OT - Selling DVDs

matt24671 wrote on 1/12/2005, 9:14 AM

Like many of you, I'm using Vegas and DVD Architect to create DVDs, so far mostly of weddings. But I'd like to sell DVDs to a wider audience. I have a local expert on a topic I think would be popular for a DVD, and I'll need to pay her, or give her a percentage of DVD sales, to get her onboard this project. So two questions - what percentage (or fee) would you pay someone for their expertise as the subject of a full length DVD, and, for selling it, is amazon.com the best distribution method?

Thanks!

Comments

NickHope wrote on 1/12/2005, 11:14 AM

Can't answer your question I'm afraid Matt but I would love to know how easy it is to get a DVD title onto Amazon and how to go about it.

JackW wrote on 1/12/2005, 11:22 AM

Interesting question, to which I have no specific answer, only a couple of things to consider.

I'd put the question to your expert -- that is, see how she wants to get paid.

If she wants money up front, agree on an hourly wage. Treat her like she's an actress you've hired. Based on our experience hiring talent in the Seattle market I'd certainly expect to pay her anywhere from $100 an hour to $1200-1500 a day or more. The down side of this is that if the DVD is hugely successful, she may feel resentful that she only got $1000 (or whatever) for her work and you are reaping all the rewards, so be sure that you have a very tight contractual agreement with her.

If she wants to share in the income from the sale of the DVD rather than being paid up front, make sure she understands the difference between gross and net. Be sure she understands that marketing costs, whether through amazon.com or elsewhere, are included in the cost of the project and that what you and she are sharing is what's left after all costs have been met.

You're providing the capital, all the equipment and, most importantly, most of the labor. Make sure she understands that part of your cost is the salary you pay yourself for the work you do in your company. I'd propose something like a 75/25 split of the net and be willing to negotiate this down a bit if necessary.

Finally, to avoid any problems down the road, keep very thorough financial records, documenting every nickle paid out as well as all income from the sales.

I'll be interested to see what others suggest.

Jack

boomhower wrote on 1/12/2005, 11:25 AM

There was a very recent thread on this topic....I think it was started by ArmyVideo (think that's his screen name....Army something)

Pretty good info in that thread

Jsnkc wrote on 1/12/2005, 11:36 AM

I believe this is the thread you are referring to

orca wrote on 1/12/2005, 12:22 PM

I've never tried the service myself, but it got a very good rating on a magazine (if I'm not wrong it's PC MAG last year). But this is something you may want to check out if you're thinking about selling/distributing your DVDs. http://www.customflix.com/

Hope that helps.

filmy wrote on 1/12/2005, 12:35 PM

There have been a few good threads on this topic in these threads:

The question How to get commercial product distribution? is discussed.

A thread about music copyright that got into The supply chain - costs.

A THread about Spots book and Amazon.

matt24671 wrote on 1/12/2005, 7:56 PM

This is all fascinating - once again, the helpful members of this forum share their knowledge for the benefit of all. Thanks!