Episode 7

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Published on:

19th Apr 2023

Art and Sales in the Indie Film World

Hello, lovely listeners!

Welcome back to another episode of Confessions of an Aging Ingénue. I'm your host, Jenni Tooley, and I'm so thrilled to have you here with me today.

But before we dive into today's topic, I've got a special invitation just for you. Picture this – Wednesday nights, the first Wednesday of the month. I want to personally invite you to join me in the confessional at jennitooley.com. It's a rendezvous where you might just find yourself in the confessor seat. Trust me, it's a blast!

Now, let's jump into the nitty-gritty. I've just returned from the Women Texas Film Festival, where we premiered STUCK, and oh boy, what an experience it was. Huge shoutout to the amazing volunteers and everyone who made it special. If you're a filmmaker, you should definitely check out this fantastic festival.

Curious about the behind-the-scenes action? Head over to our Facebook page, 'STUCK Film Texas,' or catch some exclusive content on my Patreon page at patreon.com/jennitooley. I've shared daily wrap-ups from the festival – the good, the funny, and everything in between.

Now, onto today's topic – "Have I Told You About the Time?" I was on a filmmaker's roundtable at Women Texas Film Festival, and John Wildman asked me what it was like to transition into a salesperson for my movie?

Brace yourselves because we're delving into my unexpected journey into the role of a salesperson for my movie. Yes, you heard it right – salesperson.

I've realized that I've been in the sales game for quite some time, from pitching concepts to selling myself. But now, it's a different ball game – selling a finished product. And let me tell you, it's been a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns.

Growing up, I had this stigma around sales, thanks to the stereotypical pushy car salesman. It took years for me to acknowledge and embrace my skills in this area. STUCK became a catalyst for breaking down those limiting beliefs around money and self-worth. I've discovered the art of selling when it aligns with a meaningful cause.

Now, here's where the rubber meets the road – film distribution and selling. It's a complex dance involving knowing your audience, understanding their pain points, and finding the perfect niche. STUCK isn't your mainstream Oscar-winning film, and that's okay. It has a unique audience, a blend of art film enthusiasts, and those seeking a different cinematic experience.

I’m not particularly in love with sales but it’s such an integral part of film-making - It's about placing the film where it resonates.

So, add salesperson to all the caps I already wore on STUCK and you’ll get the gist.

Listen in to gain insights from my experience in this necessary step in completing this chapter of my journey called STUCK.

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's episode. Comment, review, follow, and subscribe to keep our podcast thriving.

Until next time, this is Jenni Tooley, signing off. Love you all, and thanks for being here on this wild ride with me.

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About the Podcast

Confessions of an Aging Ingenue
from insecure ingenue to perimenopausal powerhouse
Go BTS into my creative life/career as I regain my integrity and create a system that aligns with my values and supports an abundant, healthy lifestyle.

It’s taken me decades to find my way back to me. The journey has been messy, out of control and all of the things I feared. I fear them no more. Take these stories as your own.

Imperfect. Unedited. Uncensored.
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About your host

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Jenni Tooley

Hi! I am Jenni Tooley and I have a lot going on! I tend to go where I am led, am highly adaptable and have a wide variety of transferable skills and talents. This means I have experienced a whole lot so far in life-- I have owned and operated my own cottage bakery, am a trained birth doula, am a yoga teacher, am a professional actor, have worked in non-profit development, launched a web series and just distributed my first feature film, STUCK. Oh! Did I happen to mention I've also been an actor for over 3 decades and played alongside in Richard Linklater's Boyhood? That all sounds amazing- and super woman-ish, right?

What you may not know is that although I am a creative human, I am also a messy one. I've been around lot of blocks and trudged through around and over some of the deepest blocks within myself. I know what it's like to feel stuck- unable to move forward. I know what it's like to be overwhelmed with self-doubt. I know what it's like to feel like I or what I do is never enough. I've spent years trying to "fix" myself. I have a "chick with a stick" in my brain that loves to whack me around whenever I make a mistake, show my imperfections, or am willing to be vulnerable. She thinks she's keeping me safe. But I'm tired of being abused by myself. My "good enough" is actually more than good enough. I don't have to go outside of myself for validation. And being vulnerable is really hot!

I won't claim to have completely overcome all these things-- after all I am human. But I've gotten through them and continue to build myself up rather than break myself down, most days:) Along my journey I have collected so many tools, a whole lot of experience, and have always been (it turns out) filled with wisdom. I am thrilled to be able to share all of this with you! I specialize in holding space for people, deeply listening, and being able to guide people back to the truth of who they are. The process isn't perfect. And I will never claim to have " the only 5 steps you need to fix yourself for good" because in my experience that's a bunch of hoo-ha. And it sets up a situation where if you didn't get fixed you think there must be something wrong with you(I know, I've had that experience).

I'd love to have you join me on this journey! www.jennitooley.com