AVOD/FAST Channels: Shifting Rights Strategy & Revenue Projections?

Hey everyone,

I’m a gaffer, usually working on narrative shorts and commercials. Lately, I've been diving into some producing on the side for a passion project, a sci-fi indie feature we shot on a V-RAPTOR XL with a lot of practicals lit by an Orbiter and a few Forza 720Bs. We’re deep into the finance plan right now and, honestly, the landscape feels like it’s changed drastically even since our last small doc project that was shot on a C70.

The big question is this: How has the rise of AVOD and FAST channels altered your strategy for rights retention and long-term revenue projections in a finance plan? We’re looking at various distribution avenues, and understanding how these platforms impact the value of different rights windows is crucial. Are you factoring in lower upfront fees but potentially longer tail revenue? How are you modeling that out compared to traditional VOD or even just straight licensing? Any insights, especially for projects with a modest budget, would be hugely appreciated.