Future of Film blog

The Top Five Reasons to Give Your Soundtrack Away for Free

Kristin McCracken — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:12:58 GMT

How can you utilize one no-cost promotion that can introduce your films to thousands and thousands of new people? Easy. Ryan Gielen explains...

Movie Theaters are Back! Were They Ever Gone?

Kristin McCracken — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:57:02 GMT

In the wake of this morning's news about the sale of AMC Theatres to China's The Wanda Group, Tribeca Enterprises President & COO Jon Patricof takes a look at the big picture.

You Need to Know Your Goals in Order to Attain Them

Kristin McCracken — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:03:42 GMT

Listen up! For his Spring Workshop Kickoff, author and strategist Jon Reiss offers advice to filmmakers seeking distribution in his new YouTube Channel.

Marketing Indie Films With YouTube (Part 2)

Kristin McCracken — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 03:33:15 GMT

Ryan Gielen shares three tips on how to generate views and more in his latest installent of Marketing Indie Films Through YouTube.

10 Tips for Navigating Digital Distribution

Kristin McCracken — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:40:49 GMT

Orly Ravid, founder and co-executive director of The Film Collaborative, shares ten tips that all filmmakers should know about the tricky world of getting your film "out there."

Walking with Hipster Dinosaurs: How To Make A Transmedia Production

Kristin McCracken — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:02:43 GMT

Films with original content on multiple platforms aren’t the exception anymore; they’re the rule. Jurassic Park Slope is a comedy and curriculum for transmedia production.

Biggie Smalls: Morgan Spurlock's Advice for Filmmakers

Kristin McCracken — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:56:44 GMT

When it comes to making movies, the director of Mansome believes: "You should be ready and willing for your stories to live in places you never thought possible."

Media: What's Past is Prologue

Kristin McCracken — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:32:15 GMT

Andy Weissman of Union Square Ventures suggests that the future of media can actually be found in its past. Could a return to branding be the answer?

A Guide to Digital Dialogue at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival

Kristin McCracken — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:36:59 GMT

President and Chief Operating Officer Jon Patricof previews the TFF 2012 events and panels devoted to the intersection of film and digital media and technology.

Could Tweet Seats In Theaters Be The New Smoking Section?

Kristin McCracken — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:34:56 GMT

Could "tweet seats" bring in a younger generation of movie and theater audiences? Or just ruin the experience for the rest of us?

Indie Filmmakers: Use YouTube & Find Your Audience

Kristin McCracken — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:34:39 GMT

YouTube can build your audience before, during and after the filming process.

What The Film Industry Needs: Transparency

Kristin McCracken — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:34:20 GMT

In today’s digital distribution market, which ranges from VOD to iTunes to other smaller online outlets, the numbers are hard to find or verify.

Can YouTube Succeed With Online Movie Rentals?

Kristin McCracken — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:34:01 GMT

Does YouTube have anything to gain with its online movie rentals platform?

Movie Industry Must Bring The Theater "Home"

Kristin McCracken — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:32:31 GMT

Richard Greenfield and Brandon Ross of BTIG explain why windows need to collapse in 2012.

The Cloud Filmmaking Manifesto

Kristin McCracken — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:32:05 GMT

Filmmaker Tiffany Shlain talks cloudsourcing creativity and giving back in the age of collaboration.

What's Your Wire?

Kristin McCracken — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:31:12 GMT

Paula Froehle of Tribeca Flashpoint Academy shares her crowdfunding story...how many of you can relate?

Keys to a Successful Film Launch: Part 1

Kristin McCracken — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:13:38 GMT

The minds behind Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance break down their five key points to launching a film when working with a modest budget.

Filmmakers: Find Your Digital Mindset!

Kristin McCracken — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:13:38 GMT

Should filmmakers focus more on the word social and less on the word marketing? Sheri Candler shares some helpful tips for filmmakers in this new digital landscape.

Indie Theaters Face Digital Mayhem

Kristin McCracken — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:13:38 GMT

With more and more studios moving away from 35mm prints, can art house cinema survive in a digital world?

Using YouTube Analytics For Your Film Project

Kristin McCracken — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:14:53 GMT

Who exactly is watching your content? YouTube Analytics can answer that question for you...and then some.

18 Days In Egypt: How We Launched Our Web-Native Documentary

Kristin McCracken — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:14:29 GMT

Jigar Mehta on how he launched his web-native documentary, using the audience as collaborators and experimenting via social media.

What If You Could Tip A Filmmaker?

Kristin McCracken — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:14:17 GMT

The success of Louis CK's distribution model made us wonder: what if there was a way to reward artists directly for their achievements?

Using Pinterest For Your Film

Kristin McCracken — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:14:00 GMT

Filmmakers, start your pinning! Is Pinterest just another social networking site or is it the wave of the future?

Doc Trends In The Digital Age

Kristin McCracken — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:13:42 GMT

Filmmaker Amanda Lin Costa consults the experts on emerging trends being utilized by this exciting new wave of US documentary filmmakers.

Can The Movie And TV Industry Keep Up With its Customers?

Kristin McCracken — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:13:19 GMT

With industry initiatives like UltraViolet and TV Everywhere, it's all about devices and access. Will Richmond asks: is that enough?

Hooked on Twitter: How 140 Characters Breeds a Community

Kristin McCracken — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:12:59 GMT

Jeanne Bowerman shares her Twitter journey, taking her from a wannabe writer to producer, screenwriter, and community leader of writers via Twitter’s Scriptchat.

Story-Hack: Where Storytelling and Technology Meet

Kristin McCracken — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:12:49 GMT

Could the concept of a hackathon be applied to storytelling? Over a period of 48 hours starting April 28, Jen Begeal and StoryCode will find out the answer.

What If Movie Screens Were Truly Connected?

Kristin McCracken — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:12:41 GMT

In our connected age, the audience is no longer passive. Can the film industry keep up with their own customers?

Movie Theaters: The Last Unconnected Screen

Kristin McCracken — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:12:31 GMT

As the internet rapidly changes how we view visual entertainment, Chris Dorr looks at movie theater screens as the final frontier.

In a World of Digital Media, "Soft Skills" Are Hard

Kristin McCracken — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:36:47 GMT

Brad Gyori, an instructor at Tribeca Flashpoint Academy, reexamines the distinctions between hard skills and soft skills.

A Startup Incubator For Entertainment?

Kristin McCracken — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:01:58 GMT

Nick DeMartino asks: what do you think of the idea of an incubator for entertainment solutions?

Peter Weyland of Prometheus Makes a Surprise Appearance at TED

Kristin McCracken — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:51:33 GMT

The innovative viral campaign for Ridley Scott 's Prometheus storms the internet in the form of a TEDtalks.

The Real Culture Wars: Hollywood vs. Silicon Valley

Kristin McCracken — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:48:52 GMT

The digital media industry is trying to focus its efforts on helping people find the films they want to watch. Why won't Hollywood listen?

Tips For Connected Documentarians

Kristin McCracken — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:47:03 GMT

How can you use the medium of the web to tell more engaging stories? Five tips to help filmmakers who want to push the boundaries of storytelling.

Will YouTube Kill Cable?

Kristin McCracken — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:44:10 GMT

As YouTube Original Channels continue to blur the line between online and TV programming, we have three tips from brands that want to stay on the cutting edge.

Boy: The American Release

Kristin McCracken — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:43:12 GMT

How hard was it for the highest grossing New Zealand film of all time to get U.S. distribution? Very.

Beckinfield: The Haunted Town Where You Create The Story

Kristin McCracken — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:46:01 GMT

Take a tour of Beckinfield, a never-ending soap opera for the YouTube generation, where the future is in your hands.

Alternative Cinema Strikes Back

Kristin McCracken — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:38:42 GMT

Is Alternative Cinema getting lost in the shuffle? Paul Brunick and Alt Screen keep hope alive with the help of some very famous filmmakers. Help if you can!

Information Does Not Want To Be Free

Kristin McCracken — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:38:19 GMT

The Union Square Ventures partner breaks down Stewart Brand's infamous statement, which has turned into a mantra for free content and ideas.

The Resistable Rise of the Mockumentary

Kristin McCracken — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:58:01 GMT

From Spinal Tap to Paranormal Activity, writer/director Rider Strong analyzes the resurgence of the mockumentary.

An Innovative Launch for Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance

Kristin McCracken — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:42:02 GMT

The filmmaker/producer outlines the unique distribution process for the new doc Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance. Will one of these methods inspire you?

Curating Facebook: Finding Meaning In The Noise

Kristin McCracken — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:35:55 GMT

One of our New Year's resolutions was to streamline our Facebook feed. Luckily, the CEO of Magnify.net has advice on how to do just that.

Game Of Thrones: Always Support The Bottom

Kristin McCracken — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:37:32 GMT

A breakdown of the stellar panel on the wildly successful HBO series at last week's Transmedia NYC Meetup.

What Really Lies Beneath the SOPA Debate?

Kristin McCracken — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:50:39 GMT

Our Future of Film editor breaks down the origins of SOPA and explains why we are dwelling in the land of unintended consequences.

Filmmakers: Make Sure You Have a Plan A for Plan B

Kristin McCracken — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:41:14 GMT

The founder of Watch It's advice on how to come out of any film festival with the most momentum possible in order to reach audiences.

Online-Only Originals Are Entering A Virtuous Cycle

Kristin McCracken — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:21:19 GMT

With independent voices like Richard Linklater and Morgan Spurlock leading the way, is the original web series entering a transformative period?

What Does Kickstarter's $100 Million Haul Tell Us?

Kristin McCracken — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:34:58 GMT

Should you fund your movie using Kickstarter? Chris Dorr takes a look at their 2011 stats.

Bond Strategy and Influence: Marketing Through The Social Graph

Kristin McCracken — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:20:24 GMT

Word of mouth can make or break a film. Three tips on getting your film into "the conversation" in social media.

5 Rules of Casting For The Indie Filmmaker

Kristin McCracken — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:11:21 GMT

You want to make a great film? Learn about actors. Rider Strong presents Casting 101 for the indie filmmaker.

If We Build It, Will They Come?

Kristin McCracken — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:25:30 GMT

Movie theater attendance was down in 2011, but Tribeca's COO asks: What can we learn from pro sports?

Call Her Venus: The Super Artist of Tomorrow!

Kristin McCracken — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:14:15 GMT

The CEO of Constellation TV tries to imagine the next Super Artist of the digital age. Could it be you?

Some Thoughts On The Louis CK "Experiment"

Kristin McCracken — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:19:15 GMT

Can the comedian's latest distribution experiment business model work for you? Is the future looking bright for emerging artists?

Our Top 10 Transmedia Posts of 2011

Kristin McCracken — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:13:59 GMT

For our last post of 2011, our fearless editor rounds up the top 10 posts that had people talking about this emerging form of storytelling this year.

Maximizing Distribution Through Crowdfunding

Kristin McCracken — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:42:40 GMT

Peter Broderick explains how a well-executed crowdfunding campaign can increase distribution.

Now Showing on an iPad, Tumblr and Facebook Near You!

Kristin McCracken — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:59:21 GMT

We are making strides at the Future of Film blog to make our content more accessible to our readers! Plus, did we mention we got a facelift?

33 More Twitter Feeds For Doc Filmmakers To Follow

Kristin McCracken — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:59:06 GMT

After our popular 15 Twitter Feeds Every Doc Filmmaker Should Follow blog post, we listened as you talked back. Check out some of our readers' Twitter recommendations.

10 Top Future of Film Posts for 2011

Kristin McCracken — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:58:22 GMT

With 2012 around the corner, our editor rounds up how our contributors covered the many ways film is being transformed as the Internet reshapes our media environment. Did your favorite post make the cut?

TV's Scariest Generation: The Cable Nevers

Kristin McCracken — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:15:33 GMT

Is this the new model for the On-Demand Generation? Bernard Gershon explores TV's Scariest Generation...

Engagement: Is TV Finally Ready For A New Metric?

Kristin McCracken — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:38:49 GMT

Frank Rose, the author West of Eden and The Art of Immersion speculates on whether Social Engagement can help your favorite shows stay on the air.

15 Twitter Feeds Every Doc Filmmaker Should Follow

Kristin McCracken — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:10:05 GMT

The co-founder & CEO of BOND Strategy and Influence shares his list of the top 15 Twitter feeds for documentary filmmakers.

10 Golden Rules for the Next Generation TV Guide

Kristin McCracken — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:48:20 GMT

The co-founder & CEO of Jinni explores couch potatoes, content, VOD, and the myriad new ways we figure out what we want to watch.

Is Indie TV the New Indie Film?

Kristin McCracken — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:22:06 GMT

Is television quickly becoming a filmmaker's medium? Filmmaker Josh Bernhard shares his experience.

Where the Transmedia Girls Are

Kristin McCracken — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:11:50 GMT

Women—and their powerful projects—were front and center at the recent StoryWorld Conference + Expo in San Francisco.

This Isn’t Your Grandmother’s Social Media Revolution

Kristin McCracken — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:12:57 GMT

The Director of Social Viewing for MTV Networks breaks down the difference between 'social viewing' and 'social TV.' Who knew?

Can Hollywood Learn Innovation From The Metropolitan Opera?

Kristin McCracken — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:48:59 GMT

If someone told you a few years ago that NYC’s Metropolitan Opera would become a model for digital innovation, you would probably have laughed.

Stories & Worlds: What Transmedia Has to Teach (and Learn)

Kristin McCracken — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:05:09 GMT

A report from StoryWorld: Nick DeMartino fills us in on what we should all take away from the goings-on in San Francisco.

Can Brands & Indie Films Collaborate Without Sacrificing Integrity Or Goals?

Max Friend — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:22:41 GMT

Join the dialogue about previously unexplored collaborations between brands and indie filmmakers.

On The Brink Of A Networked Society

Kristin McCracken — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:27:16 GMT

In just 21 minutes, a new short film views the evolution—past and future—of technology and connectivity, all set to a Malickian score.

Content Wars: From Amazon to Hulu to Netflix

Max Friend — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:26:39 GMT

Premium content distributors are evolving their strategies to appeal to audiences who now have more options than ever.

MTV and the "Curated ME"

Max Friend — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:18:58 GMT

MTV's Britta Schell breaks down how the new generation of Millennials create their own personal brands in the digital age.

Your Virtual Self: Who Owns it and What’s it Worth?

Max Friend — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:23:05 GMT

Who owns your Virtual Self and how much control do you give up in exchange for personalized content?

TFI Funds Innovative Storytelling

Max Friend — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:18:15 GMT

The Tribeca Film Institute awards $400,000 to six nonfiction transmedia projects to empower the breadth and impact of their core stories.

Geoffrey Gilmore and Tiffany Shlain Discuss Connected

Max Friend — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:52:09 GMT

Tribeca's Geoffrey Gilmore and director Tiffany Shlain discuss her newly released film Connected and its exploration of the social web that unites us all in the 21st century.

Movies and the Joy of Being Alone Together

Peter Gutiérrez — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:05:07 GMT

Watching films in a theater in undeniably a group experience. But that doesn't mean that it can't also be very personal.

How Transmedia Can Lead To Social Change

Max Friend — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:24:15 GMT

At the TEDx Transmedia conference in Rome, Lina Srivastava illuminates how transmedia stories can lead to real social change.

One Thing is Certain: Everything is Changing

Max Friend — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:18:47 GMT

Chief Creative Officer of Tribeca Enterprises Geoffrey Gilmore looks back at his recent industry discussions to resolve how best to look forward.

Toward a New Digital Aesthetic: Some Rambling Reflections

Robert Rosen — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:10:53 GMT

UCLA Professor Robert Rosen reflects on a new digital aesthetic that is now emerging from a media saturated world.

How the Internet is Changing the Film Festival Experience

Geoff Gilmore — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:10:34 GMT

The world of cinema is changing in every way, and that extends to the new world of film festivals. Recognizing this, we at Tribeca Film Festival have created the Future of Film blog as a place for discussion about how the world of film is changing.

10 Big Ideas for The Future of Film

Tiffany Shlain — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:10:19 GMT

Hitchcock said a film is made three times: when you write it, when you shoot it, and when you edit it. Today there’s a fourth: when you distribute it.

Rapidly Changing Media Environment: Publishing and Film

Jeffrey Sharp — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:10:04 GMT

Jeffrey Sharp, the cofounder of Open Road Integrated Media, explores how digital publishing and film make it possible for stories to live on all screens.

The Film Industry Must Risk Its Present to Find Its Future

Billy Goldberg — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:09:49 GMT

As strict theatrical releases become a thing of the past, will studios continue to resist new modes of distribution?

Where Is The Innovation Model in Film?

Aina Abiodun — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:09:33 GMT

An indie producer offers the ultimate challenge for filmmakers: Seize this time of uncertainty to evolve the medium!

What’s the Future of Film? (Now That’s An Open-Ended Question)

Brad Wechsler — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:09:18 GMT

Brad Wechsler, Chairman of IMAX Corp., writes about the inevitability of different pricing and availability models for movies in a digital world.

Our Obligation To Share

Ted Hope — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:09:02 GMT

For the first time, we can say that a vision for a vibrant and sustainable independent film industry is dependent on those who participate in it. Are up for the challenge?

Who Are Today’s Curators? And Where The Hell Are The Rest Of Them?!!

Max Friend — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:08:44 GMT

The veteran producer asks: Why hasn't the explosion of content been accompanied by stewards to guide us through it?

A New Path to Engage Film Audiences and Create Careers

Max Friend — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:07:58 GMT

An excerpt from a new book shines a light on how independent filmmakers can redefine film rights and theatrical distribution.

Filmmaking, Festivals, And Filtering The Flood

Steven Rosenbaum — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:07:39 GMT

Author and filmmaker Steven Rosenbaum explains how curation can make film distribution make sense.

Content Anywhere: Stern, Oprah, Olbermann, Sheen, Beck and the Future of Media Disruption

Richard Greenfield — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:07:23 GMT

Richard Greenfield, managing director and media analyst at BTIG, examines how the distribution of content is being redefined, with the potential to disrupt the balance of power in the media industry.

Film Festivals Come to Your Living Room

Katharine Relth — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:07:04 GMT

Do you own a red carpet? Better get one, because the world of film festivals is coming to your house.

Making Love Out of Nothing At All

Mark Polish — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:06:40 GMT

Filmmaker Mark Polish (Twin Falls, Idaho) drops a love bomb on the Future of Film blog.

The Difference Between Connected TV, Social TV and Expanded TV

Nick DeMartino — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:06:25 GMT

With television moving onto different platforms, it seems like nowadays we can watch TV everywhere. What is the ultimate future for television in a world that expects more from their screens?

Spreadable Media: Creating Meaning and Value in a Networked Culture

Henry Jenkins — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:06:07 GMT

What is "spreadable media"? Find out for yourself at the Futures of Entertainment conference. Or just read this blog post.

Filmmakers: Focus On Your Goals and Know Your Audience

Jon Reiss — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:05:49 GMT

We have excerpted a portion of Selling Your Film Without Selling Your Soul that challenges filmmakers to focus.

10 Lessons Learned From Releasing "Connected"

Max Friend — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:05:32 GMT

From social media to trailers to the very real need to unplug, the director of this must-see doc for the wired generation talks about what she learned from the distribution process.

Inside Starz's Netflix Quandary

Will Richmond — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:05:05 GMT

While becoming a great place to see all kinds of movies, on any screen you want, Netflix is also upsetting the big media apple cart. With insightful detail, Will Richmond tells us why.

The Future of Distribution: Thoughts From a Platform Agnostic

Howard Gertler — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:04:47 GMT

Increasingly the ever-evolving digital world of production and distribution has played a dramatic role in the way in which we make movies. But for Howard Gertler, a trickier and thornier issue is how digital technology has impacted the kinds of movies that are made.

7 Ways in Which I Would Release Bomb It Today

Jon Reiss — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:04:31 GMT

I originally wrote this post for Sundance Institute’s Services who approached me to write a post on how I would release Bomb It in today’s distribution landscape (and knowing what I know now).

"That's Brisk, Baby!": What Needs to Happen for Branded Content to Work

Frank Rose — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:03:08 GMT

Through recent clever "advertainments," branded content from credible filmmakers seems to be the answer to outdated advertising.

Marketing a Movie - When Digital and Physical Worlds Collide

Liz Gebhardt — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:02:53 GMT

Marketing a movie isn't just advertising, trailers, press junkets, posters, and merchandising. In the digital age, it's much, much more.

Goodfellas vs. The Sopranos: The Power of Film

Max Friend — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:02:35 GMT

At Ad Week, Tribeca's COO talked with director Ed Burns and Rich Lehrfeld from American Express. The topic? Why, the Future of Film, of course!