Echelon Studios has recently revamped the structure of its company to also include separate divisions for servicing and maintaining digital content worldwide, whether it is movies or music.
This will allow for film distributors/sales agents to generate previously untapped areas of revenue while traditional licensing methods are in play. Echelon Studios has partnered with a European company in Poland as well as a domestic company here in Los Angeles in order to maximize additional revenue for film distributors/sales agents. The advantage of joining Echelon Studios is that we can, with the help of our partners, be able to ingest your content into the maximum number of digital platforms worldwide basically “under one roof”. Why let your film just sit on the shelf while you’re also trying to license your films the traditional way?
Echelon Studios is excited to have now set up a more streamlined approach to earning additional VOD/TVOD/SVOD revenue for your films worldwide. Won’t you join us?
As one of the world’s leading film sales & licensing companies, Echelon Studios is on the forefront of the digital entertainment revolution.
Echelon Studios offers studios, aggregators and independent filmmakers an easy, transparent way of preparing, storing, servicing, distributing and selling content directly to consumers around the world through digital platforms.
We offer the highest-quality technical services including encoding, QC, transcoding, digital packaging, delivery and storage, and aggregation abilities.
If you need to service, store or deliver your entertainment content digitally, Echelon Studios can help.
WHAT WE DO
Mastering
Ingest from tape or file
Master Digital File preparation
100% QC by well-trained staff
Fixing of minor problems like macroblocking, interlacing or minor audio hits
Versioning
Generic trailer creation
Stitching, frame cuts, slug insertion/deletion
Audio laybacks
Video laybacks to tape
File storage and maintenance
Asset Conformance
Poster Art versioning
Subtitling synchronization
Dubbing synchronization
Closed Captioning synchronization
Delivery Services
Transcoding
Digital packaging
Metadata/XML creation
Generic chapter creation
Digital delivery to almost any platform in the world
Aggregation
Short Films
iTunes
Amazon
Feature Films
iTunes
Google Play*
Amazon
Sony Playstation*
Hulu*
iNDemand (Comcast, Time Warner, Cox)*
Vubiquity (Uverse, FIOS, Charter, Mediacom)*
Dish*
VUDU
Netflix*
Nook*
TV
Google Play*
iTunes**
Sony Playstation*
Hulu*
Amazon
Netflix*
New ECHELON STUDIOS Platform Aggregation Deals in Play:
XBOX
DIRECTV
Target Ticket
* Content must first be pitched and accepted by store prior to delivery being accepted.
** While content does not need to be formally pitched, it must often be scheduled. Not all content is accepted. Content must be broadcast quality and must have been broadcast prior to iTunes’ acceptance.
WHAT MATERIALS WILL I NEED TO SEND TO YOU?
Deliverables may differ according to each project*, however, a general guideline includes:
Order Form
Video content (short, feature, trailer, episodes).
We accept Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), Apple Uncompressed, Digital Betacam, Betacam SP, HDCAM, HDCAM-SR, D5.
Textless video is preferred.
Poster Art
Metadata
Audio, including external audio (5.1 audio is necessary for HD price point and if it has ever been created).
Closed Captioning
All material distributed in the United States or Canada requires closed captioning.
Closed captioning should be .cap or .scc or .srt files.
Subtitle files, if applicable.
Subtitles should be .srt or .stl.
Dubbing files, in applicable
Chaptering material, if applicable
Invoicing information
Fix clips, if necessary
Official ratings, if necessary
Certificates of copy, if necessary
Bonus content, if necessary
For licensing aggregation, also:
A signed contract
For some platforms, cue sheets
For some platforms (Sony), proof of E and O insurance
For some platforms (Hulu, Sony) a pitch sheet and marketing material or plans
Disbursement account information, including EIN, ITIN or other tax information
*Please see specifications sheet for more detailed requirements.
IN WHAT TERRITORIES DOES ECHELON STUDIOS
SELL YOUR FILM (VOD ONLY)?
(Subject to change without notice)
“A” TIER VOD COMPANIES:
World Wide
iTunes (please refer to local language chart for available territories)
North America (US & CA)
Google Play
Amazon
Sony Entertainment Network (Also supports French Canadian)
InDemand
Vubiquity
Dish
United States
Hulu
VUDU
U.K.
Google Play
Sony Entertainment Network
Amazon (Ireland as well)
Europe
Google Play (France, Germany, Spain)
Amazon (Germany, Italy, Spain)
Sony Entertainment Network (France, Germany, Spain, Italy)
Japan
Google Play
Amazon
Sony Entertainment Network
Brazil
Google Play
Australia
Google Play
Sony Entertainment Network
Russia
Google Play
Please note: local language, ratings and other requirements may apply. You must have all rights and clearances for each territory in which you sell content.
Also for Amazon, unless otherwise specified, then your content will become eligible in all Amazon territories.
It is acceptable for your movie to be in an original language, as long as it is also dubbed/subtitled in an official Local Language.
ADDITIONAL VOD COMPANIES:
YouTube
Verizon
Indieflix
FlixFling
TF1 on demand
Roku
T-mobile
Filmrabbits
OVGuide
Overdrive
Hoopla
RTL
PRO7
Filmgorrillas
ClickFlick
Dailymotion
Orange
Chellomedia
CinemaNow
HBO GO
Epix
Blinkbox
Blockbuster
Divx Online
BCE
Canal+ VOD
Rogers
MOD Systems
Telefonica
Mspot
LodgeNet
BTvision
MediaMarkt Online
Sezmi
YouTube
HOW MUCH WILL I EARN?
The revenue you receive depends on a number of factors, including, what type of content you are selling, whether it is SD or HD, whether someone buys or rents, etc.
However, you can generally expect to earn between 70% and 50% of the retail price every time your film is purchased or rented.
Sales (EST) more often return 70% of the retail price and rentals (VOD), particularly of Library Releases, return 50% of the retail rental price.
Seasons of TV retail for slightly less (about 5-10%) than if each episode is bought individually.
If you are streaming content on an ad-supported network like Hulu, you usually split ad revenue 50/50. If you are streaming behind a pay wall, you will usually have a licensing deal or receive a few cents per stream (for example, $0.10 per stream, $0.185 per stream) (less taxes and fees, like BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC, etc).
AM I ALLOWED TO CHOOSE THE RETAIL PRICE OF MY CONTENT?
Your options differ by platform.
iTunes: Features – You may suggest a retail price range, based on a tier system which corresponds to a guaranteed wholesale price. iTunes retains the right to set the retail price. For some tiers, eligibility thresholds, such as minimum box office earnings, must be met.
iTunes: TV and Shorts – iTunes retains the right to control pricing. Your short or episode will generally retail for $1.99 (SD) or $2.99 (HD), but there are exceptions.
Google Play allows you to select from a set of wholesale pricing tiers. Google maintains the right to set retail pricing.
Sony determines the retail price of your film. This usually corresponds with days-past-release (Day and Date, 6 months old, over one year old, etc.).
Amazon allows you to suggest the retail price of your content, within reason. For programs sold on Prime (SVOD), Client receives $.10 per stream that is 6 minutes or the full duration of the title.
Hulu offers an ad-split of 50/50 or a few cents (about $.18) earned per stream.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR MY FILM TO “GO LIVE?”
To “go live” in a store means that your content is offered for sale or rental in that store.
Time-to-live varies considerably depending on a number of factors, but is generally 4–12 weeks.
However, it can take longer.
The timeline is as follows:
Submission to Echelon Studios
For non-problematic content, we require 4-8 weeks to cover:
Ingestion
QC
Packaging
Delivery
Time generally necessary to publish on platform before live date:
iTunes
2-4 weeks
Google Play/Sony Entertainment Network/Hulu/Amazon
45 days
Others
Typically 30-45 days, however please consult your Echelon Studios Account Manager or your contact at the individual service.
Problematic content can severely slow time-to-live. Common content problems include macroblocking, interlacing, mixed aspect ratio or frame rates, dropped frames, audio pops or drops, etc.
We can fix many problems in house. However, if a new source is needed, we often need to start the ingest and QC process from the beginning. This means even if you initially sent us a film on day “A”, the timeline begins again when we receive “B” source.
Missing or problematic ancillary assets, such as incomplete metadata, inappropriate poster art, missing closed captioning, etc. can also slow down progress. Please ensure all assets are ready for delivery to Echelon Studios at the time of submitting.
Echelon Studios cannot guarantee your content will be live by any specific date, if at all.
Because of this, we VERY STRONGLY suggest you PLAN WELL IN ADVANCE. Especially for new release content with marketing plans.
WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG? CAN’T I JUST UPLOAD MY CONTENT?
The technical standard required for digital distribution on most platforms is very high. Every video Echelon Studios processes goes through a detailed, multi-tiered, technically-involved quality control and audit process.
This involves many steps and takes time. If there are problems, this may take many weeks. If we require a new source, you may need to enlist your editor to help with fixes.
This multi-check process is critical to ensuring your titles are not rejected by the digital platforms.
If you would like closed captioning or subtitles created or conformed, this adds time, often 2 to 4 weeks. There are many hurdles and moving parts. If this is the first time you have sent a film to iTunes or other platforms, please leave PLENTY of time.
But the wait is worth it! It ensures people watching your movie have the best experience possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding of our commitment to quality.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CONTENT IS REJECTED FROM A STORE?
If we believe your content will not pass QC, we will inform you of this as soon as possible to discuss options.
I’M READY TO BEGIN! WHAT’S NEXT?
If you’d like to move forward, please email [email protected] and our business team will set you up to be on your way!
