Every year companies spend Billions of dollars on product placements in movies. They do it because there’s no better way to reach a mass amount of people for a small (relative to the movie size) amount of money.
Lately, advertisers are finding a lot of success advertising in independent films and short films. Recently, a product placement advertiser advertised in an independent film for less than $10,000 and the film went on to screen in theaters nationwide and was sold in stores all over the country. That product was seen in the movie by over 30 million people.
Some of the typical type of movie advertisers are:
- Clothing brands
- Automobiles
- TVs
- Beverages, Supplements
- Fast Food
And a whole lot more. Anything and everything you can think of. If you see a brand or product in a movie, a deal was made to place that.
Why do companies place their products or brands in movies?
They do it for the same reason that they sponsor sports arenas (TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Staples Center in L.A., etc.) That reason is that they want to make their brand to remain relevant and stay in peoples minds.
People buy things like cars because of what the cool car is in the movies. They eat what their favorite stars are eating. The list goes on and on.
How do you get your product placed in a movie?
Typically you are going to spend a lot of money $100,000 – $1,000,000 + to get placed in a big studio produced feature film. That’s out of budget for most mid level entreprenuers or small busines owners. How do you solve this problem?
Short or independent films are you answer.
The average independent or studio produced short film will have a much smaller need for funding and should be able to place you in the film for under $10,000.
The reason short and independent films usually need less is because they are passion projects for the filmmakers. They motivate their entire production team to work for as little as possible and don’t use expensive locations.
They also typically are VERY motivated to make the film very successful in film festivals and are eager to land distribution deals. You often won’t find a more motivated person to help you get your product (and their movie) out there than a filmmaker.
Interesting! Assuming somebody had a product they’d like placed in film, is there a web site/database of not-quite-in-progress indie films looking for extra funding?
The best way to do that would be to get yourself on casting call email lists or check sources manually.
If filmmakers are doing casting calls then that means that they are about to start filming and may be looking for last minute funding.
For example, in the Boston area one of the bigger sites is NewEnglandFilm.com. Each major film-making area has a big site like that. There will be an email address associated with each production (for casting) and if you make the subject of your email something like “Sponsor your movie?” or “Product placement in your movie” they are sure to open it.
I also do consulting for some film studios and occasionally I’ll be in charge of product placements and fund raising. I’m involved in one right now and that’s what inspired me to make this post.
Very, very interesting idea. Nice angle on timing inquiries with casting calls.
Great post, i really learnt something here…
Am I glad I found this! I’m a filmmaker in Seattle and am wondering if this can work in reverse? I’m one of those guys making a short film which is a passion project. I always wondered about product placement but would ultimately dismiss it because I was “just” doing a short. Would it be as simple as approaching companies that had products I think might fit with my film and, in effect, pitch the idea of them doing a product placement with me?
sounds like a good idea