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The Independent Film Producer's Survival Guide

by: Erickson, Gunnar

The Independent Film Producer's Survival Guide

by: Erickson, Gunnar

ISBN 13:
9780825637230
ISBN 10:
0825637236
Edition: 3rd
Format: Paperback
Copyright: 01/15/2010
Publisher: Schirmer Trade Books

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Summary

This indispensable book gives the independent producer vital information about the business and legal aspects of movie production. Detailed insights into the development process, deal making, hiring directions and actors, contracts, securing location rights, acquiring music, digital movie making, distribution, marketing, and finance are clearly explained in everyday language. Useful industry-standard forms are included for drawing up contracts. This is simply the undisputed bible for anyone thinking of making an independent film.

In this comprehensive guidebook, three experienced entertainment lawyers tell you everything you need to know to produce and market an independent film Ã¢ 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.

Acknowledgements	p. ix
About the Authors	p. x
Introduction	p. xiii
How to Use This Book	p. 1
The Third Edition	p. 1
Hollywood Studio Pictures	p. 4
Independent Features	p. 4
Micro-Budget Pictures	p. 4
Documentaries and Reality	p. 5
Made for Television	p. 5
Deal Making	p. 7
Hollywood Deal Making	p. 7
Independent Film Deal Making	p. 8
Contracts	p. 9
Material Terms	p. 9
Oral Contracts	p. 10
Offer, Counteroffer, and Acceptance	p. 11
Forms of Paperwork	p. 11
Reliance Letters	p. 12
Short-Form Agreements	p. 12
Deal Memos	p. 13
Certificates	p. 13
Letters of Intent	p. 14
Formal Agreements	p. 14
Standard Terms	p. 15
Letter Agreements	p. 15
One-Sided Agreements	p. 16
Precedent	p. 17
The Development Process	p. 19
Public Domain	p. 19
Copyright Reports	p. 20
Obtaining Rights	p. 23
Fact-Based Stories	p. 24
Satire and Parody	p. 26
Optioning Rights	p. 27
Writer Deals	p. 30
Copyright Registration and Recordation	p. 30
Titles	p. 31
Getting the Star Elements	p. 49
The Pay-or-Play Offer Strategy	p. 50
The Empty-Handed Approach	p. 50
Independent Divisions of Major Agencies	p. 51
Personal Managers	p. 52
Entertainment Lawyers	p. 53
Casting Directors	p. 55
Experienced Producers	p. 56
Directors	p. 57
Actor Production Companies	p. 59
Film Festivals, Film Workshops, Seminars, and Grants	p. 60
Private Money and Soft Money Financing	p. 63
Private Funding	p. 63
Family and Friends	p. 66
Avoiding Equity Financing Pitfalls: “Show Me the Money”	p. 67
Soft Money	p. 69
Grants	p. 70
Production Assistance and Tax Incentives	p. 70
U.S. Federal Tax Incentives	p. 71
Tax Shelters	p. 73
Co-Production	p. 74
Key Film-Production Incentives	p. 76
Cash Rebates	p. 76
How Tax Credits Work	p. 76
Key USA State Incentives	p. 77
Key International Incentives	p. 90
Other Financing Sources	p. 106
Financing Sources	p. 106
Talent Fee Deferrals	p. 106
Producer Fee Deferrals	p. 107
Soundtrack Album	p. 108
Music Publishing	p. 108
Product Placement	p. 108
Conclusion	p. 109
Presales	p. 111
Presales	p. 111
The Producer's Representative (“Producer's Rep”)	p. 111
International Sales Agents	p. 113
International Sales Agent Deals	p. 114
Producer Fees	p. 116
Expenses	p. 116
Territory	p. 117
Sales Commissions	p. 117
Media	p. 118
Derivative Productions	p. 118
Term	p. 118
Guild Residents	p. 118
Approval of Sales	p. 119
Form of Contracts	p. 119
Accountings	p. 119
Credit	p. 120
Delivery	p. 120
Escrow Collection Accounts	p. 120
Cutting Rights	p. 121
Marketing, Publicity, and Advertising	p. 121
Selling Spec Movies Before Completion to Domestic Distributors	p. 121
Production Loans	p. 129
Entertainment Bankers	p. 129
Production Loans	p. 130
Key Terms in Production Loan Agreements	p. 131
Interest Rate	p. 131
Commitment Fees (Points)	p. 131
Legal Fees	p. 132
Commitment Letters	p. 132
Opinion Letters	p. 132
Security Interests	p. 132
Loan Repayment	p. 133
Documentation	p. 133
Completion Guarantees	p. 134
Setting up the Production	p. 137
The Form of Production Company	p. 137
Sole Proprietorship	p. 137
Partnerships	p. 138
General Partnerships	p. 139
Joint Venture	p. 139
Limited Partnership	p. 140
Corporations	p. 140
Limited Liability Companies	p. 141
Business Accounting	p. 142
Independent Contractors or Employees	p. 142
Loanout Corporations	p. 143
Production Accounting	p. 144
Insurance	p. 145
Script Clearance	p. 148
Fireman's Fund Clearance Procedures	p. 153
Production Checklist	p. 154
Hiring Writers	p. 161
Certificates of Engagement	p. 165
Hiring Directors	p. 185
Directors Guild of America (DGA)	p. 185
Key Deal Terms In Director Deals	p. 186
Conditions Precedent	p. 186
Director's Services	p. 186
The Pay-or-Play and the Pay-and-Play Issue	p. 188
Director's Compensation	p. 188
Deferred Compensation	p. 189
Director Credit	p. 190
Credits on Non-DGA Films	p. 190
Approvals, Controls, Final Cut	p. 191
Suspension and Termination	p. 193
Effect of Suspension	p. 194
Effect of Termination	p. 194
Director and Producer's Remedies	p. 195
Remakes, Sequels, Prequels, and Television Productions	p. 195
Works Made for Hire; Waiver of Moral Rights	p. 196
Transportation and Expenses	p. 196
Publicity Services and Publicity Controls	p. 197
Insurance Coverage	p. 198
Videocassette, Laserdisc, Videodisc, and 35mm Print	p. 198
No Quote Deal/Confidentiality	p. 199
Hiring Actors	p. 205
The Screen Actors Guild	p. 205
The Star Deal	p. 209
Deal Terms	p. 210
Role	p. 210
Compensation	p. 211
Start Date	p. 211
The Work Period	p. 211
Credits	p. 213
Perquisites	p. 215
Dressing Facility	p. 216
Still Approvals	p. 216
Likeness Approval	p. 217
Merchandising, Soundtrack Album	p. 217
Commercial Tie-Ins and Endorsements	p. 218
Doubles, Dubbing, Outtokes, Nudity	p. 218
Premieres and Previews	p. 219
Videocassette, Videodisc/DVD, 35mm Print	p. 219
Insurance Matters	p. 219
Tax Matters	p. 220
Favored Nations	p. 220
Hiring Producers and Other Production Personnel	p. 247
Producers	p. 247
Other Production Personnel	p. 249
Casting Directors	p. 250
Releases and Miscellaneous Production Matters	p. 273
Film Permits	p. 273
Location Agreements	p. 274
Releases	p. 281
Personal Releases	p. 281
Crowds and Background Extras	p. 284
Prop Releases	p. 285
Using Clips	p. 288
Working With Animals	p. 290
Music in Film	p. 293
Licensed Music	p. 294
Composers	p. 296
Music Income	p. 297
Other Composer Issues	p. 299
Theme Music	p. 300
Music Supervisors	p. 302
Soundtrack Albums	p. 303
Selling Your Completed Independent Feature	p. 323
Film Festivals	p. 324
Industry Screenings: For Connoisseurs Only	p. 331
Distributor Screenings: Assembling the Troops	p. 331
Selective Private Screenings: What Distributors Do Alone in the Dark	p. 332
Recruited Audience Screenings: Do Your Research	p. 333
Sending DVDs to Distributors and Sales Agents	p. 334
Publicity and Marketing: From Teaser to Pleaser	p. 334
Making the Deal: Read the Fine Print	p. 335
Administering the Deal: The Best Execution You Will Ever Attend	p. 336
Distribution, Sales Agency, and Licensing Agreements	p. 337
Key Terms in Domestic Distribution Agreements	p. 337
Picture Specifications	p. 337
Presentation, Company Credits	p. 338
Advance	p. 338
Bonuses	p. 338
Rights Granted	p. 339
Reserved Rights	p. 339
Security Interest	p. 339
Term	p. 339
Territory	p. 340
Prints and Advertising	p. 340
Delivery	p. 340
Assumption of Producer's Obligations	p. 340
Gross Participation	p. 341
Participation After Deduction of Distribution Fees	p. 341
Distribution Expenses	p. 342
Sums Payable to Producer	p. 342
Access to Materials	p. 342
Collection Account	p. 343
Consultation/Approval Rights	p. 343
Cutting Rights	p. 343
Premieres/Festivals	p. 343
Accounting	p. 344
Additional Terms	p. 344
International Territorial Licensing Agreements	p. 345
Delivery	p. 375
Essentials	p. 376
Delivery Schedule issues	p. 376
Made for Television	p. 392
Digital Promotion, Marketing, and Distribution	p. 395
The Long Tail	p. 396
The Official Website	p. 396
Blogs	p. 398
Social Networking	p. 400
Viral Marketing	p. 401
Movie Websites	p. 402
Search Engines	p. 403
Building Awareness Before Your Project Is Produced	p. 403
Grassroots Marketing	p. 404
Selling and Distributing Your DVD Online	p. 405
Digital Distribution	p. 408
Developing the Plan and Goals	p. 410
Key Issues in Online Distribution	p. 413
The Threshold Issue	p. 413
The Grant of Rights	p. 414
Exclusivity	p. 415
Territory	p. 416
Licensing Period	p. 416
Advertising and Promotion	p. 417
License Fee/Payment Terms/Audit	p. 417
Cross-Links	p. 418
Delivery of Materials	p. 418
Piracy/Unauthorized Playback and Duplication	p. 419
The Protection of Intellectual Property	p. 419
Residuals and Contingent Payments	p. 420
Breach/Injunction	p. 420
Representations, Warranties and Indemnities	p. 420
No Sales Guarantees	p. 421
Conclusion	p. 421
Profits	p. 423
Profit Definitions	p. 423
Revenue	p. 423
Costs	p. 425
Distribution Fees	p. 426
Distribution Expenses	p. 427
Financing Costs	p. 427
Production Costs	p. 428
Third-Party Profits	p. 429
Typical Splits of Profits	p. 432
Profits on Independent Pictures	p. 437
The Last Scene and Closing Credits	p. 439
Index	p. 441
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

The Independent Film Producer's Survival Guide

The Independent Film Producer's Survival Guide

9780825637230

0825637236

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

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