BEN BANKS DISTRIBUTION

We have learned a lot about distribution and the Independent film business. With many changes in how movies are being distributed, we’ve had to play catch up after finishing the movie at the end of July.

Even from the time we finished the shoot, the independent film industry has changed - in some way quite dramatically. Whereas there used to be a model of finishing the movie, getting into a festival, and getting a theatrical release, the reality is that the # of screens open to low budget independents has been shrinking…

BUT alternative models have emerged from online streaming to VOD (Video of Demand), iTunes, Netfilx, RedBox, Hulu, etc. and we have many options and we are trying to figure out what makes the most sense from a financial standpoint.

OUR POST PRODUCTION

When we finished shooting at the end of August last year, we had planned to finish the movie by the end of 2010 - well… lack of funds and also getting tons of feedback, extended that by about 7 months… in the film business, this is totally normal and par for the course, but we, and people who worked on the movie, had expected the movie to be finished sooner. The reality is that we got to use many really talented people who worked for well below their normal pay - this meant that we had to spend more time finding ways to make schedules work. Also, we got some great feedback from a big time editor in January that led us to recut the movie.

We are now done and as we’ve explored the various options we have, some people have understandably wondered what’s going on with the movie - we are exploring our options and we will announce distribution when we figure it out - but no matter what Ben Banks will be available to watch soon!!

-Bryce

October 18, 2011