'Therese' to get screen time

Locals push to get independent film into area theaters

It's not easy to get an independent film into theaters, just ask local residents Diane and Johnny Ventura, who helped Luke Films, maker of a religious film titled "Therese," get the movie released in Las Vegas.

The semi-retired couple are members of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 1111 Michael Way.

Luke Films approached churches across the country earlier this year to propose a grass-roots show of support. The Venturas and other members of their church worked to get signatures in a petition drive. They needed 17,000 and even went to Laughlin and Mesquite to ensure that goal was accomplished.

Most of the signatures were obtained by volunteers waiting in the church foyers. Some people took it upon themselves to go to sites like grocery stores to catch a wider spectrum of people. The goal was met in mid-September.

"Hollywood is well aware what's in store," Diane said when contacted in early September when the drive had 12,000 signatures. "But they need to know how many people plan to go see this movie."

As a result of the petition drive, the PG-rated "Therese" will be screened at two Regal theaters tomorrow.On the east side, it's slated to be shown at Regal Colonnade Stadium 14, 8880 S. Eastern Ave. (948-2903). In Summerlin, it's scheduled for the Regal Village Square Stadium 18, 9400 W. Sahara Ave. (838-0490).

According to Lourds Ambrose, director of operations for Luke Films which produced "Therese," getting an independent film into a single independent theater can be accomplished with about $300, but that only buys one showing and, chances are, the only people who attend will be family and friends.

The majority of theaters are not independent. They are run by corporations that prefer Hollywood productions with the potential to make money.

According to local independent filmmaker Yiorgo Aretos, marketing and advertising costs should be at least 40 percent of a filmmaker's budget. He said normal distribution fees mean a filmmaker can expect to keep 10 percent to 15 percent of the profits.

If a distributing company does agree to carry an independent film, the most advertising the filmmaker can expect is listing letters on its marquee. So the petition also was viewed as a way to advertise.

Daniel Zacek, creative director for Media Del'Arte, a distribution/marketing company responsible for 15 films getting into theaters said filmmakers are forced to be creative when financing their own work.

Zacek said most studios have a post-production division that concentrates on getting films into theaters, so its films have a distribution plan in place before filming ever starts.

But when it comes to independent features, the film is usually made first, then the job of getting it to theaters is tackled.

Distribution and advertising can often cost more than it took to make the film.

Small independent producers get a film into theaters by various means like offering a first look deal with a particular distributor, four walling a theater or entering it in film festivals.

"A big, glowing audience at a festival can be the best sales pitch to a buyer," Zacek said, explaining how the independent mockumentary "The Blair Witch Project, " which was released several years ago, got noticed.

When it comes to independent films, timing is important.

"You don't want to open Labor Day weekend or the week of Christmas," Ambrose said. "Those are the two major time brackets when the major releases come out, and you don't want to have to compete with them."

Better times for releasing are October and February, he said.

As for the autobiography of Saint Therese of Lisieux, which "Therese" is based on, the story sold millions and was translated into roughly 60 languages. A tour of her bones drew millions.

The companies behind those two endeavors were approached and agreed to pass out fliers to help promote the film. It also didn't hurt that the Vatican endorsed the movie. That led to meetings with regional church officials who agreed to alert congregations to the film. Also, a sister company to Luke Films promoted it through its touring drama productions.

In the end, "Who you know is what the game is all about," said Aretos. "If you don't know someone, you won't get any further than a phone call."


<<--[back]