Learning From Cuban and Corcoran

Based on what we learned in our last research regarding Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran, we intend to incorporate three important elements that they critically support into our business plan for Walking Wolf Productions, Corp.

First, we plan to make clear to investors that the idea of web series and motion pictures being distributed for free through an online platform is not only a great business given to its highly demanded products, but also because of its clear direction, successful future, and large margin of profitability. We plan to do this by establishing graphic statistics within the business plan that shows the amount of viewers watching shows and films over the internet and how it has grown during the last few years. This will allow investors to see the future of the business in the market and its prospective growth. Also, we plan to show this by presenting the investor along with the company’s business plan surveys of audiences relating to TV shows, films, and how they now watch them more over Hulu, Netflix, iTunes, or online platforms such as HBOGO.com, NBC.com, and ABCGO.com than in DVD’s or regular broadcast programming.

Second, we plan to attack all investor doubts and insecurities by overstating that our business is an Internet-based business. As a rule of thumb, given to the open market and the lack of boundaries that the internet provides, the majority of businesses that are currently based on the web are massively successful. However, the fact that we are intending to distribute the most visited forms of entertainment aside to games which currently exist on the market, will make us even more popular, profitable, and expandable.  We will be clear that we also intent in creating an app for Android and Apple which would also give access to mobile consumers and a port of entry for game consoles and devices with internet access so people can see our products anytime, anywhere. 

Third, based on Barbara’s Corcoran’s tips, we intend to build a prospective team of people that are suitable to make the business succeed and grow accordingly. We will mention in the plan we do not only aim to have a bunch of filmmakers and artistic individuals running the company, but a full administrative staff of coordinators, accountants, managers, and a lawyer that make sure the company runs to satisfy not only consumer needs, but the investor’s need of return on investment.

Overall, selections of our plan we consider to be the most important are the executive summary for its capacity to tell the entire business idea in the beginning, briefly, and to the point, forecast projections such as the target market and industry analysis sections for their ability to tell how well would the business behave in the real world, and the marketing plan, which lets investors know how and through which channels we intend to reach our target market. It is important for investors to know how we plan to succeed and survive the competition.

Indiegogo opens Distribber, a real chance for independent filmmakers

As I researched Distribber, I found out they are partnered with Indiegogo.com. Indiegogo is an online platform which allows you to pitch a project to a main audience and ask for funding support. Thus, I found excellent that one as a filmmaker can use their services to request distribution funds for Distribber itself. Distribber is an excellent aggregator of independent films that sells works to the most used VOD distributors such as Netflix, iTunes, and Amazon on Demand. However, in order to allow the filmmaker to maintain full rights and revenue collection of their works, they always charge up front fees for every project and the quantity varies per distribution channel. In the many eyes of filmmakers, this may look extremely unfair as there is no sense in charging the seller for its product. However, Distribber's variety of channels and speed of processing is fast, and they will represent you while your content is up and running. Also, Distribber helps push some of the marketing and advertisement of the film through their website along with a particular distributor's online platform during a certain time.

Therefore, here is where I find both entities' partnership ideal. By Distribber making part of Indiegogo, one as a filmmaker will be able to pitch a project and request for the necessary funds needed to pay Distribber's distribution fees. One can use the Indiegogo platform to acquire funding from the project's fans themselves. This service, on the contrary of what Distribber offers, is free and allows the filmmaker to pursue his own funds without having to get them out of his/her own pocket. The only part you have to do as to contribute to the process is work a captivating video, a portion of the film, a trailer of the film, an animated proposal that shows your fans and future investors a) why should they invest in a project, b) what is the project about, and c) how do you plan to benefit them as investors of the project. This last point doesn't mean necessarily you will pay them back, but it could be you providing them with a free copy of the film, free tickets and food to your next screening, or even you making them part of your credits list.

Overall, I believe Distribber is not meant for all filmmakers and all types of outlets. However, if one plans to distribute a product for the most part online, and also, one expects to make more than $1300 in revenue, then I believe Distribber is right for you. Still, if the problem is about acquiring the necessary funds to pay their services, then use Indiegogo's platform to acquire the necessary budget to pay for Distribber's fees. It will not only be helpful to have knowledge of this possible procedure, but also it is great practice for a filmmaker to acquire funding for upcoming projects by making part of these funds originate from the project's fans themselves.