KCRW’s The Business features a fun and wide-ranging interview with indie-film-celebrity-director Kevin Smith (Clerks, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and such), who is trying to rethink the economics of filmmaking with his new release Red State. Instead of working with a major distribution partner that would add a $8- to $20-million marketing budget to his frugal $4 million filming budget, he’s promoting the film himself to improve the math.
His marketing/promotional/revenue solution? Tour with the film to performing arts venues, and sell a combo of a film screening and an entertaining talk with the irreverent filmmaker. In the process, he builds some buzz, earns some ticket income, connects with fans, and likely covers the cost of a self-produced promotional tour in the process.
In essence, he’s discovered the performing arts presenting industry. And it’s fun to hear him dive into the business of it all with abandon: estimating gross potential for the venues, determining break-even for Radio City Music Hall (in his case, 1700 seats in a 6000 seat house), and balancing the likely low or no net profits against other goals.
Welcome to our world, Kevin. Enjoy the visit!
