Form a Partnership
I’ve talked about networking before (here and here), and can’t emphasize enough how important it is. One of the great things that grows out of networking is partnerships. People working together to achieve a common goal.
A great example of this is Jenkins Entertainment and PureFlix Entertainment.
Jenkins Entertainment is the production company author Jerry Jenkins (Left Behind series, and 175 books at the latest count) formed with his son Dallas, a film producer and director (Hometown Legend and Midnight Clear). That’s a great partnership right there, but they didn’t really have to “network” to set that up – that one is all in the family.
Recently, they recognized the benefits of teaming with PureFlix Entertainment, (Hidden Secrets, The Wager) and entered into a partnership with them. By partnering together, the companies can focus on their own strengths and complement each other.
If I took a guess at how the partnership would play out, my guess would be they focus on some of Jerry Jenkins’ books for development properties (That’s not really a guess, they’ve already announced that “Riven,” Jerry’s latest book, is in development). Dallas Jenkins directs and executive produces, and the team at PureFlix produces, hires the production crew, and distributes through their channels.
Smart partnership. So who would you partner with, and what’s stopping you from doing it?
I listened to this excellent audio message by Rich Christiano called:
How to Finance and Distribute a Christian Film
http://www.visionforum.com/booksandmedia/productdetail.aspx?productid=87704&categoryid=159
and I remember him pointing out that in order to get distribution through larger Christian distribution channels they had to come together with other Christian filmmakers to have a a larger number of films to be taken channel and to gain access to that outlet.
January 15th, 2009 at 9:39 am
– edit for above — sorry major typo:
They had to come together with other Christian filmmakers to have a larger number of films to be taken **seriously** and gain access to that outlet.
January 15th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Partnership is great and has great benefits but I think it is important to establish and maintain very good relationships with a very good conflict-resolution structure in place to anticipate and resolve problems. Also have a focus on how long your business goals will last, how you will achieve them and create a renewal procedure so that you are not under pressure to do things forever with each other. Partnerships are definitely the way forward and much good in terms of rewards in both commerce and significant creativity can come out of it.
January 17th, 2009 at 6:26 am
Most times we’re aware of organizations not willing to partner because they’re not willing to give up anything, even if merging would better serve the Kingdom. They don’t want to share profits– or credit and recognition. Everyone want their wn piece of the pie. It’s sad.
January 18th, 2009 at 7:28 am
In furthering the concept of partnership and networking, I could not agree more. In fact, I have a request: I am interested in finding a Christian, Dove approved movie, with a similar theme of “pay it forward.” I am starting a Works of Mercy workshop for grades 2-6 would like to show the children how one good work of mercy or good deed can affect many.
Any thoughts?
January 19th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Hi Colette,
That’s a hard one. I’m trying to think of some, I can think of many that are close, but I don’t think they would apply.
The only one I can think of right now is “The Light Within” there are 2 stories on this dvd, “Journey to Harmony” is the one that might work for you. Here is a link to it on the “L page” of CFDb. It’s like 20-25min.
http://christianfilmdatabase.com/MoviesL.html
February 1st, 2009 at 2:56 pm