Bad alternative distribution and an alternative to that

I read this thing once.

A screenwriter went to some screenwriting group. One of the guys there said he was working on a script for a movie he was going to film in one of those haunted houses groups set up for Halloween. He said he had financing for it and he had a distribution deal.

The author of the article was stunned by this so he talked to the guy after the meeting. It turned out that the "financing" was that he was going to make actors pay to be in the movie and the "distribution deal" was that he was going to require each cast member to sell video cassettes of the movie.

It was pointed out that, at least in California, acting is considered a profession and making actors pay to be in a movie was considered bribery and was a crime.

Even if you could make a little money with a scheme like this, would it give you any satisfaction at all? It wouldn't get you any recognition or be a stepping stone to bigger things. I don't think you'd even be able to use your "success" to try the same scam again later.

In this age of digital video, you should be able to make a movie cheaply enough that you could give out DVD's in lieu of Christmas presents and the movie would pay for itself. Depending on how much you normally spend on gifts, the production could turn a profit the first year. But you could keep it going for years. Every time an organization needs a tax deductible contribution for their rummage sale, hand them a few DVDs. Bar mitzvah gifts, graduation presents---introduce your film to new generations.

Keep a list of individuals you've given them to so you don't foist more than one on them.