photograph by Imoto Harney
Afterlight Pictures | Blood Ties
We had the pleasure of meeting Zeke recently and loved what he was doing in the industry. Focused, Zeke is both producing and distributing feature length films with a team full of talented folks. Our own Ted Rubin got the chance to spend a little time with Zeke and learn why he is so passionate about success!
Zeke, I want to thank you for taking the time to chat with us about your recent film ‘Blood Ties’, and your company, Afterlight Pictures. Afterlight Pictures is both a Production & Distribution Company. Help our readers understand what you guys are all about and what drew you to the industry.
Thank you for the invitation. Afterlight Pictures was formed in 2008 as a distribution outlet for independent filmmakers, with our focus geared towards the distribution of short films. Many of our initial ideas relied on fee-based digital entertainment consumption, which at the time, there wasn’t a large demand for this type of delivery of entertainment for short films. So, being that we are first and foremost, filmmakers; we went back to producing projects under the Afterlight name knowing that someday we would return to the distribution aspect of the business. What has drawn us to the industry? Compulsion. Whether it’s writing, directing, producing, or distributing; there is an unexplainable attraction and compulsion to be passionately involved in the industry of creating entertainment.
Your film, ‘Blood Ties’, is such an action packed movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat. How did Afterlight Pictures get attached to this project, and what excites you about it?
Afterlight Pictures became attached to “Blood Ties” through Rob Pralgo, the Executive Producer for the film. Through conversations with him I found out that he and Kely McClung (Director) made an action film that was shot in three countries and six U.S. cities, won a ton of festival awards, had been offered several distribution deals (which they turned down for various reasons), and it was now sitting on a shelf. I quickly let Rob know that I would be interested in seeing a cut of the film. He introduced me to Kely and it quickly grew from there.
What really excites me about “Blood Ties” is the story; not the story you see when you watch the film but the story of how this film was made. They traveled half way around the world multiple times, never taking no for an answer, pushing the limits on every aspect, spent two years on intense post production, the list goes on and on; and all on a budget of what some films spend on potato chips. This film truly defines indie filmmaking.
With independent films on the rise, and the need for a distributor becoming increasingly vital in this market, how does Afterlight stay ahead of the game?
Since we are a relatively new company created in the midst of the digital revolution, we have the advantage of not having to conform our mindset from an outdated conventional distribution model. We keep an open mind, we are very receptive to ideas that are considered “outside the box”, and we embrace the digital consumer consumption of entertainment.
With an evolving On Demand marketplace, how can an independent filmmaker stay ahead of the game? Do they focus on PPV/CatV, or focus more on the On Demand services such as Netflix or Amazon Video On Demand. What do you see as the most important?
Let’s say we are in the candy bar business. We wouldn’t be very successful if we chose to sell our candy bars in only one convenience store. A strong and successful marketing plan would include a way to have our candy bars in every grocery store, corner store, and gas station on the planet. Some of those stores may sell more of our candy bars than others, but it doesn’t make any one of them more important. The important thing about marketing (a large part of distribution is marketing) is making your product known and available to the masses.
There is an increase of online film distributors that promote low level prices and increasing features such as digital distribution. What can we look for in a company in order to know if they are worth having them as our film distributor?
First, do they have a clearly defined, multiple approach, cohesive marketing plan for your film? Or, are they just going to throw it out there on one or two delivery platforms and see how it does on its own? Second, are they going to treat the distribution of your film with the same care and dedication you put into making it?
Social Media Marketing plays a huge part in film recognition in society today. Does Afterlight Pictures focus on social media outlets for their films?
Of course! Social Media plays a huge role in society today, in general. There are almost 1 billion active users on the top social media networks (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and MySpace). That is roughly 1/6th of the world’s population using some form of social media. Yes, I do realize that you really can’t use straight line math because some of these may be active users on multiple networks but there are 500 million active users on Facebook, alone. Wait a minute… that’s only 1/12th of the world’s population. I don’t think @AfterlightPictures will be using Social Media as part of their marketing plans any longer. #failedmarketing
With the competitive landscape of indie film making, what advice can you give filmmakers out there to better their chances of getting picked by Afterlight or other companies like yourself?
Everyone loves a good story that they can relate to, or become emotionally attached to in some way. As a filmmaker (storyteller), we must concentrate on telling a good story first. Everything else needs to be secondary.
How does Afterlight Pictures select a film to distribute? I am sure you are selective, Do you scout out film festivals? Are unsolicited submissions accepted? How can we get our film in the hands of Afterlight?
We keep an open mind but more importantly, we keep our ears open. There are a lot of great stories out there just sitting on shelves, just like “Blood Ties” was. Those are the films that Afterlight Pictures is looking for. We do not accept unsolicited materials but we will always accept a query letter from a filmmaker. If you are interested in Afterlight Pictures considering your completed film for distribution, please submit a query letter with a brief synopsis to info@afterlightpictures.com . I assure you at a minimum, you will receive a response from us.
I want to thank you for your time again Zeke, Aside from “Blood Ties” are there any other projects that Afterlight Pictures is working on right now. Anything we should be on the lookout for?
Currently, we are looking at a few completed films for distribution, and we are talking with some filmmakers about projects that are going into production this year. In addition, we have negotiated a deal to release a zombie film, “Zombie Invasion”, in October 2011.
See the Blank Stage team in action!
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