The Independent Filmmaker's Guide to the New Hollywood


Book Description

Netflix and its competitors like Disney+, Amazon Prime and Hulu have brought unprecedented levels of entertainment to consumers everywhere, providing the richest, most abundant aggregate of motion pictures and cinematic television the world has ever seen. Behind the facade, however, things are not as pleasant. A very costly paradigm shift is underway, altering not only conventional business and finance models, but also threatening long-established avenues of entertainment such as movie theaters, traditional television, and home video, and wreaking havoc on independent filmmakers and veteran producers alike. This book attempts to make sense of ongoing economic and creative shifts of infrastructure and intellectual property, to understand where the industry is headed, and to distinguish which business models should be maintained and which ones should be left behind. Featuring exclusive interviews with some of the industry's most prolific filmmakers and executives, it dives into the trenches of Hollywood to provide readers with the knowledge necessary to rethink the business, see past the turmoil, recognize the new opportunities, and take advantage of exciting new possibilities. Change sparks innovation, and innovation brings about great opportunity--but only for the well-informed and prepared.




The Independent Film Producers Survival Guide: A Business and Legal Sourcebook


Book Description

In this comprehensive guidebook, three experienced entertainment lawyers tell you everything you need to know to produce and market an independent film from the development process to deal making, financing, setting up the production, hiring directors and actors, securing location rights, acquiring music, calculating profits, digital moving making, distribution, and marketing your movie.




The Independent Filmmaker's Guide to Writing a Business Plan for Investors, 2d ed.


Book Description

Filmmakers need more than heart, talent and desire to realize their dreams: they need production capital. Finding willing investors can be the most difficult step in an aspiring filmmaker's pursuit of higher-budget, entertaining motion pictures. This practical guide provides detailed instructions on preparing the most important tool for recruiting investors, a persuasive business plan. Included in this new edition are suggested ways to approach potential investors; lists of various financial sources available to Hollywood productions, and tips on spotting unscrupulous financiers. Interviews with key Hollywood producers offer real-world insight.




Film Festival Secrets


Book Description

Every year thousands of filmmakers like you unleash their newly completed movies upon the film festival circuit. Whether you're a first-timer with a comedy short or a seasoned veteran with a documentary feature, you all face the same set of problems. You all ask the same questions. You all want the pleasure of seeing your film play before a festival audience and gain the recognition it deserves. This is your book. Film Festival secrets will help you select the right festivals for your film, prepare your festival screener, save money on festival fees, create marketing collateral, and craft a screening sell out plan. And that's just the beginning.




IFP/Los Angeles Independent Filmmaker's Manual


Book Description

Backed by the resources of Independent Feature Project/West, co-authors Nicole Shay LaLoggia and Eden H. Wurmfeld have written the definitive low-budget production manual. Using examples from the Swingers and Kissing Jessica Stein, this comprehensive manual offers the independent filmmaker a single volume reference covering every aspect of making a film: script rights and rewrites, financing, breakdown, scheduling and budgeting, pre-production, production, postproduction, and distribution. A resource guide listing useful references and organizations, as well as a glossary, complete this guide. The downloadable resources feature interviews with important figures in the independent film industry, including Billy Bob Thornton and Ang Lee. Forms that are illuminated in the text are also included on the downloadable resources for ease of use. The new edition is updated with thorough coverage of digital and HD-how to decide which to shoot on, what the financial impact is, and the effect on preproduction. There is also a new chapter on distribution and expanded material on postproduction.




Producing for Profit


Book Description

In Producing for Profit: A Practical Guide to Making Independent and Studio Films, Andrew Stevens provides real-world examples and his own proven techniques for success that can turn passion into profit. Far more than just theory, the book outlines practical applications that filmmakers of all levels can use to succeed in today’s ever-changing marketplace. Readers will learn how to develop screenplays that are commercial, and how to negotiate, finance, cast, produce, sell, distribute, and market a film that will make a profit. The book contains numerous examples from the author’s own films, including sample budgets, schedules, and a variety of industry-standard contracts. This is the definitive book that every producer must have!




Dictionary of Film Finance and Distribution


Book Description

This dictionary is an aid to anyone involved in seeking to finance a feature film project, especially independents. It covers terms used in film production and distribution, marketing, accounting, insurance, securities, corporate structures and general financial arenas. All of the principal forms of feature film finance are covered, including studio/distributors, production companies, lending institutions, co-financing, pre-sales, grants, foreign and passive investor financing involving the sale of a security.




Guerrilla Film Marketing


Book Description

Create an irresistible brand image and build an audience of loyal and engaged fans... Guerrilla Film Marketing takes readers through each step of the film branding, marketing and promotional process. Tailored specifically to low-budget independent films and filmmakers, Guerrilla Film Marketing offers practical and immediately implementable advice for marketing considerations across every stage of the film production process. Written by leading film industry professional Robert G. Barnwell, Guerrilla Film Marketing teaches readers how to: Master the fundamentals of guerrilla branding, marketing and promotion; Create an integrated marketing plan and calendar based on realistic budgets and expectations; Develop internet and social media marketing campaigns, including engaging studio and film websites and powerful, marketing-centric IMDb listings; Assemble behind-the-scenes pictures, videos and documentaries; Produce marketing materials such as key art, posters, film teasers, trailers and electronic press kits (aka "EPKs"); and Maximize the marketing impact of events such as test screenings, premiers, film festivals and industry award ceremonies. Guerrilla Film Marketing is filled with dozens of step-by-step instructions, checklists, tools, a glossary, templates and other resources. A downloadable eResource also includes a sample marketing plan and audit, a test screening questionnaire, and more.




The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers


Book Description

* How can you use a state's film tax credits to fund your film? SEE PAGE 63. * You have an idea you want to pitch to a production company; how do you safeguard your concept? SEE PAGE 77. * How can you fund your production with product placement? SEE PAGE 157. * How do you get a script to popular Hollywood actors and deal with their agents? SEE PAGE 222. Find quick answers to these and hundreds of other questions in this new edition of The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers. This no-nonsense reference provides fast answers in plain English-no law degree required! Arm yourself with the practical advice of author Thomas Crowell, a TV-producer-turned-entertainment-lawyer. This new edition features: * New sections on product placement, film tax credits and production incentive financing, Letters of Intent, and DIY distribution (four-walling, YouTube, Download-to-own, Amazon.com, iTunes, and Netflix) * Updated case law * Even more charts and graphics to help you find the information you need even more quickly. This book is the next best thing to having an entertainment attorney on retainer!




Success in Film


Book Description

Success in Film is the ultimate guide to funding, filming and finishing any independent film. Written by veteran filmmakers Julia Verdin and Matt Dean, Success in Film has been specially designed to help aspiring producers, directors, writers, actors, editors - anyone who wants to know how to take control of their own destiny in the world of film by making their own movies. Success in Film begins by helping the filmmaker define success for their film and in doing so find the best path to achieve that success. Whether you want financial success, awards, peer recognition, or just a great demo reel of what you can do, Success in Film can help you achieve that success one film at a time. Whether a film is intended for the big screen or the small, Internet release or Theatrical, this concise guide will takes the reader from inception to delivery. Topics include: how to find your story, how to find funding, how to deal with investors, how to make a business plan, how to make a budget, how to cast the film, how to find the right crew, how to work with actors, how do you get distribution, how to market the film, how to get into festivals, how to self release on amazon, iTunes or other digital platforms and much more! Success in Film is being called one the best books on the market today for aspiring producers. Written for filmmakers, by filmmakers who know the craft.