Jordan Barel is an entertainment attorney who has previously worked for New Line Cinema, Generate, Alloy, and AMC and was recently names in Variety's Hollywood Movers and Shakers List! He works closely with Verve Talent Agency identifying new writers and material for production and representation. As a producer, Jordan also runs his own graphic novel publishing studio, Loaded Barrel Studios. He won the Independent Publishing Book Awards (2012, 2013), The LA Book festival, the Geekie Awards ®, and many others for their groundbreaking work in live-action graphic novels including Grey, Brielle and the Horror & God of the Machines. Jordan has optioned books and screenplays with producers such as David Uslan (Sabrina), Brendan Deneen (Knight Rider), Jeffrey Erb (Sisters on 7th), and Aaron Berger (The Book of Life). He’s developed at studios such as Chatrone, Unique Features, and Leomark Studios in the independent film space. Jordan is currently producing the independent film The Incoherents filming in NY right now! Full Bio »
Ever read something in the paper you wanted to make into a movie? Got a great novel you absolutely love and think you should make it into a film? Well, before you do you'll want to make sure you can legally pursue this path. There are many aspects to securing the rights to an intellectual property but they don't have to stop you!
In this Stage 32 Next Level webinar, Breaking Down IP (Intellectual Property) For Development, Jordan Barel (Entertainment Attorney who worked for New Line Cinema, Generate, Alloy, and AMC) will provide you a thorough examination of the legal aspects of trying to find and build your story. He walks through the hurdles, pitfalls, and aggravations you can avoid if you look for stories the proper (read: legal) way. In addition, we'll look at great ways to keep those stories safely in your hands and how you can make the next Robin Hood!
Your host, Jordan will tackle securing various IP rights from screenplays to books to comics and new articles. Teaching you the difference between each and what kinds of stories you should pursue. Also, he'll cover where so many people go wrong and what stories you should steer clear of. Then he'll go into life rights and public domain to help give you an understanding of what public stories/figures you can cover and how to search for free intellectual property.
You'll walk away from this webinar with the knowledge of how to approach stories you find interesting without getting yourself in a legal bind. You'll find out what you need to know to be able to protect your work and focus on the creative development of your projects.
Plus, Q&A with Jordan Barel!
Jordan Barel (Feature Contest Judge)
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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.
It is an honor and a privilege to bring you the worldwide premiere of the 5th Annual Stage 32 Short Film Program on Stage 32! Our seven winning filmmakers hail from all over the world, and we could not be more excited to share their undeniable talents with you. We were proud to screen these films in the 2020 Oscar-qualifying Hollyshorts Film Festival and the Raindance Film Festival in London. And, we're even more proud to showcase the international premiere to all of the development executives, agents, managers and agents that work with us. Since 2016, the Stage 32 Short Film Contest has served as an unparalleled incubator for finding talented filmmakers and helping them forge connections that make their careers blossom. Our past finalists have gone on to be signed by Paradigm, APA, Gersh, Verve, Echo Lake, Circle of Confusion and more! Congratulations to all the 5th Annual Short Film Contest winners, we cannot wait to see where your talents take you.
"The workbook alone is worth 10 times what the webinar cost. I am in awe. Thank you, Gary." - Antonio T. There's nothing worse than having a screenplay bought or a project with financing get placed on hold because of legal issues that could have been handled at the start. Too many projects have been shelved permanently and will never see the light of day because of conflicts and misunderstandings that could easily have been avoided. Unfortunately, few screenwriters, filmmakers or producers know the right questions that need to be asked and answered in order to protect yourself and your project legally. It doesn't need to be this way, though. There are simple legal steps you can take from the beginning to assure a smooth and steady ride so your focus can be on making the best project possible. Especially for those in creative fields, navigating legal issues can feel overwhelming and confusing, maybe even unnecessary. Yet having a basic legal understanding of how to protect your work and property is incredibly crucial. You need to know how to legally incorporate everyone's input and notes into your script without worrying about losing authorship. You need to know how to set up a partnership for success and why so many people run into trouble when doing so. You need to know when it's okay to agree to work for free or 'on spec' and why it's still vital to have a written agreement. And you need to know when it's okay to talk business on your own behalf. The good news is you don't need to pass the bar in order to ensure you and your projects are in good legal shape. Instead, you just need a little guidance. Producer and attorney Gary W. Goldstein, star of Netflix's The Movies That Made Us, has produced some of the biggest box office hits in film history and has served as a mentor to dozens of prestigious writers, producers, and filmmakers. His credits include PRETTY WOMAN, UNDER SIEGE, THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES, and many more. He's also papered some of the biggest deals in film history. By working as both a producer and entertainment attorney, Gary's knowledge of deal memos and contracts is without peer. He knows all the do's and don'ts, the tips and tricks, and the side streets and alleyways toward making sure that you are not only protected, but getting the benefits and compensation you deserve for your efforts. Now, exclusively for Stage 32, Gary will teach you: A complete "how to" in order to assure that you use a proven and smart approach to protecting yourself legally His 3 rules that should never be broken when entering into deals Whether you should use an agent or an attorney (or both) to negotiate your compensation and benefits on your behalf How to deal with release forms and option agreements How to assure you get everything in writing so there are no surprises or disappointments down the road How to maintain a paper trail of all communication and why it's monumentally important to do so. The realities of maintaining creative control and how to handle the creative contributions of others as well as the pitfalls to avoid when receiving feedback. The qualities of finding a good creative or business partner and the essential questions to ask up front. As if all this wasn't enough, Gary will provide a 40-page interactive workbook exclusive for those who take this webinar. This is an invaluable resource! PRAISE FOR GARY'S TEACHINGS: "Here’s some practical advice for those seeking a career in Hollywood, from someone who really knows what the hell he's talking about." - J.F. Lawton, Screenwriter (PRETTY WOMAN, UNDER SIEGE) "When I met Gary, I had nothing but talent and a drive to succeed. Nine months later, I had my first script option, my first studio writing assignment, and a Writers Guild card. The advice here is worth its weight in gold" - Allison Burnett, Screenwriter & Director (AUTUMN IN NEW YORK, FEAST OF LOVE, GONE AND UNDISCOVERED GYRL) "Again, Stage 32 outdoes itself. What a score landing Gary. He's a legend." Jason R. "Gary, you had me from minute one. Amazing information. And delivered with class and style. -Angela P.
Join A Prolific Producer Of Movies Based On Books Including THE CATCHER WAS A SPY and THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY Some of the most well regarded recent feature films and television shows were based on books, including the Oscar-nominated Little Women, JoJo Rabbit, The Two Popes, The Irishman and the Emmy-nominated Game of Thrones, Chernobyl, Fosse/Verdon, Sharp Objects and many more. Authors spend months, if not years, formulating characters and worlds that make it onto the printed page. This creativity serves as great source material that would translate greatly to the big or small screen. If you're an author who's written a novel and are looking to get it adapted, a screenwriter that's written a script based off a book you have (or would like to obtain) the rights to, or a producer or financier who has the rights or are circling securing the rights to a property you believe would make a great film or TV show, you need to understand the steps to take to obtain the rights, protect yourself legally, and make the development process a smooth and enjoyable ride. Discovering an adaptation-worthy story can be as simple as stumbling across an interesting book or article at a bookstore, library or newsstand. Understanding how to obtain the rights and develop that material effectively is the harder part. It takes meticulous planning and approach to be able to get the rights to the desired intellectual property and successfully adapt and develop the material. Many factors go into getting an adaptation to the screen including negotiations, legal hurdles and making sure you're staying authentic to the source material. Once misstep and it could derail an amazing project. You need to be prepared. Jim Young has produced films adapted off of books and intellectual property such as The Catcher Was a Spy (starring Paul Rudd), Lovelace (starring James Franco, Sharon Stone, and Amanda Seyfried) and The Man Who Knew Infinity (starring Dev Patel, Jeremy Irons, Toby Jones, and Stephen Fry) and Life of King (starring Cuba Gooding Jr.). He's had his films premiere at Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW and has earned himself a reputation of being an expert in adaptations. Through years of working with authors, publishers, talent, financiers and distributors Jim knows how to adapt a book into a film and TV series from start to finish. Jim will teach you how to acquire the rights to a book you're interested and go over where to look for title, how to approach the author and publisher and how to close the deal. He'll give advice on the story development process and how to engage the author during that time, as well as tips on how to avoid liability. You'll learn two essential people you must have in your pre-production phase and how to work with the cast, crew and author on set. You will get insider tips on what to do before your film or TV show hits the screen to gain momentum for your project. And, finally, Jim will give you six legal elements to have in place prior to your project's release. PRAISE FOR JIM'S TEACHINGS: "Thanks Jim, your insight was invaluable" --Michele E. "I listened to this from the perspective of a comercially published author. I learned so much. Many Thanks" -- Lucy S.
The barrier of entry into filmmaking has never been lower, and the opportunities for distribution have never been higher. While the channels of distribution have never been more diverse and accessible, the education for filmmakers of how to best utilize those channels is often hard to navigate. Is theatrical or VOD your best bet? Will the film festival circuit help you? What can a distributor do for you? And how much money are indie films even making these days? With so many different opportunities and new platforms arising constantly, how do you choose the best path for YOUR film? Content still over-saturates the marketplace and standing out has become particularly difficult. Independent films that find success in this landscape do so by being creative, by approaching distribution in unconventional ways, and by uncovering platforms and strategies that others might not have considered. Creative distribution takes a good amount of work and forethought, but it’s also fully possible for any filmmaker who’s up for thinking outside the box. First, it will be important to have a better understanding of the free and paid opportunities to market your film, connect with distributors, build audiences, and team up with collaborators who will help amplify your efforts. Let us give you the tools you need. Liz Manashil was the manager of Sundance Institute's groundbreaking Creative Distribution Initiative and worked in impact distribution for many content creators during her time at Picture Motion. Prior to Sundance and Picture Motion, Liz spent several years as a film critic for the Hulu series JUST SEEN IT, which she also helped produce and direct. As a filmmaker, her debut feature, BREAD AND BUTTER, was released by The Orchard and can be seen on VOD nearly everywhere. Her second feature, SPEED OF LIFE, was released by Giant Pictures, can be seen on Showtime. Liz spends her time advocating for filmmakers to have healthy and productive relationships with their distribution partners. Liz will walk you the options you have to creatively distribute your film and strategies you can implement to build your audience and optimize your film’s release. She’ll begin by outlining the state of distribution today, how it’s changed in recent years, what success looks like now and what’s realistic or normal for independent films. She’ll then go into what ‘creative distribution’ means and how it can benefit you as an artist. She’ll teach you about film aggregators as an option for distribution, including how to find good ones, and red flags to watch out for. She’ll then discuss tips for finding traditional distributors. She’ll go over different types of distribution rights you might not have considered before and explain how to determine which distributors could be the right fit for your film. Liz will also talk about how to navigate distribution contracts and the main clauses and sections to look for. She’ll then teach you ways to market your distributed film to build your audience, with both free and paid strategies. Next, she’ll delve into impact distribution as an option for releasing your film. She’ll go over what it is and how to use this method to run a successful screening tour. Finally Liz will talk about how you should be adjusting your distribution goals post-COVID and use this time to your advantage. With the lessons and strategies Liz lays out, you’ll be armed with an large array of ideas and practices you can apply to your own independent film to give it a release and audience you might not have thought possible Distribution is constantly changing. Whether you are a first time filmmaker or a seasoned veteran, the landscape and the market are both constantly in flux. I'm so excited for you to join me in our session about alternative forms of distribution. I'll give you a bird's eye view of how to get your film out, how to build audiences, and how to make a difference with your movies. -Liz Manashil
As the world becomes flatter and technology brings us closer together, opportunities for international cooperation continue to abound. For producers or creatives looking to find or bolster their next indie project, there is a huge amount of potential in joining forces with companies or teams from other countries and pooling your resources together, creating something larger than the sum of its parts. Forming an international co-production can give you access to more funding and financing opportunities, more access to locations, actors and crew, and more sales and distribution opportunities after the film is finished. But while international co-productions can reap great rewards, they also present unique financial challenges. Navigating this transnational world requires a set of skills and wherewithal that can be hard earned but is hugely valuable. Financing any film or project is tricky, but international co-production can be especially complicated, particularly when it comes to revenue management. After all, revenues generated by the project will need to be split amongst several producers and usually their financiers and talent as well. Not only are you dealing with more stakeholders, but also more countries, each with their own systems and regulations. Complicated though it might be, it’s your responsibility as the film’s producer to know how to navigate these waters and ensure the revenue is shared correctly and efficiently. Doing so will not only ensure that your current project is a success, but also allow you to hold on to your foreign relationship, boost your international reputation, and give you the ability to have partners to work with for future projects to come. David Zannoni is an international business specialist for Fintage House in the US, Europe, Canada and Latin America territories. Fintage House, the world's most respected company for revenue and rights protection for industry professionals and companies. David negotiates agreements for films and television series and is involved in business development and relationship management globally on hundreds of productions. 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, Europe, and all over Latin America. David will teach you how revenue management and revenue sharing on international co-productions work and how you can be prepared to handle this tricky subject effectively. He will first delve into how international co-productions work and will also outline the way distribution rights and sales are generally handled for these projects. Next David will talk about the relationship between co-producers on a film and how they can best share ownership, including co-producers that are financiers or talent. He will then teach you how to handle revenue management for an international co-production, diving into both domestic and international revenues, sharing revenue amongst co-producers and how financiers and talent are paid. David will explain collection accounts and how they work on international projects. Finally, David will share an in-depth case study of a real international co-production and show the contracts, recoupment schedules and revenue splits to explain how the project came together and how the revenue was ultimately shared. Through this advanced level webinar, David will ensure you can walk into an international co-production knowing how to handle the financing correctly. Praise for David's Previous Stage 32 Webinars: "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.