Art and Sales in the Indie Film World

Hello, lovely listeners! Welcome back to another episode of Confessions of an Aging Ingénue. I'm your host, Jenni Tooley, and I'm so thrilled to have you here with me today.But before we dive into today's topic, I've got a special invitation just for you. Picture this – Wednesday nights, the first Wednesday of the month. I want to personally invite you to join me in the confessional at jennitooley.com. It's a rendezvous where you might just find yourself in the confessor seat. Trust me, it's a blast!Now, let's jump into the nitty-gritty. I've just returned from the Women Texas Film Festival, where we premiered STUCK, and oh boy, what an experience it was. Huge shoutout to the amazing volunteers and everyone who made it special. If you're a filmmaker, you should definitely check out this fantastic festival.Curious about the behind-the-scenes action? Head over to our Facebook page, 'STUCK Film Texas,' or catch some exclusive content on my Patreon page at patreon.com/jennitooley. I've shared daily wrap-ups from the festival – the good, the funny, and everything in between.Now, onto today's topic – "Have I Told You About the Time?" I was on a filmmaker's roundtable at Women Texas Film Festival, and John Wildman asked me what it was like to transition into a salesperson for my movie?Brace yourselves because we're delving into my unexpected journey into the role of a salesperson for my movie. Yes, you heard it right – salesperson.I've realized that I've been in the sales game for quite some time, from pitching concepts to selling myself. But now, it's a different ball game – selling a finished product. And let me tell you, it's been a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns.Growing up, I had this stigma around sales, thanks to the stereotypical pushy car salesman. It took years for me to acknowledge and embrace my skills in this area. STUCK became a catalyst for breaking down those limiting beliefs around money and self-worth. I've discovered the art of selling when it aligns with a meaningful cause.Now, here's where the rubber meets the road – film distribution and selling. It's a complex dance involving knowing your audience, understanding their pain points, and finding the perfect niche. STUCK isn't your mainstream Oscar-winning film, and that's okay. It has a unique audience, a blend of art film enthusiasts, and those seeking a different cinematic experience.I’m not particularly in love with sales but it’s such an integral part of film-making - It's about placing the film where it resonates.So, add salesperson to all the caps I already wore on STUCK and you’ll get the gist.Listen in to gain insights from my experience in this necessary step in completing this chapter of my journey called STUCK.As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's episode. Comment, review, follow, and subscribe to keep our podcast thriving.Until next time, this is Jenni Tooley, signing off. Love you all, and thanks for being here on this wild ride with me. Get full access to w/Jenni Tooley at www.jennitooley.com/subscribe