Four-Walling Your Movie: Tips on How to Get Your Masterpiece Seen

By Gentle Thug Productions


"Four-walling" is simply finding unique places to show your movie. Besides sending your film off to Netflix and Amazon (or trying to rent space at a local movie theater), there are many other avenues open to you where you can share your creative genius with an eager audience--but it takes time and persistence.

The Basics

Equipment

If you're planning to four-wall your film, then you need to invest in some basic audio/visual equipment (don't rely on potential avenues to provide this equipment for you); at the very least, you'll need:

1. A projector. (See: Projector Central.)

2. A large portable movie screen. (See: School Outfitters.)

3. A laptop or a DVD player (which connects to your projector).

4. A good sound system (which connects to your projector). (See: Amazon.)

Once you have your equipment in place, you can go almost anywhere to show your movie.


Promotion

1. Develop an electronic press kit (EPK) for your movie; this should include a brief synopsis of your film, artwork and picture stills, a listing of cast and crew members, running time, etc. (See: 6 Tips For Creating An EPK For Your Film.) Email your EPK to social clubs, schools, churches, art galleries, bars, museums, etc. Follow up your email with personal phone calls and/or personal visits.

2. Create posters for your film, which can be distributed to potential avenues. (See: How To Make Movie Posters To Promote Your Film.)

3. Write a press release for your film. (See: How to Write a Press Release for a Film.) Send your press release to local news media outlets (e.g., newspapers, TV stations, radio stations, etc.).

4. Start a website geared specifically towards your film; include your website address in your EPK, posters, press releases, and business cards.

5. Print business cards with the name of your film, your name as the filmmaker, website address, and contact information. (See: Vistaprint.) Hand them out everywhere you go.

6. Conduct "house screenings" with family members and/or friends where your film can be shown. Provide food, drinks, etc. and make a party out of the event.

7. Get permission from local businesses/organizations to project your film onto one of their outside walls for an evening showing.

There are many, many ways to get your film seen; be creative, be relentless, and be sure to remember "ABP" ("Always Be Promoting")!