Adventures in Self-Releasing: DVD Release Tomorrow!

by Jeffrey Goodman | Published October 16, 2009

Tomorrow, October 17, I’ll be releasing the first edition DVD of The Last Lullaby in Shreveport. It should be a memorable time signing DVDs and celebrating another significant milestone with some of the movie’s core group of support. That’s Saturday. Then Monday, October 19, is the online launch, when people outside of Shreveport can begin buying the DVD off the movie’s Website (www.thelastlullaby.com).

People that buy the DVD in its first month of release will be entered to win several (very cool, I might add) movie-related prizes. These include:

1. Tom Sizemore’s main outfit from the movie.
2. Sasha Alexander’s hooded coat from the movie.
3. Jerry Hardin’s camel hair topcoat from the movie.
4. Bill Smitrovich’s navy velor sweatsuit from the movie.
5. A lifetime subscription to MovieMaker Magazine.
6. Sprague Grayden’s red shoes from the movie.
7. Price’s (Sizemore) chess board from the movie.
8. Two of Sasha Alexander’s blouses from the movie.
9. A guaranteed extra role in my next movie.

I first started raising money for The Last Lullaby in May of 2005 and now, 53 months later, I’m excited as more people than ever will have the opportunity to see it. After this DVD launch, my focus will shift to trying to find a home for the movie on cable and in the major outlets like Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Netflix, etc.

I look around as some of my peers self-release, and I feel that it’s an exciting time as we’re all learning from one another. Are we on to something? Is self-releasing something we will only see more and more frequently? I haven’t quite cracked it—I’m not sure any of us have—but we’re looking and we’re trying new things, and something will eventually come from all this experimentation and openness.

Until then, let’s keep the dialogue open. Like most of you, I want as many people as possible to see my work and I want to continue making my work with some kind of frequency.

After living in Los Angeles for seven years, Jeffrey Goodman returned to his hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana to direct The Last Lullaby. Co-written by the creator of Road to Perdition, and starring Tom Sizemore and Sasha Alexander, The Last Lullaby was filmed entirely in and around Shreveport and financed by 48 local investors.

COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT

Comment by Alex Footman on 10/16/09 at 8:48 am

Nice prizes! I’m sold. Buying my DVD as soon as I can. -Alex

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 10/16/09 at 9:07 am

Thanks, Alex!  Really appreciate all the support.  Hey, want to tell everyone how they can get a copy of CRUDE INDEPENDENCE? 

J

Comment by Paul Chau on 10/16/09 at 2:38 pm

Hey Jeffrey
Congrats. 53 months is a long journey but that’s what everyone needs to understand, that making of an indie film will take up 3 years plus of your life to go from script to distribution. So anybody who does it deserves all the praise in the world. So congrats, I enjoyed reading your blog and I will order a copy and also spread the word among filmmakers and such in NY.

Paul

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 10/16/09 at 5:39 pm

Hey Paul,

Thanks so much for the very kind words.  How is everything going with SCALP?  What’s the latest?  I truly appreciate all the support.

Jeffrey

Comment by Paul Chau on 10/16/09 at 9:26 pm

Jeffrey
Thanks for asking about Scalp. It is funny but our timing is similar because our DVD is available now at http://www.scalpthemovie.com . There has been discussion in your blog on what extras to include with the DVD and what I am doing is including with the DVD a free PDF copy of “Two Day Film Class” which is the book I use for a two day intensive film course that I teach. So I am hoping that a DVD that contains a film with a positive NY Post review and a free filmmaking book will be a good value. Also I saw discussion in your blog about price points for DVDs and I would just say that I think people that will buy indie film DVDs buy them for different reasons than people who buy Batman, etc. There is something cool about having a DVD of a film that not everyone has seen. I love discovering films that are not part of the main stream. I agree with your price point of $19.99 which is also my price point because I don’t believe it being priced at $17.99 versus $19.99 is going to swing a buy decision. I love the prizes you are offering for people who buy the DVD in the first month because it is different and feels grassroots. If I win the part of being an extra in your next film, any chance I will get to sit on one of those director chairs? Good luck with everything

Paul

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 10/17/09 at 8:03 am

Hi Paul,

Congratuations!  I just ordered my copy of SCALP.  I’m very much looking forward to it.

Keep in touch.  It sounds like we’re in some very similar situations. 

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by Patrick on 10/17/09 at 9:33 am

Hey Jeffrey,

Paul is right, stick to the $19.99 price tag for now, you cannot compare it the hollywood pricing found in stores these days.  The people who will buy Lullaby will want it to support you and indie film, as well as to get what looks like a cool little film.  I was fortunate enough to get my indie movie picked up my a North American distributor, it will be released later this year, and the price tag is in the mid twenties.

Best,
Patrick

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 10/17/09 at 9:42 am

Hi Patrick,

Thanks so much for your comments here and for all of your support.  That makes sense to me.  Will you let me know when your movie is released so that I can support you?  Congratulations!  That’s awesome.

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by Patrick on 10/17/09 at 10:24 am

Sure thing Jeffrey,
Here is the link, I hope it works, it’ll give you all the info you need about the release.  We go real lucky, it will be released through Lionsgate in the US and Maple Pictures here in Canada.
Congrats on the fruits of your labour.  I know it’s been a long road for you, you deserve all of the success coming your way.
http://www.maplepictures.com/home_video_detail.aspx?id=34920
-Patrick

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 10/18/09 at 8:15 am

Hi Patrick,

Congratulations!  This is great.  Please let me know when it’s released, and I’ll definitely pick up a copy. 

Excited for you. 

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by John Mcknight on 10/19/09 at 12:00 pm

Great list of price!  #9 prize is pretty exciting, be an instant star in your next movie.  Your prizes can really give you more sales. You’ll definitely be successful with this movie campaign.  Goodluck!

Comment by Paul Chau on 10/19/09 at 12:03 pm

Jeffrey
Just ordered my copy of your film and I look forward to watching it. I would encourage everyone reading this blog to support this film and buy a copy. Jeffrey has provided a lot of info that hopefully will help others down the road so a nice way of saying thank you. Also, Jeffrey, just to follow up on a prior email trade about streaming services, don’t know if you know of Gigantic Releasing but they are a company that is streaming first run films but they are focusing on docs right now because docs have a well defined audience. This is their website http://www.giganticdigital.com/ One of the principals is Mark Lipsky, who was a former senior person at Miramax. I believe one of their goals is to make a streaming release a viable alternative to a theatrical release. Given that you have already released threatrically, this probably won’t apply to your film but I wonder if you move beyond the DVD stage, could they be an option (I don’t know if they are looking at non-premieres) I also don’t know what kind of numbers they have put up and if they have enough reach to make it worthwhile but thought I would mention them to you). I heard Lipsky speak at a film conference recently. Thanks

Paul

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 10/19/09 at 2:36 pm

Hi John,

Thanks so much for your very kind words.  I truly appreciate ‘em. 

I hope that you’ll continue to follow along.

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 10/19/09 at 2:39 pm

Hi Kitchen Bins,

Thank you so much!  I look forward to you seeing Lullaby.

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 10/19/09 at 2:41 pm

HI Paul,

Wow, thanks so much for all the support!  I can’t wait to see SCALP, as well.  It’s on its way. 

I appreciate the heads-up on Gigantic.  I will investigate.  If I find out anything of note, I’ll let you know.  Please do the same.

Keep up all the great work!  Thanks, Paul.

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by Guia Hungria on 11/03/09 at 7:01 pm

I’m convinced, dieing for those prizes!

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 11/03/09 at 7:04 pm

Thanks so much, Guia!  The drawing on the 18th will be very fun.  I hope to see you there.

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by Clarissa on 11/18/09 at 1:32 pm

sounds like a great movie! check out some others on this site or see yours featured here!
http://www.bigstar.tv

Comment by Andrew Stone on 4/17/10 at 8:56 pm

You guys did a great marketing strategy on this movie of yours.  Well, great strategy is what you really need since you guys are limited with the necessary exposure to attract viewers to go and watch your movie.

Comment by Funny Pictures on 4/18/10 at 1:48 am

Nice! I may order the movie soon. Congrats, and good work!

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 4/18/10 at 7:25 am

Thanks so much for the really kind words, Andrew!  I completely agree that marketing is such a part of it.

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 4/18/10 at 7:26 am

Thanks so much Funny Pictures!  I really appreciate the interest and support.

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by holly on 5/23/10 at 8:12 pm

Thans.
I hope to see you there.

Comment by CevdetBlog on 6/10/10 at 1:57 pm

Thank you nice post :) very good

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 6/11/10 at 7:00 am

Thanks, CevdetBlog.  Really appreciate it.

Jeffrey

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 7/19/10 at 9:04 am

Hey videos cristianos,

Thanks so much for the great words.  I really appreciate them!

Jeffrey

Comment by Inchirieri masini on 7/22/10 at 12:14 am

I bought the DVD as well and I enjoyed watching it with my family. After, I took it to the kinder garden next to our house, for the kids to see it as well.

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 7/25/10 at 12:40 pm

Hey Football Manager 2011,

I really appreciate the kind words.  I hope you’ll stop back in.

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by Hostess on 7/26/10 at 1:51 am

Tom is excellent in this movie. The release was a huge wait for most of my friends.
It’s a good movie to watch when you have a lonely evening.
Take care.

Comment by Apotheke on 7/26/10 at 5:59 am

Adventures in Self-Releasing - CD already out?

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 7/26/10 at 7:51 am

Hi Hostess,

Thank you so much for the great words.  I really appreciate ‘em. 

Do you receive our monthly e-mail updates, by the way?  If not, would you like to be added to the list?  It’s the best way to keep up to date on LULLABY.

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 7/26/10 at 7:52 am

Hi Apotheke,

A first run DVD and CD are both out.  You can find them by visiting the film’s website.  Thanks so much!

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 8/20/10 at 6:39 am

Hi araba,

Thank you so much for the very kind words.  I really appreciate it.

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by oyun oyna on 8/22/10 at 9:46 pm

make sure marketing is an integral part of the budget before I begin. Here’s hoping for the best! Thanks!

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 8/23/10 at 7:51 am

Hi oyun,

Yes, marketing is so integral.  I definitely agree with you.

Jeffrey

Comment by hooka girl on 9/02/10 at 8:57 am

saw this movie at Cinequest, and it was awesome. It was one of the two movies my husband and I saw where we asked, “Why isn’t this in theatres?”

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 9/02/10 at 3:42 pm

Hi hooka girl,

Thank you so much for those incredibly kind words.  I really appreciate ‘em!

Jeffrey

Comment by Celeb Gossip on 10/10/10 at 4:26 am

I hope this done well for you and helped you get further exposure. Great to see people with motivation doing great things.. :)

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 10/10/10 at 3:19 pm

Hi Celeb Gossip,

Thanks so much for the kind words.  I really appreciate it.

All the best,

Jeffrey

Comment by ftayat chat on 4/25/11 at 2:56 pm

Thank you nice post :) very good

Comment by Jeffrey Goodman on 4/26/11 at 5:44 am

Hi ftayat chat,

Thank you so much for your very kind words!

All the best,

Jeffrey

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