About this Master Class
Master Classes are in-depth, interactive learning experiences focused on craft and career building and led by renowned industry experts. Topics include fiction and documentary filmmaking, TV writing and production, and navigating and succeeding in the entertainment industry.
Finding and navigating the path to distribution is essential for independent filmmakers, but what is the current landscape and what can you control? What is hybrid distribution? It can be challenging to determine the right strategy, but one constant remains the same - every film has its own unique audience and filmmakers should be developing a plan to reach them from the start.
In this three hour Master Class, filmmaker, author, and media strategist Jon Reiss will dive deep into the strategies, channels, and skills needed to maximize your goals. Author of the book Think Outside the Box Office, the first ever step-by-step guide to independent distribution and marketing in the U.S., Reiss will explore the entire distribution pipeline and utilize case studies to provide a clear view of what works, and what doesn’t, in today’s market. No matter where you are in your career, this Master Class will be helpful in understanding the current landscape, and how to build a custom strategy for your film and engage with audiences.
Topics include:
- Understanding today’s market: from traditional options to hybrid distribution
- The eight essential elements to create a distribution strategy for your film
- Determining your goal
- Finding your core and niche audiences
- Paths to reach that audience - the PESO model for independent film
- What filmmakers should know about marketing
- Identifying the different distribution paths available for your film
- The importance of eventizing your release
- Timing your release
- How to approach distribution in your budget
- Forming and collaborating with your distribution team
- Building your audience and taking them with you
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If you would benefit from an accommodation to fully participate in this event, please complete this form, contact us at (435) 776-7790, or email us at accessibility@sundance.org to discuss your specific requests. Every effort will be made to accommodate advance requests; requests made within 5 days of the event may not be guaranteed.
A recording of this Master Class will be posted the next business day to our Video Library the next business day following the session. All registered attendees will find the recording in the “Purchases” section of their account once it is posted.
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Jon Reiss
Jon Reiss is a filmmaker, author and media strategist who wrote the book THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX OFFICE. His company, 8 Above, creates custom audience-building strategies, theatrical experiences and digital release campaigns for independent feature and documentary films. Reiss has consulted with hundreds of filmmakers and film organizations throughout the world including The Gotham, IDA, Screen Australia, Film Independent, Creative Scotland. Current clients include 1800 ON HER OWN, SABBATH QUEEN, FOOD & COUNTRY, THE RIDE AHEAD, and THE BODY POLITIC.
He has conducted workshops on six continents and helped create and run the IFP/Gotham Filmmaker Lab for ten years. In 2023 he created the 8 Above Distribution Lab to teach filmmakers how to distribute and market their films. He recently launched a Substack where he writes about distribution and marketing.
Jon got his start in filmmaking and distribution at the infamous San Francisco documentary collective Target Video. He not only shot seminal bands such as Black Flag, Iggy Pop, Throbbing Gristle, The Cramps but was one of the first – if not the first person to conceptualize and execute video tours throughout Europe, carting 500 lbs. of video deck and projector in a VW Bus across 15,000 miles.