Well folks I’ve been pretty quiet here in IFB since AFM and for good reason. I’ve been hustling with follow up and trying to get actual deals signed. You see, getting ‘interest’ in your projects is one thing, but closing an actual deal is something else entirely. 
I’m happy to report though that since AFM I have heard from several clients specifically that they have long form agreements on their desks ready to sign (distribution deals, one screenplay option, and several pre-sale contracts). As for me, I’ve got 3 or 4 deals in the works as we speak so I’m very happy about that but still hustling every day nonetheless….
One of things that I’m noticing is that these days you need to be a lot more flexible and definitely more creative in your thinking when it comes to deal making. For example, terms of a contract may not be to your liking but as a new Producer or Filmmaker you need to realize that at this stage in your career, you’re not going to get the best deal on the planet in terms of money and control. You’re just not. So you must go into things knowing that these initial deals are about making a name for yourself and developing a track record so that hopefully you can leverage this for bigger future deals down the line. And always (I mean always!) invest in an experienced Entertainment Attorney (not attorney who ‘dabbles’ in entertainment) to review your contracts and fight for what’s ‘realistically’ yours….
What about creative thinking? Well I can tell you that I’m in the middle of a few deals right now where flexibility is certainly the order of the day. For example, budgets, deal terms, and financing plans are subject to change at any time (and usually do). When one part of the financing plan falls through, time to get creative. Go with the flow and be ready to pounce on Plan B when Plan A falls through. My advice to you is never stop just going going going at it and you’ll find that solution.
One other thing to keep in mind … and I know I’ve said this before but you definitely want to have several irons in the fire at once. Five or Six projects on your producing slate is not too much – you’ll need it. Yesterday I was bummed out for a minute about something not working out on one project, and ten minutes later I got an email about something going through on an even bigger project on my slate. I wasn’t bummed out for long because with all the projects I’m juggling, there’s always something happening.
So what about you? What type of creative thinking have you found working well for you these days in your deal-making? Please comment below…I’d love to hear from you on this!
And for FS Members... if you missed my AFM Wrap-Up Seminar where I went over all the new trends in marketplace, you can catch the replay RIGHT HERE. There’s also a killer AFM round-up written by a Sales Agent which in my opinion is quite *illuminating* to say the least. You can catch that write-up in the FS Forums HERE.
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I have a proven Director (his films have grossed over $40 million), a distribution deal with a mini major company, a line of credit with bank but still having problems getting the film into preproduction. Tough biz, might hats off to anyone who gets a film done.
That doesn’t make any sense b/c if you have a distribution deal with a mini-major then presumably you’d have the financing you need to get into pre-production. What’s the main problem?
Great blog!!!
Stacey, thank You, I learned a lot these few days reading here…
Never giving up – Yes it is state of mind and basic I think. In last 4 years I wrote the script, produced and directed my first feature film. Now I am finishing postproduction… It a fuc……. horror story how I completed my film I dont know, but I never thought that it will not happened, that I will quit and give up.
Now I feel almost empty, and I need time to think what to do with my film. I know that it is not comercial film and that there is no big audiance for my film but I would like also to hear what people from industry think about it and if there is any chance for festival life… So I am thinking about applying to european film market in Beriln. Just to have some feed back…
Is my plan good Stacey, or I am wasting my time? I know that I have to promote my film its not problem… Sorry for bad english and thanx again!
Hi there, Glad you like the blog! If you have a completed horror film you could apply to film festivals and also submit to sales agents who would rep the film at a market like EFM or Cannes. You cannot just submit your film directly to EFM – your film has to be repped by a sales agent there. Anyway, I recommend you wait until the film is completed before doing any of that. More strategies are available on my training site at http://www.FilmSpecific.com. Hope to see you there!
My english is so bad – its not horror film; producing my film was “horror”
and I am tired now…
Its finished and here is the trailer -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrMOJcpFkFw&feature=g-upl&context=G249f751AUAAAAAAAAAA
Stacey, thanx for advice!
I will apply to some festivals and see what can I do…
I have not been paid for my DVD distributed by Victory Multimedia-if the same has happened to you, contact me, let’s put some ideas together!
I am writing a children’s movie that I hope to start shooting in the Summer of 2012. However, I decided to start researching all I need to know about film, especially the marketing of film. I have written and published three children’s book, but this is my very first film. During my research about sales agent for film, I came across your name. So could you please contact me so I can further discuss with you about the possibility of you being my agent?
Thanks,
Perry