Topic: Maverick Entertainment

This company distributed my feature "Cult" I got my quarterly reports as usual and everything was legit. Though I felt they could have done a bit more in certain areas.

If your movie is at least 72 mins and 24 fps with a nipple, they will distribute your film.

Sometimes I wish i waiting a bit longer before talking there deal, not talking crap but just talking out loud. :)

They are legit, but they are small.

Where did they distribute it?

US Domestic DVD

Cult was your film? I'm pretty sure Sarah Lieving was in that. If it's the one with Taryn Manning. She had a role in the promotional trailer for The Utah Murder Project and co-starred in my 35mm thesis film back in 03'. But I remember hearing about this movie a couple years ago.

Yeah, Im just curious where "Cult" can be found as far as Netflix, Best Buy, Wal Mart. Or is it strictly online sales? I really feel that self-distribution is the way to go. You can market your film to whomever you want online and there's no end to how many people you can reach.

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on how well this company is marketing your film and to whom.

Does it need to be 72 minutes including credits or should it be 72 minutes of actual movie to be on the safe side?

Originally Posted by Dinozo

Yeah, Im just curious where "Cult" can be found as far as Netflix, Best Buy, Wal Mart. Or is it strictly online sales? I really feel that self-distribution is the way to go. You can market your film to whomever you want online and there's no end to how many people you can reach.

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on how well this company is marketing your film and to whom.

Cult was in Blockbuster stores, then Hollywood video, its has since moved to online rental or purchase. Some Rental stores might still have a copy.

The Cult DVD Rental, Rent The Cult Movie Online

Originally Posted by roninfilmer

Does it need to be 72 minutes including credits or should it be 72 minutes of actual movie to be on the safe side?

All of my contracts requested a minimum of 72. Even though wiki states a feature is 65, lots of distro companies wont take them if there less then 72 (with credits)

If any of you are about to complete a movie, I wouldn't suggest going with traditional low-budget companies, I would hold off a bit more until I get my company going DiGi Distribution, just wanting to complete this production and ill launch it.

How much can you get for selling in to them?
I'm assuming it depends on what they believe they can do with it.

Originally Posted by IndieFilmmaker

How much can you get for selling in to them?
I'm assuming it depends on what they believe they can do with it.

How much could I get? Like for my future film?

I mean.
How much can Joey get if he sells his film to them.
Either past or present.

Oh shoot, thats a tough question. I would have to see it to compare what my film brought in.

Does Maverick pay all up front? I have heard there is a process where Maverick pays you in parts and it gets difficult to get the money from them. Did you run into any problems with this or was Maverick a functional company to deal with? Are there any pot holes that you recommend to watch out with Maverick?

Thanks.

This was 07, so I have not clue what Doug is up to, or if they are even still distributing.

Yes they gave advances in two parts one month apart. X amount on July 1st and X amount on August 1st.

Again, im not sure how they do things now, If your film is really good, I wouldn't go with them, all of my films with them were low-budget horrors, so I dont want to steer you in the wrong direction.

ok nick. i have a low budget feature in preproduction wat d way to go?

We recently premiered our first inspirational feature film, "Can Ya' Hear Me Now?" and Maverick did sound enthusiastic about 'acquisition and distribution'. I'm new to the industry so much of the lingo is foreign to me:( But what would be considered a 'good deal'?

I can hardly wait to learn more about your distribution company. We've completed the film, it premiered in Ft. Lauderdale, FL on Dec 8th. Now, we have no idea where to go from here without getting scammed. One more question, if a movie is 129 minutes long...is this totally unacceptable? We may need to go back to the editing room:(

Originally Posted by Treadwell

We recently premiered our first inspirational feature film, "Can Ya' Hear Me Now?" and Maverick did sound enthusiastic about 'acquisition and distribution'. I'm new to the industry so much of the lingo is foreign to me:( But what would be considered a 'good deal'?

I can definitely help you out with getting the right deal, and chance I can see a trailer of the film?

Treadwell,

I would suggest selling the film to Maverick for as much as you can get for it. Three times your budget would be a good place to start, ie; if you had a $100,000 budget you should take no less than $300,000 for a direct purchase. If you had no budget than try to put a price on your labor of love, which is difficult to do.

Next you can negotiate a 50/50 backend deal which means you take in 50% percent of all profit taken in by the movie. Backend deals can be pretty tricky because companies cook their books as it they haven't turned a profit to keep from paying you. That's why I'm not particularly crazy about backend deals but sometimes it's the only deal available. I believe in taking all you can upfront and leaving the rest of the headaches with the distributor.

AWLeath, your post intrigues me. Do you have personal experience with Maverick or some other distribution entity? I ask because the scenario you outline seems to occur so rarely anymore that it's almost moved into the realm of the apocryphal. My own feature was rejected by Maverick, and it met Nick's criteria on a far smaller budget, so it appears they may have grown more selective in the interim.

Not doubting you, necessarily. Just curious as to your background and experience in these matters.

Ill have to agree with 2001 - While I appreciate your enthusiasm, you are about 4 years to late :(

I would be honored if you'd take a look at the trailer. It's titled, "Can Ya Hear Me Now?" and the link is below. I look forward to hearing back from you.

Originally Posted by Treadwell

I would be honored

Sure, ill check it out now. Would you like a public opinion or in PM?

So what is the 'modern day' reputation of Maverick? Do they have an interest in inspirational films? Do you know what distributors I should target for this genre?

Originally Posted by Treadwell

So what is the 'modern day' reputation of Maverick? Do they have an interest in inspirational films? Do you know what distributors I should target for this genre?

Unless you get an advance, there is a good chance you will not make any money. I suggest taking a look at my company DIGI Distribution

Thanks for reading my post.

Here's my experience with Maverick and other companies like them. When Maverick was in its infancy, they were more concerned with building their library and establishing themselves so their criteria for selecting films was extremely lenient. Most of the films were shot in bad quality, had bad acting, etc, but Maverick would pick them up anyway. In more recent years with the proliferation of technology and everyone's access to better cameras and equipment, Maverick has become a bit more stricter in their selection process.

Now that they have become an established distributor, they prefer films be shot on quality HD cameras such as, 5D, 7D, 60D, Redcam or film. They also prefer that your film have a familiar face attached to it, maybe a B or C-List actor (although not necessary). Next the film just has to be a great story and start off with a bang, something to hook them early on because if it doesn't they wont watch the entire film. Create an attractive poster for the film to market with. Edit an awesome trailer for the film and create a powerful tagline.

In short, you need to have a great story that's shot very well and can be marketed very easily. That comes from my experience and other fellow filmmakers that are close to me.

^ That is correct

Originally Posted by Nick Soares

Sure, ill check it out now. Would you like a public opinion or in PM?

We're still babes in the industry, but what the heck...no guts, no glory:) Let's go public opinion!!! Thank you for your time.

Originally Posted by AWLeath

Now that they have become an established distributor, they prefer films be shot on quality HD cameras such as, 5D, 7D, 60D, Redcam or film. They also prefer that your film have a familiar face attached to it, maybe a B or C-List actor (although not necessary). Next the film just has to be a great story and start off with a bang, something to hook them early on because if it doesn't they wont watch the entire film. Create an attractive poster for the film to market with. Edit an awesome trailer for the film and create a powerful tagline.

Those requirements are indicative of pretty much every legitimate distributor these days. Even meeting them, however, a producer would be fortunate indeed to land an advance that was triple his production cost.

^ also correct, getting any advance is general is tough right now

Would the Canon T3i, (with high end lenses,) be considered suitable when seeking distribution?

Yes, provided your lighting and sound is great!

Originally Posted by BigChris

Would the Canon T3i, (with high end lenses,) be considered suitable when seeking distribution?

Sure, it all depends on the style of movie you are trying to accomplish. But if you are trying to film a IRON MAN, then no. Make sense?

Exactly Nick!! Good sound, advice!!