Local Promotion of Indy Films - How to Make the News with Your New Movie

Most independent filmmakers think the hardest part of putting out a movie is filming and editing. The reality is that producing a movie is the easy part because it is usually where their passion lies. Promoting a film and getting publicity for it's release is challenging to most creative types, especially after the exhaustive process of making the film is drawing to a close.

A little known fact is that promotion of a film begins even before the first frame is shot. Word of mouth, location shoot announcements, and other low priority promotion happens when the first person looks at the script. It is at this point that promotion should begin.

Start by having a clear timeline

Every person involved in the movie should know when the production begins and approximately when filming ends. Have a release date in mind so that the buzz will be about it. If people hear you have a movie coming out in August, they will look forward to it and even tell friends to watch for it's screening. Start a Twitter, Facebook, and a Myspace page to post progress reports.

Involve well-known people

Recruit a popular professor or high school teacher from a local campus as a bit actor. Each of his students is a prospective audience member. Local radio and tv hosts should be invited to make a cameo appearance as well, they won't be able to resist talking about the project if they are involved in it.

Each person in the process is an ambassador

Give all staff, actors, sponsors, even caterers, information about the movie including plot clues, actors they may know, and locations they can relate to. (Their high school, a local store they frequent etc.) Give every member a task for promotion. One might be in charge of putting up posters, one might design postcards, everyone involved should be telling everyone they know, and the most eloquent among you should be a spokesmen.

Schedule radio and local television station interviews throughout the process. Press releases should highlight local connections to get sponsor support. If a location site in your movie is also a sponsor of a local morning program, the sponsor can recommend you for a spot on the program.

All the standard promotion techniques should be used once the movie is complete and ready for screening. Make a website, post to social media. (as mentioned before, Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace pages are obligatory.) Do several youtube video trailers, include bloopers and funny moments, print and distribute posters, do the talk show circuit again. People who have seen you talking about the production of the movie will be eager to hear details once it's finished.

Promote your movie from the minute the idea becomes a reality for best word of mouth and never underestimate the value of local coverage. (Many viral videos are ripped from the local news!)