Author Archives: Chris Dorr

About Chris Dorr

I consult with companies on digital media strategy and business development. Clients include Samsung, MTV Networks, Tribeca Film Festival, Shaw Media and Canadian Film Center. I created the Future of Film blog for Tribeca. I have worked in the movie business for Disney Studios, Universal Pictures, Scott Free and in the digital media business for Intertainer, Sony and Nokia. Contact me at [email protected] or follow me at @chrisdorr

The Movie Studios: Blinded by Piracy

When a bull enters the ring, the matador pulls out a red cape and waves it in front of his eyes.  Predictably the bull goes mad and charges toward the cape.  He leaves all his better instincts behind.  We all … Continue reading

Posted in Distribution, Hollywood, Independent Film, Innovation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Indie Film needs an Open Internet

Recently I watched the new movie IN YOUR EYES on my large screen TV in HD.  I paid $5 to rent it from Vimeo and stream it on my Apple TV.  The movie was very good and the experience was … Continue reading

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How Cable TV Invented Crowd Funding

We assume that crowd funding first appeared when Kickstarter launched five years ago. We may be wrong. You see, the cable television business invented crowd funding a long time ago, when they created the basic cable bundle. The basic cable … Continue reading

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Pay by the Size of the Screen? Not Likely

This was recently reported by Variety. “DreamWorks Animation chief Jeffrey Katzenberg thinks the windowing model of feature films will become a “pay by the inch you watch.” During the Entrepreneurial Leadership in the Corporate World panel at the Milken Global … Continue reading

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The Audience Fund for Indie Film

“If you’re gonna make it, LEARN HOW TO SELL IT!” Bob Lefsetz Platforms, like Kickstarter, IndieGoGo, VHX, Vimeo, Tugg and YouTube are designed for indies who are prepared to reach their audience through “direct distribution”. It is not the responsibility … Continue reading

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The Indie Film World Needs 100 Amanda Palmers

The challenge presented to each indie filmmaker is the same. How do I get my work discovered? Typically, an indie film travels to success with the aid of a small group of usual suspects.  The 2012 version of that trip … Continue reading

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Two Distribution Scenarios for Successful Indie Films

Here are two scenarios. Scenario A Your film gets into Sundance. Audiences love it and distributors swarm all over you.  The film gets nominated for multiple Academy Awards and it grosses over $20 million dollars. You never get a dime. … Continue reading

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The Denial at the Heart of Indie Film

It is almost a cliché it is so true. The Internet changes every part of the media world. No media creator or company escapes from this reality.  There are two groups of people within this world. Those who deny the … Continue reading

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When TV Viewers Get Control

Netflix released the second season of the House of Cards Friday February 14, 2014.  All thirteen episodes were immediately available. My wife and I viewed 5 of them in one afternoon.  We plan to complete the season within the next … Continue reading

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We Own Our Own Copyrights

The simplest distinction often tells us all we need to know.  In the music and film worlds there are artists who own the copyrights to their work and those who do not.  The music industry just honored Paul McGuiness, the … Continue reading

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