Contents
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Chapter 1 Getting Ready to Produce
The Time Was Right
The Landscape is Changing
A Step-By-Step Approach
Wearing Two Hats: Business and Creative
The Business of Film Producing
Chapter 2 Timeline for Séance
Timeline for the Film, Séance
September/October 2005: Optioned Screenplay
November/December 2005: Business Plan and PPM
January 2006: Opened an LLC
January/February/March: Funding the Film
March: Finalized Details
April: Soft Prep – Four Weeks
April: Casting
May 1: Preproduction Begins – Three Weeks
May 21: Principal Photography – Two Weeks
June 5–September 29: Postproduction
October: Prepared for Market
November 1–8: Attended the American Film Market
November 9–December 15: Delivery
Chapter 3 The Script: Option and Development
Time to do the Paperwork
Research and Read Option Agreements
What’s Needed in an Option/Purchase Agreement
Option Period
Payment and Back End
Deferments
Certificate of Authorship and Short-Form Assignment
Script Development
Table Read
Director’s Notes
Chapter 4 Creating Your Business Plan
K.I.S.S.
Table of Contents
Quotation
Investor Proposal
Why $7,500? Here are Four Good Reasons
Let’s Start with Delivery
Operating Costs
Executive Producer Fee
Budget
Extra Bonus
Risk
Project Objective
The Marketplace
Film Comparisons
Company Summary and Team
Synopsis
Revenue Scenario
Newspaper Articles
Section 181
Mission Statement
Your One-Sheet Poster
PPM/Operating Agreement/Subscription Agreement
Chapter 5 Setting Up Your LLC and Opening Your Bank Account
Opening Your LLC: You Can Do It!
Where Do I Open My LLC?
Wait Until You’re Ready
Step # 1: Clear The Name
Step # 2: Articles of Organization
Step # 3: Getting Your EIN Number
Certificates and Seal
Opening Your Bank Account
Wait Until You’re Ready to Open Your Account
Open two Accounts
What Type of Checkbook Should You Order?
Making Deposits: Details
Get Your Visa or Mastercard Now
The Checks and Visa Are in Your Name Only!
Check Request Form
Payroll Company or Not?
Chapter 6 Sales Presentation and Finding Investors
Preparation
Outline
Booking the Venue
Getting the Word Out
Logistics
Setting up the Room
Your Assistants Represent Your Company
It’s Showtime: Welcome Everyone
Purpose of the Evening
Outline for the Evening
It’s Your Time to Shine: Have Fun!
Introduce Yourself
Your Company Introduction
Launching Windchill Films: Why this Film? Why This Budget?
The Director’s Vision
Introduce Your Team
Your Offering
What’s in It for Me, The Investor?
Question and Answer Session
Wrap-Up
Mock Sales Presentation
A Promise Is Not a Check
Additional Perks
Tips to Getting Investors
Be Prepared
Be Innovative
Let’s Get Visual
Chapter 7 Soft Prep
What Is Soft Prep?
Get Sag Signatory Number
Table Read
Location Scouting
List Your Film in the Trades
Inform Your Investors
Chapter 8 The Casting Process
Part 1: Preparation
Casting Director – Or Not
Guild Actors – Or Not
Guild Deposit
Breakdown Services
Plan Casting Process With Your Director
Part 2: Scheduling
Scheduling Auditions
How to Schedule
How Much Time to Allow for Auditions
Book Your Readers
Choosing the Sides
Typed Sign-In Sheets
Part 3: Auditions and Callbacks
Auditions
Lunch Break and Atmosphere
Scheduling Callbacks
Callbacks
Chemistry Callbacks
Final Decisions
Part 4: Deal Memos
Extras
Chapter 9 Preproduction
Producer versus Line Producer
Producer’s Focus
Line Producer’s Focus
A Look at the Producer’s Job
The Making-of Producer and Stills Photographer
Still Photography and Making-of Cast Schedule
Proposed Questions for Cast for the Making-of Feature
Your Editor
Your Director of Photography
Your Director
Table Read With Your Keys
Cast Table Read and Wardrobe Fitting
Product Placement
Update Investors
Keep the Actors and their Agents Informed
Chapter 10 Principal Photography
Now the Fun begins
Know How to Read Your Call Sheets, Day Out of Days, and Shooting Schedule
Shooting Schedule
Dailies
Video Village
Know Your Script
Your Editor
Staying on Time: Your 1st AD
Writing Checks
Stills and Press Release
Treats
Putting out Fires
Planning Your Wrap Party
Going the Extra Mile
Children and Animals
Investors
Interviews for Postproduction Positions
Acknowledgment
Chapter 11 Wrap-Up and Postproduction
Wrap Party
Line Producer’s Wrap-Up
Editor’s Assembly
Copyright Transfer
Film Website
Hiring for Postproduction Positions
Director’s Cut
Audience Testing
Pick-Up Day
Lock Picture
Sales Agents and First Round of Festivals
Music Score, Sound Designing, Color Correction, Spotting, and ADR
Additional Songs
Front-Roll Credits (Main Titles)
End-Roll Credits
Making Of
Investors
Chapter 12 Delivery and Sales Agents
Put The Horse Before The Cart
Mistakes can be Expensive
The Cost of Delivery
Items to Watch For
Sales Agent Or Not?
The Tables are Turning
Problems With the Old Model
Buy-Outs
Changes are Happening
Your Deal with a Sales Agent: Do Your Research!
Expenses
Commission
Get a Copy of Each Territory Deal
Keep the Number of Years Low and Get Back-End Deals
Money Goes Into Your Bank Account
Have Them Check With You if the Amount Is Below the Estimate
Which Territory Sold?
Do They Have an E&O Umbrella?
Get a Box Of Dvds
If They are Doing Your Domestic Sale, be at That Meeting
Exit Clause
Chapter 13 Distribution Alternatives and Film Exposure: Guest Interviews
Chapter 14 You’ve Delivered … Now What?
A Whole New World
Festivals
Communicate With Your Sales Agent
Attending Markets
Promoting Your Domestic Sale
Inform Investors Along The Way
Sag Residuals
Accounting and Taxes
Closing Your LLC
Final Notes
Be Sure To Get A Mentor (Or Two)
Surround Yourself With Winners
Keep Your Eye On The Prize
Appendix 1 Filmmakers Website Resource Guide
Appendix 2 Books: Some of My Favorites
Glossary
Index
PLEASE NOTE: I am not an attorney. The deal memos and information in this book should not be construed as legal advice. Please use your own council for anything contractual and anything pertaining to an LLC.
