Indie Film Producing: The Craft of Low Budget

Indie Film Producing: The Craft of Low Budget Filmmaking explains the simple, basic, clear cut role of the independent. Raising funds to do your dream project, producing award-winning films for a low budget, putting name actors on your indie film-it's all doable, and this book guides you through the earliest stages of raising funding to selling and distributing a finished film-and all under the scope of a low budget, so that the film can actually make it to the screen. Laid out in a step-by-step, A to Z, matter-of-fact style how the Producer's role can be easy and fun-especially when the Producer's role is spelled out, and when the Producer treats their film as a business. Showing you how to manage the overall budget for the film, and how to treat the film as a business, Suzanne Lyons pilots you through the actual making of SAG ultra low budget films ($200k-$1M) to show you how easy and fun it can be. Interviews with successful international producers provide additional perspective not found anywhere else. This book shows you how to avoid the painful pitfalls faced by so many-if you didn't secure the copyright/option for your film, or you began raising funds without the proper legal paperwork in hand, this book shows you how to do it right from the outset, giving you the essential tools you need to make your film a success from the ground up. . Breaks down the complicated duties of producing into manageable (and fun!) pieces, covering all the stages of producing a movie . Interviews with global producers from films such as Napoleon Dynamite, Open Water, Brick, the Undead, and more, give you real-world insight that can be applied to your own films . Shows readers how to seccure funding for their films - an ever difficult task . Author is highly in demand as a Hollywood producer, instructor, and industry leader

Suzanne Lyons is co-founder of Snowfall Films, WindChill Films, Inc., and the Flash Forward Institute. She is a Hollywood producer and an award-winning filmmaker. Her films have been distributed by Miramax, Disney, Lionsgate, and ScreenGems. She has over 25 years experience in television and film, and she also conducts highly successful workshops on producing (www.suzannelyons.net).

Acknowledgments	p. xiii
Foreword	p. xv
Getting Ready to Produce	p. 1
The Time Was Right	p. 1
The Landscape is Changing	p. 2
A Step-By-Step Approach	p. 2
Wearing Two Hats: Business and Creative	p. 3
The Business of Film Producing	p. 4
Timeline for Séance	p. 6
Timeline for the Film, Séance	p. 7
September/October 2005: Optioned Screenplay	p. 7
November/December 2005: Business Plan and PPM	p. 8
January 2006: Opened an LLC	p. 9
January/February/March: Funding the Film	p. 10
March: Finalized Details	p. 10
April: Soft Prep - Four Weeks	p. 11
April: Casting	p. 11
May 1: Preproduction Begins - Three Weeks	p. 12
May 21: Principal Photography - Two Weeks	p. 12
June 5-September 29: Postproduction	p. 13
October: Prepared for Market	p. 14
November 1-8: Attended the American Film Market	p. 14
November 9-December 1 5: Delivery	p. 14
The Script: Option and Development	p. 15
Time to do the Paperwork	p. 15
Research and Read Option Agreements	p. 16
What's Needed in an Option/Purchase Agreement	p. 16
Option Period	p. 23
Payment and Back End	p. 23
Deferments	p. 24
Certificate of Authorship and Short-Form Assignment	p. 24
Script Development	p. 27
Table Read	p. 27
Director's Notes	p. 28
Creating Your Business Plan	p. 29
K.I.S.S.	p. 29
Table of Contents	p. 29
Quotation	p. 30
Investor Proposal	p. 30
Why $7,500? Here are Four Good Reasons	p. 32
Let's Start with Delivery	p. 33
Operating Costs	p. 33
Executive Producer Fee	p. 33
Budget	p. 34
Extra Bonus	p. 34
Risk	p. 35
Project Objective	p. 35
The Marketplace	p. 36
Film Comparisons	p. 36
Company Summary and Team	p. 37
Synopsis	p. 37
Revenue Scenario	p. 38
Newspaper Articles	p. 40
Section 181	p. 40
Mission Statement	p. 40
Your One-Sheet Poster	p. 41
PPM/Operating Agreement/Subscription Agreement	p. 43
Setting Up Your LLC and Opening Your Bank Account	p. 45
Opening Your LLC: You Can Do It!	p. 45
Where Do I Open My LLC?	p. 46
Wait Until You're Ready	p. 46
Step # 1: Clear The Name	p. 46
Step # 2: Articles of Organization	p. 47
Step # 3: Getting Your EIN Number	p. 49
Certificates and Seal	p. 50
Opening Your Bank Account	p. 50
Wait Until You're Ready to Open Your Account	p. 50
Open two Accounts	p. 50
What Type of Checkbook Should You Order?	p. 51
Making Deposits: Details	p. 52
Get Your Visa or Mastercard Now	p. 53
The Checks and Visa Are in Your Name Only!	p. 53
Check Request Form	p. 54
Payroll Company or Not?	p. 55
Sales Presentation and Finding Investors	p. 56
Preparation	p. 57
Outline	p. 57
Booking the Venue	p. 57
Getting the Word Out	p. 58
Logistics	p. 59
Setting up the Room	p. 60
Your Assistants Represent Your Company	p. 60
It's Showtime: Welcome Everyone	p. 61
Purpose of the Evening	p. 61
Outline for the Evening	p. 61
It's Your Time to Shine: Have Fun!	p. 62
Introduce Yourself	p. 62
Your Company Introduction	p. 64
Launching Windchill Films: Why this Film? Why This Budget?	p. 65
The Director's Vision	p. 66
Introduce Your Team	p. 67
Your Offering	p. 68
What's in It for Me, The Investor?	p. 69
Question and Answer Session	p. 70
Wrap-Up	p. 70
Mock Sales Presentation	p. 70
A Promise Is Not a Check	p. 71
Additional Perks	p. 71
Tips to Getting Investors	p. 71
Be Prepared	p. 73
Be Innovative	p. 74
Let's Get Visual	p. 74
Soft Prep	p. 76
What Is Soft Prep?	p. 76
Get Sag Signatory Number	p. 77
Table Read	p. 78
Location Scouting	p. 80
List Your Film in the Trades	p. 82
Inform Your Investors	p. 82
The Casting Process	p. 84
Part 1: Preparation	p. 84
Casting Director - Or Not	p. 84
Guild Actors-Or Not	p. 85
Guild Deposit	p. 85
Breakdown Services	p. 86
Plan Casting Process With Your Director	p. 88
Part 2: Scheduling	p. 89
Scheduling Auditions	p. 89
How to Schedule	p. 89
How Much Time to Allow for Auditions	p. 91
Book Your Readers	p. 91
Choosing the Sides	p. 91
Typed Sign-In Sheets	p. 92
Part 3: Auditions and Callbacks	p. 92
Auditions	p. 92
Lunch Break and Atmosphere	p. 93
Scheduling Callbacks	p. 94
Callbacks	p. 94
Chemistry Callbacks	p. 95
Final Decisions	p. 95
Part 4: Deal Memos	p. 96
Extras	p. 103
Preproduction	p. 105
Producer versus Line Producer	p. 105
Producer's Focus	p. 106
Line Producer's Focus	p. 106
A Look at the Producer's Job	p. 108
The Making-of Producer and Stills Photographer	p. 108
Still Photography and Making-of Cast Schedule	p. 109
Proposed Questions for Cast for the Making-of Feature	p. 110
Your Editor	p. 110
Your Director of Photography	p. 112
Your Director	p. 116
Table Read With Your Keys	p. 116
Cast Table Read and Wardrobe Fitting	p. 118
Product Placement	p. 119
Update Investors	p. 120
Keep the Actors and their Agents Informed	p. 120
Principal Photography	p. 121
Now the Fun begins	p. 121
Know How to Read Your Call Sheets, Day Out of Days, and Shooting Schedule	p. 124
Shooting Schedule	p. 124
Dailies	p. 124
Video Village	p. 126
Know Your Script	p. 127
Your Editor	p. 127
Staying on Time: Your 1st AD	p. 127
Writing Checks	p. 128
Stills and Press Release	p. 128
Treats	p. 129
Putting out Fires	p. 130
Planning Your Wrap Party	p. 131
Going the Extra Mile	p. 133
Children and Animals	p. 136
Investors	p. 138
Interviews for Postproduction Positions	p. 139
Acknowledgment	p. 139
Wrap-Up and Postproduction	p. 140
Wrap Party	p. 140
Line Producer's Wrap-Up	p. 141
Editor's Assembly	p. 141
Copyright Transfer	p. 141
Film Website	p. 142
Hiring for Postproduction Positions	p. 142
Director's Cut	p. 149
Audience Testing	p. 149
Pick-Up Day	p. 153
Lock Picture	p. 153
Sales Agents and First Round of Festivals	p. 154
Music Score, Sound Designing, Color Correction, Spotting, and ADR	p. 156
Additional Songs	p. 157
Front-Roll Credits (Main Titles)	p. 160
End-Roll Credits	p. 161
Making Of	p. 163
Investors	p. 163
Delivery and Sales Agents	p. 164
Put The Horse Before The Cart	p. 164
Mistakes can be Expensive	p. 166
The Cost of Delivery	p. 172
Items to Watch For	p. 172
Sales Agent Or Not?	p. 178
The Tables are Turning	p. 178
Problems With the Old Model	p. 178
Buy-Outs	p. 179
Changes are Happening	p. 179
Your Deal with a Sales Agent: Do Your Research!	p. 179
Expenses	p. 180
Commission	p. 180
Get a Copy of Each Territory Deal	p. 180
Keep the Number of Years Low and Get Back-End Deals	p. 181
Money Goes Into Your Bank Account	p. 181
Have Them Check With You if the Amount Is Below the Estimate	p. 182
Which Territory Sold?	p. 182
Do They Have an-E&O Umbrella?	p. 182
Get a Box Of Dvds	p. 182
If They are Doing Your Domestic Sale, be at That Meeting	p. 183
Exit Clause	p. 183
Distribution Alternatives and Film Exposure: Guest Interviews	p. 184
You've Delivered … Now What?	p. 211
A Whole New World	p. 211
Festivals	p. 212
Communicate With Your Sales Agent	p. 212
Attending Markets	p. 213
Promoting Your Domestic Sale	p. 213
Inform Investors Along The Way	p. 215
Sag Residuals	p. 215
Accounting and Taxes	p. 215
Closing Your LLC	p. 218
Final Notes	p. 218
Be Sure To Get A Mentor (Or Two)	p. 218
Surround Yourself With Winners	p. 219
Keep Your Eye On The Prize	p. 219
Filmmakers Website Resource Guide	p. 221
Books: Some of My Favorites	p. 229
Glossary	p. 231
Index	p. 237
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

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Indie Film Producing: The Craft of Low Budget Filmmaking

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials