Stage 32 2-Part Pitching Lab: Perfect Your 5-Minute Pitch for AFM
Other education that may be of interest to you:
Prepping For International Co-Productions: What You Need To Know
As the world of independent television and film continues to shift, international co-productions are becoming more common. That’s because crossing borders is often an effective way to find better funding, better locations, and ultimately a wider audience. But international co-productions are not always a slam dunk. Partnering with other countries is a complicated endeavor and brings with it challenges and hurdles you wouldn’t have to face otherwise. Potential pitfalls are plentiful, but then again, so are opportunities. It comes down to putting in the work ahead of time, covering your bases, and making sure you know what you’re doing before diving in head first. Working across countries is hard enough when you’re part of a studio or large corporation. There are still contracts to hash out, politics to navigate, and differences in cultures to understand. But when you’re an independent producer or filmmaker looking to cross country lines, it can feel impossible, an overwhelming prospect where you don’t even know where to start. After all, you don’t have the backing of a legal department and you don’t have experts on payroll. You just have you. So where do you start? Is an international co-production worth it for you? What steps should you take to get the ball rolling and how can do you protect yourself along the way? With more than twenty years in the industry, Alexia Melocchi has worked in nearly every aspect of the entertainment industry. Alexia is currently a producer at Little Studio Films, a representation and production company with more than 25 films and series credits. She serves as Partner and Producer, involved in all aspects of company operations, including distribution and co-production deals, managing production activities, and film and television marketing. Alexia is well versed in the art of international co-productions and will share the secrets, tips, and lessons she’s learned over her two decades in the industry exclusively with the Stage 32 community. Alexia will walk you through the nitty gritty of starting international co-productions and the things you need to know before jumping in. She will begin by going over the pros and cons of producing overseas, both for film projects and television, and when to determine if an international co-production is the right call. She’ll tell you the four aspects of your project you should focus on before making this call. She’ll then discuss what makes a story international and how to use this to your advantage. Alexia will then go over the advantages of having international settings in your script. Next she will focus on tax subsidies and credits in different countries, how these can be targeted, the challenges that come with claiming them, and the rules and requirements you’ll generally need to meet to qualify for them. She’ll also discuss the prospect of working with international broadcasters or producers. Then, Alexia will give an in-depth and detailed rundown of the benefits and challenges of producing in six major countries: Italy, Spain, Canada, UK, and Australia. She’ll offer a breakdown of the specific costs that go into overseas productions, as well as the legal ramifications of these projects, including how international cooperation might affect ownership of your IP and rights. Alexia will discuss what an effective timeline of a successful co-production deal might look like and will finally give you tips on how to work international markets like Cannes to find the partnerships you need. This webinar is useful to producers considering an international co-production as well as writers, actors and directors who feel their talent or material might work well on an international scale Like what you heard from Alexia during this webinar? Send your script to Alexia and speak with her for an hour by clicking here. Praise for Alexia’s Webinar: “Alexia had so much specific and helpful information that I’m going to be able to use moving forward” -Karen H. “Alexia is the best! I’m so glad I got to see this webinar” -Hannah E. “I was impressed with how much the instructor knew about this topic. I have a lot of ideas and tools I can take with me for my own projects now” -Jerry B.
Berlinale Pitch Workshop: Craft and Master Your Five-Minute Berlinale Verbal Pitch
Work Directly With An International Producer & Berlinale veteran to perfect your Berlinale pitch! Only 4 Spots Still Available - Grab Your Spot Now You've bought your Berlinale pass and created your pitch deck, but how confident are you with your verbal pitch? Berlinale moves fast. Distributors, investors, and producers have meetings scheduled back to back. You need a compelling verbal pitch that sells you and your project in under five minutes. In this exclusive 2-part Stage 32 workshop, a select group of only 10 attendees will work one-on-one with international producer/distributor Alexia Melocchi to craft your perfect five-minute pitch. Alexia has had recent distribution projects with clients like Lionsgate, STX, Lakeshore, TF1, The Asylum and Mister Smith, and projects such as ANNA, PEPPERMINT, THE BOY 2, and SHAUN THE SHEEP. Alexia has placed over 100 titles in the last 5 years. In the first session, Alexia will work with each attendee and offer feedback to strengthen their pitch. In the second session, a few days before Berlinale, each participant will pitch Alexia again, having honed and made their pitches stronger and more effective with her guidance. If you've spent the time and expense to attend The Berlin Film Festival, you do not miss this rare opportunity to make sure your five minute pitch sells you and your project effectively. Check out the recent success story from Alexia's AFM pitching class that resulted in a member getting financing here! Praise for Alexia's Previous Stage 32 Education: "Really great. Actually useful, practical advice. Wasn't full of bullshit platitudes, Alexia shot straight with us." - Max W. "Alexia did a fantastic job of making it all relatable and cutting through the noise." - Clint G. "Alexia is clearly very experienced & she is so gracious in sharing her wisdom with all of us. I'm truly grateful that you all put on this class!" - Becca G.
Producing Globally: Learn How To Find International Partners To Make Your Projects Happen
The entertainment business has gone global. If you don't have a working knowledge of how international co-productions come together and work then you aren't competing at the high level you want to be. There has never been more opportunities for writers, producers, animators and filmmakers in the global TV and film marketplace. So how do you find these opportunities? Walking you through how to access this global landscape is international executive Alexia Melocchi of Little Studio Films, who has made a career out of successfully acting as a bridge between Hollywood and the global marketplace. She previously worked as a distributor and a sales agent, where she sold over 50 films to profit for clients and acquired more than 150 major studio and independent films, including LA LA LAND, NOW YOU SEE ME 2, and more. Alexia will give you her expert perspective on how to build your career internationally by showing you how buyers operate, explaining the process of international financing, and sharing the best places for you to build your global network and partnerships. In this webinar, you’ll cover what projects light up the international marketplace, how to pitch your project, how to find your ideal international partners, etiquette for working overseas, the pros and cons of shooting internationally, and more. Don’t miss out on this incredible chance to gain exclusive insider knowledge from one of the most accomplished international executives and take your projects global. Plus! Get an overview of the most production-friendly countries: Italy Greece Canada Australia And! You'll Receive This Handout: The Power of Momentum - 7 Steps To Prepare For The International Market Praise for Alexia's Previous Stage 32 Education "What drew me to this webinar was that at one point, I was an International Marketing Manager for a record and distribution company. Those relationships are ones that I still enjoy. And after taking this webinar, I learned SO much! Alexia seems kind, genuine and real and has a TON of wisdom to offer. Would highly recommend this one. 5 Stars!" -Leonardo R. "Really great. Actually useful, practical advice. Wasn't full of bullshit platitudes, Alexia shot straight with us." -Max W. "Alexia did a fantastic job of making it all relatable and cutting through the noise." -Clint G. "Alexia is clearly very experienced & she is so gracious in sharing her wisdom with all of us. I'm truly grateful that you all put on this class!" -Becca G.
Stage 32 Pitch Workshop: Perfecting Your 5 Minute Pitch For The Cannes Film Festival
Perfect your film or television pitch for the Cannes Film Festival working with a renowned producer with recent projects at Lionsgate, STX, Lakeshore, and more! Get your 5-minute pitch in top-notch shape for the Cannes Film Festival! Is your feature film or television series concept fully developed but hasn’t sold to the perfect company or network? Is your script polished and ready for production but not grabbing the attention of the right producer or executive? While many writers and filmmakers believe that developing a project and writing scripts and series bibles is enough to get a project sold, the truth is preparing that work is only half the battle. In today’s rapidly changing film market, the gatekeepers and decision makers with the power to greenlight your project rarely have the time to read your script or go through a series bible until they are already interested to a certain degree. Your 5-minute pitch is what will grab their attention and get your project on the fast track to production. So, what is the best way to pitch your project in a busy and frenetic environment like The Cannes Film Festival? What elements of your story or production should you focus on with such a short amount of time in a pitch? What exactly are producers and investors looking for in a pitch? How can your project stand out from the pack? In this exclusive 2-part Stage 32 pitch workshop, a select group of only 10 attendees will work one-on-one with international producer/distributor Alexia Melocchi to craft your perfect five-minute pitch just in time for the renowned Cannes Film Festival. Alexia has had recent projects distributed with clients such as Lionsgate, STX, Lakeshore, TF1, The Asylum and Mister Smith. She's worked on films such as ANNA, PEPPERMINT, THE BOY 2, and SHAUN THE SHEEP. She has placed over 100 titles in the last 5 years. Her extensive experience both pitching and getting pitched by creatives has equipped Alexia with an arsenal of critically useful tools and tips to get your project noticed by the right people. In this workshop, Alexia will share her plethora of knowledge on pitching and work with you one-on-one to personally prepare your pitch for the Cannes Film Festival! In the first session, Alexia will go over critical components of what makes a good pitch and provide a roadmap to structure your pitch. You will pitch your project to Alexia and then she will work with you directly and discuss what works and what doesn’t. Alexia will offer direct feedback to strengthen your pitch. In the second session, a few days before The Cannes Film Festival, you will pitch Alexia again, having finessed and made your pitch stronger and more effective based on her guidance. Alexia will provide more feedback on your new pitch and further guidance on how to strengthen it even more for the Festival. If you've spent the time and expenses to attend The Cannes Film Festival, you do not want to miss this rare opportunity to make sure your 5-minute pitch sells you and your project effectively! You will walk away from this class with a 5-minute pitch vetted by an international executive, Alexia Melocchi, to use at The Cannes Film Festival and in other professional markets, festivals and meetings. Praise for Alexia's Work and Teaching: "Alexia Melocchi's two part class was hugely productive for its' interaction, constructive criticism and broad based information all the while hosting a friendly environment. The best words to sum it up are those Alexia repeated: Content, Creativity, Connection." - Catherine C. "Loved her class, because it laser-focused and re-focused on my weakest link – my pitch! Her feedback was invaluable, and improved my pitch with every round." - Rick B. "Alexia is a phenomenal teacher and mentor! Her vivacious and warming personality took over and made the webinar educational and entertaining. Alexia has way of connecting with people that's very sincere and genuine. She also has an extensive background of real world experiences in the film world which in my eyes, makes her a dynamic speaker." - Philip S.
How to Work the Virtual American Film Market: Get Meetings, Get to Buyers, The Market Landscape and Beyond
About this time in a normal year, filmmakers from around the world would be locking down their plans to travel to Santa Monica and attend the internationally renowned American Film Market (AFM). One of the biggest film acquisition, development and networking events in the world, AFM has provided a forum for thousands of films to find funding and acquisition deals since its founding in 1981. Yet this year will be different. Like most events right now, AFM has made the shift to virtual, and with that comes new rules, new expectations, and a new landscape. If you’re hoping to attend the AFM this year and leave with a deal in hand, it’s important you understand what the market will look like and how you can adjust your strategy to find success. With the AFM moving virtual, it will be even more competitive and challenging to access sales agents, buyers, and potential international partners. You will need to know who the players are and how to get their attention - all while working on different time zones and communicating virtually. Trying to understand this new way of doing business adds another layer of complexity as you navigate your market strategy, but don't worry. This new form of market is intended to be fruitful for all - and, most importantly, fun! Alexia Melocchi is a partner at Little Studio Films, and for over two decades has produced and sold award winning movies that have earned nearly $1 Billion dollars in box office returns worldwide. Her clients have bought and partially financed films such as LA LA LAND, PEPPERMINT, THE BOY, TWILIGHT, TEEN SPIRIT and THE BANKER. Amongst her personal producing credits are the DURAN DURAN documentary directed by David Lynch, SERVICE TO MAN released through Entertainment Studios, and SOL DE MEDIANOCHE released on HBO. Alexia is also the host of THE HEART OF SHOW BUSINESS podcast, where she discusses the behind-the-scenes of how Hollywood truly works. Alexia has built much of her success on attending major film markets and intimately knows what it takes to stand out and get the deals you’re after in these forums, whether virtual or otherwise. Alexia will guide you through how to work this virtual edition of the American Film Market to get the meetings you’re after and find success for your project. She will begin by outlining the cultural differences that you can expect at this year’s AFM and the global market shifts that are taking place. Then she’ll delve into AFM as a whole and what their new virtual format is going to look like this year, including their Industry Offices, LocationEXPO, On Demand Theatre, Conference, Networking Pavilion, and Advisor Network. She’ll provide you with a rundown of the specific sales agents, distributors, and producers attending AFM this year that you should know. Alexia will then teach you how to handle the virtual obstacles taking place at the market this year, including the online meeting landscape how to work Zoom like a professional, and how to handle time zones. She’ll give you tips on how best to prepare for AFM, how to make appointments ahead of time and select your target list, how to access your targets, and how to use database platforms to hone your plan, including AFM Connect, Cinando, IMDBPro, and Variety Insight. Next Alexia will explain how you should approach buyers. She’ll walk you through the perfect approach for buyers and how to get your message across in a limited time frame to the right person. She’ll also show you what you really need to have ready before AFM begins and other relationship building tips to keep in mind beyond AFM. Finally, Alexia will expand to show you current trends overseas. She’ll talk about production challenges and updates in a COVID-19 era and why you should be planning ahead for the good times. The path to success continues to alter, and the push to virtual is challenging for everyone, but with the lessons and tips that Alexia will provide, you will leave with a solid understanding of how to roll with the punches and find the opportunities you’re after. Praise for Alexia's Stage 32 Webinar: "Really great. Actually useful, practical advice. Wasn't full of bullshit platitudes, Alexia shot straight with us, but was also positive and encouraging. All in all, really appreciated the way she gave an overview of AFM and how to best take advantage of it." -Max W. "Alexia did a fantastic job of making it all relatable and cutting through the noise." -Clint G. "I really did gain some needed information on how to address this film market online" -Craig H. "Alexia is clearing very experienced & she is so gracious in sharing her wisdom with all of us. I'm truly grateful that you all put on this webinar!" -Becca G.
How To Produce In The Global Market
Learn How To Produce In The Global Entertainment Marketplace From An International Producing Expert As global audiences thrive and enjoy content for all over the world, the entertainment industry continues to build internationally, and in this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand class, you’ll learn exactly how to get into the global entertainment marketplace with your projects. Over four information-packed sessions, you’ll be guided by international producer Alexia Melocchi of Little Studio Films. Alexia has made a career out of successfully acting as a bridge between Hollywood and the international marketplace. She previously worked as a distributor and sales agent, where she sold over 50 films to profit for clients and acquired more than 150 major studio and independent films, including LA LA LAND, NOW YOU SEE ME 2, and more. Alexia will show you the ins and outs of the international industry, including: The processes and etiquette you need to know The rules and regulations to follow The pitching materials you need, depending on the market How to access the players when you don’t have connections Financing options, including tax credits vs. co-pros vs. in-kind services And more You'll also receive these confidential handouts from Alexia: The top companies in Europe, Canada, and Australia taking project submissions Marketing one-sheet used by international sales agents Sample email for contacting international buyers Don’t miss out on the chance to learn from one of the most prolific international executives by taking this class. You’ll walk away a step closer to seeing your films and TV shows made as you embrace the global wave and launch your international producing career. Praise for Alexia's Previous Stage 32 Education: "Really great. Actually useful, practical advice. Wasn't full of bullshit platitudes, Alexia shot straight with us." -Max W. "Alexia did a fantastic job of making it all relatable and cutting through the noise." -Clint G. "Alexia is clearly very experienced & she is so gracious in sharing her wisdom with all of us. I'm truly grateful that you all put on this class!" -Becca G.
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