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Page 2 of 2 Photography Great photography is absolutely crucial to the successful marketing and publicizing of your film. You’ll need high-quality, high-resolution on-set photography and headshots of the principals, with a cutline on every photo. Choose arresting images that will make an impact on the viewer and that accurately represent the content of your film. For example, make sure key cast members are featured in all your shots, and, if you’ve shot a romantic comedy, don’t include any photos of the bar fight scene that is part of a minor subplot. Provide both vertical and horizontal compositions; balanced shots, with more light than dark; and shots of people, not landscapes. Embed a cutline in each photo, with the name of the film, the director, the actors or subject, and the names of the characters portrayed. When pressed for space, publications will run a great photo instead of a story. You want your photo to be the one they choose. Synopses (short and long) Include both a short (three-four sentences) and a long (up to one page) synopsis of your film. In the short version, mention the basic plotline, the principal characters’ names and the essence of the dramatic crisis. In the long synopsis, flesh out the ideas in the short version and include more details about subplots, etc. When you’re writing, remember: shorter is better. Space limitations mean journalists will often reduce your film to a short descriptor. It’s to your advantage to provide the descriptor ready-made, instead of requiring the journalist to wade through pages and pages of complex material to create their own. (It’s not only easier for the journalist, it also positions the item the way you want it positioned.) Credit list Make sure the main players (director, producer, key cast) appear on the first page of the credit list. If you feel you must include everyone that worked on the film, consider putting the complete list in an appendix, so journalists can easily find the information they need for their stories. Bios Provide short biographies (five-six lines each) for the director, lead actors, producer and writer. You may also choose to include the cinematographer and editor. Any additional bios should be a couple of sentences at most. Production Notes Production notes enable you to tell the behind-the-scenes story of the filmmaking process. But don’t try to provide a diary of every moment on set! Instead, include interviews with key members of the cast and crew, short notes on financing and how the actors were cast, and some humorous tidbits to flesh out the content. Two to three pages of material is plenty. Optional extras Consider providing a fact sheet of statistics about the film. It will be welcomed by journalists looking to add some colour to a longer piece. Include some fun stats, such as how many pots of coffee were consumed, how many credit cards were maxed out, the highest number of takes for any one scene, etc. Other extras to consider: copies of feature articles and positive reviews.  |
