Digital Distribution Strategies for Producers & Filmmakers
with Thomas Mai

New dates to be confirmed.
Please register your interest by email: workshops@lfs.org.uk.

"Very inspiring. Thomas is a dynamic presenter. He was able to gage the interests of his audience, making the two days feel responsive and relevant. It felt like a really useful ‘how to’ guide as opposed to a theoretical talking shop, and the case studies really helped put the theory into practice. The drinks at the end of the first day were a great opportunity to find out who else was in the room!" Feedback from previous participant.

Introduction

Do you know how to capitalise on the changes in financing and distribution models in the film industry? Are you in control of your project in this bright, new digital world?

In this intensive 2-day course, former sales agent and producer Thomas Mai shows filmmakers how to connect with their audience before, during and after their film. Thomas will enable participants to recognise and create funding streams, merchandise opportunities and direct distribution channels, thereby cutting out the expensive middleman. You will come away with an understanding of how to create an extensive database of “fans” whose support can be harnessed for current and future projects.

Course Content

By the end of the course you will know how to:

  • Find your unique audience.
  • Understand and use social media for your film project.
  • Create an online brand and presence for you and your films.
  • Create and sell merchandise.
  • Create and manage an audience database.
  • Understand and use autoresponders.
  • Create great email campaigns.
  • Learn how to turn your audience into fans, who will support you in your life-long career.
  • Understand and use E commerce.
  • Understand and create crowdfunding plans.
  • Understand and use home and speciality screenings.
  • Understand and learn how to make deals with Amazon, iTunes, Netflix and many more online platforms.

In addition, if you feel you would benefit from specific advice from Thomas on your own personal project(s), by all means come prepared to pitch your project to the group in an open floor session.

On the first evening we invite participants to stay behind and for networking drinks and nibbles.

 

Additional Resources

Click here to watch Thomas Mai's presentation on VOD & Crowdfunding for free through iTunes.

For more presentations by Thomas Mai visit: http://thomasmai.net/

 

Thomas Mai - Tutor Profile

Thomas Mai has sold hundreds of feature films to distributors around the world ranging from the smallest independent films to bigger films with Hollywood stars. Thomas has sold films by Lars von Trier, Lukas Moodysson, Thomas Vinterberg, Susanne Bier, Baltasar Kormakur, Lone Scherfig, Josef Fares, Per Fly and many others.

Thomas has also produced four feature films and won numerous awards. The latest film was One Point O selected for the main competition in Sundance 2004. In 2000 Thomas was singled out by film trade magazine Variety as one of Ten Producers to Watch.

Thomas was Managing Partner and producer in Klondike Film from 1996-1998, Copenhagen, Denmark and CEO of Trust Film Sales from 1998-2000, Copenhagen, Denmark. From 2000-2002 he was the Managing Partner and producer of ZentAmerica. Thomas was CEO of Los Angeles based Katapult Film Sales from 2004-2006. From 2006-2009 Thomas was Head of New Business at TrustNordisk, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Thomas is an expert on the new digital possibilities and has previously been an invited speaker/expert at the following Film Festivals/events:

EAVE Luxembourg 2009 Expert, Film Finance Forum, UK Film Council, key note speaker, London, 2009, Erich Pommer Institute, Speaker, Baden 2009, European Union’s Media Desk, Speaker, Brussels 2009, IFF in conversation with Ted Hope & Thomas Mai, Toronto 2009, Distribution U, USC LA with Scott Kirsner & Peter Broderick 2009, AFM / WIF The New Hollywood Studio LA 2009 Film Workshop Nordisk Film & TV Fond 2008, Expert, Digital Distribution Danish Film Institute meeting 2008, Expert, Digital Distribution Haugesund Film Festival 2008 Panel for Film Sales Agents, Toronto Film Festival 2008 International Film Finance Forum, Krakow Film Policy Forum 2008, Expert on VOD, Bergen Film Festival 2008 Expert, Video On Demand, Sundance/NHK 2008 Jury member Int Filmmakers Award, Danish Producer Association 2008 Expert, Video On Demand, Stockholm Film Festival 2008 Expert, The Digital Revolution, EAVE Luxembourg 2008 Expert, Film Marketing Workshop.

In 2010 Thomas was nominated by Ted Hope as a brave new thinker of 2010:

"I have had the first hand pleasure of sitting in the audience as Thomas pitches filmmakers on the power of social media and the new era of truly free film ahead of us. I have seen the skeptical grow empowered from his presentations. Thomas, a former sales agent, has taken his rant on the road, sharing his insights with audiences worldwide. From a base in Brazil, Thomas has used a shaky internet connect to distribute his lectures across the global. And he has given quite a few public speaking tips along the way, not to mention writing well-shared posts for HopeForFilm." Click here to read the full article.

Thomas currently resides in Natal, Brazil.

Top


Times: 10am-5pm
Capacity: Approx. 20-25 participants
Fee: £250 (includes networking drinks)

How to book

Online booking will be available from this page once new course dates have been confirmed.

In the meantime, please register your interest by email.

Email us:
Carolyn Atherton:
workshops@lfs.org.uk

Telephone us:
+44 (0)20 7836 9642