The Business of Show Business for Creatives Film Business Essentials for Getting Your Film to Market Edited by Anne Marie Gillen Focal Press Has the Business Side of Show Business Covered Use discount code SHOW for 20% off Focal Press titles www.focalpress.com Business of Show Business 1 The Business of Show Business is proudly brought to you by Focal Press and AFM® In August 2013, the American Film Market® (AFM), the largest motion picture market in the world, signed a long-term agreement with Focal Press to collaborate on a series of books on the business of motion picture production and distribution. The series, entitled “American Film Market Presents” will include books on industry topics such as financing, distribution, pitching, law, and marketing. “Our goal is to provide the independent production community with resources and information that helps films get made,” stated Jonathan Wolf, AFM Managing Director. “Partnering the world’s largest film market with the leading publisher for filmmakers is a perfect match.” “It’s truly an honor to partner with the world’s premiere motion picture market, and we place enormous value in this relationship,” stated Jeff Dean, Focal Press Publisher. “AFM and Focal Press both strive to make a significant difference in the careers of filmmakers, producers, writers, and film -in dustry executives, and I’m certain the exceptional content we’ll create together will help us achieve this goal.” The Business of Show Business is a free resource intended to help educate and inform independent filmmakers on the business aspects of filmmaking. Business of Show Business 2 Contents Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................p.3 Part 1: Development..................................................................................................................................p.5 Politics of Development, Chapter 7 Make Your Movie...................................................................p.6 Acquiring Screenplay Rights, Chapter 9 The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers.......................p.23 Part 2: The Pitch............................................................................................................................................p.47 The Pitch Meeting Structure Used By Hollywood Pros...........................................................p.48 Ten tips for Pitching Your Film Successfully.................................................................................p.52 Idea Rights: Protecting Your Pitching and Avoiding Idea Theft, Chapter 7 The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers................................................................................................................................p.53 Part 3: Film Finance..................................................................................................................................p.60 The Financial Plan: How it Works, Chapter 9 Filmmakers and Financing.............................p.61 Motion Picture Financing, Chapter 6 Producers Business Handbook.....................................p.83 Part 4: Film Production.............................................................................................................................p.98 Production Timeline Example, Chapter 2 Indie Film Producing..............................................p.99 Budgeting, Chapter 10 Preparing for Takeoff.................................................................................p.105 Production Team & Who Does What, Chapter 1 The Complete Film Production Handbook............................................................................................................................p.142 Part 5: Film Marketing........................................................................................................................p.149 Marketing, Chapter 5 Preparing for Takeoff...................................................................................p.150 Marketing, Chapter 9 Business of Media..........................................................................................p.174 Rethinking Marketing, Chapter 4 Thinking Outside the Box Office.......................................p.218 Part 6: Film Distribution...................................................................................................................p.221 Distribution, Theatrical and the Changing Landscape, Chapter 6 Filmmakers and Financing......................................................................................................................p.222 Theatrical Distribution, Chapter 4 The Business of Media Distribution................................p.241 Distribution Film Alternatives, Chapter 13 Indie Film Producing.........................................p.279 Part 7: Film Commissions & Incentives............................................................................p.304 Film Commissions and Location Incentives, Chapter 9 Shoot on Location.....................p.306 Production Incentives, Chapter 7 The Producers Business Handbook..................................p.316 Part 8: Film Festivals and Film Markets...........................................................................p.338 Film Festivals and Your Distribution Strategy, Chapter 14 Thinking Outside the Box Office.............................................................................................................p.340 How to Work the AFM ..........................................................................................................................p.350 Festivals, Chapter 26 Make Your Movie............................................................................................p.357 Business of Show Business 3 Introduction Shakespeare wrote, “All the world’s a stage.” I have found the vast majority of filmmakers are passionate to tell their story - this is primal. And now more than ever, that stage on which to tell your story/show your film has never been more crowded. On average there are: • 500,000 filmmakers worldwide • 10,000 films made per year • 700+ Films MPAA rated & with some form of release • 200 or so obtain a decent release permitting any return at all, much less a profit Most filmmakers have a vision and passion to make their film, and many have been highly trained in great film schools to make that film, but what most aren’t trained for is the business of filmmak- ing. The shortest window of a film’s life cycle is typically the actual making of the film (pre-produc- tion, principal photography, post production). It can take years to fully develop the property, raise the financing to fund the production, and market and distribute the final product. A filmmaker in the 21st Century must fuse business and creative to successfully launch and maintain a career. I am often asked, “What exactly does a film producer do?” I can answer that in one word or a whole book. That one word is: everything. Did you ever wonder why it’s only the producers who accept the Best Picture Oscar? It’s because they did everything necessary to get the film onto the world stage. From concept to development, to financing, to production, to delivery, to marketing and distribution - they have their hand in each and every phase of it. A filmmaker today must have the skills and knowledge of creative, legal, financing, production, marketing and distribution, and be able to put that knowledge to use. A filmmaker must be able to multi-task, handle all types of personalities, pitch, coach, stand their ground, corral, cajole, and yes, sometimes scream and demand to get ‘er done! To be able to accomplish all these tasks successfully, a filmmaker must be what I have coined a “Balanced Producer.” A Balanced Producer gives equal weight to being a Fiduciary, Marketer and Visionary. • A FIDUCIARY strives to return a profit to their Investor(s) and their company. • A MARKETER creates projects with commercial appeal to a known target audience, and secures domestic and/or foreign distribution commitments in advance of principal photography. • A VISIONARY has and lives a clear vision for each project and an entire career. This book is an attempt to give the independent filmmaker an overview of all the areas a filmmaker must take accountability and responsibility for in order to lead their team through the 6 cycles of a film’s life: • Development • Packaging • Financing • Production • Marketing • Distribution Business of Show Business 4 Introduction (cont’d) For The Business of Show Business for Creatives, Focal Press has accessed the best of its film library to bring you the leading-edge knowledge, techniques and tools to understand how to become a Balanced Producer. The American Film Market (AFM), the largest motion picture market in the world, is in partner- ship with Focal Press for this eBook, and together they are launching the ‘American Film Market Presents’ series. AFM will collaborate with Focal Press to present books on the business of motion picture production and distribution. Their mutual goal with the series is to educate and inform independent filmmakers about the business behind the film industry. If you like what a certain author has to say about their particular area of expertise, we encourage you to read their entire book. You can browse the website at: www.focalpress.com for additional titles. Begin to build your own personal library, to educate yourself and your team to be secure in the myriad roles you must master to