The New Face of Film Distribution: Olyn’s Disruptive Approach
A New Model for Film and Video Distribution
The recent Brian Epstein biopic "Midas Man," a film about the manager of The Beatles, debuted not on a platform like Netflix or Amazon, but on a startup that bills itself as "Shopify for filmmakers." So, what’s the big deal? The answer is that the new platform, Olyn, claims to offer a new model for film and video distribution that leans on the power of social referrals to spread "à la carte" streaming content.
How Olyn Works
Olyn is a California-based company founded by Ana Maria Jipa, Jeremias Buireo, Kiran Thomas, and Malcolm Wood. The platform allows filmmakers to retain up to 90% of their revenue while giving audiences access to a streaming experience. Instead of films being sold to platforms like Netflix, the model hinges on the marketing budget of the filmmakers themselves, combined with influencers, film critics, and content creators acting as distribution partners by embedding purchase links within their content, blogs, and social channels.
A Peer-to-Peer Approach
This peer-to-peer approach does away with the platform as a middleman and turns movie distribution into more of an e-commerce-style engagement. Jipa, Olyn’s CEO and co-founder, explained that the company provides filmmakers with the equivalent of a full-blown streaming platform, including DRM, 4K streaming, casting, a full landing page, and geo-targeting, analytics, and audience data.
The Benefits for Filmmakers
Olyn’s model offers several benefits for filmmakers. For one, it allows them to retain a significant portion of their revenue, which can be a significant improvement over traditional distribution deals. Additionally, the platform provides filmmakers with analytics on viewership, including which country the movie is doing well in, as well as minutes watched, and a database of users that have watched the movies. This information can be used to inform future marketing and distribution strategies.
The Challenge of Competition
The question is, can Olyn compete with the convenience and scale of major streamers? While its model offers much higher revenue shares for filmmakers, it also means all the weight is placed on the shoulders of production teams to drive marketing and partnerships. However, some producers are optimistic about the platform’s potential. Perry Trevers, a producer at Studio POW, which used Olyn to distribute "Midas Man," sees the platform as a helpful step in the right direction.
Piracy and Olyn’s Solution
One of the most pressing issues in the film industry is piracy. Many users turn to illegal sources simply because a movie is unavailable in their country. Jipa argues that Olyn’s global reach can help combat this issue, as if someone can pay for a movie and watch it instantly, they’re much more likely to do so.
The Future of Oly
Olyn’s foray into film streaming came about partly when entrepreneur and filmmaker Wood joined as a co-founder of the platform, which initially launched as a way to catalog physical assets. Wood launched his own film, "The Last Glaciers," on the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Olyn?
A: Olyn is a platform that allows filmmakers to distribute their content directly to audiences, bypassing traditional streaming services.
Q: How does Olyn work?
A: Olyn allows filmmakers to retain up to 90% of their revenue while giving audiences access to a streaming experience. The model hinges on the marketing budget of the filmmakers themselves, combined with influencers, film critics, and content creators acting as distribution partners.
Q: Can Olyn be used by the adult film industry?
A: Olyn is not currently focused on distributing adult content, and the company is setting a high standard for the types of films that are featured on the platform.
Q: What is Olyn’s business model?
A: Olyn’s business model is based on a peer-to-peer approach, where filmmakers are responsible for driving marketing and partnerships to promote their content. The company takes a small commission on each sale.
