David Zellis, filmmaker and film producer, discusses the changing movie industry, services offered by Zellco Entertainment, and the impact of the Coronavirus in Winnipeg. They also touch on using social media for business and online dating experiences. The conversation covers topics such as Facebook's algorithm, the confusion caused by their shared name, challenges faced by micro-budget filmmakers, frustrations with exclusive content, and the transition from physical to digital media. They also explore their love for fighting games, the monetization of gaming, agricultural droning, scams on Tinder in China, and downtown revitalization in Winnipeg.
The importance of a strong marketing strategy for micro-budget films, including well-designed posters and compelling trailers.
The need for filmmakers to market beyond their own circles and actively engage with their audience for feedback.
The prevalence of online dating scams, particularly targeting men, and the importance of being cautious and skeptical.
The growth and monetization opportunities in the online gaming industry, including esports tournaments and streaming platforms.
The complexities of film distribution and the impact of streaming platforms on the industry.
The growing trend of gamers incorporating travel into their hobbies and interests.
Deep dives
The Challenges of Marketing Independent Films
The founders of Zellco Productions discuss the difficulties of marketing micro-budget films and the importance of a strong marketing strategy.
The Impact of Posters and Trailers
The team emphasizes the importance of having a well-designed poster and a compelling trailer to attract viewers.
The Insular Nature of the Film Industry
The discussion highlights the insular nature of the film industry and the need for filmmakers to market beyond their own circles.
The Value of Audience Engagement
The founders encourage filmmakers to engage with their audience, actively seek feedback, and be open to constructive criticism in order to improve their marketing efforts.
Scams on Dating Apps
There is a prevalent scam on dating apps, particularly targeting men, where fake profiles are used to engage in conversations and eventually extort money from users. These scammers often pose as Chinese girls using photos with Chinese writing in them. They typically try to move the conversation to WhatsApp and will often bring up topics like cryptocurrency or investments. It's important to be cautious and skeptical when encountering such profiles and to never send money or share personal information.
The Evolution of Online Gaming
Online gaming has experienced significant growth and evolution in recent years. Gaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube have expanded their offerings to include gaming content, and there are now professional gamers who make a living through esports tournaments and streaming platforms like Twitch. Online gaming has become a popular career path for many and has opened up new opportunities for monetization and content creation.
The Challenges of Film Distribution
Film distribution is a complex process that involves selling and licensing films to different territories and platforms. Distributors need to consider factors like release dates, legal issues, and exclusivity agreements when selling films to different platforms. The rise of streaming platforms has changed the landscape of film distribution, with smaller distributors like the summarywriters.com focusing on alternative platforms like Gumroad and Tubi to showcase independent films.
Travel and the Gaming Industry
There is a growing trend of gamers incorporating travel into their hobbies and interests. The popularity of gaming tournaments and conventions around the world has led to an increase in gamers traveling to different destinations to participate in these events. Additionally, the rise of esports and gaming content creators has created opportunities for gamers to travel for events, meetups, and collaborations.
Scams and Deception in Online Dating
The podcast explores a personal experience with a potential scam in online dating, highlighting the prevalence of fraudulent behavior. The speaker shares the encounter with a girl from Ukraine who eventually requests to communicate via email, raising suspicions. The podcast delves into the world of chat agencies and the role of individuals who engage in chatting with foreign men for financial gain. It also discusses the motivations of these agencies and the potential scripting or guidance provided to their chat agents. Additionally, it touches on the cultural context of individuals learning English and engaging in online conversations as a job.
Complexities of Relationships in Ukraine
The podcast delves into the complexities of relationships in Ukraine, addressing common stereotypes and misconceptions. It emphasizes that stereotypes about Ukraine having more women than men or all Ukrainian women being beautiful are not universally accurate. The speaker shares insights from his time in Ukraine, mentioning the expat community composed of older individuals who may not have strong connections in their home countries. The discussion touches on divorce rates in Ukraine and women's motivation for learning English as a means to find better opportunities and escape abusive relationships.
The Persistence of Online Scams and the Future Outlook
The podcast reflects on the persistence of online scams and the challenges of combatting them. It explores the motivations behind scams, discussing potential financial gains for individuals involved in fraudulent activities. The speaker speculates about the future, suggesting that online scams may continue for the foreseeable future due to the complex issues of trust and vulnerability. The podcast concludes with a conversation about the impact of the pandemic on daily life, discussing lockdowns, travel restrictions, and the uncertainties around when life will return to normal.
This week I have David Zellis on my show, a guy I’ve known for quite some time. He used to work for the Winnipeg Film Group and that’s where our paths initially crossed. Since then he’s taken on other assignments as a filmmaker and film producer and now makes up one half of Zellco Entertainment, a movie production company that he runs with fellow filmmaker, Craig Guiboche.
In this episode we talk a lot about making movies and how the industry has changed over the last twenty years and the services that David’s entertainment company offers. We also touch on the current use of social media both for business and meeting people (ie, online dating… David shares a recent experience interacting with what seems to be a chatbot, but we’re not too sure). And then finally, as seems to be the norm for these times, we also talk about how the Coronavirus pandemic is affecting Winnipeg.
SHOW NOTES TO FOLLOW!
For more info on Zellco Entertainment or to get in touch with David go to zellcoentertainment.com.
FINAL NOTE: If you’d like a further connection between me and David’s work, search for the short film Bunky Blum and the Talking Train, a movie I worked on when I was still in Winnipeg!
