Make Your Animated Series or Film a Reality by Working With an Overseas Studio

Hosted by Mike Disa (Educator)

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Mike Disa (Educator)

Webinar hosted by: Mike Disa (Educator)

Director, Paradise PD at Disney/Entertainment Squad/NDA development deals

Mike Disa, director of the highly praised Netflix show Paradise PD, has been working in animation for two decades. With no film training or knowledge of the byzantine workings of the entertainment business, he eventually found success at studios such as Dreamworks, Disney Feature, Warner Brothers, Paramount, and many others. Over a fascinating career, Mike has worked with some of the greatest and most infamous people in Hollywood including Steven Spielberg, Eric Goldberg, Ralph Bakshi, Glenn Close, Steve Oedekerk, David Tennant, Amy Poehler, Adam Sandler, Jeffery Katzenberg and Roy Disney. Full Bio »

Webinar Summary

Animation is one of the few types of productions that hasn’t slowed down or halted due to the pandemic. Since it’s possible for the bulk of the work of animated films and television to be completed from home or while socially distanced, animation has been flourishing as more players are turning to this format. With these ongoing changes in animated film and television production and financing, it’s now more important than ever to develop solid relationships to get into animation, and especially with overseas animation studios to successfully produce your own animated project.

The truth is you’ll be hard-pressed to find many animated projects that are fully financed and produced in America. In fact, well over half of the work of most animated projects is done overseas, and that number is only rising as the industry continues to change. Working with overseas company is the norm and something that might be necessary if you are working towards producing your own animated project. Yet there’s more to gain in working with companies overseas than simply avoiding being left behind. Working with other countries opens the door for better tax breaks and lower cost and overhead. Going global might be the best step you can take in making your animated project a reality, but it requires a deep understanding of how this pipeline works and how to get your foot in the door.

Mike Disa is the director of the hit Netflix series PARADISE PD and has been in the animation industry for over twenty-five years. Mike found success working with studios such as Dreamworks, Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount, and many others. Over a fascinating career, Mike has worked with some of the greatest and most infamous people in Hollywood including Steven Spielberg, Eric Goldberg, Ralph Bakshi, Glenn Close, Steve Oedekerk, David Tennant, Amy Poehler, Adam Sandler, Jeffery Katzenberg and Roy Disney. A favorite and fixture among the Stage 32 community, Mike has directed and produced movies and television with over a dozen overseas partners and wants to tell you how it's done.

Mike Disa will walk you through the why and how of producing your animated project with an overseas company to best position it for success. He’ll begin by explaining the three basic models of animation production and how each works within a global pipeline. He’ll then explain why you should work with an overseas animation company and will outline both the benefits and negatives of doing this. He’ll then give you tools in how to best start a relationship with an overseas company and explain the difference between an overseas company, an overseas company with American offices and an American company with overseas offices. Next, Mike will explain how financing works with overseas companies and what these companies are looking for in an American partner. He’ll then delve into how the crash of movie theaters has affected the overseas markets and partnerships. Next he will focus on the impact Netflix animation has had on the industry as a whole and address the question “is everything bad Netflix’s fault?” Mike will teach you about how ownerships and participation work when working with overseas animation companies and will delve into why Chinese and Indian money is different than other money. Finally he will spend time explaining the problems Brexit is causing and how you can navigate these issues. Through covering these topics, Mike will give you a thorough blueprint of how to think and work globally and give your animated project success.

 


Praise for Mike's Stage 32 Webinar:

 It was really advanced stuff, and great advice. I appreciate that he was willing to stick around as long as he did to answer questions.

-Shari E.

 I loved the wealth of content and Mike's humor.

-Prema R.

"Amazing"

- Nilfredith S.

Loved the host and the webinar! Mike’s knowledge is sound and extensive. His vision for what’s happening now and what we are to expect in the future is brilliant. I could listen to him forever.

-Jane D.

 

 

What You'll Learn

 

  • The 3 Basic Models of Animation Production
  • An Argument for Why You Should Work with an Overseas Animation Company
    • What are the benefits?
    • What are the negatives?
  • How to Start a Relationship with an Overseas Company
  • Learn the Difference Between
    • A purely overseas company
    • An overseas company with American offices
    • An American company with overseas offices
  • How Is Financing Structured Overseas?
  • What Are Overseas Companies Looking For in an American Partner?
  • How Has the Movie Theater Crash Affected Overseas Markets and Partnerships?
  • Is Everything Bad Netflix’s Fault?
  • An Exploration of How Ownerships and Participation Works
  • International Breakdown
    • How China and India Money Is Different Than Other Money
    • Problems Caused by Brexit and How You Can Best Navigate Them
  • Q&A with Mike

About Your Instructor

Mike Disa, director of the highly praised Netflix show Paradise PD, has been working in animation for two decades. With no film training or knowledge of the byzantine workings of the entertainment business, he eventually found success at studios such as Dreamworks, Disney Feature, Warner Brothers, Paramount, and many others. Over a fascinating career, Mike has worked with some of the greatest and most infamous people in Hollywood including Steven Spielberg, Eric Goldberg, Ralph Bakshi, Glenn Close, Steve Oedekerk, David Tennant, Amy Poehler, Adam Sandler, Jeffery Katzenberg and Roy Disney.

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Reviews Average Rating: 5 out of 5

  • Excellent introduction to exploring seeking partners and studios overseas for animation projects. Be aware that it is more of a series of stories and anecdotes of working with various companies, how to be a good client/producer, reputation and relationship building as well as red flags to look out for. It is NOT a step by step course, will not give you pipeline/workflow info nor will it tell you how to find companies to work with. that said it is well worth the price especially for the several of the responses to the questions asked after the presentation was over. Global summary? If you are just starting out hire a freelancer with experience in producing and that has existing contacts to help you with the process instead of trying to do it all yourself. You will save both time and money. 5 Stars!

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