Just a quick post about an indie working hard to get his movie out there, and being creative in his approach.
Travis Legge, an aspiring horror film writer and director, took his career into his own hands by making Raymond Did It, an ultra-low-budget horror film.
Considering he had no money, the trailer looks really good. Plus, he was smart enough to reach out to, and cast, two of our former Scream Queens in Raymond Did It.
Travis is Building a Street Team
To help distribute his movie himself, and get the word out, Travis is selling Raymond Did It Street Team Shirts. The idea is to earn some extra money to help release the film, and at the same time use that age old “walking billboard” tactic to spread the word.
But it’s Just a Tee Shirt, Right?
We all get free tee-shirts, all the time, at trade shows, fairs, you name it. And honestly, a free tee-shirt just doesn’t mean all that much. I mean, really, do you wear your free tee-shirts anywhere you actually want to be seen?
But in this new age of crowd-source funding, where individuals choose to support unique projects by making “micro donations” as small as a few dollars, it seems that someone who takes the time, and spends to money, to own a Raymond Did It Street Team Shirt is committing to more than $20 for a shirt…they’re pledging their support to get the word out about Travis’ movie, and in a way, taking ownership in its success.
By buying the shirt, they’ll probably wear it in places they want to be seen, talk about the movie, and proudly proclaim that they support indie filmmaking.
Honestly, the people you want to have your tee shirt are the ones who are willing to pay a few dollars for it.
Not Just a Tee Shirt
It’s a new way of thinking about “selling merchandise” related to your movie. Forget the idea of simply raising a few bucks by selling junk no one cares about. Instead, look at it like you’re asking for a donation to join a special club. In this case, a club that loudly supports indie horror filmmakers, and wants to be the first in line to see Raymond Did It. It’s an idea to think about and learn from.
The Raymond Did It poster design, done by Tim Stotz, appears on the front of the shirt.
If you’re into indie horror films, and want to help a motivated self-starter get the word out about his film, pick up Raymond Did It Street Team Shirt here.
How About You?
Doing something unique to promote your indie film? Let us know in the comments, and leave some links to your movie!