Learn from a top producer and creative executive behind JOLT and HITMAN'S WIFE'S BODYGUARD 

Get a sample finance deck and insider strategies to package and finance your own $10–$40M film!

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 webinar is now available to watch on-demand and no longer live.

Financing an independent film in today’s landscape can feel like an uphill battle. Budgets are tighter, studios are more selective, and investors are asking tougher questions. Yet one of the most powerful—and misunderstood—ways to secure real funding remains presales. If you’ve ever wondered how producers get multimillion-dollar films off the ground before the cameras even roll, understanding how to develop and package a $10–$40M film with presales is essential. This webinar will show you exactly how those deals come together—and how you can use them to unlock financing, attract talent, and finally bring your project from script to screen.

The truth is, too many filmmakers dive into presales without the right foundation. Maybe you’ve built a deck that doesn’t resonate with financiers. Maybe you’ve attached dream talent that isn’t realistic—or you’re unsure how to approach an LOI or pay-or-play deal. You might have a great script but no understanding of what buyers in different territories are actually looking for, or how to meet sales agents at markets like AFM, EFM, or Cannes. These gaps can derail your film before it’s even pitched. In this webinar, you’ll learn how to avoid the common missteps that stop promising projects in their tracks and discover how to package your film in a way that investors and distributors take seriously.

Your instructor, Joe Smith, knows this process from every angle. As a seasoned producer and current creative executive at Eclectic Pictures—the team behind JOLT, Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, and Olympus Has Fallen—Joe has spent over a decade working with top-tier talent like Mark Wahlberg, Michael Bay, and MrBeast, and major brands including Nike, the NFL, and Hasbro. He’s currently co-producing the upcoming action epic Red Sonja (Fall 2025), and his experience bridging Hollywood filmmaking with large-scale commercial production makes him uniquely qualified to demystify the complex world of film financing and packaging.

In this webinar, you’ll break down how presales and debt financing actually work, learn which territories are buying, and explore how to structure a package that investors want to back. You’ll cover how to approach talent, build a deck that converts, and make the most of key film markets. Plus, you’ll receive a sample finance deck to use as a reference for your own projects. By the end of this webinar, you’ll walk away knowing exactly how to structure, package, and present your film for real-world financing success—ready to compete in today’s global marketplace.

PLUS! You will receive

• Sample Finance Deck
  

   

  Praise for Joe's Education:

  "Joe provided insight I'd never received, which was very exciting. Joe and the host were both knowledgeable and kind" - Ngozi A

  "This is, by far, one of the best webinars I have ever experienced. There was so much great information, and it was presented so well." -Patti P
   
  "Joe was incredible! He was so generous with his knowledge, holding nothing too close to the chest. He shared countless valuable insights in a very easy to follow, step by step structure. His energy is captivating and he is accessible and inspiring. I feel excited to move forward with my search for financing and liberated to go after the people I want to go after. I will go back and watch this on demand more than once I am sure." - Jane K

Understanding Presales and debt financing

• How presales work 
• The different territories and what they buy (targeted genres) 
• Domestic vs. international 
• The transition from presale to debt financing
• Understanding the role of tax incentives and equity in the presale equation

Setting your project up for pre sales 

• Packaging 101 
• Talent, talent, talent
• The importance of the Filmmaker (writer and/or director) vs. cast talent 
• Deciding where to shoot and do post  

Building the package 

• Script is king 
• The elements of a deck that converts (with example)
• The greater the package, the greater the chance of success 

Approaching talent with offers 

• Sales company approval lists for talent and estimates 
• How to approach an LOI or pay-or-play offer for talent with representatives (without financial backing or with backed offers) 

How to research and meet international sales agents 

• Who are the top sales agencies?
• Getting a meeting vs cold emails / cold calling 
• Tips and tricks to working AFM, EFM/Berlinale, Cannes/Marche du Film in this process

 Q&A with Joe

• Independent producers looking to finance mid-budget films through presales and international deals

• Writers and directors ready to package their projects for investors, agencies, and distributors

• Filmmakers preparing to attend markets like AFM, EFM, or Cannes and want to make the most of every meeting

• Sales agents, managers, or reps who want a deeper understanding of how presales and debt financing work in today’s global market

• Anyone serious about turning a strong script into a fully financed, production-ready film

• Praise for Joe's Education:

  "Joe provided insight I'd never received, which was very exciting. Joe and the host were both knowledgeable and kind" - Ngozi A

  "This is, by far, one of the best webinars I have ever experienced. There was so much great information, and it was presented so well." -Patti P
   
  "Joe was incredible! He was so generous with his knowledge, holding nothing too close to the chest. He shared countless valuable insights in a very easy to follow, step by step structure. His energy is captivating and he is accessible and inspiring. I feel excited to move forward with my search for financing and liberated to go after the people I want to go after. I will go back and watch this on demand more than once I am sure." - Jane K