Seminar Overview

You might be fortunate enough to have your film funded by your “rich uncle,” but if you want to approach investors and/or financiers and get your film to the theaters, you’ll need to avoid the many pitfalls of the process and execute an effective business plan.

This seminar is a must for anyone in the development stage of their project. Industry experts in the key positions will offer their own experiences and expertise regarding the filmmaking process and answer your specific questions.  The seminar will provide a step-by-step explanation of how the business looks at a film project and explains the need for a business plan, the necessary contracts that need to be in place, the subtleties of comparing various state incentives, the pre-production pitfalls to avoid and how it all effects the financing and distribution deals.

Seminar Topics

•     How to protect the material. The importance of Copyright and “Chain of Title”
•     When is a screenplay "Ready-to-Go"?
•     How to build a pitch team for investors and who to stay away from.
•     How to attach talent: Casting directors, agents and managers. 
•     How to attach Director, DP, Production Designer and key personnel. 
•     When do you need an attorney, an accountant and a line producer?
•     How to prepare the numbers: the production budget and schedule.
•     Why do a business plan?
•     How a “Business Plan” is different from a “Producer’s Package.”
•     Legal and business pitfalls in the process.
•     How to monetize the tax rebates and credits.
•     The importance of financial projections and cash flow.
•     How and where to look for funding.
•     What to look for in distribution deals.
•     How to qualify investors and recognize scams.

Seminar Presenters

Louise Levison, President of Business Strategies (moviemoney.com)

Louise Levison, President of Business Strategies (moviemoney.com), has been a financial consultant in the film industry for more than 20 years. She specializes in creating business plans for film and consulting on other aspects of independent filmmaking and distribution. She is the author of "Filmmakers & Financing: Business Plans for Independents" (Sixth Edition, October 2009, Focal Press) and publisher/editor of "The Film Entrepreneur: A Newsletter for the Independent Filmmaker and Investors."  Levison's clients have raised money for low-budget films such as The Blair Witch Project, the most profitable independent film in history, and for companies raising as much as $300 million.

Hal “Corky” Kessler, Entertainment Attorney, Deutsch, Levy & Engel

Corky has extensive entertainment law, corporate and worldwide entertainment industry experience. Corky regularly speaks on the business and legal aspects of feature film development and tax incentives in connection with the entertainment industry. Corky has successfully worked with governors and United States Congressmen in several states to implement new laws and federal tax incentives for investments in qualifying film and television projects, which led to Sections 181 and 199 of The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. Corky has also authored a reference book covering such federal and state tax incentives. Corky has been the attorney and or executive producer of over 18 films and 3 film funds. He is currently active on over 20 films .

Todd Hein, Senior Manager Federal Tax Unit,  Crowe HorwathJames

Todd is a senior manager in the federal tax unit in the Los Angeles office of Crowe Horwath, LLP, a national public accounting firm based in South Bend, Indiana, with offices located throughout the United States. He has practiced in public accounting for over 20 years, specializing in income tax compliance and planning for entertainment industry clients and related service businesses. Todd received his undergraduate degree in Economics from U.C.L.A. and earned a Master of Science in Taxation from Golden Gate University. 

Distributor: Gil Agaure, President, Koan

Gil Aglaure started his career in the film industry in 1987 as Director of Sales for a French production company. During that time, he was also heavily involved in production and helped develop the concept of  “Adventure”,  a 40 episode documentary series hosted by Christopher Reeve which sold to 112 countries around the world. In 1993, he moved to the US and founded Koan, a distribution company focused primarily on feature films. Quickly, Koan became a front-runner in the family film arena and an important resource for buyers from television stations and DVD companies worldwide. A combination of a powerful sales force and rare business ethics sets Koan apart from its competitors. In order to supply clients worldwide with quality programming, Gil Aglaure increased Koan's involvement in production by providing financing, gap-financing and pre-sales of concept driven projects. Koan's most recent productions include  Age of the Dragons starring Danny Glover and Vinny Jones and Airborne Creed, an addition to the hugely popular war franchise "Saints & Soldiers."

Risk Management: David Mackin, Vice President, JMB Insurance

David works with all of the sources, domestic, international and captive, for film insurance and completion bonding….including with innovative protective providers who now may comprehensively offer viable general (asset, business interruption/extra expenses, liability, workers’ compensation, et al) insurance, errors and omissions insurance and surety bonding with a synthesized single underwriting approach.

Moderator/Line Producer:  John Corser, Line Producer 

John Corser is an award-winning producer of commercials, promotional films, music videos, feature films, television productions and educational films. His productions have spanned 20 countries and 5 continents. He has produced in a variety of settings, from Arctic tundra, tropical rainforest to war zones. John has extensive experience managing productions both from 150+ million dollar feature film to $10K music video. John is an expert in digital media production including the technologies in stereoscopic(3D) production and exhibition. He has earned numerous awards and distinctions, including: Academy Award Nomination, Gold, Silver and, Bronze Cindy Awards, US Industrial Film and Video Festival - Gold Camera Award, Gold, Silver and Bronze Telly Awards, Silver Screen Award and more.