A Market for Milestone Film Products at DVinfo.net

Matt Portwood · October 8th, 2014, 03:08 PM

I started off shooting photography before moving my focus to film. As a photographer I shot the usual types of sessions...weddings, engagements, family portraits, senior pictures, newborns, and milestones. We all know there is a growing market and awareness for wedding films, but I am very interested in trying to build a market for video alternatives to all of the above photography products.

My question to you all is if executed properly do you think there could be a demand for these types of products? I recently shot the short film seen below of my niece Clara who is less than a year old. The response I got from the film was very encouraging. Her mother and many others stated that the film captured the essence of Clara better than anything else had.

My biggest obstacle thus far is that at least in my area, even as a filmmaker I constantly get requests for photography, but clients are not really familiar with the concept of hiring a filmmaker and are hesitant to do so. They wouldn't think twice about hiring me as a photographer, but when I bring up the concept of producing a film instead of taking stills it is completely foreign to them and as a result is a very hard sell (even though they have expressed great admiration for my other film works).

I am interested in hearing if anyone else seems to run into this challenge and what they have done to overcome it.

Jon Fairhurst · October 8th, 2014, 07:06 PM

I don't have experience in this area, but if I were you, I'd find every Lamaze instructor in the area and make sure to show this film in every one of their classes. Lamaze instructors are also small business people. You might offer a commission for every client that they refer.

October 8th, 2014, 03:08 PM	#1
Matt Portwood Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Danville, IN Posts: 54	A Market for Milestone Film Products I started off shooting photography before moving my focus to film. As a photographer I shot the usual types of sessions...weddings, engagements, family portraits, senior pictures, newborns, and milestones. We all know there is a growing market and awareness for wedding films, but I am very interested in trying to build a market for video alternatives to all of the above photography products. My question to you all is if executed properly do you think there could be a demand for these types of products? I recently shot the short film seen below of my niece Clara who is less than a year old. The response I got from the film was very encouraging. Her mother and many others stated that the film captured the essence of Clara better than anything else had. Clara on Vimeo My biggest obstacle thus far is that at least in my area, even as a filmmaker I constantly get requests for photography, but clients are not really familiar with the concept of hiring a filmmaker and are hesitant to do so. They wouldn't think twice about hiring me as a photographer, but when I bring up the concept of producing a film instead of taking stills it is completely foreign to them and as a result is a very hard sell (even though they have expressed great admiration for my other film works). I am interested in hearing if anyone else seems to run into this challenge and what they have done to overcome it. __________________ Matthew Portwood - http://www.matthewportwoodfilms.com --Sony A7s, Premiere Pro CC, iMac i5

October 8th, 2014, 07:06 PM	#2
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: A Market for Milestone Film Products I don't have experience in this area, but if I were you, I'd find every Lamaze instructor in the area and make sure to show this film in every one of their classes. Lamaze instructors are also small business people. You might offer a commission for every client that they refer. __________________ Jon Fairhurst