I almost forgot to share my art is in a movie that opened this past Friday, October 23.
This is a piece I wrote for my newsletter subscribers this morning.
Might seem strange that I would forget to share something so exciting? I definitely get a thrill when I see my work on the big screen or little screen {it's been in several movies and tv shows over the years}
I know it's also exciting for you, my family and friends, collectors and customers to see my work featured, because you are almost always the first to let me know you discovered it somewhere.
So if it's this exciting why did I forget to share? Because, honestly the feeling is mixed for me. To begin with, you may or may not know that a select body of my work is licensed, and up until recently when I decided to add an addendum to my contract {because of this movie} I did not know if/when my art would be featured. And as the sole creator of my work and my brand, I want to be the one deciding if and when it will be showcased in the future. While you know I like Halloween and some scary, I'm not sure Paranormal 5 and the fact that the wall my art is on turns into a tunnel to hell would have been my first choice? But it's done and here we are.
The second part of the mixed feeling is that usually when people discover my art is featured, they assume that it comes with a decent paycheck, or at least a paycheck? decent being subjective and who knows what that number would actually be in anyone's mind? I do not get paid other than one sale from the art; which in this case because it is licensed, is a small percentage of the total price, retail or wholesale depending upon how it was purchased.
Now I understand that this is when people assume the exposure in itself is worth it? and must certainly generate more sales, and it certainly may! that would be great! but since there is no credit for my art listed anywhere it will take a determined collector to track me down.
I'm not speaking on behalf of all artists, but most contracts that feature your work in film are the same. You always retain the copyright of course {make sure you do!} and you will be paid once for the piece and that price may vary depending upon how famous you already are. And depending upon the exposure {being selected as one of "Oprah's favorite things" may be different?} you cannot count on it as a huge increase in sales for your business. With all of that said, most everyone agrees? {not sure that I do} that all exposure is good exposure - so you never know? maybe Paranormal 5 will be the tipping point for me?!
Don't misunderstand; I appreciate all of the opportunities that have come to me in my business along with the ones I have gone after that have actually worked out as I had anticipated. It's an honor when companies and individuals want to collaborate; when fellow creatives recognize your work and want to include it as a part of their art. And I'm an artist who wants to support other artists. I'm also an artist who wants to continue to support myself and my business with my work. And this does not happen without you.
I've said this before and have been mentioning it a lot lately on both Periscope broadcasts and the recent class I taught. This business does not exist without you, my customers, especially my very first customers who collected my work. Each and every sale from you is what supports me. And it does not matter what film it's in {at least for now}. If I suddenly hit it big because my art was in a movie, I'll let you know.
Until then and always: THANK YOU for supporting Creative Thursday.
And I do recommend that you quickly purchase all of my originals before this sudden surge of fame causes me to increase my prices drastically ;)
Here's the movie poster image I see when driving around L.A. featuring the tunnel that took over the space that my art was hanging on. You can see it featured here, pre-tunnel, in the trailer.
And for those of you who love this piece "the gang celebrates" and have asked about purchasing it? it's a classic and is still available as a print in multiple sizes and for a limited time as a canvas as well.
If you see the movie, let me know what happens :)