I am also currently working on building an affiliate database. Going through websites that are similar to my potential audience, and signing them up for a dvd share in return for sales through their site. I am a one man band, so its a slow process on this first self released film.

The beauty of releasing this way, is that the film does not have the pressure of having to perform on an opening weekend. Mission X TV deals, screenings, partnerships, media spots, high street store deals can happen over the next months, years. I see this as a brand, potential franchise, so I also plan to do a sequel, and a healthy budget remake is not impossible. I see this little film as a spark to bigger and better things.

Digital downloads will be available from the site soon. Within the next 2/3 weeks. Watch out for more regular updates

David

PS. Couple of Hollywood TV producers are blogging about the film. Great couple. http://www.jokeandbiagio.com/you-can-make-and-distribute-a-movie-yourself

I am currently working towards generating as much media interest in Glasgow, and these other areas around Scotland. Cineworld will put the tickets on sale in Glasgow about a month before the release. There’s a link on the website at the moment. www.missionx.co.uk I will update here when they go on sale.

I am currently getting posters done. I should be able to get some tickets for any cast and crew who have not seen the film yet.  Email me if you want to see it on that date. Obviously I have had to put back the dvd release, but it will definately be released soon, probably near the end of November, because even if the film does well, it won’t bleed into xmas in the cinema.

I will update with all the latest on this blog.

cheers

David

The Glasgow Cineworld is the busiest cinema in the UK. Like most multiplexes, Hollywood blockbusters dominate here. However,  they are willing to give me a shot because they believe there’s an audience for the film. This also helps to create publicity, so this is great. Especially when they are cool with me self distributing.

I have had a film in the cinema before, so I am not naive that my film is going to sky rocket from here. But I feel a lot better about this film, because I control it, and I am releasing across multiple platforms. So this is all a bonus.

I will need to put my dvd release forward a little, as they won’t take the film if I release the film on dvd. It won’t be any later than Nov though, as I need to start selling. Unless the film played in the cinema really well. Realistically, I think it will be a short run.

I still have a few problems I need to solve to get it resdy for the cinema, like the BBFC. (Film ratings board. I have to try and pull the fee for that together, some offer costs, but going to try my best.

I am very happy with this tiny film going straight to dvd, and other multiple platforms. Many Hollywood films with stars go straight to dvd, but this biz is all about securing publicity. This can help create a lot more publicity in Scotland for the dvd.

The video below is from a few months back, when the Cineworld let me look at the film on the big screen. I thought it was the tallest cinema in the UK. I just realised it’s the tallest in the world! Maybe I will be up in the attic with the crows! Either way, its all cool.

PS. This was the morning after a cast and crewing screening of the film, so had a slight hangover!

In the first instance, the dvd’s will only be available directly from the films website. In the weeks ahead, “Mission X” will also be available through Amazon, indieflix, and many other online and offline retailers. Digital downloads will also be available.

I am still working on a tour across Scotland, UK, and a possible multiplex cinema release, but this dvd release date will not change. The plan is to finish the tour days before this release. Special edition pre-orders will available before the end of the month.

The film will be available in global english speaking territories in the first instance.  Subtitled foreign territories will be available in early 20010

Another couple of features in two top Scottish newspapers.

My motivation is to make good movies, and to bring back enough revenue so that I can continue to make other indie flicks, and develop bigger films.

I don’t wake up in the morning and think “I need to make £500,000! Good feature, good reporter, but lines out of context can make one sound like an arse! lol! Whatever happens, I will always continue to make other films now.

EVENING TIMES Online shorter version. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/features/display.var.2523611.0.0.php

THE HERALD http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2523505.0.Tiny_budgets_but_big_ambitions_and_a_devoted_audience.php?FORM=ZZNR6

I have a feature in a newspaper with a large circulation. Cool, great for the film, but I don’t like it when the “facts” are bent.

(Online version here)

Press rarely tell the “Facts” as we know. But I guess this is what is good about the web, you can correct this.  I would normally never give information about my film out, but since the press got some facts wrong, it forces me to correct inaccurcies.

I got £3000 from a worker at MacDonalds to complete some action scenes, the last days of my shoot, and to keep me working on the project, overheads etc.  I had already been shooting for 6 months with my own wages from McDonalds last year. Press says I got £6000!

Also, I never got any investments from co-workers, friends, family. That’s 100% inacurate! It was ALL out of my own pocket! It’s important for me to tell this, because I am telling young budding filmmakers that I made most of my movie with my own wages, and I encourage them to do the same. Once you get rolling, it then makes it easier to raise a little bit of cash.

Also, my investor never gave his “life savings”. The feature contradicts itself anyway, because one minute £6000 was for “Life Savings”, and then next minute it’s for a Trans Am car he was going to buy if it was not spent on my movie.

I don’t take “life savings” from people. Movies are a “Punt This was me giving the “facts” to the press, not hearsay, but directly speaking to them. But it’s true,  the facts rarely go out there.

I should not even have to give details about my project like this, but when you are starting out you need to plug your film everywhere, but the reality is that facts wil obviously be bent. However, saying all this, still appreciate the publicity about my film. It’s still a decent piece of exposure.

David

PS. Extra in the “Bill!” Lol! Never mentioned a lead in my first Scottish/USA feature film. Gotta laugh!

MISSION X FIRST PUBLIC SCREENING

DATE: JULY 29TH

VENUE: CCA (GLASGOW)

START TIME: 7.30pm

END TIME: 9PM

Q&A SESSION

There will also be a video Q&A for 30 minutes after the film. This will be for my dvd and online video diaries. Video from this screening will be uploaded to here at the end of he week.