Package design is often the most important means of film advertising and so of marketing for independent filmmakers. It is your films packaging that is often the only means of marketing small filmmakers can truly afford, and it is the one that most consumers will make their purchase decision on. So whether you think about it or not the package for your movie tells the world what to think of your film. It is therefore imperative that you make certain you have a good design that draws interest to your film.
Obviously having interesting imagery on the package is important, as is good copy for the back of the package. The package itself however, what its made of, how its put together is often just as important as any picture, indeed the method of putting a package together determines what you can charge for your movie.
Within the music industry there is a three tier system for package design, starting with low cost cardboard, then moving onto sturdier jewel cases, and finally going into a larger and more creative design.
Even the movie industry is now doing this, with mid cost movie packages coming out first followed by designer and lower cost packages to pick up collectors and those who where not interested in purchasing the more expensive movie.
Remember packaging design is a form of branding for your movie, a way of advertising your film to those shopping. It is imperative then that you make certain your package says what your movie is. Sadly for most small independent films complex packaging is often not an option and you must go with the more standard packaging of jewel or basic plastic cases for DVD's. However you should never underestimate the power of numbers in leveraging deals. If you can get enough indie film makers together and each of you order the creation of 10,000 or so cases it might be possible to get very complex designs manufactured by a company. Searching for potential companies for this could take a lot of time troll B2B networks for information.
For many Indie film labels even this is not necessarily an option, and for those who don't have the time or ability to put together a team there are still internet retail outlets which can help provide many different options for DVD case sales.
One option to creatively package your movie would be to attach the booklet to the outside of the DVD case rather then having it placed on the inside of the case. This would help your DVD stand out while also providing more information on the film that many potential consumers need to make a decision about an indie film. This method however runs three risks, including higher costs, damage to the booklets whether incidental or purposeful vandalism. Further too much information can eliminate the likelihood of spontaneous purchases. It is recommended then that if you choose to go with this method you do so in a short run after other DVD sales, this way this system is likely to encourage those who needed more information to purchase while not discouraging those who would buy spontaneously.
What is most important in the creation of package advertising for your Film is an understanding of what draws your audience in, what images catch their attention, and of course a lot of creative thinking.
Ty Hulse is an indie filmmaker who has been working in the marketing industry for a number of years. Currently he is helping Creative Gi with their film advertising and movie marketing division.
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