Posting and Promoting your Indie Film on Current.com

To be clear, it has been my sincere intention to help create an independent film production presence at Current.com. I am an independent filmmaker myself and after completing my second feature film, LOOP, I set off to promote it, only to find out that during the twenty years that have passed since my first feature film – REDNECK ZOMBIES -- the independent film scene has changed immensely and is now in the midst of a paradigm shift, which is changing and affecting all media. I was lost for a while, but after finding that there were others like me (but much younger and smarter) at places like the Truly Free Film blog -- I dove in.

Now I am tempted to break off on a tangent here, but I will stay on point.

I was able to sell the idea of the Indie Film Channel to the good people at Current TV and became the curator for the page.

Current.com is the website of Current TV.

(From Wikipedia) Current TV is an Emmy award-winning independent media company led by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and businessman Joel Hyatt.

Current has both a Cable/Satellite Channel as well as a very active website, which covers everything from news to video games. The community is one of the best around, being intelligent, engaging and opinionated.

My Indie Film Channel is the progeny of the Current Movies Channel which is proudly sponsored by the rottentomatoes.com, and features The Rotten Tomatoes Show featuring hosts Brett Erlich and Ellen Fox.

OK enough background...

I am looking for two types of people:

1. Independent Filmmakers who want to promote their projects.


2. The Independent Film Lover who wants stay in touch with the latest and greatest and add their voice to ongoing conversation regarding Indie Film.
   

What is the best way to do this?

Go to Current.com and register as a user - it is free. This allows you complete access to the entire site and you can post and comment on items in ANY category. But independent filmmakers should post movies and articles telling all things cool and hip about your Indie Film.

Do you have a Trailer? Post it.
Is there an interesting article about your movie? Post it.
Did your Indie Film get a good review? Post it.

You can also post your trailer/short at Current which displays your work at a very high quality. Here are two pieces of mine that I have uploaded to current, FREEDOM PLAZA and FIGHTER. One is a short, the other a documentary promo. Please note the comments and the number of views. You DO NOT have to upload your video (or use any video at all) you may embed from another service such as YouTube or blip.tv, or you may upload a production still.

Once you promotion is up you may edit the main content info (For instance to add new screenings and awards and information) and link to it. Of course you can also add links to your project's web page and you can then use it as a target page to link from elsewhere, such as Twitter. You can also make connections with other users on the site.

You may also add additional links in the post's reply section which allows you above average graphics tools. Since Current's interface is ideal for (and in fact set up for) aggregating information, you can easily aggregate your project's entire web presence there. Everything is editable and of course you could easily delete your entire profile if need be.

If your project gets a lot of interest, it will be featured in the top four of the Indie Page.

I am interested in seeing anything independently produced, shorts, music video, documentary, experimental and features. (I love no-budget and 'Homebrew') I would also love to see video and stories on Indie Filmmaking -- "War Stories" and "How To's." I also want to hear about other net based Indie Film communities and the latest poop on video gear. You must read the Current Community Guidelines and The Terms of Use and agree to them when you register.

THIS IS IMPORTANT! - USE YOUR TAGS! When posting a project, you have an option to add tags. Make sure to use Indie Film as a tag so it will show up on my channel. Other tags should include movies, genre, and any other thing appropriate. I will work hard to promote your project individually and the channel as a whole.

If you are an Indie Movie Fan, you can just browse without registering, or you can register to comment on posts and create connections with filmmakers and other users. I really want Indie Movie Fans to register and comment. If you truly love Indie Film, you can support it in a big way at Current while seeing and communicating with the filmmakers themselves.

The main objective is to have fun, promote your project, support others and keep independent film going. There are emerging voices that need to be heard.

At this point, Current TV does not show narrative films or music video on their cable network channel. Maybe that will change...

I want to make absolutely clear that I am not an employee of current. I do not get paid per "click" or registration. I am not in line for employment at Current. I am doing this on a volunteer basis. I suggested this channel to Current and they have been kind enough to present me with the opportunity to give Independent Film another outlet.

Please follow this blog. If you have any questions, email me [periclesmd7[at]gmaildotcom] , post them here in the comments or contact me on TWITTER. My Twitter User is loopmovie
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Current has just added added nine other great channels to their website. They have a blog on all of them HERE.