Film distribution consulting
30+ years selling and making films.
Take your independent film to market with a plan, not a guess. Work one-on-one with Ted Chalmers, founder of Summer Hill Films and TomCat Films.
Films Ted has sold, distributed, acquired or worked on
Who it's for
Independent producers with a finished or in-progress film
Whether you're in post, sitting on a finished cut, weighing your first offer, or still shooting, Ted gives you an experienced read on where your film fits and how to get it there.
- Producers and filmmakers preparing for festivals or markets
- Teams evaluating sales agent or distributor offers
- First-time producers who need to understand deliverables and recoupment
- Investors and EPs who want a realistic view of revenue paths
Track record
Selling films, buying films, making films
Distributed & sold
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation
- Hellraiser
- Escape from New York
- One False Move
- Re-Animator
- Bride of Re-Animator
- Society
- Evil Dead 2
Acquired
Henry's Crime (Keanu Reeves)
Acquired for theatrical release; negotiated with Keanu Reeves and his team.
Production credits
- Lost Highway (David Lynch, 1997): special makeup effects office manager
- Faust: Love of the Damned (Brian Yuzna, 2000): co-executive producer
- Alien Apocalypse and The Man with the Screaming Brain (Bruce Campbell, Sci-Fi Channel, 2005): associate producer
- Bloody Mary 3D, Metal Man, Don't Look in the Cellar, Aliens vs. Avatars, Star Quest: The Odyssey, The Black Knight Returns, Captain Battle: Legacy War and more
25+ producer and executive producer credits
Press
“I've sold brilliant movies, like Evil Dead 2, Texas Chainsaw or Hellraiser.”
Ted Chalmers, in VICE, “Ted Chalmers Is the King of Mockbusters” (2014)
What you walk away with
Clear answers on the decisions that shape your film's revenue
Packaging
How cast, genre, runtime, and key art position your film with buyers, and what to strengthen before you go out.
Deliverables
What sales agents and distributors will actually ask for, what to prioritize, and how to avoid costly surprises.
Festival vs. market strategy
Whether to aim for festival premieres, go straight to markets, or both, and in what order.
Sales agents & distributors
How to identify the right partners for your film, what to ask, and red flags in agreements.
Territories
Which territories and platforms realistically fit your film, and how domestic and international rights interact.
MG & revenue expectations
A grounded view of minimum guarantees, fees, expenses, and recoupment, so you can plan with investors honestly.
Marketing assets
Which trailer, key art, stills, and EPK materials move buyers, and what to produce first.
Distribution Strategy Sessions
Choose your session
Strategy Session
- One-on-one video call with Ted
- Focused review of your film's market position
- Answers to your most pressing distribution questions
- Recommended next steps
Strategy Session Plus
- Everything in the 45-minute session, in depth
- A written distribution plan covering packaging, deliverables, festival and market path, partners, territories, and revenue expectations
- A document you can share with investors and your team
New
Executive Producer Package
Bring Ted onto your film from now through delivery. Ted selects the projects he takes on, so this package is by application.
What's included
- Both strategy sessions (45 and 90 minutes)
- A written distribution plan
- Advisory check-ins through delivery
- Ted Chalmers' executive producer credit
Payment: Flat fee, paid in full upfront.
No backend or profit participation.
Priced by budget tier
| Budget tier | Fee |
|---|---|
| Micro-budget under $20K | $1,000 |
| Ultra Low Budget under $300K | $2,500 |
| Moderate Low Budget under $700K | $5,000 |
| Low Budget under $2M | $10,000 |
| $2M and up | Custom flat quote |
Budget tiers based on SAG-AFTRA low-budget agreement thresholds.
ApplyApply for the Executive Producer Package
Tell Ted about your project. Submitting opens an email to Ted with your details.
How it works
Three simple steps
Book
Pick a session and time on Calendly.
Share your film
Send your logline, synopsis, budget range, status, and a screener or trailer if available.
Get your plan
Meet with Ted and leave with clear next steps. The 90-minute tier includes a written distribution plan.
About Ted Chalmers
From sales floor to producer's chair
- Graduate of USC Film School
- Began his career in 1990 at TransAtlantic Entertainment
- Head of sales at Creative Light Entertainment, and at Moving Pictures Film and Television
- SVP of Media Brokerage at ICAP Media
- Founded Summer Hill Films in 2007, parent company of TomCat Films
Ted now works directly with independent producers to help them understand the market and make better decisions about their films.
FAQ
Common questions
Is my film ready for a session?
Yes, if it is finished, in post, or still shooting. Earlier is often better: packaging and deliverables decisions made during production save money later.
What should I send before the call?
A logline, synopsis, budget range, cast, current status, and a screener or trailer if you have one.
Do you guarantee a distribution deal?
No. No honest consultant can. You'll get an experienced, candid read on your options and a clear plan for pursuing them.
Which option is right for me?
The 45-minute session suits focused questions. Strategy Session Plus adds a written distribution plan. The Executive Producer Package is for producers who want Ted involved from now through delivery, with his executive producer credit.
How does the Executive Producer Package work?
Apply with your project details. Ted selects the projects he takes on. Fees are flat and paid in full upfront, set by budget tier. Terms are confirmed in a written agreement.
Is what I share confidential?
Yes. Your materials are used only to evaluate your project and deliver your session.
Free tools
Free tools for filmmakers
LoglineLab: free logline checker
Paste your logline and get instant scores on hook, stakes, protagonist, genre clarity and marketability, plus AI-assisted rewrites.
Check your loglineLogline & Synopsis Polish
Three polished logline options and a one-page synopsis, human-reviewed within 48 hours.
Learn moreReady to take your film to market?
Book a Distribution Strategy Session with Ted Chalmers.
Book a session Apply for EP Package