Exposure to the Market - Frame-by-Frame Stop Motion: The Guide to Non-Traditional Animation Techniques - page 155

screenings on television for a period of time in certain markets to offers
to be part of a collection of animated shorts screened and distributed
internationally. Numerous opportunities on the web offer some revenue.
Remember that you can market and sell your own films, but revenue
may be limited by the lack of exposure that some of these commercial
opportunities can offer. People involved in promotion and distribution
are constantly scanning the web at sites like YouTube and Vimeo looking for
new talent. If your short is posted on a site that has a built-in audience
and your animated short receives thousands of “hits” or viewings, then
you can be sure that your film is being seen by people who may be able to
offer you opportunities to make some money. I must say, more unfruitful
opportunities appear through this route than really great offers, but you can
weigh those out as they come in. People can contact you through sites like
Vimeo, so you are sure to see some action.
Ownership
The current copyright laws protect any filmmaker the moment he or she
creates and produces any film. It is required that you “publish” your work or
just have some way to prove when you produced this film. It is important to
print your name with the copyright (©)next to it and the year you completed
the film as your final frame.
Fig 12.2 an example of the copyright statement that should be at the end of every film .
This is also true for the preproduction script, drawings, and layouts. Since
some sites have restrictions about ownership when you post on them,
it might be best to post your film work on your own site, so there is no
misunderstanding. You also have other options with this kind of posting.
Some filmmakers utilize the “creative commons” option, which allows
others to use their work under very specific conditions but for no fee.
These conditions might include educational or noncommercial venues
that allow their work to be exposed to a greater audience and with the
possibility for the work to become part of a larger communal
production.