Step By Step Film Budget Guide: Script, Schedule, Budget & Cost Report
Reviews Average Rating: 5 out of 5
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Sasha Tomas This is a good course for anyone looking to become a line producer or understand what it takes to budget, schedule and produce a film.
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Line Producing 101
A New Webinar Exclusively On Stage 32! Join international line producer Jess Weiss, who's worked with Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Paramount+, and discover how you can excel in this vital production role. When it comes to making a movie or TV show, writers and directors lead the creative execution but the leader of the actual physical production is the line producer. This crucial production role creates the schedule and the budget, and it’s their job to bring the project in on time and on budget. They handle hiring the crew, ensure the project is done safely, and find creative solutions to production issues at all times so that the writers and directors can achieve their vision. For a filmmaker or producer, you must find a line producer who understands your priorities and is resourceful enough to know how to physically deliver those priorities. Working your way up to line producer can also be a fantastic path for all of those in production roles, as the job is involved with every step of production. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you’ll learn what makes a great line producer so that you can impress your crew with your ability to game plan, fix problems, keep the budget down, and more. You'll also see real-life examples of how imperative the line producer is as you learn from case studies of successful films. Your instructor, Jess Weiss, is a film producer, line producer, and a member of the PGA with over 10 years of experience and a master of budgeting and finding creative ways to make a project happen. She’s produced projects for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Paramount+, Showtime, and more, throughout the U.S., Latin America, and Europe. Her films have been selected for international festivals worldwide, with recent screenings at Tribeca, SXSW, and Camerimage. Her recent producing credits include THE HONEYMOON PHASE, starring François Chau and Tara Westwood; THE SUBJECT starring Jason Biggs, Aunjanue Ellis, and Anabelle Acosta; and AMERICAN INSURRECTION, starring Nadine Malouf, Michael Raymond James, and Toby Leonard Moore, recently voted top five action movies to watch by the New York Times. Jess has also worked with top-tier Hollywood talent, including Jane Campion, Kirsten Dunst, Javier Bardem, Common, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and countless others. Jess will show you the primary responsibilities of a line producer, common mistakes, how story choices influence the budget, how to calculate your schedule and review your budget, and so much more. By the end of this webinar, you’ll know the ins and outs of line producing, what to look for in a great line producer, and you'll know what it takes to make a successful film production. Don’t miss your chance to work with a successful line producer and PGA member on US and international productions. "It's a huge responsibility and rewarding, getting people back to work and getting their paychecks again, and being able to actually lessen their anxiety and have people tell me that they feel safe because I’m there." -- Jess Weiss
Netflix + Stage 32 Present: How to Write Sci-Fi Scripts for Streaming Television
SEE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BELOW Netflix and Stage 32 have partnered on an exclusive global education series in an effort to democratize the worldwide entertainment industry. Together, over the course of 5 webcasts Stage 32's world class educators will bring their knowledge of what it takes to write, develop and produce today's television for the Stage 32 and Netflix creator community. These global webcasts have been seen by hundreds of thousands of creatives worldwide with a 100% satisfaction rate! In our fourth webinar in this exclusive "Creating Television Content for a Global Marketplace" series, we are going to give you the ins and outs on how you can effectively write science fiction scripts for streaming television. Do you have a great sci-fi idea that deserves to be seen? Television is exploding right now with sci-fi shows that infiltrate our minds like Dark, Squid Game, Yellow Jackets and Stranger Things. Writers with fantastical minds are drawing us into some of the most creative worlds we have ever seen right now, as well as producing some of the most memorable characters. Great shows like Game of Thrones, Extant and Reverie paved the way for the hits we see today and streaming platforms are looking for the next great sci-fi scripts to bring to the world. In order to tap into this incredible sci-fi landscape you have to be armed with the tools to write a solid pilot and be able to sustain your idea for multiple seasons. It takes a refined approach to understand the nuances of science fiction writing. Stage 32 and Netflix are going to give you the tools to make sure your script is in top shape. To guide you on your way is producer and writer Mickey Fisher. Mickey broke out onto the scene when his contest-winning TV script Extant caught the attention of Steven Spielberg and later became the science fiction series on CBS starring Halle Berry. Mickey has since firmly implanted himself in the world of science fiction television, creating the NBC series Reverie and National Geographic’s Mars. He has also served as a consulting producer on Amazon’s Jack Ryan and a writer and co-executive producer on Guillermo Del Toro’s acclaimed FX horror series The Strain. In an exciting FREE webcast Mickey will go into more detail on choosing a sci-fi series concept, core elements of your sci-fi series, planning character journeys, your pilot, season one and beyond, thinking international and believing in your project for the marketplace. To see the full webinar overview, see below. Some of the case studies Mickey is going to go over in the webinar are: Extant Reverie Stranger Things Dark Game of Thrones Squid Game Money Heist Yellow Jackets The Mandalorian Peacemaker Note: You will receive the Zoom link to login by the morning of the webinar. If you are not yet a member of the Stage 32 community, we encourage you to join the community today at www.stage32.com, it is FREE! You will instantly connect with over 800,000 creatives and professionals in the entertainment industry from all over the world who use Stage 32 to network, find work, learn and develop their projects. YOU MUST HAVE A STAGE 32 PROFILE TO WATCH YOUR VIDEO.
Breaking Down The Business of Producing Virtual Reality & 360
We've brought in Zeke Thomas, a VR producer who recently did the 360 experience for HAPPY DEATH DAY for Universal & Blumhouse and who's clients include: Paramount Pictures, Legendary Pictures, Nerdist Industries, VidCon, Youtube, Outside TV and more. Zeke will be breaking down the business of VR/360 in this exclusive Stage 32 Next Level Webinar. Billions of dollars have been poured into Virtual Reality & 360 spherical capture, but is there really a business for this form of storytelling? If you're already filming in VR/360 or are interested in pursuing this medium, it's important to understand not just the craft, but the business of it.
The Importance of Recoupment Schedules for Your Film or TV Project and How to Put One Together
Producers and filmmakers of independent films and TV series deal with a multitude of parties regarding the production, financing and distribution of their films and projects. Many of these parties have a financial interest in the project and are entitled to a share of the revenues generated by domestic and international distribution of the film or series. In order to make the allocation and distribution of revenues manageable, it is important to design a recoupment schedule for your project. The recoupment schedule, also called “the waterfall”, combines all the single deal terms negotiated between the production and investors, financiers, talent, sales agents, co-producers, and service producers. Each project is unique, with its very own financing structure for example, and therefore there is no universal format for a recoupment schedule. However, there are certain guidelines to consider when putting together a recoupment schedule for your project. Understanding these guidelines will not only assure that there is no financial shadiness going on behind the scenes and no surprise lawsuits hanging out in the horizon. It also means that everyone who needs to get paid does get paid...and on time. And that can only raise your stature as someone who can deliver the goods and as a person people want to work with again and again. David Zannoni is consultant for Fintage House, the world's most respected company for revenue and rights protection for industry professionals and companies, and is the company's representative for the Americas. David negotiates agreements for films and television series, and he is involved in business development and relationship management specifically in the US, Latin America and Spain. David also runs a consultancy business through Xaman Ha Consulting and Zannoni Media Advisors, and has been focusing particularly on international service providers in the film and TV industries, and film and TV productions in Latin America, amongst others. As a film business specialist David is continuously present to make deals and speak at international film markets, festivals and conferences, including: the Cannes Film Festival, the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin, the American Film Market (AFM), Ventana Sur, the Bogota Audiovisual Market (BAM), and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and travels regularly to the United States, the Netherlands, Spain, and all over Latin America. David will explain in easy to understand detail the world of recoupment schedules and why they are so important to your film or project. In an in depth, interactive presentation, David will discuss sources and allocation of film and TV revenues, the purpose of a recoupment schedule, the entitlements and obligations that are payable out of revenues, and the order and priority of payment for film and TV entitlements. He will discuss various territories around the world including distribution rights and assignments. He will show you which kind of projects use a recoupment schedule and the importance of a recoupment schedule as it relates to securing financing and attaching production partners. David will take away all the guess work that goes into the world of waterfalls/recoupment schedules and simplify the entire process to assure everyone on your team is taken care of and given the sense of security they (and you) deserve! PRAISE FOR DAIVD'S TEACHINGS: "I went into this one expecting it to be dry as a bone in the sun. I was so wrong. David is incredible and lovely and clearly knows his stuff." - Cynthia P. "Eye-opening information. A no-brainer approach that wouldn't be so obvious to the uninitiated." - Gary O. "By far, the best class I've seen on the subject." Kirk K. "David is a fantastic teacher. And what a voice! I could listen to him all day. More importantly, I learned so very much!" - Isabella T.
Advanced Crowdfunding For Filmmakers Master Class
Advanced Crowdfunding For Filmmakers Master Class A Note From Stage 32 Founder & CEO, Richard Botto: This exclusive Stage 32 Master Class comes from one of my favorite people on the planet, Stephen Follows. Stephen is not only a filmmaker, screenwriter, producer and educator, but also a master statistician. In fact, I first became aware of Stephen when I discovered (and found myself lost for hours in) his incredible blog where he chronicles the results of his extensive research into data and statistics related to the film industry. So taken was I by Stephen's work that I sought him out prior to my trip to London for the Raindance Film Festival and requested a meeting. Not only did Stephen accept, but he kept our meeting in spite of a horrible cold, ultimately spending 2 more hours than planned. That's the kind of guy Stephen is. But his mind, as you are about to discover, is another story entirely. I'm thrilled and honored to announce that not only will Stephen be contributing a number of columns for the Stage 32 Blog, but he will be teaching the first ever Stage 32 Master Class. Stephen's Master Class will be on crowdfunding, and I promise you it will be the most inclusive, insightful and factual (backed by more stats than you could imagine) class ever taught on the subject. Stephen has analyzed over 50,000 film crowdfunding campaigns -- yes, you read that right -- and is bringing his findings to the Stage 32 community EXCLUSIVELY. Never before has this extensive of research and discovery been taught on crowdfunding for filmmakers. It's an honor to welcome and introduce to you, the incredible Stage 32 community, my friend, Stephen Follows. About the Stage 32 Next Level Master Class - Advanced Crowdfunding For Filmmakers: Launching a crowdfunding campaign is easy – ensuring you actually reach your goal is not. Especially if you need to raise a large amount or you’re competing in a crowded marketplace. Rather than leaving it up to chance, or learning on-the-job, let film data expert Stephen Follows take you through the inside scoop on what works and what doesn’t. Stephen brings his experience of teaching at some of the world’s best film schools, running a leading online video agency and as a film industry data expert. He has crunched the numbers on over 50,000 crowdfunding film campaigns from platforms including Kickstarter and Indiegogo, studied the videos on the top 5,200 film projects, interviewed over 50 filmmakers and people who work at the major crowdfunding companies. Notes: This is an advanced course and we expect all students to have a basic knowledge of crowdfunding. Please also note that the free course Stephen discusses in the recording is no longer available and only available to students who took his course live. PRAISE FROM STEPHEN'S TEACHINGS: “Being new to the film industry Stephen guided me through all aspects of producing. I was stunned in his extensive knowledge about the industry. Stephen was always attentive on what I wanted to learn and introduced me to several industry professionals. I recommend Stephen’s classes, he is truly an expert in producing and an excellent teacher.” - Karine Pawel - Producer, M&C Saatchi “Stephen is an inspiring and creative teacher and I learned more about the real world of film production than I could ever have gleaned from a dozen books on the subject. I’d recommend anyone who’s serious about a career as a producer to spend time in Stephen’s company and listen.” - Mark Lo - Producer, Asylum Giant “Stephen’s research is brilliant. No-one is doing data-driven analysis of the film industry quite like Stephen Follows. His detailed research and reporting about the film industry is unique and invaluable. Every week Stephen's insights shed new light on different areas of the film business. We have syndicated some of Stephen's work and will continue to do so. It is always very popular with our audience of producers and distributors.” - Jonathan Wolf – Head of the American Film Market
How To Attach Top Talent To Your Independent Film
***Please note: There are audio issues with this webinar so the price has been reduced. If purchased you are acknowledging this fact.*** Learn directly from Tatiana Kelly and Jim Young, independent producers who have worked with actors such as Bradley Cooper, Zoë Saldana, JK Simmons, Jeremy Irons, Dennis Quaid, Olivia Wilde, Amanda Seyfried, Peter Sarsgaard, Sharon Stone, James Franco, Lily Tomilin, Cuba Gooding JR, Dev Patel and Jeremy Irons! In order to raise financing for any independent film, most investors these days will be savvy enough to be utilizing the foreign sales-driven model of selling a film based on a director and talent. Attaching “valuable” talent to a film as early as possible is extremely beneficial for filmmakers looking to get a green light on their film. However agents receive so many financial offers for their clients on a daily basis that those that are on an unfinanced film and without a monetary offer will likely go to the bottom of the pile. With an independent budget, how can you make your film stand out as an attractive offer to talent reps? How can you get top talent excited about your project without using money as an incentive? If you don’t already have connections to casting directors, what options are available to get in touch with A-list actors? Stage 32 Next Level Webinars is thrilled to bring back Tatiana Kelly and Jim Young to teach you how to attach talent to your independent film! Having worked with various A-list actors on independent films such as Lovelace, The Words, Life of a King and Wristcutters: A Love Story, they will teach you how to break through an actor’s fortress and get them interested in your project. You will learn how to determine what to offer talent based on your budget, how to be strategic about what agencies you’re making offers to, what to keep in mind at the script stage and early in the casting process and how to get past the dilemma of getting talent without money and getting money without talent. You will leave this webinar not only knowing how to attach talent to your project on an independent budget but how to get actors excited about working with you!
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