How to Make a “YES” in an Ever-Shifting Marketplace
Hosted by Tracy Mercer (Judge)
$49
On Demand Webinar - For immediate download. Unlimited access for 1 year.
Start Learning
Projects:
Hosted by Tracy Mercer (Judge)
$49
On Demand Webinar - For immediate download. Unlimited access for 1 year.
Webinar hosted by: Tracy Mercer (Judge)
Senior Vice President of Television at Amasia Entertainment
Tracy Mercer is Amasia Entertainment’s Senior VP of Television. Currently, Amasia is in development at The CW with a sequel series to Dan Curtis’ classic, DARK SHADOWS, to be showrun by Emmy-winner Mark B. Perry. Additional shows in development include BECAUSE THE NIGHT based on the James Ellory book. Tracy began her film in production before working as a personal assistant to actress, Jennifer Aniston. After working as a script analyst for producers Jennifer and Suzanne Todd at Team Todd, Tracy took a story editor position with producer Rob Fried at Fried Films; there she worked on projects including THE BOONDOCK SAINTS, and HBO’S, WINCHELL. Tracy next joined producer Dan Halsted at Halsted Pictures, who was then partnered with Oliver Stone, where she worked in development on TNT’s WITCHBLADE and films including ANY GIVEN SUNDAY and THE ART OF WAR. Tracy was next hired by Gale Anne Hurd at Valhalla Motion Pictures. Tracy was the executive in charge of production on the PBS award-winning documentary, TRUE WHISPERS: THE STORY OF THE NAVAJO CODETALKERS, and helped develop Ang Lee’s HULK, Marvel’s THE PUNISHER, and Karyn Kusama’s AEON FLUX. After four years at Valhalla, she headed up development for Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman’s Revelations Entertainment, where she was involved in the development of films including INVICTUS, directed by Clint Eastwood, and 10 ITEMS OR LESS, directed by Brad Silberling. Tracy was also instrumental in setting up, developing, and serving as an executive producer on the pilot of CBS’ hit series, MADAM SECRETARY. Full Bio »
Webinar Summary
The SVP of TV at Amasia Entertainment shows you how to score a YES from any buyer for your film or television project.
This industry is changing rapidly with companies ramping up productions worldwide, theaters working hard to get people back to the multiplex, and streamers in a never-ending battle to stay on top of the perpetually growing competition. It’s clear that there are more opportunities, outlets, and platforms than ever to get your work in front of audiences. So, why are buyers still telling you no?
The key to successfully selling your project requires work, research, and a targeted plan of attack, and in this Stage 32 exclusive webinar, you'll find out what plan works best for you and your project. You’ll discover why buyers pass on projects and provide you with industry insight to know how to turn a “no” into a “yes.”
You will examine industry trends, discuss how to make your passion project stand out in a crowded field, and get real about how best to pitch your project, all to enhance your chances of locking strategic creative and financial partnerships. You’ll cover how to market your creative brand, understand different buyers, how to get a meeting, what makes a successful meeting, and most importantly, you’ll learn the art of not taking “no” for an answer.
And who better to share with you their insider knowledge and vast experience selling film and television than Tracy Mercer, the Senior Vice President of Television at Amasia Entertainment. Tracy and Amasia are currently developing a sequel series to Dan Curtis’s classic DARK SHADOWS and the series BECAUSE THE NIGHT, based on the James Ellory book. Previously, she’s worked on projects including THE BOONDOCK SAINTS, HBO’s WINCHELL, TNT’s WITCHBLADE, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, INVICTUS, Marvel’s THE PUNISHER, AEON FLUX, and Tracy was instrumental to the development of the CBS hit series, MADAM SECRETARY. She’s also worked with top-tier talent, including Jennifer Aniston, Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Ang Lee, and Karyn Kusama.
By the end of this webinar, you’ll have a new understanding and current insight into this ever-shifting marketplace from an expert with years of experience and the keys to earning that “yes” from the right buyer.
What You'll Learn
The Story is Still King
- Finding your hook and how to stand out
- Understanding the value of public domain vs. IP
- Utilizing a different point-of-view or storytelling lens
- Identifying your target audience and budgeting accordingly
It Takes a Village: Collaborative Mediums Require Small Partnerships
- Packaging smartly
- Choosing the right financier/buyers
- Building your team, networking
Presenting Yourself and Your Project to Best Advantage
- Creating an elevator pitch for your creative "brand"
- Thinking ahead to marketing
- Mistakes commonly made when approaching buyers
- How to use "six degrees of separation" to your advantage
Marketplace, Comps, and Meetings
- Understanding the different buyers' needs (ie. HBOMax vs. Apple; Paramount vs. Universal)
- How do you get a meeting?
- Creating an action plan with your ideal list
- The key to a successful meeting
- The art of not taking "no" for an answer
Q&A with Tracy
About Your Instructor
Tracy Mercer (Judge)
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:
- Log into your Stage 32 profile
- Click "Settings" in the top right-hand corner (gear icon)
- Click "Purchase History"
- Choose this webinar and click the link to view
- Go to www.stage32.com
- 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.
- Once you have your profile set up, you can view the webinar by clicking "Settings" in the top right hand corner (gear icon)
- Click "Purchase History"
- 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.
Relevant Tags
Share with friends:
Questions?
Other education that may be of interest to you:
How To Package, Pitch, & Sell Your Film Or TV Series (Oct 2022)
AN EXCLUSIVE CLASS FOR WRITERS, DIRECTORS AND PRODUCERS Learn in a class setting with TV and film producer Tracy Mercer, SVP of Amasia Entertainment! Get an industry insider's guidance with case studies including HULK, INVICTUS, MADAM SECRETARY, GREEN HORNET, DARK SHADOWS and more. PLUS! You'll get the pilot script for MADAM SECRETARY and the screenplays for ANY GIVEN SUNDAY. INVICTUS and BOONDOCK SAINTS Are you ready to package, pitch and sell your projects in today's marketplace? With the incredibly high demand for content in today’s film and television businesses, it’s never been more important to make your projects relevant and undeniable to buyers in every single way. In this exclusive Stage 32 class, you’ll learn how the marketplace likes to see your material, the strategies involved to make your projects stand out, how strategic partnerships can help and how to add the most sizzle to your sales pitch, all under the mentorship of a world-class executive who currently works at the highest levels of the industry. Guiding you through this process is Tracy Mercer, the Senior Vice President of Television at Amasia Entertainment. Tracy and Amasia are currently developing a sequel series to Dan Curtis’s classic DARK SHADOWS as well as the series BECAUSE THE NIGHT, based on the James Ellory book. Previously, Tracy worked on projects including THE BOONDOCK SAINTS, HBO’s WINCHELL, TNT’s WITCHBLADE, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, INVICTUS, Marvel’s THE PUNISHER, and AEON FLUX. Tracy was instrumental in the development of the CBS hit series MADAM SECRETARY. She’s worked with top-tier talent, including Jennifer Aniston, Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Ang Lee, and Karyn Kusama. In this class, over four focused sessions, you’ll cover how to best position your project for buyers, how to create a brand and not just a script, how to choose the best partnerships for packaging, and how to pitch your materials so they sell. You will analyze real case studies of film and television projects through the eyes of the very executive who got them made! These case studies will include in-depth looks at HULK, INVICTUS, MADAM SECRETARY, and the upcoming DARK SHADOWS and GREEN HORNET AND KATO. Tracy pulls the veil back on her own process to show that if you understand the relevance of your story, how it fits into today's marketplace, and have a clear strategy for a financial return, you can establish yourself as a trusted content creator for years to come. Join Tracy today and ensure that you and your projects are ready to get noticed, bought, and greenlit.
How To Write Your TV Procedural Pilot Script
AN EXCLUSIVE CLASS FOR WRITERS AND PRODUCERS Learn From An Executive Who Helped Reboot HAWAII FIVE-0, MAGNUM P.I., and MACGYVER “Case-of-the-week” shows, also known as “procedurals”, are extremely popular with today’s networks. If you’re a fan of the LAW & ORDER, CSI, NCIS, or CHICAGO franchises, or the CW’s DC universe, then you’re a fan of procedurals. Even streamers have gotten in on the action, picking up Fox’s genre procedural LUCIFER after the broadcast network canceled the series. And as the streaming services launch their AVOD platforms procedurals are going to be in higher demand than ever in the coming years. These shows feature a main central plot line every week that only lasts for that singular episode. While many of these shows have story threads that last the length of the season, the key element of any procedural is for a new viewer to be able to drop in on any episode and watch a story from beginning to end. The great thing about procedurals for writers is that they make for stronger writing samples in your portfolio and can work with many different genres to show off your writing chops. In this exclusive on-demand Stage 32 class, you’ll find out exactly how to write a great procedural pilot to either sell or help you get staffed in a writers’ room. Showing you how great procedurals are done is accomplished TV Development Executive Chris Hazenbush. Chris has helped develop and sell pilots to ABC, CBS, and NBC, and most recently, was the Director of Development at AfterPortsmouth Productions, the company behind THIS IS US. Chris's latest project, THE NEVER GAME starring Justin Hartley, was recently greenlit for series at CBS and will premiere in 2023. Chris previously worked on the development team for the reboots of HAWAII FIVE-0, MAGNUM P.I., and MACGYVER, which have amassed millions of viewers throughout their series’ runs. Over four focused sessions, you’ll cover the crucial elements you need when crafting a procedural series and pilot script, the structure and act breaks needed, how to develop your characters’ season arcs within the format, and more. By the end of this class, you’ll have developed your own procedural show to add to your writing portfolio by learning how these shows get made through the eyes of a top-notch development executive. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from one of the people behind some of CBS and NBC’s biggest procedural series.
First Act Blueprint: Setting Up Your Screenplay For Success
Many of us are familiar with the tropes made popular by screenplay gurus like Syd Field and Blake Snyder. Yes, it's true that many great films can be broken down into three clean acts or thirteen story beats. But the same can be said for many unwatchable films too. What are the elements that differentiate the great screenplays from the purely mediocre? In this Stage 32 Next Level Webinar, creative executive from Zucker Productions (director Jerry Zucker's production company), Farrell Ingle will define the importance of the ever imposing first act of a feature screenplay. He will show you how much of the groundwork for your story needs to be laid in the first act of your screenplay. If those early pages aren't up to snuff, the rest of your story will suffer, no matter how fantastic the ending is. Your host, Farrell will lay out the many pitfalls writers stumble into without necessarily realizing it while they craft the set-up of their story. Using examples of classic films, you will understand how top notch writing creates multitudes of subtext, character development, and plot advancement with each scene. We will also discuss what constitutes an "act" and why it's so very dangerous to hold yourself within the box of a rigid structure. By the end of this lecture, you should be able to go back through your own writing and break down each scene in your script to ensure that you're putting yourself in a position to succeed. After all, the first act is the most important act for readers and executives when evaluating your ability as a screenwriter. Plus, you will break down the first acts beats of well-known movie scripts as Farrell leads you through an in-depth analysis of films such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Professional, Die Hard and more!
Breakdown Webcast: Flashbacks
Flashbacks are not meant to be a storytelling crutch, but rather a tool used to reveal additional backstory or subvert the audiences expectation of a character or situation. We will examine Casablanca, The Usual Suspects & Casino Royale.
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 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 Next Level 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 live examples of schedules, budgets, wrap binders, etc. from films she's worked on! "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.
New! Scripted Narrative Film Editing Certification
Get Your Scripted Narrative Film Editing Certification Exclusively Through Stage 32 Keeping you on the cutting-edge of the entertainment industry because we are the global online resource for creative professionals. Payment plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for details Ready to master your craft? Learn the principles of storytelling through an editor’s eyes with advanced editing techniques, often overlooked by even the most accomplished film editors. Stage 32’s online Scripted Narrative Film Editing certification is perfect for those beginning their journey and working professionals alike to boost their command of film editing while getting hands-on practice throughout our online certification. When choosing the best film editing training, you want the best showing you how to enter the professional market with confidence, and Stage 32 is making that happen for you. A Script Narrative Film Editing Certification from Stage 32 can help you expand your post-production career. In this 14-session course over four months, you will learn insider techniques for setting up your Adobe Premiere Pro workspace for your skills and needs, positioning you to best show your scripted narrative skills from the very first cut. This certification digs into essential and often overlooked editing techniques, organization, principles of scripted narrative, how to work with director and producers on live edits, and how to apply these techniques to projects of every budget. You will receive direct feedback on weekly assignments, receive templates and handouts for future use, and have the opportunity in and outside of the course to ask your instructor questions to ensure you walk away confident in your mastery of scripted narrative film editing. Stage 32 is the worldwide leader in entertainment industry education and is a marketplace that connects creators with content producers. After you finish your certification, you will earn an exclusive Stage 32 Certificate, and Stage 32 will provide you resources to help take your new skills into the professional marketplace, including a career development meeting with an industry professional. Get certified from a leading industry expert. With 15 years of experience in screenwriting and editing in feature films, commercials, and short form, Won Novalis is a master at honing the scripted narrative film edit. The awarding-winning editor leads his team at the production company, Cry, to deliver the quality polish of a big post-house at a fraction of the cost. Won is a fast-paced, meticulous editor who envisions the end goal and uses feeling and intuition to craft stories to their final stage. With his effective, customized workflows and open vulnerability, Won creates a final product that never fails to deliver. Won is experienced in editing film, television, commercials, and short films, working with such commercial clients as GE, United Way, and others. And he continues to master his craft as a storyteller as he earned an MFA in Screenwriting. He is also a co-owner, founder, and Head of Production at the New York-based, CRY, working with clients all over the US. Ready to take the next step? This exclusive certification was designed for your success by entertainment industry professionals. Exclusively through Stage 32 for less than $100 a week, you will become a certified scripted narrative film editor with the tools needed to enter the professional market. PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 certification course is limited to 10 people and will be booked on a first come, first served basis. The opportunity to work this closely and for this long with an expert in the field is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity. If you are interested, please book quickly. Once the spots are gone, they’re gone for good. "Won is a mix of tech and creativity. Being able to work with an editor who is not only technically proficient but also understands the nuances of telling the story through the edit is invaluable. Won is all of that and more." - Tracy J. Trost, Writer/Director
Register / Log In
