Workshops

Sales, Marketing & Distribution with Mia Bays


New dates to be confirmed.
Please register your interest by email: workshops@lfs.org.uk.

 

“I thoroughly enjoyed this course. It was informative, contemporary and exposed me to much more of the food chain than I have access to in my current role.” Tessa Paine, participant March 2009.

Do you know how your project fits into the marketplace, and what practical things you can do to ensure a greater chance of success? Do you know how to make films, but have no idea of how to get them seen by an audience? Do you work in distribution or sales but want to know how the other side works?

In this 2-day intensive workshop, industry expert Mia Bays presents an A-Z guide to the current distribution landscape, including:

  • Industry guests, including leading independent distributors, sales agents, marketers, digital specialists, producers and cinema bookers.
  • Case studies of recent and forthcoming UK cinema releases.
  • Extensive access to the facts, figures and tricks of the trade from an insider’s point of view.
  • Networking drinks.

Ideal for producers, writers, directors and other film professionals.

Previous guests include:

  • ALEX STOLZ (Distribution & Exhibition, UK Film Council) – to discuss online marketing and distribution.
  • DAVID SHEAR (Head of Distribution, Revolver Entertainment) - to present the forthcoming Revolver release CHATROOM as a case study.
  • HELEN DEWITT (Senior Programmer, BFI London Film Festival) - to discuss festival strategy.
  • JOY WONG (most recently Head of Sales, The Works International) - to discuss international sales.
  • CHARLES STEEL (Producer of the Oscar-winning film THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND) - to present his new documentary FIRE IN BABYLON as a case study.
  • JASON WOOD (Head of Programming, Curzon Cinemas) - to discuss exhibition.

Click here to download a sample schedule for this workshop. (December 2010 course).

 

General Course Outline

 

PART ONE: MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION - THE UK LANDSCAPE

OVERVIEW:

  • Methods of selling, marketing and distributing films
  • Analysis of current audiences and box office trends for studio, independent and specifically British films
  • The key distribution players currently running the show

INTERVIEW: A key UK distributor discusses what they look for in a project, their distribution strategies and offers the inside track on distribution in the UK.

SCREENING & CASE STUDY: A distributor presents a special screening of one of their forthcoming films, and explains the rationale behind its distribution plan.

 

PART TWO: INTERNATIONAL SALES, DISTRIBUTION AND THE AUDIENCE

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Mia Bays examines the key territories and box office trends for European and non-US films and shows which films cross borders and why.

SALES IN FOCUS: A leading UK sales agent explains how their business works, and how to help your film succeed internationally.

MARKETING TOOLS FOR THE FILMMAKER:

  • Test screenings
  • PR and marketing from development to completion with guest expert publicist interview
  • Market awareness and how to get it

CONCLUDING DISCUSSION: Industry guest speakers from the worlds of distribution and marketing answer the following questions:

  • What makes films cross borders?
  • What do filmmakers need to know to ensure their project has a shot at international success?
  • Why do people who aren't producing need to know about sales and marketing?

 

Mia Bays - Tutor Profile

Missing In Action Films was founded by Mia Bays in 2003 and is an Oscar winning twice BAFTA nominated production, sales/marketing consultant and creative executive.

With over 18 years experience working in film sales, marketing and distribution, Mia has worked in some of the top sales, distribution and exhibition companies in the UK before becoming a producer in 2004. Simone Glover joined in 2007, having cut her teeth at Arista, the great scriptwriting training and development agency, for 7 years. Read full profile here.

 

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Times: 9.30am-5.30pm
Capacity: Approx. 20-25 participants
Fee: £250 (includes networking drinks)

How to book

Online booking will be available from this page once new course dates have been confirmed.

In the meantime, please register your interest by email.

Email us:
Carolyn Atherton:
workshops@lfs.org.uk

Telephone us:
+44 (0)20 7836 9642