#4: Selling the documentary film - pt.1

We visit two time Oscar nominated documentary film production company Spring Films.
This is the first of two conversations we have with their Head of global development Figs Jackman about commissioning documentary films.
Hosted by Karoline Pelikan (@PelikanPictures) and Paul Hulligan (@paulhully).
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Episode guide:
00:32 - Introductions
01:14 - Getting to know Fig's: backstory, advice and current role at Spring Films
08:36 - Identifying your audience and who you are going to sell it to
14:34 - What makes a good story
17:22 - Selling foreign films
19:23 - The economic realities of funding a film
21:41 - The first step, creating a teaser and package
23:46 - The importance of being flexible, having a realistic budget and an impactful teaser
26:31 - Creating a teaser before you’ve filmed anything
30:42 - What Spring Films look for when being pitched to
33:39 - More about funding your film
38:16 - Pushing the package: sales agents, pitching and getting meetings, UK and US
44:55 - The importance of compromising on your idea for the film
46:23 - Promoting your film via festivals
48:30 - The importance of self publicity / ‘social media’
50:56 - Final advice and tips for getting your film commissioned
54:49 - The best way to approach Spring Films