Independent Film Producing

Independent Film Producing

by Suzanne Lyons
Released August 2012
Publisher(s): Routledge
ISBN: 9781136039058

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Book description

Indie Film Producing explains the simple, basic, clear cut role of the independent film producer. Raising funds to do your dream project, producing award-winning films with a low budget, putting name actors on your indie film-it's all doable, and this book guides you through the entire process of being a successful producer with bonus tips on how to effortlessly maneuver through the sphere of social media marketing and fundraising tactics. Indie film producer Suzanne Lyons pilots you through the actual making of low budget films to show you how easy and fun it can be. Laid out in a step-by-step, A to Z, matter-of-fact style that shows how the producer's role can be easy, how to treat the film as a business, and especially how to avoid the painful pitfalls faced by so many producers, this book gives you the essential tools you need to make your film a success from the ground up. . Begins with the earliest stages of concept development, continues through production & post, and ultimately concludes with distribution . Shows you how to create a buzz for your film through marketing and promotions . Interviews with global producers who produced films using social media, festivals, apps, and more, give you real-world insight that can be applied to your own films . Website points you to a fantastic collection of resources that you'll need to produce your own films (http://booksite.focalpress.com/indiefilmproducing)

Table of contents

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

Product information

  • Title: Independent Film Producing
  • Author(s): Suzanne Lyons
  • Release date: August 2012
  • Publisher(s): Routledge
  • ISBN: 9781136039058