You finished your blockbuster video and having put so much time into it, you want as many people to see it as possible. So, what about distribution?

Well, first, because we used copyrighted music and really never received written permission to use any images from hikers, we determine that the video cannot be sold, nor can it be shown in a theater type setting where admission fees are charged (unless, well, maybe it is a fundraiser).

If you can finish you movie by Kickoff party time (late April) then there is a good chance that Prodeal will show it on one of the movie nights - so there is reason to finish it by then. Ours was completed in March.

1) Once your DVD is finished, you will want to convert the DVD file to an ISO file. There is software readily available that can do this. One is called ImgBurn and it is free (Windows based). Use the "Create Image File from disk" option. Austin at PlanYourHike.com will upload your ISO file on his website. From there, any interested person (with the right equipment) will be able to download the ISO file and burn an exact copy of your DVD. If you have a blu-ray version as well, it works the same way and Austin will be happy to host your blu-ray file as well.

2) Send out emails to all your class hikers telling them about the ISO file. In 2012, there were two hikers who volunteered to mail out copies for free. They mailed out about 75 copies in total. You might have volunteers from your class as well and Tortoise may continue to help with this too!

3) If you can, attend the AZDPCTKO on the year following your hike and talk it up. Optional: Bring copies to the KO and set them in a box at the registration desk and/or hand them out after the premiere showing. We were able to purchase blank DVD disks at Frys for about 14 cents each (qty 100), add the plastic sleeve, another 7 cents so it was 21 cents to produce copies. DVD duplicator companies will charge much more (like 70 cents each) and mostly won't handle a job without copyright permissions. We printed up 300 copies that were distributed at the KO.

4) Run a message in the PCT-l letting all know that the video is finished and can be found at PlanYourHike.com

Note: We had distributed many copies by the time KO started and many had already viewed it. If you prefer to keep up the suspense, advise Austin to not release the ISO file until after the KO - and, keep the copies to a small limited group as many of your hiker friends may prefer to see it first time on the big outdoor screen at the KO.

5) We went one more step and offered copies to the PCTA to hand out at their hiking events - example, Trail Days, at Big Bear in July of 2012. We sent them 200 copies.

6) For our personal use - non-hiker friends, we wrote up a short blurb describing the PCT, how the video was made and pointed out the few images where we could be found. When we mailed them out to friends and family, we included a copy of the blurb.

7) We went one additional step and burned DVDs in PAL format for the few hikers from the UK, Australia and New Zealand and put the PAL ISO file on a website.

8) Also optional, we produced a 6 minute trailer and put it up on YouTube along with a link as to how to get the full length version.

As stated at the beginning, this information is here to help you, not necessarily direct you to any particular course of action. We hope you find it useful and sincerely hope that the tradition of PCT class videos continue every year, for many years to come! Anyone reading this that can shed any light on other ideas to help those making the class videos be successful, please send them over.

You can contact me if you have any additional questions or need clarification on any points.

Jack (TK)

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jackandbarbpct@gmail.com