Team Smarthouse loves watching and talking movies! We met over the virtual water cooler and pulled together a list of all the films released in 2020 that we really dug, and where you can currently stream them.
Read More2020 was obviously a VERY DIFFERENT year when it came to film, with many releases skipping their theatrical run, choosing a hybrid drive-in/virtual event approach, or just heading straight to a streaming release. As always, Team Smarthouse kept their eye on how these films were being marketed, and were wowed by the poster campaigns, innovative ideas, and other marketing bits that people and agencies came up with!
The American Romanian Cultural Society (ARCS) is excited to announce the full lineup for the 7th Edition of The Romanian Film Festival Seattle, screening virtually via Northwest Film Forum with two weekends of programming: November 13-15 & November 20-21.
Read MoreNow in its 14th year of programming, Seattle-based NFFTY (National Film Festival for Talented Youth) is bringing you NFFTY Online, presenting 10 days of outstanding films streaming across the globe!
Read MoreOur intern Ellery is just starting to get acquainted with the horror genre, while Team Smarthouse’s Director of Marketing, Amie, is a longtime fan of horror films! Here are thoughts from both of them on some 1970’s selections.
Read MoreOur intern Ellery is just starting to get acquainted with the horror genre, while Team Smarthouse’s Director of Marketing, Amie, is a longtime fan of horror films! Here are some thoughts from both of them on some 80’s selections.
Read MoreOur intern Ellery is just starting to get acquainted with the horror genre, while Team Smarthouse’s Director of Marketing, Amie, is a longtime fan of horror films! Here are some thoughts from both of them on some contemporary selections.
Read MoreAttending three webinars a day is totally the new normal, right? Team Smarthouse has been attending A LOT of webinars since social distancing has been in place, with a focus on listening to people talk about the current state of film festivals and learning as much as we can about how festival organizers are adapting to the industry's changing landscape.
We have pages and pages of notes from our learnings, but here are the top five things we thought would be most helpful for indie filmmakers:
Read MoreThese past few weeks have been a testament to the power when we collectively come together in support of what is right. As we continue to protest, write letters, donate and educate ourselves in order to counter the systematic racism within our communities, consuming and supporting media made by Black creators is more important than ever. It is just one of many ways to work towards anti-racism.
Here is a list of some Team Smarthouse picks to start with …
Read MoreThe rush to start an online fest is understandable -- but have you considered...
1. Will your audience watch? We assume yes, but will they?! They are already watching media and are overloaded with choices. Can you compete with the latest true-crime doc mini-series? Is your audience technically capable of using a new website, or do they watch everything through apps?
Here’s a look at the posters, social campaigns, and other film marketing bits that caught our eye this year!
Read MoreIf all goes according to plan, your new flick will world premiere sometime between Toronto (September) and Tribeca (April). When it does, you’ll need to be ready to give a good interview. We know you’ll want to put your best foot forward when being interviewed and the following six tips will help you do it.
Read MoreThere are three essential elements to every successful film release campaign: a trailer, a logline, and a poster. These are the items that any potential viewer will have at their disposal prior to making a decision about what to watch.
Read MoreIt will be especially difficult if you don’t have any big names attached, so how can you rise above the noise and get the attention your film deserves from the media? These seven practical tips will help put you on the path to success.
Read MoreCongratulations! You just received your first film festival acceptance email! Now what?
If you’re a new filmmaker experiencing the film festival circuit for the first time, you probably have a lot of questions about what happens next. This article is for you.
Read MoreWriting the perfect logline is a meticulous pursuit. Equal parts creative inspiration and fastidious editing, the logline, along with the title, poster and trailer, is one of the four key marketing elements of your film. Your logline is both sizzle and steak, so you better make sure it whets the appetite of your intended audience.
Read MoreAs a filmmaker and an entrepreneur, I’ve made a lot of pitches. I’ve pitched start-up ideas, apps, screenplays, and myself to a variety of decision-makers. I’ve also taught workshops on how to make an effective pitch. But, it wasn’t until I rewatched the Season Eight finale of HBO’s Game of Thrones that I noticed what turns out to be a near-perfect example of a pitch that makes people literally sit up and take notice.
Read MoreWe’ve already covered why you might want to hire a professional publicist. But what else you need, especially if you are going it alone? How many high res images should you have at the ready? And do you really need that EPK/electronic press kit?!
I asked some members of the media who get pitched ALL THE TIME what they are looking for, and what makes them actually open an email.
Read MorePlanning your film, no matter how thrifty you can be with sets and equipment, is a daunting enterprise. Including a little extra for a publicist before you even begin shooting can seem like a luxury. So why is it worth it? Well, why make a film if no one sees it? A publicist is your best advocate for outreach, press coverage, and generally putting a good face on your project.
Read MoreBecause social media is an ever-changing landscape, it can be hard to know where to spend your time, effort, and budget in order to get the word out about your project. Earlier this year, I participated in an “Ask Me Anything” marketing forum and answered questions about social media and digital marketing.
Here are some highlights that small biz owners may find useful:
Read More