From: Peter Heer
Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2007 6:12 PM
Subject: Documentary

Dear Sir,
I am a documentary video producer who has made a three part documentary in HD about the province of Mendoza, Argentina and how it become one of the greatest producers of wine in the world.
My project is shot and partially edited with one of the three shows completed. I do have a promo DVD to show about the project. I have been working in film and video for 40 years and so can make a professional and interesting project. I use to work in Hollywood for distributors of films but do not have any contact with the TV cable industry.
I'm looking for help or direction or contacts .
Thank you for your time.
Peter Heer, Producer
www.peterheerproductions.com


Hi Peter,
I like the idea of your documentary.
Here's the scoop.
1. Get an Agent, if possible.
2. Contact PBS stations.
3. Check out documentary videos in stores like Wal-Mart etc, or on the internet and see who distributes documentaries, what kind they distribute and where they distribute them. Contact those companies and you may get a bite.
Good luck.
Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr.
Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2005 4:49 PM
 

To: Roy@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject: (self promotion)

Hello,

Please can you recommend places to put up posters to promote my short film in LA. Showing in festival March 11th 2005. I'm from UK never been to LA.

Thanks
Hazel   

Dear Hazel, 

Try North Hollywood small theatres in the NOHO ARTS DISTRICT. Many people in the business who live in the valley seem to be friendly and supportive. 

Try the TV Arts & Science building and subway station at Lankershim and Burbank Blvd. There is also a live stage theatre across the street. And others within walking distance. 

Try Aroma’s on Tujunga and Jennifer’s Coffee House in a corner mini-mart across the street from Aromas in Valley Village / Studio City area. 

How about the Woodshed on Laurel Canyon. 

Try Toluca Lake area near Priscilla’s Coffee and Kinko’s on the corner. Not too far away is Warner Bros. 

NBC in Burbank, CBS in Studio City and SAG administrative offices are in the area near Riverside Dr. and that is where many acting agencies have offices in those large buildings. Disney’s TV offices are there in Burbank. 

Put them up near Hudson Street and Santa Monica Boulevard, there are many small theatres where many actors and actresses work out each day. 

Pass out small 8x11 flyers to every agent in the book. 

Here an idea, make business cards with an invite to your movie – include your name, the name of your work and the location and time of showing. Then pass it out to everyone you meet. It’s one of the business cards anyone could have. Plus, it’s inexpensive. 

Find coffee houses in Los Feliz area, especially on Vermont just north of Hollywood Blvd. 

Try all of the coffee houses in West Hollywood along Santa Monica Blvd., Melrose Ave. from La Brea west to Doheny Ave. 

Along Sunset Blvd. The Strip Area between Doheny and Fairfax. 

Hit the Director’s Guild on Sunset Blvd. and do your best to convince someone to let you leave some handouts there. 

Go to Venice and place them in all of the cool coffee houses there. 

Glendale: Dreamworks may have a pole near by in Glendale and you might just catch someone’s eye. Or be brave and try and get someone to let you drop some flyers in Dreamworks. They do claim to promote dreams. Oh, there are so many places but the ones I have mentioned are a good place to start. 

Also, if you hear of any other premiers or Academy Award Ceremonies or Emmy or Grammy or parties… most likely no one will show up from these places, but with a great personal touch when you hand them one, you may just strike up a conversation and perhaps someone may venture to your show 

Of course, to be honest, most flyers don’t get read. And even when they do, they’re throw away. Posters gather moss. And life in Hollywood suddenly becomes a dirge. But all it takes is one person in the right place and suddenly, if you attract their attention and they like what you have, you may just get lucky. 

I’m in Karachi right now but I will be returning to LA sometime in March. If by chance I am able to see your film, please send me an invitation at you know where… Roy@nohoartsdistrict.com  

Good luck, 

Roy         (TOP)

Copyright February 21, 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind is strictly prohibited without the permission of the copyright owner.

Roy
I want to do an independent, low budget film...How do I distribute and market it myself?
Carry - Oakland, California

Carry
You don't. Not unless you have a lot of connections, experience and are a member of such service organizations as the AFM. If you do not know what the AFM is, then please don't waste your time, energy and money trying to distribute your film yourself.

Roy,
What's the latest on showing your independent film on the internet?
Amir – Hermosa Beach, California