#4: Selling the documentary film - pt.1

We visit two time Oscar nominated documentary film production company Spring Films.

This is the first of two conversations we have with their Head of global development Figs Jackman about commissioning documentary films.

Hosted by Karoline Pelikan (@PelikanPictures) and Paul Hulligan (@paulhully).

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Episode guide:

00:32 - Introductions

01:14 - Getting to know Fig's: backstory, advice and current role at Spring Films

08:36 - Identifying your audience and who you are going to sell it to

14:34 - What makes a good story

17:22 - Selling foreign films

19:23 - The economic realities of funding a film

21:41 - The first step, creating a teaser and package

23:46 - The importance of being flexible, having a realistic budget and an impactful teaser

26:31 - Creating a teaser before you’ve filmed anything

30:42 - What Spring Films look for when being pitched to

33:39 - More about funding your film

38:16 - Pushing the package: sales agents, pitching and getting meetings, UK and US

44:55 - The importance of compromising on your idea for the film

46:23 - Promoting your film via festivals

48:30 - The importance of self publicity / ‘social media’

50:56 - Final advice and tips for getting your film commissioned

54:49 - The best way to approach Spring Films