On Demand Webinar - Available for immediate viewing and unlimited access.
On Demand Webinar - Available for immediate viewing and unlimited access.
Michele Miller has spent the last decade managing post accounting and tax incentives for many productions, including the indie film PIG and the Netflix scripted series RUSSIAN DOLL. She is the Director of Accounting Services at GreenSlate, where she leads a team of accounts and works closely with clients like Jax Media and A24 to manage production data throughout the production lifecycle. Rene Quiroz is the Director of Application Solutions at GreenSlate and has over 13 years of experience with unscripted production companies. He served as VP of Corporate Finance at Karga Seven Pictures, and prior to that, he worked for Pilgrim Studios and Mark Burnett Productions. Full Bio »
As a producer or filmmaker not only are you tasked with the creative outlook of your project but you are also in charge of protecting your financial investment and your project's budget. That’s why having a basic understanding of production accounting, and selecting the right production accountant, is so crucial to the success of any project you produce.
In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you’ll learn what production accounts entail, what makes a great production accountant, and how to find that great team for your project. You’ll cover different technology and vendors available to you, how the production life cycle operates in the accounting office, and how to apply for tax incentives.
Production accounting experts Michele Miller and Rene Quiroz at GreenSlate will show you the ropes from their own vast experience and will provide exclusive handouts to those attending the webinar. Greenslate client projects include Academy award winners CODA, NOMADLAND, and MOONLIGHT, and hit shows EMILY IN PARIS and MCMILLIONS.
Michele is an expert in all things production accounting and tax incentives, having worked on productions for over 13 years, including the indie film PIG and the Netflix series RUSSIAN DOLL, and works closely with the GreenSlate clients like Jax Media and A24.
Rene has an extensive background in entertainment finance, having previously served as VP of Corporate Finance at Karga Seven Pictures, and worked for Pilgrim Studios and Mark Burnett Productions.
By the end of this webinar, you’ll not only have exclusive handouts to take with you but you'll know how to establish a strong production accounting team based on a personable and collaborative environment that can adapt to your film or television project’s needs. Don’t miss out on your chance to learn from some of the most experienced entertainment accountants in the industry, and make every dollar of your production budget count.
PRAISE FOR MICHELLE'S TEACHINGS:
“You’ve done a great job making accounting digital and seamless” - K.D., Production Accountant
“No matter when I call or what ridiculous question I ask this team, they are ALWAYS on the case. My favorite team of all the production software companies” - P.C., Production Accountant
“It is truly impressive to see how GreenSlate has embraced the digital world, GreenSlate was sure ahead of the curve” - C.K. Finance Executive
The Production Accountant -
The Production Life Cycle
Production Accounting 101
Production Accounting Technology and Payroll Vendors -
Film Tax Incentives
Q&A with Michele and Rene
Michele Miller
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“You’ve done a great job making accounting digital and seamless” - K.D., Production Accountant
“No matter when I call or what ridiculous question I ask this team, they are ALWAYS on the case. My favorite team of all the production software companies” - P.C., Production Accountant
“It is truly impressive to see how GreenSlate has embraced the digital world, GreenSlate was sure ahead of the curve” - C.K. Finance Executive
Sure, A24 is a top tier distributor with a crazy success record over the last few years, but they only distribute a small number of films a year!With filmmaking success now more than ever in your hands, there are so many other avenues to pursue. 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. We're here to help that. 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? Equally bilingual in the language of cinema and the lexicon of sales, Mia offers her knowledge of distribution to help filmmakers navigate their opportunities in the marketplace by understanding the rules that exist and the ways they can be bent and supplemented. In this exclusive Stage 32 Next Level webinar you'll learn how to go from praying A24 will pick up your movie to learning to love creative distribution!
There aren’t a lot of jobs more challenging than that of an independent producer, but there also might not be any job as rewarding. It’s the producer who turns a bunch of ideas and dreams into reality and a singular product that can be enjoyed by people all over the world. What can be better than essentially creating something out of nothing? From conception and pre-production through distribution and beyond, the producer is with the film from beginning to end, builds the team, and makes the decisions that ultimately make the project a failure or success. This role is an enigmatic one, though, since it covers so much. This can also make it feel difficult or overwhelming to break into. So how does someone actually start off a career in producing in the first place? There is no one correct way to become a successful producer, especially in the indie space. However there are three main paths that most working film producers have taken to get to where they are today: the executive path, the production path, and the independent path. Each path comes with its share of obstacles, but each can also provide the education, connections, and wherewithal to spark a successful career making movies. Better understanding how to find success through these tracks can help you turn your aspirations of becoming a working independent producer into a reality. Jim Young of Animus Films is a leading independent producer, with almost two dozen films under his belt. Jim has created a successful career producing true-story films such as THE CATCHER WAS A SPY with Paul Rudd, LIFE OF A KING with Oscar-winner Cuba Gooding Jr., THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY with Oscar-nominee Dev Patel, LOVELACE with Oscar-nominee James Franco and Amanda Seyfried, and the upcoming film, THE PEOPLE VS. VEGAS DAVE. Jim has a long history of producing critically acclaimed features and documentaries including YEAR OF THE BULL at Showtime, THE WORDS with Oscar-nominee Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana. Through years of successes and challenges, Jim has learned what it takes to be a working full-time producer and is excited to share what he knows with the Stage 32 community. Jim will explain what it means to be an independent producer and the three main paths you can take to become a full-time producer of your own. Jim will first talk about the main skill set and duties of an independent film producer and give you an honest explanation of what this job really looks like. Next he will explain cow you can start your career as a producer through the three most common career paths: the executive path, the physical production path, and the independent path. For each, Jim will talk about how to get your foot in the door and how best to use these opportunities to learn what you need to get yourself ready to become your own producer. Jim will then teach you how to find longevity as an independent producer and share with you some of the biggest lessons he’s learned through his career. If you’ve ever been interested in starting a career as an independent producer and making the types of films you’ve always been passionate about, Jim will give you the tools and tips you’ll need to make that actually happen. Want to work more closely with Jim? Send your script to Jim and speak with him for an hour by clicking here.
Since announcing our new screenings initiative, thousands of new members have joined the Stage 32 community, and there was no better time than to come together to connect, learn, and grow in our digital universe. So with that, I wanted to welcome our new members to the party by hosting one of my AMAs (Ask Me Anything): Quarantine Edition. Damn, you guys were on fire! The entertainment industry is rapidly changing as we all navigate this evolving landscape. In the last few weeks, in addition to talking with over 800 filmmakers from canceled festivals, I've had countless conversations with executives and industry professionals how creatives can keep hustling and put themselves in position to succeed in this new and ever-changing landscape. With everything going on, I can say without hesitation that I had a LOT to share! And I know you all had questions! In this over 2 hour AMA webcast we got together for inspiring, motivating, and brutally honest craft and industry talk. Remember, no matter what your discipline, skill level, geographical location, etc, this AMA will be helpful for ALL! You all brought your questions and the energy and I handled the rest. Amidst this global crisis that has forced so many of us indoors, we are excited to give film, tv, and digital creatives a safe place to stay creative and build relationships with their fellow entertainment industry folks from all over the world. Let's continue to come together for some inspiration, motivation and community love. And if you know any other creative who is not a member of Stage 32 that could use a lift, please invite them as well by sharing the on demand link to download. I enjoyed spending quality time with you all.
If you are a writer, filmmaker, digital content creator, or producer, it's vitally important to not only understand the role of a sales agent, but how to find, vet and hire the right sales agent. This is a vital, yet extremely overlooked aspect that could make or break the viewership and profitability of your film or project! In this challenging and competitive world of film and digital content finding the right sales agent is key. Understandably, many creatives, producers and digital content creators find venturing into the world of sales agents to be daunting. But it doesn't need to be! There are few who know the world of sales agents better than Simon Graham-Claire and Ricky Margolis. Simon and Ricky head up, Future Films USA and have been involved in the financing and distribution of over 200 films and TV shows. In this extremely popular and exclusive Stage 32 Webinar, Simon and Ricky give you all the tools to navigate the minefield of sales agents. Just some of the questions Simon and Ricky will be answering include: What can a sales agent do for me that I can't do for myself? Where do I go to find a sales agent? How do I know if a sales agent is reputable? How do I know a sales agent is right for my genre? What questions should I be asking when vetting a sales agent? What if a sales agent disagrees with where I believe the film or project should be distributed? How much do sales agents cost? Will a sales agent expect to have an equity position in my film? How does the waterfall distribution of funds work with a sales agent involved? Can a sales agent bring financing to a project? Let Simon and Ricky demystify the world of sales agents and help you protect the films, shows, and projects you worked so hard to conceive and create by getting your work seen and by increasing your likelihood of profitability! PRAISE FOR SIMON AND RICKY'S TEACHINGS: "I felt like Simon and Ricky had a concise step by step study guide on the process of getting to the green light... The idea of hiring a sales agent is no longer a jumble" - Betty S. "Loved the presentation and I found it very informative! Thanks again!" - Richard D. "Great seminar - informative and to the point." - Robert G. "Very well presented! Loved their personal approach!" - Glenn C. "Excellent presentation! Organized, well-spoken, and crystal clear!" - Brent B. "My second webinar with Simon and Ricky. They're incredible. Please bring them back again." - Samantha M. This webinar is available for immediate and unlimited viewing On Demand
Create the business plan for your feature film with a budget under $5 million under the mentorship of Jeanette Milio, a producer and financier of over 45 films with Netflix, Disney, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, HBO, Showtime, and more! ***Flexible Learning: if you cannot attend any of the sessions live don't worry - you will be sent the links to the recordings of each session within 48 hours of the live session and you will have direct access to Jeanette on email to ask her any questions so you can keep up at your own pace and schedule.*** Payment plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for details Films under a $5 million budget can be very profitable and, thus, a very attractive opportunity for investors. Films in this budget range allow for sufficient costs to hire a recognizable lead actor and pay for sufficient below the line production to create a quality product, all while remaining at a low overall budget so the film can make significant profit through various distribution avenues. This winning combination elevates profitability significantly and reduces the risks for investors. However, investors aren’t just going to give you millions of dollars because you’re making a low budget feature film. Investors want to see a strong business plan for a project, which lays out their risks, offers mitigation strategies and projects a meaningful return on investment. If you are going to raise money for your film, it is imperative that you approach your investors with a comprehensive business plan. In this exclusive and interactive Stage 32 6-part lab, you will work directly with an industry leader to create your business plan for your feature film that you can use to pitch to your investors. Your business plan will include everything your investors need to properly understand to decide to invest in your film, including the creative aspects of your project to the ideal distribution strategy, detailed financials, as well as risk mitigation and profit optimization strategies. Your business plan will also include various options for your investor to choose from, and it will offer different phases to invest in including the development phase, the physical production and the finishing costs. Guiding you through the creation of your business plan is producer and financier Jeanette Milio. Jeanette has worked on over 45 films and television programs for companies like Netflix, Disney, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, HBO, Showtime, and many more. Her projects have also starred Academy Award-winning performers, including Halle Berry, Adrien Brody, Forest Whitaker, and Mickey Rourke. Jeanette is a member of the Producers Guild of America, Women in Film, and the Cannes Film Festival Producer's Network and structured her own media fund in 2009 that financed theatrical features with a production volume of $60 million. Over 6 interactive sessions, including 2 one-on-one sessions with Jeanette and a practice pitch session, you will learn what should (and shouldn’t) be in your business plan and actually create your own business plan for your project. You will learn about the different investment options you can present to your investors, including investments as a loan, and an equity investment. You will walk away from this film finance lab with the business plan for your project in-hand that has been vetted by an industry professional and is ready to present to investors! PLUS! You’ll receive exclusive handouts to help you create your business plan. Downloads include: Financial Planning Tools Business Plan Example Adjustable Worldwide Distribution Revenue Projection Template If you are looking to raise money for your feature film project with a budget under $5 million, this lab is a must! PRAISE FOR JEANETTE'S PREVIOUS STAGE 32 EDUCATION: "Jeanette has invaluable knowledge and made me feel like seeing my movie on the big screen was possible." --Phillip F. "Jeanette's experience really comes through in her mentorship. She has seen it all and is so helpful in guiding you through the complex world of film and tv." -- Letty L. "I learned so much from Jeanette and highly recommend you work with her!" -- Kaitlin L.
"Very informative and complex concepts were broken down so folks without a law degree could understand them." - Elisha B. When you are putting together a deal as a writer, producer or filmmaker there are many things to think about when it comes to your contracts - between option agreements, purchase agreements and negative pickups it's important you understand what deal you're getting yourself into before you start development. Your Stage 32 Educator is entertainment attorney Jordan Barel, who's a California attorney that has worked with AMC, New Line Cinema, Generate and Alloy. He is also a producer who develops projects based off IP and started out as the television coordinator at Verve Talent & Literary Agency. You will cover three different types of contracts: purchase agreement, option agreement, and negative pickup. Jordan will discuss terms in both a legal and practical matter so that you get the information needed to be prepared to negotiate your next agreement. Such things will include material and boilerplate terms, what can or can't be negotiated, and how lawyers themselves will be reading and reviewing your agreement. This will be an in-depth, but accessible, legal discussion walking you through each part of a standard purchase and option agreement. Plus! You'll get 5 contract templates to download! Whether you're a producer, filmmaker or writer learn the overview of contracts to give you a competitive advantage in your next negotiation! **All materials have been prepared for general information purposes only to permit you to learn more about certain types of contracts within the entertainment industry. The information presented is not legal advice and is not to be acted on as such, please consult your lawyer for issues specific to your contract. PRAISE FOR JORDAN'S TEACHINGS: "Very informative and complex concepts were broken down so folks without a law degree could understand them." - Elisha B.