Stage 32's 1st Annual Online Film Finance & Producing Conference

Film Finance & Producing Conference Schedule

DAY 1: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017

• 9:15AM – 9:45AM KEYNOTE

• 10:00AM – 11:30AM

Raising Financing for Microbudget Features (Under $100K)

In addition to a wealth of production companies now producing microbudget films, many of the studios have opened microbudget divisions as well. And with so many outlets now buying less expensive content, the number of films being made for under $100,000 is greater than ever before. But as the saying goes, it’s just as easy to raise a million as it is $100,000. So how do you show a path to profitability so investors will want to take your filmmaking journey along side you? This panel will provide all the answers.

Moderator: Heather Hale

Panelists: Aaron Wolf, James Kicklighter

• 11:45AM – 12:45PM

Get Legal: Key Contracts & Agreements For Offers

Raising money through traditional or crowdfunding means is not a straight line. You have to make sure you’re protected from every angle. In the film finance world, professionalism wins the day. Not knowing how to cover you, your investors and your content suppliers can leave you losing out on opportunities. With one of the industry’s leading Entertainment Attorney’s, you’ll be given the knowledge and resources you need to make sure you’re protected.

Speaker: Vinca Jarret

• 12:45PM – 1:45PM Break  

Jungle Software Tutorial

An exclusive Jungle Software tutorial with Aaton Cohen-Sitt the President of Jungle Software, makers of Gorilla, Film Production Software for Filmmakers along with other products for filmmakers and writers.

• 2:00PM – 3:00PM

Breaking Down the Line Budget: Saving Money on Production

When is the budget truly the budget? Can that scene in the car be shot in an apartment? Are you overbidding against yourself for key locations? Are there other ways to cut without sacrificing quality? Let one of the top line producers in Hollywood show you how you can cut down the budget before you shoot, so you can realize profits more easily down the line.

Speaker: Bruce Wayne Gillies

• 3:15PM – 4:45PM

Financing $1MM-$5MM: Packaging/Pre-Sales/Tax Incentives

After a lean decade or so, the $1MM-$5MM movie is back by popular demand. Due to new paradigms in theatrical, VOD, streaming and other distribution channels, more and more investors are turning their eyes toward films with budgets in the $1MM-$5MM range. In this panel, our esteemed and vastly experienced speakers will teach you how to package your film and take advantage of pre-sales and tax incentive offerings in an effort to raise investment and shorten the path to profitability.

Moderater: TBD

Panelists: Franco Sama, Alan Pao, Viviana Zarragoitia

DAY 2: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017

• 9:15AM – 9:45AM

Global Financing & Co-Productions

Over the past few years, the world has opened up to financing and co-productions. Whereas you rarely saw global co-productions in play, today it has become more common than ever before. All of this action and acceptance has resulted in extraordinary financing opportunities for producers and filmmakers. In fact, it seems everyone wants a piece of this ever growing pie. How do you get your piece and from where? We’ll show you.

Moderater: TBD

Panelists: David Zannoni, Tiffany Boyle, Marisa Fernandez Armenteros

• 10:00AM – 12:30AM

Crowdfunding: Traditional & Equity Based

Nothing has changed the game of film financing more that rewards based crowdfunding. Until now. Equity based crowdfunding is now gaining steam. Navigating these two crowdfunding methods is easier said than done. There’s extreme competition with many fighting for the same piece of the pie. And when it comes to equity crowdfunding, there are a number of legal issues to consider as well. Our panel of experts will leave you with the best strategies, information and legal considerations to assure that you not only choose the best path for your project, but give yourself the best chance of success in the process.

Moderator: Anne Marie Gillen

Panelists: John T. Trigonis, Gene Massey

• 12:30PM – 1:30PM Break

• 1:45PM – 3:15PM

New Paradigm: Raising Financing For Proof of Concept, Short Films and Web Series

The times, they are a’changin’. Short films are more in vogue than ever before. It’s been estimated that nearly a thousand film festivals over the past 5 years have begun taking or are exclusively running short films. Hundreds more have begun to accept webseries and other short form media as well. Additionally, managers, agents, production companies and streaming services now look to short films and webseries as proof of concept toward something bigger. But, putting together a short film or webseries still costs money. How do you secure the funds to get your project rolling and your content seen? Our panel of experts will give you the tools and guidance you need to finding funds where you least expect it.

Moderator: Bill Taub

Speakers: Caytha Jentis, JT Mollner, Matt Enlow

• 3:30PM – 5:00PM

Current Landscape of Traditional vs. New Distribution (Netflix, Amazon, Hulu & more)

Non-theatrical distribution = death. That’s the equation studios, production companies, producers and financiers lived by for almost a decade. No longer. In fact, many entities and individuals have built a career out of bypassing theatrical releases and finding better deals with new distribution models. Knowing what distribution path you are going to take before raising funds will give your offering the most realistic and honest path to raising money for the project. But making that decision isn’t easy and it requires checking your ego at the door. This panel will provide you with the information you need to assure your project has the largest possible audience and secures you the most lucrative deal.

Moderater: TBD

Panelists: Chad Miller, Bradley Gallo, Mia Bruno

(times and panelists subject to change)