mounts, underwater video out housings, wireless transmitters and camera housing prototyping. We partner with Hollywood companies as well as leading companies in fishing, sports, diving and environmental organizations. Some of our clients include National Geographic, NASA, NOAA, Disney Studios, Dept. of Navy and Discovery Channel. Eye Of Mine strives to be cutting edge innovative with the action camera industry in order to give our customers what they need and when they need it.”
For over 35 years, Rokinon lenses have offered an outstanding combination of quality, performance, value and customer support. Tests by leading digital and video publications, along with user testimonials, have often indicated that Rokinon lenses perform equal to and sometimes superior to OEM optics that cost more than twice the price of a Rokinon. Rokinon Cine DS lenses are specifically designed with extra added features for film makers and videographers including tight color matching, de-clicked aperture control rings, unified focus gear and aperture gear positions, T-Stop calibration, plus dual right and left side aperture and distance scales. High performance yet highly affordable, the Cine DS system includes mounts to fit and cover Full Frame, APS-C and MFT cameras, focal lengths from 10mm to 135mm, a 12mm Full Frame Fisheye and a new 100mm Macro lens. Rokinon lenses offer superior optics, features and focal lengths… “Pro Performance that’s Priced Right.”
Ikan designs and manufactures digital video and DSLR gear that filmmakers, videographers, photographers and other creatives want and need at a reasonable price. Ikan first made its name in the industry selling video production monitors and now offers a variety of solutions for professionals and beginners alike including: camera support & components, lights, teleprompters, software, bags, batteries and chargers. Products are distributed worldwide though authorized dealers and via Sound Devices
Sound Devices is a worldwide leader in both portable and installed production sound and video products for a wide range of mission-critical applications including live event capture and playback, TV/Film production and Broadcast. The Sound Devices product portfolio includes field mixers and multi-track audio recorders whilst its Video Devices branded product line includes rackmount video decks and on-camera video recorder-monitors.
Professional Sound Services
Professional Sound Services (PSS) located in New York, NY and New Orleans, LA and Ft. Lauderdale, FL is dedicated to providing the best in audio equipment sales, service and rentals throughout the US and the World. For a number of years PSS has brought a concern for service to a loyal clientele in production sound for motion pictures, broadcasting, and video production. They also serve recording studios, schools, universities, and government agencies worldwide. Owner Rich Topham Jr. is a leader in bringing “sound education” to many throughout the years.
New Dawn Effects
New Dawn Effects is a special effects company providing practical special effects, equipment rental, prop rental and fabrication, pyrotechnics, rigging and flying and mechanical special effects. “We are able to service smaller productions with our box truck and larger with our trailer. We have several personnel resources with FX cards and pyro licenses. We also carry colored smoke bombs, Smoke grenades, Green, Red, Blue, Orange, Black, Purple, Yellow, and White smoke.”
Consumers crave quality content. And for the pros who hunger to create and deliver it, the 2015 NAB Show® is the only source to satisfy your appetite. This is the world’s largest electronic media show covering filmed entertainment and the development, management and delivery of content across all platforms. With 98,000 Attendees from 159 countries and 1,700 Exhibitors, NAB Show is the ultimate marketplace to the solutions that transcend traditional broadcasting and embrace content delivery to new devices in new ways. Overindulge, it’s expected.
Cine Gear Expo
Dates for Cine Gear Expo LA 2015 have been announced! The event will be held June 4-7, 2015. The Expo will be held at The Studios at Paramount, Hollywood, CA. The Studios at Paramount, Hollywood, CA 90038. Exhibition and Premiere Seminars: Friday, June 5, 2015; Hours: 12:00noon-8:00pm; Saturday, June 6, 2015; Hours: 10:00am-5:00pm. Film Series at Cine Gear Expo: Thursday, June 4, 2015; Hours: TBA. Friday, June 5, 2015; Hours: 8:00pm-10:30pm (Reception). Master Class Seminars: Sunday, June 7, 2015; Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm (various Hollywood locations).
IBC sits at the global crossroads of the electronic media and entertainment industry and provides a full and vibrant experience, whether you are a student or CEO, an innovative start-up to media superpower. Held at the world-class venue, the Amsterdam RAI, every September, it is always at the forefront of industry innovation and provides unrivalled networking opportunities. Join 55,000 attendees from more than 170 countries for IBC2015 between 10-15 September.
CCW Expo
At CCW+SATCON, creativity, ingenuity and inspiration are everywhere you look. More than 300 of the most innovative companies servicing the broadcast, media, satellite and entertainment industry are here, showcasing the new technologies and essential innovation needed to successfully deliver your content to an ever-changing market. These are the industry’s top people, products and resources – the ones you need to see. There’s no better way to see them. November 11-12, 2015, Javits Convention Center, New York, NY.
Photo Plus Expo
The PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo is the largest photography and imaging show in North America, attended by over 22,000 professional photographers and enthusiasts. Explore over 220 exhibits, see thousands of new products, attend over 80 conference seminars, keynote presentations, special events and much more.
GV Expo
GV Expo returns to Washington on December 1-3, 2015 to inform and inspire video professionals. Whether you are a video professional working in government, broadcast, cable, production, post-production, multimedia, education/ non-profit or the like, attend GV Expo and see the latest new technology the video industry has to offer! You will learn cutting-edge techniques and gain the opportunity to network your way to success in today’s dynamic digital marketplace.
Wppi
WPPI Conference and Expo is the premier industry event for photographers and image-makers specializing in the creative and business aspects of wedding and portrait photography. Each year, nearly 16,000 professional and aspiring photographers attend WPPI to learn new techniques from industry leaders, build new relationships to grow their business, experience new products and solutions from major manufacturers to improve their productivity, and enjoy the many attractions in Las Vegas.
Ufva
The University Film and Video Association is the organization to share ideas about developments in film/video education, scholarship, technology and artistic pursuits. The 2015 UFVA conference will be held August 4-8 at American University in Washington, DC. This year’s conference theme is Media with Impact. Information about the conference site is available at ufva2015.com. A preliminary program should be available in early May at ufva.org and ufva2015.com. All conference participants must be active members of UFVA.
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