How to Get a Project Listed on IMDb
Through IMDb
On most any page on IMDb you can click the “update” button near the bottom and submit changes, additional info, new movies, etc (or go here). However, this way rarely gets things listed, unless you can provide copious amounts of information and links to external sites verifying your info.
Through Withoutabox.com
For free you can sign up for an account on Withoutabox.com (you can also link it to your IMDb profile). Through their you can submit your film to “IMDb Qualifying Festivals.” As soon as that (IMDb Qualifying) festival receives your submission (it does not have to be accepted into the festival) they will send you an invite code you can use to get the film listed on IMDb. In talking to the various people I know who have gotten films listed on IMDb, this appears to be the easiest route.
- Note that you will probably have to pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $25 – $45 for the festival submission itself (though check into this, because I’ve heard from some filmmakers that some of the festivals–perhaps the American Artist Film Festival–are free to submit to)
- I think it might also cost like $35 to have your poster up on IMDb, but I don’t think that affects whether or not the film gets listed
This process generally take 4 – 6 weeks, but I’ve seen it take as little as 1 week and as long as…well, I’m still waiting…
Through Createspace.com
Createspace is a website where anyone can sell their creative work (movies, music, etc.). If you post your movie for sale there, you will receive an invitation to list it on IMDb.
Step-by-step instructions on this method can be found here, but basically you just sign up on the website, mail then 2 copies of your DVD, and you’ll receive an email link inviting you to list the movie on IMDb.
A Note on Webseries and TV Shows
It is much harder to get webseries and such listed as far as I can tell. However, it appears that best way to get a web video listed is to have it on a legitimate site like FunnyOrDie.com, or otherwise published on the web (preferably on a web series website rather than simply youtube) so the powers at be can verify its existence.
Amazon
You might notice that IMDb, Withoutabox, and Createspace are all owned by Amazon. ‘Nuff said.
A Note to Filmmakers
Look, I know you’re busy slaving away getting me the color-corrected, raw footage for my reel, but if you’re not going to pay me then I would really appreciate you taking the 17 minutes to get the project listed on IMDb and linked to my account. Besides, it helps you out too. It’s a win-win!
A Note to Actors
Please, for the love of all that is holy, use this information! Send this post to all the filmmakers you’ve worked with. Heck, offer to pay the money to enter it into a festival. You shouldn’t have to do that, but paying a measly $30 to get a project listed on IMDb is so worth it for you. You know all those dinky, non-union projects you did that turned out like crap? Stop complaining about how you can’t use the footage for your reel and GET THEM ON IMDB! No one is going to see the project anyway, so you might as well make it seem like somewhat of a big deal by getting it listed. Thus ends my mini-rant.
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**Want more IMDb awesomeness?**
Part 1 in this series details the basics of IMDb and the starmeter
Part 3 in this series discusses how to manage your IMDb profile
Part 4 in this series explains recent updates to IMDb like your Bacon Number
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If you gained anything from this post, please give my starmeter a bump by visiting www.imdb.me/BenWhitehair. If you gained a LOT from this post, or just want to make feel better for the 6 years that I homeschooled and had no friends, then leave a comment on my profile. 🙂
14 comments
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February 5, 2010 at 7:42 am
IMDb Part 1: The Basics and Starmeter « Playbills vs. Paying Bills
[…] Part 2 in this series tells you how to get a movie listed on IMDb Part 3 discusses how to manage your […]
February 6, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Chuklz
Here’s one of the factors that’s not considered in the context of this post. The movie has to be done before you can submit to a festival. You’re shooting everyone in the foot by sending in an incomplete cut. While it is possible to send in an unpolished screener for consideration but unless you’re operating at a certain level of experience (which would pre-clude needing to be pushed) you may be undercutting your chances of actually showing the film.
When you submit, you have to put your screener in the mail that day. To do otherwise will burn you with the festival/judges and it’s a small world. The circuit is unforgiving.
It is important for actors and filmmakers to be listed, as efficiently and quickly as possible. I absolutely agree with your post. What’s your estimation on the importance of getting the work seen by actual audience? Greater than the listing or less than the listing?
February 6, 2010 at 11:58 pm
benwhitehair
Excellent points.
My first thought is that I would maybe send an early, unpolished version to some crappy (IMDb-qualifying) festival that I don’t give two cents about. That way I get it listed and can then work on actual submissions I care about.
From an actor’s perspective, I would much prefer that legitimate industry people see my work. However, honestly it is EXTREMELY unlikely that any of these projects I’ve done will end up in front of them. So for me, it’s more valuable to have it show up on IMDb, because that’s all most Casting Directors will see. Even if a film gets in a festival, most people I go in to audition for will not be there, and they won’t see the festival on IMDb either probably. There is a good chance, though, that they’ll look me up on IMDb, see how many things I’ve done, compare it to my resume, and see what my starmeter is. =)
A lot of this comes down to odds, which is why you see so many actors starting in TV. More jobs. Faster turnaround. But that’s a whole other blog post. 🙂
February 11, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Aurora
Reply to Chuklz: I have a movie that’s been on IMDB for 2 years ( via without a box) that is still not finished. I do already have the footage on my reel and the trailer is cut for it. I’m not sure what the process the filmmakers had in getting that done, but I know that they are gearing up to send it out this year.
:)Aurora (from the perspective of an actress)
March 1, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Christa
Great post, Ben!
I find it hard to get ANY kind of footage for my reel, and getting it on IMDb? Fuhgettaboutit! I’m very proactive when it comes to my career, and it drives me nuts when there’s something I need in order to get ahead, but I can’t do anything about it.
A frustration many other actors feel, I’m sure.
March 17, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Theatrical Agent Tracy Curtis on ‘The Biz’ « Playbills vs. Paying Bills
[…] out my posts on the basics of IMDb, how to get listed, and how to manage your […]
March 23, 2010 at 7:27 pm
IMDb Part 4: Recent Updates and Your Bacon Number « Playbills vs. Paying Bills
[…] **Want more IMDb awesomeness?** Part 1 in this series details the basics of IMDb and the starmeter Part 2 in this series tells you how to get a movie listed on IMDb Part 3 in this series discusses how to […]
March 23, 2010 at 7:28 pm
IMDb Part 3: Your Profile « Playbills vs. Paying Bills
[…] **Want more IMDb awesomeness?** Part 1 in this series details the basics of IMDb and the starmeter Part 2 in this series tells you how to get a movie listed on IMDb Part 4 in this series explains recent […]
March 24, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Simon Veredon
Sweeeeet! I’m a filmmaker that battles w ImdB for every little credit. LOVE these tips. TOTALLY want to try them. Even if it’s just to get my actors an extra credit for the free work they did for my short. Awesome!
March 25, 2010 at 4:22 am
benwhitehair
Simon, you make me happy. Very, very happy. From the entire acting community, I hereby publicly thank you for going the extra mile to help out the actors who worked for you for free. Muchisimas gracias!
June 3, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Jennica Schwartzman
Thanks for this info. It will prove to be very helpful!!! I’m sure of it. And YOU feel free to boost my star meter as well. http://www.imdb.me/JennicaSchwartzman
June 3, 2010 at 8:44 pm
benwhitehair
Done, done, and done! Thanks for taking the time to comment. =)
July 20, 2010 at 3:21 am
Deirdre Murray-Holmes
Thanks so much for taking the time to write up this info, Ben! So generous of you. I have one clarifying question: has CreateSpace changed their format since you wrote the article? Unless I’m missing something, it seems like one must buy their DVD manufacturing – I don’t see an option for submitting the two copies. Or is the idea to submit your “master” and simply not order any copies? Any guidance is appreciated- thanks!
July 22, 2010 at 5:36 pm
benwhitehair
They may indeed have changed the way they do things. I haven’t looked into it recently…I think there’s also a new download-to-own option as well.
If you get more info would love to hear it so I can update this!