Self Publishing Video Production

As the years go by, we are having more and more access to technology. Because of this, there is more opportunity to create. This is not just true for those who create films and documentaries, but in every creative genre. It is now easier to write books, produce music, games, and useful applications than it ever was. Most of us who are serious in our industry have figured out ways to create our content, but most of us are still struggling because we don’t know how to distribute our content.

Until recently, it would have been easier for me to figure out how I would create my content as a filmmaker, and get all the equipment and resources for it, then it would be for me to figure out what I would do once it was created. First thought, “Uh… put it on YouTube.” Yes, and make zero money. Thanks to my current Full Sail professor Kimberly Craft, I now know better ways to monetize my product without traditional distribution channels.

The first thing anyone should do is to obtain a copyright for their work. Do this by registering with the copyright office on copyright.gov. If anyone infringes your work, you will then be able to sue them. If you do not register your work, anyone who has access to it can do whatever they want with it. They may even use it to get money for it themselves. After you obtain a copyright for you product, you must then get the correct codes to sell it in retail locations.  The codes needed for DVDs are ISBN (International Standard Book Number) and the UPC (Universal Product Code).

There are several ways to distribute a film, video, or documentary. The way I am suggesting is self publishing with the use of a POD (print on demand). The way this works is that you submit your product to one of the POD sites, such as createspace.com. Then, when a customer chooses to purchase your product, they will send them a newly published copy of the DVD. You may have the option to package it however you would like, depending on the POD, and send it directly to the customer. These PODs make your product available in several different places. For example, if you put it on CreateSpace, your product is automatically put on Amazon and eStore. You may even be able to set it up where someone can pay you to download the entire film. Once you have set this up, you have to market the product so that it will be easy for potential customers to find it.