Border Lords
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
B ORDER L ORDS AN INDEPENDENT MOTION PICTURE B USINESS P LAN VANGUARD PRODUCTIONS 12111 Beatrice St., Culver City, CA 90230 Tel 310-306-4910 Fax 310-306-491 [email protected] This document and the information contained herein is provided solely for the purpose of acquainting the reader with Vanguard Productions and the proposed film Border Lords. It is proprietary information to the Company. By accepting this document, the recipient agrees to keep the contents in strictest confidence and not to reproduce or further distribute it without the express consent of Vanguard Productions. This document is solely a business plan covering aspects of the motion picture industry and the proposed film Border Lords and is not to be construed as an offering of securities. Table of Contents CATEGORY PAGE STATEMENT OF RISK 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 THE COMPANY 4 THE PROJECT 5 THE INDUSTRY 9 THE MARKETPLACE 10 MARKETING STRATEGY 11 THE DISTRIBUTION PROCESS 13 DISTRIBUTION STRATEGIES 15 INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY 16 FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS 17 FOREIGN SALES PROJECTIONS 20 APPENDIX “A” LETTER OF INTEREST: KRIS KRISTOFFERSON 21 APPENDIX “B” LETTER OF INTEREST: RICHARD TYSON 22 APPENDIX “C” LETTER OF INTEREST: LIONS GATE FILMS 23 APPENDIX “D” LETTER OF INTEREST: MAIN LINE RELEASING 24 APPENDIX “E” BOND LETTER: FILM FINANCE 25 APPENDIX “F” CHAIN OF TITLE 26 APPENDIX “G” BUDGET TOP SHEET 27 APPENDIX “H” CASH FLOW CHART 28 APPENDIX “I” PICTURES OF ATTACHED CAST 29 APPENDIX “J” PICTURES OF PROPOSED CAST 34 APPENDIX “K” PICTURES OF LOCATIONS 38 Border Lords Business Plan 1 Statement of Risk Investment in the film industry is highly speculative and inherently risky. There can be no assurance of the economic success of any motion picture since the revenues derived from the production and distribution of a motion picture depend primarily upon its acceptance by the public, which cannot be predicted. The commercial success of a motion picture also depends upon the quality and acceptance of other competing films released into the marketplace at or near the same time, general economic factors and other tangible and intangible factors, all of which can change and cannot be predicted with certainty. The entertainment industry in general, and the motion picture industry in particular, are continuing to undergo significant changes, primarily due to technological developments. Although these developments have resulted in the availability of alternative and competing forms of leisure time entertainment, such technological developments have also resulted in the creation of additional revenue sources through licensing of rights to such new media, and potentially could lead to future reductions in the costs of producing and distributing motion pictures. In addition, the theatrical success of a motion picture remains a crucial factor in generating revenues in other media such as videocassettes and television. Due to the rapid growth of technology, shifting consumer tastes, and the popularity and availability of other forms of entertainment, it is impossible to predict the overall effect these factors will have on the potential revenue from and profitability of feature-length motion pictures. In order to prosper, the success of the motion picture Border Lords will depend upon the ability of management to produce a film of exceptional quality that can compete with higher-budgeted films of the same genre. In order to minimize this risk, management will participate heavily throughout the process and will mitigate financial risks wherever possible. The success of the Company and its motion picture depends upon securing investor financing and obtaining distribution contracts with satisfactory terms—as well as the continued participation of management. Border Lords Business Plan 2 Executive Summary The Company Mr. O’Keefe formed Vanguard Productions in 1986 to establish a production company with a vision of making high quality independent films for the global market. The Project Border Lords is a motion picture budgeted for production at $3.5 million dollars, for theatrical exhibition in the United States and abroad. In the spirit of classic Westerns as Tombstone, Silverado, Unforgiven and Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid, Border Lords is the story about an outlaw who comes to town to rob a bank and winds up becoming the town. Historically, the Western is a genre proven to attract theatrical audiences, and by featuring ‘name’ actors in the lead roles, Border Lords’ potential for audience appeal and commercial value should be outstanding. The Industry Hollywood has once again proven that the movie business is a stalwart through good times and bad. Despite the difficulties that other sectors of the economy experienced in 2001, especially after the events of 9/11, the U.S. theatrical box office rose to a record $8.41 billion, a climb of almost 10% over 2000, with 1.49 billion tickets sold, a 5% increase from 2000 and the largest ticket-buying audience since 1959.1 Of that $8.41 billion, $3.2 billion (40%) was derived from independent films. Westerns are a perennial favorite among movie goers, every year the studios produce Westerns: Open Range (2003), The Alamo (2004), HBO’s hit series Deadwood (2004) and now Brad Pitt is set to star as Jesse James in a mega budget Western scheduled for 2006. The Market The strategy of making films in well-established genres has proven itself to be the sound choice for independent production, since a well-made, intriguing film within such genres will almost always find a theatrical audience if marketed correctly. Producers know that making films in these well-established genres give their films a greater chance for domestic and international theatrical release. The Strategy Because the motion picture industry is highly competitive, the success of a film largely depends upon its marketing and distribution strategy. Therefore as an independent producer, Vanguard Productions plans to work with the mini-major studios such as Miramax, Focus Features, Lions Gate, and Sony Pictures Classics who have long track records marketing and distributing independent films. Distribution negotiations will begin as early as possible prior to production, in order to maximize both bargaining power and the film’s potential profit by collaborating early with the mini-major studios on marketing. The Opportunity Vanguard Productions seeks capital to fund the Limited Liability Company formed for the purpose of producing the motion picture Border Lords. The Company proposes to secure $3.5 million in production funding from private equity investors and secure a distribution agreement with a mini-major studio. The Company’s revenue projections predict a 90% return above the original investment, which amounts to a $3.15 million total return on investment, after recouping the original $3.5 million. The Hollywood Reporter, March 6, 2002. Border Lords Business Plan 3 The Company Vanguard Productions With Vanguard Productions Mr. O’Keefe is offering a new approach to international film production to capitalize on the economic pressures and expanding opportunities in the global entertainment industry. The “Vanguard Productions” plan is built on a foundation of established relationships in the United States, Europe, and Asia to assure a broad based opportunity of long term success for all involved. This co- production “blue-print” provides the most efficient, cost-effective working environment possible to meet the challenge of providing quality entertainment. Vanguard Productions first co-production was with Showcase Entertainment for the feature film “The Bad Pack,” starring Robert Davi, Roddy Piper and Ralf Moeller, a $2 million dollar action adventure. Mr. O'Keefe's next venture was with Image Organization and World International Network on the $1.5 million dollar coming of age drama, "Wanted," which Mr. O'Keefe also served as writer/director. Talented Leadership Mr. O’Keefe is an award winning filmmaker who has worked in the film industry for over fifteen years and this is the seasoned experience he draws upon to make his film productions so successful. Mr. O’Keefe is a member of the Academy Of Television Arts and Sciences, a member of the Producer Guild of America (PGA), a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), a member of the Independent Film Project West (IFP), and serves on the board of directors of The Educational Media Workshop of Southern California. World-Class Projects Vanguard Productions currently has one feature film in post production and two feature films in development and their first feature, “We The People,” debuted at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival and was one of only two American films selected to be screen at the 1995 Moscow Film Festival. Mr. O’Keefe completed “We The People” on time and within budget. But, more importantly, he produced a feature film with a production value that rivals most studio pictures, proving once again that low budget does not mean low quality. The relationships formed in conjunction with these projects not only have paved the way for Border Lords but also will continue to pay dividends in the years to come. Poised for Success In addition to the above projects, Vanguard Productions is developing the TV series “They Also Served” an hour-long show about famous people who have served in the armed forces with Merv Griffin and Christian Moore. Roger Moore will host the series and the pilot episode will feature such celebrities as Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Peter O’Toole, Ernest Borgnine and many more. Vanguard Productions is also developing the TV series “Sea Of Demons – A Year Under The Sea Of Cortez” with the National Geographic Channel and author and marine expert, Scott Cassell. On the feature side Vanguard Productions is developing Broken April with writer, director Robby Henson. Broken April is a suspense thriller starring Sissy Spacek, Christina Applegate, Kris Kristofferson, Randy Travis, and Richard Tyson. Border Lords Business Plan 4 The Project Story Synopsis "BLOODY BILL" ANDERS (Kris Kristofferson) is an aging outlaw, planning one last job before retiring to Mexico with his notorious partner "IRON FLOYD" ALLEN (Richar Tyson).