How To Produce Your Independent Feature Film In 2024
Other education that may be of interest to you:
Stage 32 4-Part Class: How You Can Attract Financing To Your Feature Film While Spending Less Than $3,500
Learn From A PGA Producer Who Has Made Over 25 Feature Films. As a filmmaker, screenwriter, producer or actor you may have a great idea for a film or a top-notch script that's ready for production. However, the challenges that most independent films face are that they have the idea, the vision or the script but little to no money to build their development package properly to take to investors. The bottom line is that you now need financing. And that requires a plan, specific information that investors are looking for and the proper format to present your project to investors in. So how do you make your project more attractive and inviting to investors? Good news! You can start building your development package even with little to no money to achieve the results you need. In this class, you will learn how to build this critical development package for as little as zero dollars and for no more than $3,500. A professional development package for your project is usually the major difference between scripts that get financed and scripts that don’t. In this exclusive Stage 32 4-part on-demand class, you will learn everything you need to know to build an enticing film development package for little to no money. Teaching you how to build a world-class film package that will attract investors is Michelle Alexandria, PGA member and producer at Light Year Pictures. Michelle has personally worked as a producer, executive producer and line producer on 25 feature films with budgets of $6MM and under. Michelle has lectured on the topic of raising film financing at the Cannes Producers Network and other prominent film festivals and markets including MipCom, Berlinale, Buenos Aires, UniFrance, Sundance, and AFM. Michelle's knowledge is extensive and her advice actionable, and she is bringing all of her experience and perspective to the Stage 32 community to help you succeed with your projects. Michelle will lead her class through the things you can do for anywhere between zero dollars and a few thousand dollars to build an effective and attractive feature film financing package that you can confidently share with potential investors. If you have access to a computer, the internet, and have passion for your project, you can take immediate action steps to make your project attractive to money. If you are looking to make your feature film an attractive investment to financiers so you can get your movie made and distributed, this class is a must! PLUS! Michelle will give out exclusive handouts to help you build your film development package including: Investor Development Document Template Investor One Sheet Template Praise For Michelle Previous Stage 32 Courses "Michelle Alexandria proves to be an excellent guide cutting away at the barriers, self or industry created. Stellar webinar, she provides selflessly a deep knowledge, her experiences towards acquiring interest from the least expected sources, helps streamline efforts towards gaining the optimal financial support and guiding products towards audiences. Going to “throw clay onto the wheel” with confidence. Kudos, highly recommend!" --Jen K “I learned so much from Michelle about how to break into the film/tv industry. There's so much to learn about the craft and business of working in this industry and I'm grateful to have Michelle's expertise in guiding me through it.” --Nick S. "I can't say enough good things about Michelle! Talk about a woman who knows her stuff. I highly recommend all writers, producers, and directors take a course with her to hone their craft and propel their careers." --Kaitlin L.
How To Build Your Pitch Deck For Success At AFM & MIPCOM
A NEW EXCLUSIVE WEBINAR Early Bird Sale - Take 20% Off Learn what it takes to build a pitch deck that lands financing and distribution at the major markets from an executive producer who has successfully produced and sold 25 films with this process. Your pitch deck is the business plan for your creative endeavors and it’s one of the most critical tools for accessing partnerships and financing for your film or television project at AFM, MIPCOM and all the film and television markets. With the American Film Market (AFM) and International Market of Communications (MIPCOM) fast approaching, you’ll need your pitch deck perfected before approaching the countless production, financing, and distribution companies you’ll be meeting at these events. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you’ll learn how to build a pitch deck that will tell the industry players your story, why they should invest in it, and why it has incredible financial potential. Winning over any company and investor requires you to get them to fall in love with your story while showing them a realistic overview of the potential return on their investment. Taking you through this vital information is Light Year Pictures Executive Producer and Head of Distribution, Michelle Alexandria. Michelle has over 20 years of working in sales and distribution, with 25 features produced for $6 million and under. Previously, she was the Head of International Sales and Acquisitions for Glasshouse Distribution. She knows what producers and investors at festivals and markets are looking for, having regularly attended and spoken at festivals around the world, including AFM, MIPCOM, Berlin, Buenos Aires, UniFrance, Sundance, and Cannes. This webinar will show you everything you must include in your pitch deck and how to build it so that the people reading stay engaged with the material and you. Michelle is exclusively sharing with you professional pitch decks that helped her secure financing to make her films and successfully sell them by featuring engaging stories and realistic expectations. Don’t wait to learn from an industry veteran with proven success and build your pitch deck today.
How to Put Together a Perfect Film Investor Pitch Deck
Your pitch deck is the most important tool in your initial stage of obtaining financing for your script. A pitch deck is also used as an aid to attaching an actor or director you are interested in. As a tool, your deck is the first impression of your film condensed so the investor can become familiar with your project and determine if this is an opportunity for them. To close the deal or at least garner meaningful consideration and interest, your pitch deck has to stand out. It has to not only tell the story of your project, why it should be attractive to talent, and what the true potential audience may be, but, most importantly, it needs to show a true and realistic path to profitability. And this is where so many decks fail. Sure, you want to paint a rosy picture with your investor pitch deck. But here's the thing, most investors who have put money into films before know BS from reality. They will know if you are overshooting your estimates (an extremely common tactic), whether your film comps are ridiculous (they almost always are) and if you're exaggerating who your potential audience will be (nearly always the case). A great investor pitch deck is filled with equal parts optimism and reality. Sure, every investor wants to dream of unbelievable riches and success, but what truly makes them open their wallets is believing in the team, the project, and being presented a realistic worldview as to the potential return on their investment. Michelle Alexandria knows a thing or two about raising money. As a producer and Head of International Sales and Acquisitions for Glasshouse Distribution, Michelle has raised or assisted in raising funds for dozens of films and other projects. She has personally worked on 25 feature films $6MM and under and 3 television projects in various capacities including producing, line producing and executive producing. Michelle has spoken on the topic of raising financing at the Cannes Producers Network and other prominent film festivals and markets including MipCom, Berlin, Buenos Aires, UniFrance, Sundance, and AFM. Michelle will teach you how to create an investor pitch deck that doesn't have that same dusty feeling of so many decks and which fits the current climate of raising funds. She will show you what elements truly matter for an investor and which you can leave out of your deck entirely. She will discuss the value (or lack thereof) of artwork and posters. Additionally, she'll dive into loglines and synopsis to assure that you are giving your potential investors the true vision of the project. She will teach you how to put together a realistic cast list and film comps. She will discuss budgets, scheduling and how to incorporate those elements into your deck. She will talk to you about putting together the right team and how those team members can send the right or wrong signal. Michelle's knowledge is extensive and her advice actionable, and now she's here to deliver the goods exclusively in this Stage 32 on-demand webinar. As an added bonus, Michelle will share examples of pitches decks that have helped secure millions in financing! PRAISE FOR MICHELLE'S TEACHINGS: "Clear, concise, and brilliant." - Mario D. "No BS, straight to the point information. Loved every second." - Patricia H. "I have a deck for my film. It's going in the garbage. I will be starting over tomorrow with this wealth of information flowing in my head. Remarkable job, Michelle!" - Phil M. "Sure, everyone wants Leo or George in their films. Sure, everyone thinks their film is the next My Big Fat Greek Wedding or some other independent blockbuster. Sure, everyone believes that they have THE idea that is going to get them the money. Michelle just gave me the map as to HOW to get the money by being REAL. I can't wait to get started and to bounce ideas off my team. This was so much fun. Thank you!" - Denise P.
3 Key Steps To Build Your Film Package & Attract Financing
Learn what you need to attract financing through packaging with a producer who has worked on over 25 feature films! Instead of approaching investors with a script and a sales pitch, this Stage 32 exclusive webinar will teach you the tools needed to make an impact so that financiers see your film as an opportunity. You'll be shown how to break this daunting concept of creating a film package into manageable steps, using the resources available to you with minimal expenditures, starting with things you can do for free. You'll learn how to develop your material to what investors need, what elements you must include in your package, what resources to utilize and how to use them, sell your project at festivals and markets, and create sales projections budgets, and more. Guiding you in this Stage 32 on-demand webinar is Michelle Alexandria, a PGA member and producer at Light Year Pictures. Michelle has personally worked on 25 feature films $6MM and under and 3 television projects in various capacities including producing, line producing and executive producing. Michelle has spoken on the topic of raising financing at the Cannes Producers Network and other prominent film festivals and markets including MipCom, Berlin, Buenos Aires, UniFrance, Sundance, and AFM. Her knowledge is extensive and her advice actionable, and now she's here to deliver the goods exclusively on Stage 32. You'll walk away confidently knowing how to build your film package, how to make your project appeal to investors, how to access investors, and, most importantly, you'll know how to do it all without breaking the bank. Praise For Michelle's Stage 32 Education "Sure, everyone wants Leo or George in their films. Sure, everyone thinks their film is the next My Big Fat Greek Wedding or some other independent blockbuster. Sure, everyone believes that they have THE idea that is going to get them the money. Michelle just gave me the map as to HOW to get the money by being REAL. I can't wait to get started and to bounce ideas off my team. This was so much fun. Thank you!" -- Denise P. "The amount I learned in just 90 minutes from the webinar is astounding. Michelle is very educated and well spoken. No matter where you fall in this industry, you should take this course!" -- Anthony M. "Clear, concise, and brilliant." - Mario D. "I have a deck for my film. It's going in the garbage. I will be starting over tomorrow with this wealth of information flowing in my head. Remarkable job, Michelle!" - Phil M. "Sure, everyone wants Leo or George in their films. Sure, everyone thinks their film is the next My Big Fat Greek Wedding or some other independent blockbuster. Sure, everyone believes that they have THE idea that is going to get them the money. Michelle just gave me the map as to HOW to get the money by being REAL. I can't wait to get started and to bounce ideas off my team. This was so much fun. Thank you!" -- Denise P. "Fantastic content! A bit like drinking from the firehose, but still gave me lots more ideas. I had previously taken a similar course through Sundance, and this gave even more info and detail." -- Barbara D. "Very informative! I really appreciated the visual aids on the one pager, pitch deck, comparable, etc. The advice on the types of genres that are harder to distribute was also very helpful." -- Kara C.
Understanding the SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement Application and How to Apply
A producer on over 25 independent features gives you a step-by-step guide to how you can get your independent feature film into production with SAG-AFTRA talent during the strike by applying for the SAG-AFTRA Interim Application PLUS! You'll receive a checklist of what you need in place before speaking with talent and investors during the strike. It can feel like the current SAG-AFTRA strike against the AMPTP has ground the industry to a halt, making it close to impossible even for you independent producers out there to make your films. But that’s not the case. SAG-AFTRA is supporting independent filmmakers who are unaffiliated with the AMPTP and are granting many independent producers a SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement that allows you to proceed with your productions while remaining in compliance with the union. Stage 32 stands firmly with SAG-AFTRA and we are here to teach you the process to apply for a SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement so you can try to get your movie shoot under way while properly supporting the union. Independent movie productions such as the Sam Raimi produced DON’T MOVE starring Finn Whittrock, Ishana Night Shyamalan’s THE WATCHERS starring Dakota Fanning, David Lowery’s MOTHER MARY starring Anne Hathaway and independent TV series such as the faith based global hit THE CHOSEN have all been approved for the SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement and will be in production during the strike. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you will learn the multiple steps you need to go through to apply for the SAG-AFTRA Interim Waiver as well as the essential tools and materials you need to secure financing, cast union actors once approved for the waiver, and secure distribution channels for your film even in these times of industry unrest. Navigating you through the process is Michelle Alexandria, PGA member and producer at Light Year Pictures. Michelle has personally worked as a producer, executive producer on numerous feature films. Michelle has lectured on the topic of raising film financing at the Cannes Producers Network and other prominent film festivals and markets including MipCom, Berlinale, Buenos Aires, UniFrance, Sundance, and AFM. Michelle currently has multiple independent feature films on the runway to production and applications pending with SAG-AFTRA to be able to use SAG-AFTRA talent in her films. PLUS! You will receive exclusive handouts to help you make your film during the current strike. Downloads include: Checklist of what you need before speaking with talent and investors during the strike Filmmakers, writers, producers, and actors are resilient. It is in these very challenging times that true creativity and innovation shine through if you know how to comply with the industry unions and work with them, not against them, to make your movie. *This webinar is purely informational. SAG-AFTRA is not in any way associated with this webinar and participation in this webinar does not guarantee any particular outcome with SAG-AFTRA. Praise For Michelle's Stage 32 Teaching "Michelle Alexandria proves to be an excellent guide cutting away at the barriers, self or industry created. Stellar webinar, she provides selflessly a deep knowledge, her experiences towards acquiring interest from the least expected sources, helps streamline efforts towards gaining the optimal financial support and guiding products towards audiences. Going to “throw clay onto the wheel” with confidence. Kudos, highly recommend!" -Jen K “I learned so much from Michelle about how to break into the film/tv industry. There's so much to learn about the craft and business of working in this industry and I'm grateful to have Michelle's expertise in guiding me through it.” -- Nick S. "I can't say enough good things about Michelle! Talk about a woman who knows her stuff. I highly recommend all writers, producers, and directors take a course with her to hone their craft and propel their careers." -- Kaitlin L.
How To Put Together A Perfect Pitch Deck For Your Movie
Learn how to make your pitch deck attractive to investors and top talent from a producer who has worked on over 25 films! PLUS! Michelle will provide you with an exclusive pitch deck template for you to use on your own projects! Your film investor pitch deck, sometimes called your business plan, is the most important tool in your initial stage of obtaining financing for your script. Your deck provides an overview of your script and provides the first impression of your film so the investor can become familiar with your project and determine if this is an opportunity for them. A pitch deck is also used as an aid to attach an actor or director you are interested in. Your pitch deck allows investors, companies, and talent to become familiar with your before reading your script so your pitch deck must really stand out in order to garner meaningful consideration and interest. Your deck must not only tell the story of your project, why it is attractive to talent, and what the true potential audience may be, but, most importantly, it needs to show a true and realistic path to profitability. And this is where so many decks fail. Filmmakers tend to make visual heavy look-books without any indication of financials for the project and call it a business plan. Also, novice filmmakers often inflate potential or unrealistic elements of the budget and profitability, causing companies, investors, and producers to see the lack of experience in the filmmaker behind the project. Investors will know if you are overshooting your numbers, whether your film comparables are not realistic, or if you are exaggerating the size of your potential audience. These pitfalls are easily avoidable if you have the knowledge of what companies and investors are really looking for. A professional business plan is filled with equal parts optimism and reality. Of course, any company or investor dreams of major success, but what truly makes them consider participating in a project is believing in the team, the project, and being presented with a realistic overview of the potential return on their investment. In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand webinar, seasoned producer and distributor Michelle Alexandria will take you through a step-by-step process to build your successful pitch deck. She will give you examples of successful pitch decks that helped her secure financing to make her movies and equip you with the necessary tools to secure funding for your film. PLUS! You will receive an exclusive pitch deck template to use on your next project! You will walk away from this webinar with the necessary tools to build your pitch deck for your project to get investors, producers, and cast interested! Praise For Michelle Alexandria's Teaching "Michelle Alexandria proves to be an excellent guide cutting away at the barriers, self or industry created. Stellar webinar, she provides selflessly a deep knowledge, her experiences towards acquiring interest from the least expected sources, helps streamline efforts towards gaining the optimal financial support and guiding products towards audiences. Going to “throw clay onto the wheel” with confidence. Kudos, highly recommend!" -Jen K “I learned so much from Michelle about how to break into the film/tv industry. There's so much to learn about the craft and business of working in this industry and I'm grateful to have Michelle's expertise in guiding me through it.” -- Nick S. "I can't say enough good things about Michelle! Talk about a woman who knows her stuff. I highly recommend all writers, producers, and directors take a course with her to hone their craft and propel their careers." -- Kaitlin L.
Register / Log In
