Transcripts
1. Intro: Welcome and Introduction : If you're a director, producer or animator gearing up to submit your
film to festivals, then you're in the right place. Hello, I'm Sherene Strausberg, a filmmaker and motion
designer based in New York, where I run my animation
studio, 87th Street Creative. In this class, I'll guide you through the process of getting your animated or live
action film festival ready, covering all the essential
marketing aspects. Our main project will
involve crafting an EPK, which stands for
electronic press kit. Including elements like the film poster,
director statement, biographies, a log line, synopsis, film stills, and more. As we work on this, we'll
also delve into building your film's digital
presence on social media, websites and platforms
like Vimeo or YouTube. I'll provide insights on
creating an effective trailer and preparing for those
inevitable Q and A sessions. Information you can incorporate
into your EPK, as FAQs. All you need to follow along is a basic word processor or page layout tool
like Microsoft Word, Apples pages, or the
free Google Docs. If you're looking
for extra features, you can explore Canva, but with optional
subscription for Canva Pro or Adobe software
like Photoshop, Illustrator, or Indesign with a
monthly subscription. While I'll be demonstrating
with Adobe Indesign, the principles apply
across these tools. Before diving into animation, I spent a decade in Hollywood as a film composer
and sound engineer, attending numerous
film festivals. My own animated
shorts have graced over 50 festivals worldwide,
earning several accolades. I'm thrilled to
share my insights with all of you
incredible filmmakers who aspire to make a big impact on the global
film festival stage. So let's kick things off!
2. What is an EPK?: All right, let's talk about EPKs, electronic press kits, a game changer for promoting your film in festivals or
seeking distribution. Picture it as a
digital showpiece, subtly shaping how
your creative endeavor steps into the limelight. While some might see
it as mere promotion, those in the loop recognize
its power in crafting a captivating narrative around
their artistic pursuits. EPKs vary based on your film, so there's no rigid template. I'll walk you through
some common practices, but feel free to add
your own unique touch. EPKs aren't exclusive to films, they're also used for book
releases, music albums, and even in the realms of corporations, brands,
and politics. In this class, our focus is on harnessing EPKs for
independent films. Also, your EPK can serve different functionalities
depending on where you are in the
production process. It's possible your
EPK could function more as an elevator
pitch or proof of concept in pre-production
if you're raising funding and initial
awareness of your film. For the purpose of this class, we will focus on creating an EPK for a finished or
nearly finished film. Preparing to do a film festival run and seeking distribution. Think of an EPK as a digital
resume for your film, usually a multi page PDF. It's your promotional package, a resource for media outlets, the press, and film festivals. It also becomes your
go to when festivals seek specific info
post acceptance, streamlining the film festival
form filling process. Now let's delve
deeper and get into the nitty greedy
details. Let's dive in.
3. Overview of an EPK: Now let's break down the
components of an EPK, blending visuals and
text seamlessly. First up the visual elements, ensure your film poster
takes center stage, accompanied by
additional stills, capturing moments from pre
production, production, post production, and perhaps some red carpet
and award snapshots. Oh, and don't forget
those headshots too. Now onto the text elements. Get ready to craft a
compelling log line, a captivating synopsis,
a director statement, biographies,
technical details and film specs like equipment, software and techniques used. Next, your contact
info which is crucial, including links to all
your social media handles, website, trailer, and IMDB page. But we're not done yet, sprinkle in additional elements such as reviews, press coverage, funding or grant
acknowledgments, A rundown of screenings, festivals, awards, complete with those
film festival laurels. And for that extra umph, throw in links to any
blog posts or podcast episodes where you've shared
the journey of your film. Before we deep dive into the
specifics of each element, let's talk about
setting up a template. A vital step we'll tackle
in our next lesson. Ready to roll.
4. Setting Up an EPK Template: All right, let's talk
about crafting your EPK. It can be as
straightforward or as intricate as you would
like. You've got options. You can snag a template online from platforms like
Webflow, Wicks, Square Space, Wordpress,
Adobe Vado, or Canva Easy. Right now, if you're
up for the challenge, you can customize your
own template using Adobe software like Photoshop
Illustrator, or in design. Or keep it simple with
Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Setting up a custom
template can be a great option as it ensures
total artistic control. Let me share a great example
of a custom template created for a film called
Curiosity about a Mailman. They used an off
white background with alternating red
and blue stripes, giving each page an envelope
or package like feel, bringing in a fun component
of the main characters job. Here's another example. In my own EPK, I used artwork by the
illustrator Caitlin B. Alexander that was
animated in the film. Placing different illustrations strategically on each page, and blending it with
background colors for a seamless look with space
left for text to be added. Orientation matters to
portrait or landscape. Consider how people will
view it on a phone, a desktop monitor,
a laptop tablets. Pick what suits your audience. Here is an example of a great
EPK for the animated film, Little T, that is
done horizontally. So you can see that
either format works. If in doubt, go portrait, especially if your
photos lean more towards vertical or if you don't
have a strong preference. Now for this class, I'll show you the ropes using
Adobe in design. But remember, any tool I mentioned earlier
will do the trick. Make your EPK, an extension
of your film color schemes, fonts, and overall design should echo your
film's mood and style. Bring in visual elements like
the font from your title, the closing credits, or lower thirds if
it's a documentary. Now let's open up design and
set up a custom template. Make a new document
by clicking on new file and a new
document window will open. Make sure the width
is set to 8.5 " and the height is set to 11 ". Start with ten pages, you can always add more
and a single column, and then click Create, then set up the master pages. We don't need to
go too deep into understanding master pages in design or any other program, just know that you can make
adjustments to a master page, in this case the a parent. And they will be applied
to all the pages that have already been assigned
to the a parent below. If you want to change the background colors or
artwork on each and every page, you can skip this step and simply edit each
page one at a time. But if you'd like to
make a default color or set a footer or header, those should be applied
to the a parent. Let's begin by double clicking the page icon for a parent. And then choosing a
background color for every page by selecting the rectangle tool in the
tool bar on the left. And then double click on the top left corner of
the page and type in 8.5 " for width and 11 " for height in the
options for the rectangle. And hit okay. Then in
the Properties panel, double click the box next to the word fill under appearance. Next, select the
color pallet icon, which is the middle box of the three options in
the pop up window. And choose your color using
the eye dropper tool. Or if you don't want
to use a solid color, you can select the third box on the right and
select gradient. And then choose a linear or radial gradient
in the type menu. And adjust the colors
anyway you'd like. Alternatively, you can
choose artwork to place on the master page by
going to the file menu. Choosing Place.
Selecting artwork from your computer, press Okay. And then click on
the top left corner to place it on the page. Then you can add in any
additional elements that will go on every page, like the film's
title or website, by choosing the type
tool in the toolbox and drawing a text box anywhere on the page, typing in the box. And then using the
properties panel to choose the font size, color, paragraph alignment,
and page alignment. Now that the master
template is done, are you ready to break down the EPK page by page?
Let's get to it.
5. Title Page & Film Poster: The title page for your EPK is important as it's
the first impression someone gets of your film. This page sets the tone and it's where your film gets
its initial spotlight. It can be as simple as your film poster or a blend
of key art with the title. When I say key art, think of an animated shot
of the main character or a significant snapshot
of a live action scene, perhaps the opening or
closing shot of your film. If there's a standout shot, not on the poster, the
page is its prime spot. In my first EPK, I use the opening shot from the film on the
EPK's title page, which set a nice
vibe from the start. And then place the film
poster on page two. If your title flaunts
a unique font, showcase it on the title page before it graces the poster. Got laurels, reviews
or ratings to flaunt, then place them on
the cover page. They deserve the spotlight. Two, there are countless ways
to approach the first page, but having a title
page at the forefront followed by the poster on
page two, works smoothly. Before we move forward, let's quickly touch
on the film poster. Key elements include a bold
and legible title, clear key, art photo or illustration, an optional tag line, and the billing
block at the bottom, a cluster of movie credits. Check out the font SF movie
poster from Shy Foundry. For that classic movie poster, look available for just $20 in large studio
film productions. The DGA Directors
Guild of America and WGA Writers Guild of America have a number of rules in
the directors and writers contracts about how the credits will be done on the poster, such as the size and the order. Furthermore, your
actors might have stipulations in their
contracts about this as well. If you have an independent film, you may not have any reason
to follow these rules. I'll link to an article below. For a deeper dive, if you're
interested in learning more, consider adding your website or social media links at the posters bottom
for extra visibility. We'll tackle these links
in more detail later on. Ready for the next
page. Let's keep going.
6. Logline & Synopsis: Moving on to page three, that's where the log line and synopsis takes the spotlight. But first, what's a log line? It's a concise
summary of your film, highlighting the central
conflict and often infused with an emotional
hook to spark interest, typically less than 50 words. Sometimes it aligns with the film's tag line
found on the poster. For instance, in space,
no one can hear you. Scream is for the movie Alien, or there are 3.7 trillion
fish in the ocean. They're looking for one for
the movie, Finding Nemo. Yet in cases like Fight Club, the tag line, mischief, mayhem, soap, differs
from the log line, which delves deeper
into the plot. An insomniac office worker and a devil may care soap maker form an underground
fight club that evolves into something
much, much more. Understanding the log
lines importance is key. It serves as the Hook
Festival program is used to draw attendees
to your screening, whether on the festival website
or in printed programs. The log line might be
the only text about your film displayed
if space is limited, but if there's room,
the entire synopsis may also find its place. Speaking of a synopsis, having three versions
is a smart move. Short, medium, and
long. The short one. A compact paragraph
with the title, genre, log line, and story line. Two to three sentences. The medium one is two
paragraphs delving into major plot points
and lead characters. The longest, up to three
to four paragraphs gives a full page immersive
experience with additional key characters
and plot lines. Including both the
log line and synopsis on a single page is a
good presentation choice. You don't need to include all three versions of the
synopsis on the page. Simply have them available
to you and choose which one you'd like to
include on the EPK page. Now that page three is covered, let's proceed to the next page, ready for more. Let's dive in.
7. Director’s Statement: Now let's chat about the
director's statement. A page in the EPK I hold dear because I've worn the
director's hat on two films. So it's your chance
to express yourself, to dive into why
you made the film. What fueled your motivation, or inspiration, or the vision
that drove the project? This statement is
a gem in your EPK. Give it the attention
it deserves. It can easily take up a
full page in your EPK. One to four paragraphs of
three to four sentences each. Should do the trick. Also,
keep in mind that Instagram, a potential platform
for festival promotion, has a character limit for post 2,200 which averages
about 400 words. So if you want to keep your director statement
within that limit, any festival that
promotes your film on their Instagram feed
would be able to share your director
statement in its entirety. If you're stuck on what
to write about your film. Here are some prompts to kickstart your
director statement. Let's break them into
three categories. Why, who, and what for. Why I made this film? Or I was motivated to make
this film because for who? The work of this
director inspired me because or the script about this character interested me or I cast this actor or actress, or I worked with this
cinematographer or composer for what funding for
the film came from these resources and the
production process. I made the film with
this look and style, craft this statement with care. It's not just a page. It's a launching pad for a deeper discussion of your
film in the Q and A section. Also, if you're planning to
submit to film festivals, chances are you will utilize
the website Film Freeway, a widely used
submission platform. And here's the thing. The
director statement often gets neglected when setting up your project on Film Freeway. Let me demonstrate
how to add it. Once you've uploaded a film
to your Film Freeway account, go to My Projects. Click the Project file button and scroll to the
bottom of the page. Click on the button that
says Director Statement and Paste the text you wrote in the box for the
director statement. Then click Save Information. Now onto the next page.
8. Cast and Crew Biographies: Now let's delve into
the biographies, an important section
in your EPK. Depending on your project size and the number of contributors, this section can span from a single page to several pages. For the full biographies, focus on the main creators, the producer, director,
and screenwriter. And for animated films, the illustrator and
animator might take the spotlight for
these key creatives. It's wise to have an
extended and a short bio. The extended bio, roughly three paragraphs of
two to four sentences each. Starts with the basics, who they are, where
they're from, and their role in the film. If someone stops reading
after the first paragraph, they should have a solid
understanding of who you are. The second and third
paragraphs dive deeper, touching on educational
background, industry experience,
and personal details. The short bio is a
condensed version, mainly the first paragraph
from the extended one, and perhaps the last sentence
of the extended one. While you might not include the short version in
the EPK, keep it handy. Festivals often have
character award limits, say, 150 to 200 words
for biographies. Now you can extend the biography section to include the remaining
lead creatives behind the film and two to four key cast members
or voice over artists. The length of these
bios may vary based on the actors name
recognition or experience. But about two paragraphs of three to four sentence
each will usually suffice. Don't forget to
include high quality, high resolution headshots
with a photo credit for each. Lastly, be sure to proofread
and edit all of this text and the text throughout the
entire EPK very carefully. You might have a cast and
crew of well over 100 people. Ask someone on your crew to
look over your EPK to avoid any typos and misspelling
of anyone's name. Let's keep the momentum going
and go on to the next page.
9. Technical Info/Film Specs: Now let's talk about the technical info and
specifications of your film. A section that might not
seem crucial at first, but you never know when
someone might throw a question at you
about how you shot, animated, or crafted some
aspect of your film, right down to the font
in your title sequence. Let's equip you with the details to include in this section. This is where you
should include the TRT, or Total running time,
written like this, for hours, minutes, and seconds, with some festivals preferring it rounded to the
nearest minute. For animated films, consider detailing the
software, plug ins, render engines or
techniques used, be it stop motion or cell
animation, et cetera. In the case of live action films include film
equipment, film stock, if not shot digitally,
camera lenses, editing software, other software
and lighting techniques. Regardless of your
film's nature, you can touch on where
you sourced music tracks, sound effects,
voice over artists, and how the sound design
and audio mix were crafted. Don't forget to list
your frame rate, aspect ratio, color finish, and audio specs like
Dolby 5.1 Lastly, note the country of
origin and genre. Also ensure your film specs align with the technical
requirements of various distribution
platforms based on where your film will be
distributed in your EPK. Feel free to make
this section as detailed or concise
as you'd like. If the technical info
isn't extensive, you might even include it on the same page as your
contact info at the end. Now onto the next section.
10. Q & As: Let's shift our focus
to the Q and A section. Question and answer. A crucial part akin to
the director's statement, also known as FAQ's
Frequently asked questions. This section provides
an opportunity to delve deeper into certain
aspects of your film. Imagine questions like what inspired you to make this film? Or how did you find
the cast and crew? It's a chance to offer
deeper insights. Consider this
section in your EPK, like it's questions a
festival programmer or audience member might ask. Picture yourself on
a festival panel. What questions might
panelists receive? I recall a moderator
once asking me, what question do you wish I
had asked about your film? It's a moment for anecdotes, behind the scenes tales, or some fun stories to
enrich the conversation. I answered the moderator's
question by saying, I wish someone had asked me
about the score of my film. Since most animators aren't also film composers like myself, I was able to share
the experience of creating the soundtrack
to my own film from a piece I had written almost
ten years earlier when I was still working as a film
composer For your EPK, aim for four to six
well crafted questions, providing thoughtful answers in one to two paragraphs each. You can span this over
two pages if needed, but keeping it concise is key. Two pages, Max. Take a cue from a great example
of this short films Q and A section featuring questions about inspiration, character, back stories, favorite scenes, navigating filmmaking during the pandemic and future plans for the film as a TV series. The way they
incorporated key images from the film poster
works really well too. As you craft these
questions and answers, get comfortable with them. Picture yourself at a
festival, microphone in hand, engaging with an
audience eager to learn more about
you and your film. So go ahead, infuse
those Q and A pages with your unique insights
and get ready to confidently share
your story at festivals. And if you need
further inspiration, go and attend a film festival. And stay for the Q and A
section after the screening. And listen carefully to the audience's questions and how the filmmakers answer them. That should get your
wheels turning.
11. Film Stills: Now let's explore
the page of film. Steals a canvas to showcase visual moments
from pre production, production, and post production. This is your chance
to unveil the BTS, or behind the scenes, providing a glimpse of your
cast and crew collaborating. It's like pulling
back the curtain, letting those who dive
into your EEPK to witness the intricate process
behind making your film. Consider it a visual
storytelling opportunity. Take for instance this example
page of film stills here. See how images from the productions show the
narrative of filmmaking. You can see the director in
action collaborating with actors and glimpses of the
film equipment in use. An excellent way to capture both the cast and crew dynamics. Even in animated films, behind the scenes moments
can still be shared, possibly with screenshots of animated layers or shots of voiceover actors
in the studio. In my animated films PK, I showcase these elements to
offer a unique perspective. You could also
export still images of key animated moments
to spotlight them. Typically, this section
is a single page and some filmmakers opt to skip it if there aren't ideal
shots to share. Consider it a nice to have rather than
absolutely necessary. As you weave images
into your EPK, think of them as
a visual journey complementing your narrative. Now whether it's
capturing the magic of live action or the intricate
layers of animation, this section adds a vibrant
dimension to your PK. Go ahead, let your visuals tell a story that words
alone can't convey.
12. What is a Digital Footprint?: According to Wikipedia,
a digital footprint is one's unique set of traceable
digital activities actions, contributions, and
communications manifested on the Internet or
digital devices. So what does that mean?
Basically, it includes everything from your website and social media posts to blogs, articles, reviews, interviews,
and podcast episodes. It encompasses a wide array of online engagements.
Why does this matter? Well, it's a powerful
means to promote your film and narrate
your filmmaking journey. When it comes to your EPK, it's essential to dedicate a separate page to link all
these digital properties. You can neatly categorize them. Links specific to the
film, like the website, video or Youtube handles
and social media accounts, plus another section for
the director or producer's IMDB page or their individual
social media handles. Just to clarify, IMDB stands
for Internet Movie Database. It's the go to
place where people source information about movies. You want to submit
your film to IMDB as soon as possible even before
the film is completed. To add a visual flare, consider using familiar
social media icons as image thumbnails that you can find online,
royalty free. Additionally, in various word processing or desktop
publishing tools, you can make these icons
and the text hyperlinked. This means that when
someone opens the PDF, they can directly access the associated website
by clicking on them. In our upcoming lesson, we'll delve into the
specifics of crafting an effective website and leveraging social
media for your film. So get ready for a more detailed exploration of a digital footprint
in our next lesson.
13. Website/Social Media : Having a dedicated website for your film is like opening a window to a world
of information. You can go beyond your EPP
incorporating film clips, outtakes, short scenes,
behind the scenes, glimpses, and even
audition tapes. But what if you
don't want to create a new website for every film? Fear not. You can have a website for your production
company or your name. And set up a URL
for your film that seamlessly redirects users
to your own website. For instance, during the film
festival run of my film. Cool for you. I set
up the URL cool for Movie.com Redirecting
straight to my own website, Sharen Strasburg.com
Visitors could dive into details about cool for you and explore other ongoing projects. After the festival run, I effortlessly cancel the URL. Updating links in my EPK to guide users to
my main website. Now onto social media, another great place
to promote your film. Much like the website, you can set up accounts
for each film you do. Or if you want to
grow your followers a lot over a longer
period of time. You can set up your
social media sites to be your name or
your company name, and then always use
the same hashtags when referring to your film, such as hashtag, film title. It's up to you which social
media sites to be on or not. As of now, there's many options, but the three most commonly used by filmmakers include Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Formerly Twitter. But don't overlook Linked
in Pinters and Tiktok Two, since different audiences are sometimes on
different platforms, try to post content
where you think your audience most likely will follow you and
comment on your post. If you're a seasoned
filmmaker with IMDB credits, including a link to your IMDB
account is a smart move. Also sign up for an
IMDB pro account for more control over your
profile and film submissions. Your IMDB pro account can be a bit challenging to
navigate and you'll need to constantly make
updates on your page as you get into film festivals
or get distribution. Get comfortable using
IMDB as soon as possible. Now choose your social
media account names wisely, trying to be as consistent
across platforms as possible. You really have to consider character limits for your
social media handles. Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, X and Tiktok have
different constraints. As of now, Facebook is five
to 50 characters, Instagram, Tiktok and Pinterest
are 30 characters, and X is 15 characters. The challenge lies in X, since it's the fewest number of characters for account names, so plan accordingly to
maintain consistency. It's usually best to figure
out your account name for X and then go
on to Instagram, Tiktok, Pinterest, and Facebook. They match before finalizing any social media account names, check for a website's
URL availability. If your film title is a common word or phrase
like learning to love, consider variations
like learning to love movie.com or learning to Lovefilm.com But then
your social media handle on X will be too long. So you'd have to
choose something like learn to love movie, using the number two
to keep it within 15 characters or
learn to love film. The big takeaway
here is that it's important to elevate your films digital presence to create some buzz interest
in your movie. To market, promote, and raise
awareness of your film.
14. Making a Trailer: Let's dive into the essential
role of video platforms in showcasing your film beyond your social media and website. Having a presence on Youtube
or Vimeo is crucial. Primarily, this is where
you'll host your trailer, ensuring it's easily viewable without affecting
your website's load. Times. Trailers are
dynamic advertisements for your film and could range from 15 seconds to 2 minutes. They serve as your film
poster in video format, introducing the title, logline, director and producer names, and lead cast members. You could even craft different
versions and lengths as festivals may feature them in their own promos
for the festival. A trailer's three act
structure is vital. Begin by introducing
the main character, setting and premise. The middle intensifies
the conflict, and the delivers a climax. When crafting a trailer,
follow these guidelines. Showcase stunning scenes
without spoilers. Use voice over dialogue or
text to narrate carefully. Select music and sound effects,
highlight notable names, include a call to action, showcase laurels, and
incorporate any rave reviews. Once your trailer is ready, set up a Youtube
or Vimeo account. Both are free, though
you could consider a paid Vimeo account
for extra features. Include the trailer link in your EPK alongside the website, and social media links. Beyond trailers, you can upload your entire film to
Youtube or Vimeo, keeping it unlisted or password protected until your
festival run concludes. Film festivals often require film submissions via a link
allowing you to control, download, access through
these video platforms. Invest time in crafting
an excellent trailer and familiarize yourself with
the chosen video platform. For example, Vimeo enables
easy trailer updates, keeping any comments or
number of views while Youtube requires re uploading and losing your page statistics. Now let's move on to the
next page of your EPK.
15. Festivals & Awards: The festivals and
Awards page becomes a significant
addition to your EPK. As your film screenings
and accolades grow, ideally you should introduce this page once
your film has been accepted into two to three
festivals, any nominations, honorable mentions
or recognitions, including being a
finalist or semifinalist, should find a place
here as well. Here is an exemplary EPK for a film with numerous
festival acceptances. Laurels take center stage
at the top of the page. The subsequent section
highlights awards, nominations, and
official selections. Although it's noted that these are just the highlights due to the sheer volume of achievements upon
acceptance to a festival, they will typically
provide a unique laurel. These laurels often come with intricate designs and
multiple color options. Utilizing the festival's
custom laurel is crucial. Festivals usually send P
and G files in all black, all white, or full color. Depending on your EPK's
background color. Either version can be used. Film freeway allows you to
create your own laurel too, which is beneficial if the
festival doesn't provide one or the file lacks a
transparent background. Let me guide you through the
process on Film Freeway. To create your own laurel, navigate to the submissions tab. Select a festival where
your film was selected, and click the Create
Laurel button. Choose from four
different leaf options. Edit the text font along with
the festival name, year. There's an option for
black text or white text, which despite mentioning
a background color, results in a
transparent background. After hitting Create Laurel, it will download the PNG for
use in your EPK website, social media trailer,
or film poster. If your film got into a festival that's
not on film freeway, you can still create a laurel using stalk
illustrations of leaves, then adding the text,
however you would like. Now let's continue to the
next section of your EPK
16. Press & Reviews: The press and Reviews page, much like the festivals
and awards page, becomes relevant once
your film garners some press coverage or
receives positive reviews. While there are opportunities to obtain reviews for a fee, the preference is to
secure free press. If you've been featured on
podcast discussing your film, leveraging the press page to showcase the podcasts
thumbnail list, the host episode title, and perhaps a noteworthy
quote from your conversation, including hyperlinks to
the reviews, articles, or podcast episodes allows interested parties
to explore further. Consider this example of a press page displaying
articles that promoted a film. If you haven't yet
garnered press or reviews, don't worry, you can
omit this page entirely. Alternatively, you can explore opportunities to write
guest blog posts. Numerous blogs cater to independent filmmakers or
film industry insights. Reach out to them,
proposing an article or blog post for their website,
blog or newsletter. This is especially
beneficial if you have a unique perspective or
experience to share. In my case, a couple of
film festivals allowed me to write articles about
my festival experiences, which is another viable addition to this section of the EPK. Just don't forget to
include those hyperlinks.
17. Contact Info/Closing Page and Export: This page focuses
on the key contexts for your film and it is important
to include in your EPK. If you have a publicist, PR, representative manager or agent, ensure their information
is featured here. Include details for
your distributor or head of marketing as
well if you have them. Additionally, you should provide your own contact information or that of the main
point of contact. Typically the producer or
director, including the name, role in the film,
E mail address, phone number, and
website is ideal. While you can choose to
include this information on the same page as the social
media and website links, it's common for this to be
the last page of the EPP. You have the option to add one more page at the
very end if you'd like. This page can serve
as a space to share details about who your
film is dedicated to, recognize individuals
who inspired or played a significant role
in the film's creation. Or acknowledge mentors and supporters under special thanks. It's also an opportunity to
showcase any final pieces of artwork like sketches or early mock ups of the film
poster or set pieces. Have fun with it.
This page serves as the final impression on anyone reading through
your entire EPK. If you can't think of anything
to include, don't worry. You can choose to
leave this page out and conclude with
the contact info. And with that, we've reached
the conclusion of the EPK. Congratulations, All you need to do is export it as a PDF. Most people don't
print out EPKs. You don't need to worry about
crop marks or color space. Exporting it as a PDF, also known as a flattened PDF, ensures that no one can edit it as opposed to an
editable word document. All the desktop publishing and word processing tools offer the option to export as a PDF. If you're using design, go to the file menu,
choose export. Then in the format
menu, choose PDF. Interactive name the file, choose where to save it, and hit Save. Then click Export. If you're using Canva, open the design you
want to download. And I'll show you
the steps to make the PDF above the editor. Click Share and select Download. Select PDF, standard or PDF. Print from the dropdown, check flatten PDF on the
checkbox, and click Download. Since Adobe Acrobat
is a free PDF reader, anyone will be able to open
your PDF and easily read it.
18. Final Takeaways: As we reach the conclusion
of this course, I want to express
my gratitude for joining me on this journey
and completing this class. We've covered a lot delving into the intricacies
of creating an EPK, an electronic press kit. By now, I hope you have your
basic EPK template ready. Complete with essential elements
such as the film poster, log line, synopsis,
director statement, biographies, Q and
A's film stills, technical specs, links to your website, social
media trailer. If you've earned
Laurels, awards, reviews and press, I hope you've incorporated those
into your EPK as well. The key takeaway from this class is that
you don't need to hire a designer to
craft a remarkable EPP. Remember, the foundation for your EPK is already
laid when you created your film and setting up all the branding that will go into the marketing
for your film, whether utilizing artwork from animation or images from
live action filming. Your EPK can shine
by incorporating elements from your film
alongside informative text. Be sure to use as many
of these elements as possible when attending
the festivals in person. Bring copies of your poster
to the festivals you attend, along with smaller postcards of your poster with all the contact
info placed on the back. You can place these
postcards on tables at the festivals
and maybe even in the press bags or filmmakers bags to get the most out
of your festival circuit. You could even develop some
fun swag for your film that relates to your movie and pass it out at the festival. I encourage you to share your class project in
the Project gallery. Connect with me on Skillshare
and through social media, on Instagram and Linked in. Feel free to leave a review of this class here on Skillshare to best of luck with
the marketing and distribution of your film and
your film festival journey, I look forward to seeing
you at film festivals.
Sherene Strausberg, Filmmaker, Animator & Composer
