What It Takes To Get Your Project Set Up at Amazon/Netflix, Studios and TV (Cable, Network & Reality)

Navigating Your Project's Various Options - With Case Studies!
Hosted by Aimee Rivera (old)

$49

On Demand Webinar - Available for immediate viewing and unlimited access.

Rating   | Read reviews

Start Learning

Please make sure you use the same email address as the one you use to sign in to Stage 32, otherwise you won't have access to your webinar.
apply Your coupon will be applied after you agree to terms below.

- or -

$49.00
TOTAL PRICE:
Overlay Icon

Satisfaction Rate:

Aimee Rivera (old)

Webinar hosted by: Aimee Rivera (old)

Creative Executive at Cindy Cowan Entertainment

Aimee is currently a Creative Executive at Sony. Prior to Sony she was a Creative Executive at Cindy Cowan Entertainment which has produced multiple projects across many mediums. Previously, Aimee worked at Amazon Studios in feature development where she helped build their film department and develop upcoming projects on their slate. Prior to Amazon Studios, Aimee harnessed her skills in both feature and television development and gained strong industry relationships around town. Aimee has experience working in new mediums such as Netflix and Amazon, as well as tradional mediums such as studios, network television, cable television and reality. She spent several years working at notable production companies such as: Exclusive Media (Rush, End of Watch, The Woman in Black) Prospect Park (Salem, Unstoppable, Wilfred) Village Roadshow Pictures (Lego Movie, Sherlock Holmes) She graduated with a B.A. in Film/Television Production and a minor in Entertainment Marketing from Emerson College. Full Bio »

Webinar Summary

In this 90-minute webinar your host Aimee Rivera will go over the steps to set up a project in various different film and television mediums. She will go over everything you need to consider - audience, domestic vs. international, commercial vs. niche. She will then go into an overview of the current marketplace and what's selling in film and television.

If you are a filmmaker, you will learn how to set up a project for a studio, with a case study for Sony Pictures. If you are a film or TV creator, you will learn what you need to know about both Amazon and Netflix in order to get your project set up at each streaming platform, and Aimee will also go over case studies of several of their most popular shows.  

If you are a television creator, Aimee will walk you through what packages are required for cable networks, what elements need to be attached and go through case studies for AMC, FX and HBO. Additionally, Aimee will go over packaging and element requirements for traditional broadcast networks such as NBC, ABC, CW, FOX and CBS. You will also walk away with what each will NOT consider.

Your Stage 32 Next Level Webinar host, Aimee Rivera, will discuss her background which spans studios, TV and streaming platforms. Aimee has worked with Sony, Cindy Cowan Entertainment, Amazon Studios, Exclusive Media - Rush, End of Watch, The Woman in Black, Prospect Park (Salem, Unstoppable, Wilfred), Village Roadshow Pictures (Lego Movie, Sherlock Holmes) and more. She will go over what she learned from each company that helped shaped the knowledge she knows on getting projects set up.

To read more click the "What You Will Learn" tab above!

 

What You'll Learn

  • Aimee will discuss her background which spans studios, TV and streaming platforms. Aimee has worked with Cindy Cowan Entertainment, Amazon Studios, Exclusive Media - Rush, End of Watch, The Woman in Black, Prospect Park (Salem, Unstoppable, Wilfred), Village Roadshow Pictures (Lego Movie, Sherlock Holmes) and more. She will go over what she learned from each company that helped shaped the knowledge she acquired on getting projects set up.

  • Steps To Set Up a Project:
    • Consider the different aspects of your project
    • What type of audience is your target?
    • Will your project focus domestically or internationally?
    • Is the project commercial or niche?
  • Overview of the current marketplace
    • What’s selling in Film
    • What’s selling in TV
    • Examine the trends.
  • What projects are positioned for Amazon/Netflix medium
    • What you need to know about each network and their brand
    • Case study: Transparent
    • Case study: House of Cards
    • Case study: Orange is the New Black
  • How to Set Up a Project For a Studio: Sony
    • What you need to know
    • The process of a project at a big studio
    • How to partner with the right production company with a studio deal
    • Working with the production company at a studio
    • Understanding production companies on the lot and their brand
    • How to do your homework and target the ones that fit your project
  • Working With Cable Networks
    • How the top cable networks brand themselves
    • What shows are being picked up
    • What package is required and what elements need to be attached
    • What each top network will NOT consider
    • Case Studies: signature shows like AMC’s Breaking Bad, FX’s Sons of Anarchy, HBO’s Game of Thrones
  • Creating for Broadcast Networks
    • The top networks: NBC, ABC, CW, FOX, CBS
    • How they brand themselves
    • What shows are being picked up
    • What package is required and what elements need to be attached
    • What each will NOT consider
  • Reality Television
    • Top reality TV networks: TLC, BRAVO, FOX
    • What shows are being picked up
    • What package is required and what elements need to be attached
    • What each will NOT consider 
  • Other Alternatives For Your Project:
    • Getting independent financing and finding distributors through the festival circuit
  • Live Q&A With Aimee!

About Your Instructor

Aimee is currently a Creative Executive at Sony. Prior to Sony she was a Creative Executive at Cindy Cowan Entertainment which has produced multiple projects across many mediums. Previously, Aimee worked at Amazon Studios in feature development where she helped build their film department and develop upcoming projects on their slate. Prior to Amazon Studios, Aimee harnessed her skills in both feature and television development and gained strong industry relationships around town. Aimee has experience working in new mediums such as Netflix and Amazon, as well as tradional mediums such as studios, network television, cable television and reality. She spent several years working at notable production companies such as:

  • Exclusive Media (Rush, End of Watch, The Woman in Black)
  • Prospect Park (Salem, Unstoppable, Wilfred)
  • Village Roadshow Pictures (Lego Movie, Sherlock Holmes)

She graduated with a B.A. in Film/Television Production and a minor in Entertainment Marketing from Emerson College.

FAQs

Q: How do I watch my webinar live?
A: If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Go to Webinar, you will receive an email from Go to Webinar with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. You can also access your webinar link in your purchase history located under settings in the top right-hand corner of your Stage 32 profile.

If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Zoom, you will receive a separate email from Zoom with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. Your login link will not be in your Stage 32 profile. If you did not receive your link via Zoom please email support@stage32.com.

Q: How do I watch my webinar on demand?
A: You will be able to watch your webinar on demand as many times as you’d like inside your Stage 32 profile. The recording is processed and posted between 24-48 hours after the webinar concludes. You can follow the instructions below.

YOU MUST HAVE A STAGE 32 PROFILE TO WATCH YOUR VIDEO – STAGE 32 IS FREE TO JOIN If You Already Have a Stage 32 Profile:

  1. Log into your Stage 32 profile
  2. Click "Settings" in the top right-hand corner (gear icon)
  3. Click "Purchase History"
  4. Choose this webinar and click the link to view
If You Do Not Have a Stage 32 Profile:
  1. Go to www.stage32.com
  2. Create a profile using the SAME email address you used to sign up for this webinar. The email addresses must match in order to watch the webinar.
  3. Once you have your profile set up, you can view the webinar by clicking "Settings" in the top right hand corner (gear icon)
  4. Click "Purchase History"
  5. Choose this webinar and click the link to view

Q: What is the format of a webinar?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Webinars are typically 90-minute educational broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32. Your webinar will be taught by a working industry professional with in-depth teaching on a topic. If you are able to attend live you will be able to ask your Stage 32 Educator questions during Q&A.

Q: What are the system requirements to watch my webinar live?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.

If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.9 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live webinar. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer.

Q: What if I cannot attend the live webinar?
A: If you cannot attend a live webinar or purchase an on demand webinar, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A.

Q: Will I have access to the webinar afterward to re-watch?
A: Yes! Like all Stage 32 education, after the purchase of a live or on demand webinar, you will have on-demand access to the recording.

Q: How do I get a copy of the handouts provided?
A: If the webinar you take included handouts you can find them as downloads underneath your on demand video. You must be logged into your Stage 32 profile to view the video and get the handouts by clicking settings in the top right hand corner, then clicking purchase history.

Q: What if I need accessibility and accommodations?
A: Email support@stage32.com to request accommodations.

Thanks for your loyalty to Stage 32 Education. We value having you in the Stage 32 community.

If you have any further questions, we are always happy to help. Please contact Stage 32 support at support@stage32.com.

Questions?

If you have a generic question about Stage 32 education you can take a look at our frequently asked questions section on our help page, or feel free to contact support with any other inquiries you might have.
 

Reviews Average Rating: 3 out of 5

  • The audio quality is terrible. She rambles a lot. I'm going to have to take this in small bits b/c it's easy to lose track of what you're supposed to learn when you zone out because she has no focus.
  • Bullet point, precise, and examples to compare.

Other education that may be of interest to you:

Actors: How to Break Down Your Script to Prepare for a Role or Audition-with Live Interactive Workshop

The most significant aspect of any actor’s career is securing work, but with overwhelming competition, roles are scare and difficult to come by, which can make this task incredibly tough. Yet in the end, acting careers are built on the work and honing your skills as a performer. Every actor knows that work begets work. This is because as we expand our experiences and circle of connections, more doors open with opportunities for more work. It’s great to have an agent, to make those connections, to develop strategies to become more marketable, but more important than all of that is becoming the best actor you can possibly be. Ultimately, producers want to hire the right performer for the role, and putting yourself in a position to get that role is less complicated than others might have you believe.  Whether you are preparing for an audition or a performance for a role you are already cast in, your main tool and blueprint before you even get on set or in that audition room is likely going to be the script, and any practiced actor will tell you there’s a lot more to a script than just your character’s dialogue. If you’re simply going through the script to highlight your lines, you’re missing out on a treasure trove of information that will lend itself to you finding the character and giving your best possible performance. An experienced actor is able to fully break down any written scene to internalize not just the dialogue, but the beats, the context, the elements that are unwritten but still very present. Knowing how to analyze a script and glean from it all of its information and clues will allow you to more fully inhabit your role and make you a better and more cast-able actor. Taylor Nichols is an award winning filmmaker, theater director and actor with over one hundred credits to his name. He is currently on the Emmy-nominated Hulu show PEN15 and the HBO smash-hit PERRY MASON. Taylor has also appeared on shows such as Emmy and Golden Globe nominated THE WALKING DEAD and PRISON BREAK, the cultural hit DIRTY JOHN, Emmy-winning MODERN FAMILY, 24, Golden Globe nominated THE MENTALIST and many more.  In addition to acting, Taylor is an award winning short filmmaker and an experienced producer with feature credits including THE NEXT STEP and CASE 219. Taylor brings to Stage 32 more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry and is ready to share with the community the skills and lessons he’s developed throughout his career. Taylor will lay out how to break down a script as an actor and develop the techniques needed for characterization and emotional depth to “live truthfully under imaginary circumstances”. Taylor will begin by teaching you what an actor should do as soon as they get the script, including what to focus on during your first read through and how you should be marking it up. He will give you the tools to zero in on a specific scene’s theme and will then delve into determining your character’s objective, both in the scene and in the story as a whole. He’ll talk about how and where you should place dramatic beats by finding the scene’s shape and creating and feeding into the flow. He’ll go into what makes beats and pauses feel natural and honest and when they feel put on and will also outline how you can use your beats as a tool for line memorization. Taylor will then go over how to define your character’s obstacles while reading the script and how you should create your own honest actions in the scene. He will also explain how these actions can successfully interact with both beats and objectives. Next he will explain what “givens” are in a script and how you can find the givens of your character. He will also teach you the difference between naturalism and honesty when giving a performance and explain why honesty is always what an actor should be working towards. Taylor will also lead a live, interactive acting workshop to illustrate the strategies he has taught and show how to use the written scene to define the characters. Taylor will break down down a scene of a script in real time and will bring up students to perform these role based on this breakdown. Through his lesson and workshop, Taylor will give you invaluable tools to help hone your craft and better prepare you for any future auditions or performances. Praise for Taylor's Stage 32 Webinar: "Wonderful job on all counts. Taylor was very informative and ever so likable." -Jody F. "I really loved the webinar - Taylor gave a really useful and inspiring presentation, which felt genuinely rooted in the love of acting and the respect for the craft of it. I found both the teaching and the workshopping aspect of it very informative and really gave us as actors clear examples of how to up-level our work." -Rowen B. "Taylor was great and very helpful." -Martin B. "Taylor was great! I thoroughly enjoyed Taylor's class & will be re-visiting it through the on-demand option." -Laurka L.    

Basic Principles of Financing a Film Between $1-$3 Million

BONUS! Brad will give you a handout with a list of companies that are funding $3MM movies. Over recent years, the independent producing model has shown that films budgeted between $1-$3 Million have become a "sweet spot" for investors. At this budget you can typically attract and secure some star power, one important step toward increasing the odds that your investors will see a return on their investment. But this is just one reason why this budget range is attractive to many investors. There are many more variables at play which will help you raise money for a film or project in this price range. But first, you must understand some tried and true principles that will help you find investors, present your project in the proper fashion and lock them down for an investment.  Knowing how to raise money intelligently for films and projects with budgets between $1MM-$3MM can be your calling card toward making a life working in independent film. Simply put, those who understand the formula to the strategies and methods that can help your investors see a return get to keep those investors time and time again. And those investors can, and usually do, bring more investors if they're happy. While everyone says that raising financing is the hardest aspect of filmmaking, there are smart ways to find money that you may not have thought of, and there are also ways you can expand your dollars once you start raising funds for your project. In addition, there is a well-known group of professionals and creatives that have been working on films between $1-$3MM for years and it's important that you know who they are, how to approach them and what expectations are once you do.  Brad Hibbs Wyman has produced over 40 feature films in all budget ranges, including Monster starring Charlize Theron in her Oscar-winning role, Freeway starring Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon and actor Steve Buscemi's directorial debut, Trees Lounge. Brad has learned all aspects of financing and the elements that are needed for a successful raise and he's going to bring his years of knowledge exclusively to the Stage 32 community.  In Brad's real and humorous style, he will teach the basic principles of motion picture financing for under $3 million dollar features which include: Rule #1 - “GET THE MONEY" Rule #2 - Always remember to “GET THE MONEY” Rule #3 - Never forget to always remember to “GET THE MONEY" If that gives you the insight into Brad's fun personality, then you're in for a treat with this webinar. Brad will teach you the common obstacles that get in the way of raising financing. He'll go over all the various types of financing: equity, private equity, pre-sales, GAP, tax incentives, deferred and crowdfunding. In addition, he'll go in depth on guidelines for your financial package and what you'll need for tax incentives, pre-sales, debt and domestic MG. He'll even go over your plan of execution including your investment proposal and what it looks like, completion and guarantor bonds and pitching your project. You will not only know the basics of how to smartly raise up to $3MM, but you'll also walk away with knowing the names of the players and the companies that are in this landscape, giving you an instant advantage to becoming an insider.  And if that doesn't make you feel great enough, Brad’s proceeds from this exclusive Stage 32 webinar will be donated to his favorite arts charity! PRAISE FOR BRAD'S TEACHINGS: "Brad was great. I loved his style and how frank he was. Really appreciate his demeanor." - Robert G. "It was one of the most amazing experiences. The most entertaining and true presenter I have ever come across." - Ranadeep B. "Awesome experience - great learning opportunity and very well organized. I look forward to more." - Brien Gorham "Brad brought the goods and the funny. And he removed my initimidation factor when it comes to approaching investors. Great webinar!" - Alyssa K.

Stage 32 + Bondit Media Capital Film Finance Masterclass: From the Basics Through High Level Packaging

We’ve brought in the CEO of Bondit Media Captial, Matthew Helderman, one of the leaders in film financing today with over 200 financed films over the last several years. Matthew will be sharing the basics of film finance all the way through high level packaging tips, plus going over case studies on projects he’s financed and best practices to learn. As today’s film financing structures continue to be a labyrinth-like maze of confusion for most producers, this webinar will help break down that barrier through understanding how best to put a film together you can avoid pitfalls that plague the financing process.

A Line Producer's Guide to Making a Movie in 10 Steps

Most people don’t know the scope of what a Line Producer actually does. How does one make a budget? What goes into it? How do you devise a realistic plan to shoot a movie and how do you seamlessly make it happen? Maybe you’ve managed to finish one movie, but how do you repeat that over and over? Do I really need a real budget for my $100k film? (Hint: the answer is Yes!) Every project, whether it's a movie, a TV show or web series - or even reality TV works - off the same basic blueprint. You need a script, a schedule, a budget, and lastly someone with a plan to manage all the elements you need to shoot, from cast and crew to locations and equipment. This person is the Line Producer. Maura Anderson is an award winning Line Producer who has worked on films and TV series such as Academy Award nominated Winter’s Bone, Would You Rather, and Suit Up. She's the former EVP of Production for Indigenous Media, a next generation digital studio focused on producing original content for digital and emerging platforms worldwide. Having filmed in many places and situations, from the Ozark Mountains to the Alaskan Tundra, and with budgets ranging from $30k to $10M, Maura discusses everything from the minuscule details to the broader strokes of making a film.  In this Stage 32 On-Demand Webinar, Maura will take an in depth look at all the steps a line producer takes from script stage to years after the film is made. Using materials from actual films, she’ll discuss how a script is turned into a schedule and a budget. You’ll learn how to build out your team and how you can create long lasting relationships. You’ll also learn the basics of setting up a film’s infrastructure. Lastly she’ll look at enacting the brilliant plan that you came up with and what that looks like in terms of prep, shooting and wrap.   This webinar includes examples of schedules, budgets, wrap binders, etc. from films she's worked on! PRAISE FOR MAURA'S TEACHINGS: "Seriously one of the best webinars on the whole site. Absolutely fantastic, informative, and easy to follow. Maura gets 5, no 20 stars from me!" -Steph G.

The Secret to Cracking Your Script's Second Act

Ask any executive where most screenplays go wrong, and they'll tell you it's in the second act. That's because many screenwriters type FADE IN knowing their opening (Act I) and closing (Act III) inside out, but haven't thought through how to bridge the gap (Act II). Struggling to nail the second act is more common than you might think. After all, how many times have you watched a film and thought that it dragged in the middle? Most writers will agree that the second act is the hardest to nail and usually starts out feeling way too short or way too long. But it’s for this reason that the second act is where you should be spending a lot of your time to ensuring you’re getting it right. Introducing a great concept and fantastic, deeply drawn characters is, of course, a staple of Act I, but the second act is where the heart of the narrative happens and where momentum must be found. Your second act must propel you through to the climactic third act. But this is easier said than done. Writing an effective second act requires many drafts, a solid plan or outline, and some tips and tricks to help get you there. Yet this process is crucial. If your second act stalls, anyone reading your material will likely quit right there and then. But if you can make your second act strong, by this fact alone, your script will be head and shoulders above most scripts that are coming down the pipeline and better your chances of your script getting discovered or even produced. We're going to help you make your second act sing. ABOUT YOUR STAGE 32 EDUCATOR Jason Mirch is a feature film, television, branded entertainment, and digital content producer and executive with over 15 years in the industry. Most recently, he produced a 3D animated feature film starring Jacob Tremblay, Christopher Lloyd, Mel Brooks, Kenan Thompson, and Carol Kane. Mirch was the Head of feature and television development at Image Nation, a finance and production company based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. There, he supervised the Image Nation contributions in the development of FLIGHT, THE HELP, THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL, CONTAGION and more. Prior to his work at Image Nation, Mirch was Co-Head of Development at Zadan/Meron Productions (CHICAGO, FOOTLOOSE, THE BUCKET LIST) where he was actively involved in developing a slate of feature film projects for New Line, Paramount, Summit Ent., and CBS/Paramount. He also developed and sold television projects and mini-series to CBS, NBC, Fox, ABC, and Lifetime. Jason will will give you an in depth look into how to successfully navigate the structure of your second act. He will be citing specific examples from films in several different genres as well as providing you tools to apply to your own writing. PRAISE FOR JASON'S TEACHINGS: "Plan on listening to it again and again!" - Peggy R. "Jason had so much good information to share, he did it at a breakneck speed. It was hard to digest it all at once. The good news is we can revisit the webinar after the fact." - Michael G. "Jason was great. He answered all questions and presented the information effectively!" - Barbie D.  

Producing Projects in the New Normal with Oscar-Nominated Producer Chris Moore & Stage 32 CEO Richard "RB" Botto

The world is changing quickly and the phrase “new normal” is being bandied about with abandon. Even though filming is limited (at best), development continues to move forward and that means producers are busier than ever. In the entertainment industry, scripts continue to be optioned, projects continue to get developed, talent continues to find representation, and production is slowly starting to resume in LA and more so all over the world. So what does producing look like in this "new normal"? It’s definitely time for a check-in. So let's delve into the state of the industry today with Oscar-nominated producer Chris Moore and our fearless leader, and fellow producer, Richard "RB" Botto.  Chris Moore has done and seen it all. During a career spanning over 30 years, Chris has produced films that have had multiple Oscar nominations and wins such as Good Will Hunting and Manchester by the Sea, to studio blockbusters like American Pie andThe Adjustment Bureau, to independent darlings such as Waiting, to creating and starring in the critically acclaimed industry television shows Project Greenlight alongside Matt Damon and Ben Affleck and The Chair. One of the secrets of Chris' longevity in the business is a full understanding of the business. He's as plugged in as they come and he knows how to adjust quickly, swiftly, and successfully as the landscape changes - which seems to happen on a daily basis these days. Most importantly, Chris is known in the industry as a take-no-prisoners, no bullshit guy. He tells it like it is and pulls no punches, which, in this business, is welcome and refreshing.  Richard “RB” Botto is a producer whose films have played at dozens of festivals including the Sundance award-winning feature, Another Happy Day, starring Ellen Barkin, Demi Moore and Kate Bosworth, written & directed by Euphoria creator Sam Levinson, What Lies Ahead, starring Rumer Willis & Emma Dumont, the documentary Crutch and the upcoming Rain-Beau’s End starring Ed Asner and Sean Young. He is the Executive Producer on Vagic with Amy Baer at Gidden Media and My Clone’s an A-Hole with National Lampoon. He is also in active production on 3 more projects in various mediums. RB is also the Founder and CEO of Stage 32 (stage32.com). Stage 32 is the world’s largest online platform connecting and educating film, TV & digital creatives and executives worldwide. Through Stage 32 he has helped incubate Chick Fight, starring Malin Akerman and Alec Baldwin, produced by Yale Productions and Ramo Law, and 10-31, produced by Eli Roth and Orion Pictures. Additionally, RB’s book Crowdsourcing For Filmmakers: Indie Film and the Power of the Crowd, was published by Focal Press/Routledge under the American Film Market Presents banner and quickly became one of their best-selling titles. The paperback, kindle edition and audiobook have all hit #1 in 6 different film and business related categories on Amazon and Audible and the title has received over 100 5-star reviews across all platforms. In another FREE Stage 32 COVID-19 webinar, Chris and RB team up for an exclusive Q&A session where they’ll answer questions from the Stage 32 community about the state of the industry today and where they believe things are headed. Bring your questions about the craft and business. If you know anything about Chris and RB, you know you're in for a candid, no bullshit, straight through the heart conversation!  

register for stage 32 Register / Log In