Search Dog’s Raven Press Release

As a first time indie filmmaker, I’m astounded at how many things that need to be done. Many of which seem to have nothing to do with film making. And no one tells you about all these things until you’re already in the trenches.

A film’s first press release is supposed to come out when the film wraps production. But with the thirty thousand or so films being made as we speak, how many media bureaus really care about yet another indie film. So I thought up a different strategy. Instead of a film wrap release, the first official press release for Search Dog’s Raven reveals the rags to riches story of Ebbey the canine actor who portrays the film’s search dog. I mean how many canines do you know who have their own web site and their own blog. Plus there’s only one Ebbey on the Internet Movie Database, and she is in our film. Thanks IMDB.com.

Now some may argue that sending a press release about the canine costar is a bit out there, but dog lovers make up a big part of our audience and there are some 50 million in the US alone. And who doesn’t love to see a dog wearing antlers and holding a candy cane toy bone?

I spent a couple days capturing some incredibly cute Christmas photos and video and we’ll see if Ebbey’s story gets the film any kind of media coverage. About the only way we’ll know is via an ongoing Google search and if the film’s web site hits suddenly surge.

For an independent film, Search Dog’s Raven has been exceptionally lucky about getting media attention thus far. Let’s hope our creativity continues to give us an edge in the incredibly competitive film market.

Humane Society

Though I don't agree with every campaign, I've always supported the efforts of the Humane Society of the United States. Their heart is in the right place.

So we've arranged an interesting blurb for them in the film Search Dog's Raven, the eerie story of a young woman and her wilderness search dog. In the film, the search dog handler wears a t-shirt with stoppuppymills.com, which advertises HSUS efforts to stop puppy mills. On the official site of the Lost Raven Search Dog Team Site, it also mentions the handler's support for the HSUS. Hopefully it will help them out with this very important issue.

Internet Movie Database Poster

Finally bit the bullet. The Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB.com) graciously listed Search Dog’s Raven before the film started production, which is very rare for an independent film. This was likely sparked by our “In Production” listing in the Hollywood Reporter. Thank you HR! This led to small blurbs in Variety and Playback (Canada’s film trade magazine).

As an independent film, we’ve been very, very lucky in getting attention. However, I’ve been debating about putting the poster on the IMDB. It’s not the 35$, which is cheap considering the potential exposure on such a widely used and popular database. It’s their terms and conditions that concern me. I’m no lawyer, but it appears that you pay the IMDB 35$ to post your film’s poster, which may also entitle them to print and sell them.

So, just in case that’s the case, we decided to post just part of the poster photo, which is also a production still from the film. Though I dislike most photos of myself, I must admit, it’s a pretty compelling image. And Ebbey the search dog also looks great.

Ebbey’s Blog

I just noticed feedback on Ebbey the canine actors blog ebbey.blogspot.com. It’s from a dating site. Guess they figure if Ebbey’s owner has nothing better to do than write a blog for their dog, they also need a date. Luckily it doesn’t take too much time for me to write her blog. I regularly record Ebbey events and film making events in my calendar and just mark anything that might be suitable for Ebbey’s Blog or Filmmaker’s Log. Ebbey’s growing list of fans really like her blog and often visit from her web site. I’m amazed at the number of people who literally visit every single page on EBBEY.COM. It’s kind of addictive to read about her story and I’ve posted many great photos with captions.

Delegating the Books

I’m supposed to delegate more, but as an independent filmmaker I no longer have upfront wages to pay people. The trick is to get people to help, but not alienate your friends and family. A relative graciously volunteered to organize my finances. I needed to see a telephone bill from two months ago, and she looked in her recipe file to find it. Should I be worried?

Promo Photo Put Off

I need to get some promo photos taken, for the film and for my web site, but keep putting it off. There’s just so much to do. May try taking some of myself instead. I love taking photos, but am not as keen on going somewhere to have my photo taken.

First Autograph

As a total shock, I was asked for my autograph today. A teenager recognized me from the web site. The film isn’t even done or the trailer, so it was a major surprise. The two girls petted Ebbey (who plays the search dog in Search Dog’s Raven and jokingly asked if they could get a paw print autograph.

Stress Buster

Everyday, I have a piece of cheesecake for breakfast. On bad days I’ve also been having cheesecake for dessert. It’s healthy cheesecake, but still loaded with calories. However, I still haven’t gained any weight. I’m lucky I have a fast metabolism, but one of these days it’s going to catch up to me. It’s also strange as I’m mostly lying in front of the computer and working on the film. I guess worry and anxiety must burn off a lot of calories.