Media/Press Kit at DVinfo.net

Bryon Akerman · January 20th, 2006, 03:22 PM

I've been asked to put together a Media Kit on our doumentary for a Film festival. Could I get some advice on what needs to go in it? I haven't the foggiest.

Any help would be great!

BRyon <><

K. Forman · January 20th, 2006, 03:33 PM

I suppose it depends on how creative you want to be, but the essentials are-
Photos of those involved
A list of those involved
A summery statement telling those in the press what it is you are doing, and why.

Some of the larger films have had some amazing novelty themes behind them... but for the life of me, I can't remember the stories right now. The thing is, that the press gets tons of these. the more unusual and entertaining you make it, the more likely you are to get their interest... which is why you send them out in the first place.

Bryon Akerman · January 20th, 2006, 03:36 PM

Thanks! That helps! It gives me a starting point for sure..

Now, to get there attention....

How do I fit the Dallas Cowgirls cheerleading squad into one envelope?

Bryon<><

Dave Herring · January 20th, 2006, 03:46 PM

If it's for television, an electronic press kit (EPK) call MediaLink.

www.medialink.com

Tell them that you are a producer and need to circulate an EPK or MPK. They will help you with production requirements (the stuff in your EPK) and market strategy when you are ready.

In the mean time, you will get the advice of industry professionals who do it routinely.

They are very 'perspective client' friendly!

K. Forman · January 20th, 2006, 03:48 PM

Bryon- What is your doc's subject? That might help give you an idea of where to start.

Bryon Akerman · January 20th, 2006, 06:13 PM

It's a documentary on the four men to win the heisman trophy from the University of Oklahoma: Billy Vessels, Steve Owens, Billy Sims, and Jason White. It's approx 90 minutes with highlights and interviews from the winners themselves, as well as teammates, coaches, media, and historians. It is also narrated by Ed Harris

K. Forman · January 20th, 2006, 06:29 PM

How many media kits do you need? Maybe you could get a trophy shop to make you some Heisman replicas fairly cheap, and put your materials in a basket with the trophy. It would catch their attention.

Bryon Akerman · January 20th, 2006, 09:36 PM

We're thinking about making a bunch of footballs with all the info on them.

The only problem with the heisman trophy idea is that we would have to pay the heisman trust ... again. It would be 6 figures up front, plus a fee per replica given out.

Do we put a dvd with a trailer in it, or do we put in clips, or interviews and comments?

THanks

Bryon<><

Zach Schuyler · March 9th, 2006, 05:50 AM

This is a list of 7 items needs in every Press Kit:
(from the Film Festival Survival Guide)
1: Cover Sheet - Logo from the film, your local contact number, contact info for your publicist,
2: Synopsis - one liner (one sentence), short synopsis(100-250 words), and long synopsis (500-1000 words)
3: About the production: Behind the scenes on making the film
4: Bios: Bios of key players in production including director, writer, producer, and actors
5: Credits: List of all the credits - needs to be completely accurate for reviewers and anyone reporting on the film
6: Other press clips: any positive press no matter how small - including internet reviews
7: photos - one good photo that really represents the film - likely to be used for entire festival run - include caption information identifying actors, their characters, what is depicted in photo

Electronic Press Kit
Content includes - trailer, behind the scenes footage, interviews
Must include legal disclaimer at the beginning of the tape followed by title card or logo, then a menu screen which text scolls and outlines the content of the tape including total running time and total running time for each section included below:
Two trailers - complete trailer and one that has soundtrack split into two
Selected scenes - highlighting best scenes in the film
Making of featurette (optional)
B-roll footage with key scenes (optional)
Interviews with cast, director, writer, producer, etc.
Still frame of the title

January 20th, 2006, 03:22 PM	#1
Bryon Akerman Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 175	Media/Press Kit I've been asked to put together a Media Kit on our doumentary for a Film festival. Could I get some advice on what needs to go in it? I haven't the foggiest. Any help would be great! BRyon <>< __________________ Commandment #11- "Thou shalt Render as thou goest." "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov. 1:7)

January 20th, 2006, 03:33 PM	#2
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	I suppose it depends on how creative you want to be, but the essentials are- Photos of those involved A list of those involved A summery statement telling those in the press what it is you are doing, and why. Some of the larger films have had some amazing novelty themes behind them... but for the life of me, I can't remember the stories right now. The thing is, that the press gets tons of these. the more unusual and entertaining you make it, the more likely you are to get their interest... which is why you send them out in the first place. __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

January 20th, 2006, 03:36 PM	#3
Bryon Akerman Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 175	Thanks! That helps! It gives me a starting point for sure.. Now, to get there attention.... How do I fit the Dallas Cowgirls cheerleading squad into one envelope? Bryon<>< __________________ Commandment #11- "Thou shalt Render as thou goest." "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov. 1:7)

January 20th, 2006, 03:48 PM	#5
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Bryon- What is your doc's subject? That might help give you an idea of where to start. __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

January 20th, 2006, 06:13 PM	#6
Bryon Akerman Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 175	It's a documentary on the four men to win the heisman trophy from the University of Oklahoma: Billy Vessels, Steve Owens, Billy Sims, and Jason White. It's approx 90 minutes with highlights and interviews from the winners themselves, as well as teammates, coaches, media, and historians. It is also narrated by Ed Harris __________________ Commandment #11- "Thou shalt Render as thou goest." "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov. 1:7)

January 20th, 2006, 03:46 PM	#4
Dave Herring Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indian Rocks Beach, Florida Posts: 67	If it's for television, an electronic press kit (EPK) call MediaLink. www.medialink.com Tell them that you are a producer and need to circulate an EPK or MPK. They will help you with production requirements (the stuff in your EPK) and market strategy when you are ready. In the mean time, you will get the advice of industry professionals who do it routinely. They are very 'perspective client' friendly!

January 20th, 2006, 06:29 PM	#7
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	How many media kits do you need? Maybe you could get a trophy shop to make you some Heisman replicas fairly cheap, and put your materials in a basket with the trophy. It would catch their attention. __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

January 20th, 2006, 09:36 PM	#8
Bryon Akerman Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 175	We're thinking about making a bunch of footballs with all the info on them. The only problem with the heisman trophy idea is that we would have to pay the heisman trust ... again. It would be 6 figures up front, plus a fee per replica given out. Do we put a dvd with a trailer in it, or do we put in clips, or interviews and comments? THanks Bryon<>< __________________ Commandment #11- "Thou shalt Render as thou goest." "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov. 1:7)

March 9th, 2006, 05:50 AM	#9
Zach Schuyler New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 18	Press Kit and Electronic Press Kit This is a list of 7 items needs in every Press Kit: (from the Film Festival Survival Guide) 1: Cover Sheet - Logo from the film, your local contact number, contact info for your publicist, 2: Synopsis - one liner (one sentence), short synopsis(100-250 words), and long synopsis (500-1000 words) 3: About the production: Behind the scenes on making the film 4: Bios: Bios of key players in production including director, writer, producer, and actors 5: Credits: List of all the credits - needs to be completely accurate for reviewers and anyone reporting on the film 6: Other press clips: any positive press no matter how small - including internet reviews 7: photos - one good photo that really represents the film - likely to be used for entire festival run - include caption information identifying actors, their characters, what is depicted in photo Electronic Press Kit Content includes - trailer, behind the scenes footage, interviews Must include legal disclaimer at the beginning of the tape followed by title card or logo, then a menu screen which text scolls and outlines the content of the tape including total running time and total running time for each section included below: Two trailers - complete trailer and one that has soundtrack split into two Selected scenes - highlighting best scenes in the film Making of featurette (optional) B-roll footage with key scenes (optional) Interviews with cast, director, writer, producer, etc. Still frame of the title