Film Festival Press Kit at DVinfo.net

John Locke · February 10th, 2003, 10:57 PM

What exactly goes in a film press kit? Are they usually printed folders with insert sleeves filled with loose materials? Brochures?

Derrick Begin · February 11th, 2003, 07:52 AM

John,

Morning. Keith Loh has some information about this.

He might be able to help.

Cheers!

Richard Alvarez · February 11th, 2003, 08:10 AM

Most festivals will specify a "minimum" for a press kit. This might include a specific number of production stills, either in black and white or color, a complete bio of the director and lead actors, a "thumbnail" synopsis for the program, and a one page synopsis. Again, these are just minimums, check with the festival.

John Locke · July 21st, 2003, 03:41 AM

Keith,

Where are you? You never responded!

In the meantime, here's something I found:

http://www.raindance.co.uk/indietips...ssentials.html

Keith Loh · July 21st, 2003, 11:01 AM

I think he was referring to some knowledge I wrote based upon my experience receiving lots and lots of press kits in the past when I was an entertainment editor at a university paper.

Basically the basic press kit package was like this:

- quality stills, 8x10s, production and captures <-- this may now be superceded by digital files. I've heard of CD-ROMs now being used for kit info. CD-ROMs can also contain trailers, etc.
- camera ready titles and promo graphics <-- for use by some papers for ad graphics and promotional campaigns like giveaways, passes, etc.
- separate bios for each principal
- summary of the movie. What is it about, etc. One sheeter.
- post production information on the movie. "This movie was a dream to work on.' 'I have so much respect for ...'
- pocket-sized point by point of the film. People tend to throw away very large kits but if you have a good card stock index card that summarizes the important material from the film then they may keep that with their back of stuff. Should contain contact information, link to website for expanded information.
- sample review. An early positive review reprinted just in case the reviewer is extra lazy. Believe me, some reviewers are known to write from just the press kit. Also could be page of excerpts from several reviews or peer quotes: "James Cameron - the scariest movie of the summer!!"
- page of quotations from the script. This is helpful to the reviewer who didn't jot down the word for word during the film.
- AND.. this is important .. a clever pocketable TRINKET that helps solidify the movie in the mind of the reviewer. Veterans of conferences know that people bring home trinkets for the people back at the office or for the kiddies. Having a trinket can at least make someone remember the title of the movie.

The best press package (and one of the more expensive packages) I ever had was a kit in the form of a wedding album for "The War of the Roses" (the Danny Devito film with Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas).

February 10th, 2003, 10:57 PM	#1
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Film Festival Press Kit What exactly goes in a film press kit? Are they usually printed folders with insert sleeves filled with loose materials? Brochures? __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

July 21st, 2003, 03:41 AM	#4
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Keith, Where are you? You never responded! In the meantime, here's something I found: http://www.raindance.co.uk/indietips...ssentials.html __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

July 21st, 2003, 11:01 AM	#5
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	I think he was referring to some knowledge I wrote based upon my experience receiving lots and lots of press kits in the past when I was an entertainment editor at a university paper. Basically the basic press kit package was like this: - quality stills, 8x10s, production and captures <-- this may now be superceded by digital files. I've heard of CD-ROMs now being used for kit info. CD-ROMs can also contain trailers, etc. - camera ready titles and promo graphics <-- for use by some papers for ad graphics and promotional campaigns like giveaways, passes, etc. - separate bios for each principal - summary of the movie. What is it about, etc. One sheeter. - post production information on the movie. "This movie was a dream to work on.' 'I have so much respect for ...' - pocket-sized point by point of the film. People tend to throw away very large kits but if you have a good card stock index card that summarizes the important material from the film then they may keep that with their back of stuff. Should contain contact information, link to website for expanded information. - sample review. An early positive review reprinted just in case the reviewer is extra lazy. Believe me, some reviewers are known to write from just the press kit. Also could be page of excerpts from several reviews or peer quotes: "James Cameron - the scariest movie of the summer!!" - page of quotations from the script. This is helpful to the reviewer who didn't jot down the word for word during the film. - AND.. this is important .. a clever pocketable TRINKET that helps solidify the movie in the mind of the reviewer. Veterans of conferences know that people bring home trinkets for the people back at the office or for the kiddies. Having a trinket can at least make someone remember the title of the movie. The best press package (and one of the more expensive packages) I ever had was a kit in the form of a wedding album for "The War of the Roses" (the Danny Devito film with Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas). __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

February 11th, 2003, 07:52 AM	#2
Derrick Begin Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 329	John, Morning. Keith Loh has some information about this. He might be able to help. Cheers!

February 11th, 2003, 08:10 AM	#3
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Most festivals will specify a "minimum" for a press kit. This might include a specific number of production stills, either in black and white or color, a complete bio of the director and lead actors, a "thumbnail" synopsis for the program, and a one page synopsis. Again, these are just minimums, check with the festival.