Starting a film of TV series project. 'Realize...Everyone wants to get paid'

Note to a client. 

Client…, again great to connect. I have been in the industry quite a while now, more then some, less than others. When it comes to a project I will tell the pros and cons and the reality. Anything I write is based on my experience and I am quite certain there are dozens or hundreds of other opinions and advice.

In the Trans media markets of today it is rare that a film or TV show will not make money. It comes down to marketing, the markets you release in and your available financing/budget. You Tube is a great vehicle for releasing your product, that can or may attract a following, advertising, a major sponsor, partner or financing. Or not, such a media platform is a great gauge of your product. Your project can fail to attract a backer or audience, some of mine have. Great projects that went nowhere, or any way I think they are great.

There are numerous ways of developing, production and shooting a project. In my experience it comes down the vision of the creators, who you work with and available funds. From a full budget studio production to a guerrilla style shoot. Guerrilla style shooting is the cheapest. But it takes allot and I mean a lot of creative talent and insightful editing to create a marketable and sell-able product in the can.

A strong idea in itself is sell-able. But hard to keep from being stolen, purchased with a promise of production and being shelved for later production. Many studios and production companies have line ups that they have in production or to be produced properties. They have commitments and investments at stake. But they don’t want to lose out on a great project or have another studio/production company produce your property in competition. They shelve the project for again a later date, but that does no help you get it into production and of course make money.

One of the biggest pitfalls is being caught in an endless cycle of demands for money from producers, marketing, directors, writers etc., with no actual return to you. Whether someone finding you financing, talent (actors/actresses), marketing and pre sales etc. Everyone wants to get paid.

First thing is too register your idea, manuscript, script, video, music or material. The best one in the world is the US Copyright Office. https://www.copyright.gov/, another is the WGA (Writers Guild of America), http://www.wga.org/, or your countries or region copyright / registration authority. Even a notary republic or government authority are viable, though proper copyright and registration is advised.

Some other ways to protect your idea/project and to get the idea out there is IMDB, (International Movie Data Base), http://www.imdb.com/, create a video short for social media like Facebook or Linked In. This helps to sell the idea, create an audience and interest in the project.

Crowd funding is another direct, but very limiting in financing, time factors and creativity per se. Basically if you say you are going to do the/a project, then you are committed to doing it. You would have to check with your local, regional laws and taxation authorities on this avenue to financing or rising funds.

Determining if your project is sell-able. Is there beginning, middle and end. Having a script breakdown and proof read is an excellent way to get input, advice and a good solid proof read from an independent resource. Expect a hard but reasonable analysis of your material. One’s family, friends, colleagues and neighbors’ are great resources in themselves, but having a professional look at is paramount in my opinion. Try a local college or film school for potentially free analysis. But paying for a professional input is possibly the best course and step. This is one of the services I provide.

First Step: Copyright and register your project, idea, material!!

Looking forward to the project. 

Business Operating Agreement Template

Business Operating Agreement

The operating agreement we create is based on your needs and specifications, it is to give you a template to adjust, save time and money. It will give you an informative look into the general guidelines and legalities to formulate your operating agreement and save time and money in having the document created by an attorney or legal counsel from scratch.

DISCLAIMER. THE FOLLOWING FORM; OPERATING AGREEMENT, HAS NOT BEEN PREPARED BY AN ATTORNEY LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW. PLEASE HAVE YOUR ATTORNEY OR LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE CRITIQUE AND ADJUST THE DOCUMENT TO MEET THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED. THAT IT MEETS ALL LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LAWS THAT MAY APPLY TOO THE CREATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SAID OPERATING AGREEMENT WHERE YOU ARE LICENSED AND OPERATING. THE DOCUMENT HAS BEEN CREATED TO PROVIDE A TEMPLATE TO THE CLIENT AND WE TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OR USE OF THIS DOCUMENT, INFORMATION PROVIDED OR USE BY THE END USER.

Production Call Sheet, made to order for a feature film, TV series, documentary, commercial or video.

Examples of a call sheet, made to order. Whether for a film, TV show, documentary, commercial or a video. A reusable template for a day shoot or long term production. If you have any questions please do not hesitate contact us.

Clearance and Research Ownership and Authorizations

Clearance and Research Ownership and Authorizations

One aspect of our research that we can provide is clearance issues. We investigate, follow though and determine the validity, availability and ownership of a specific item, individual article or unit, especially one that is part of a list, collection, or set.

Determining clearance for photos, documents, patents and licenses to establish and obtain authorization and approval to utilize said instrument or material. Establish whether the requested material is of

• ·         Free and common domain

• ·         Free with authorization  

• ·         Limited use (such as number of times used, where and how the material is used)

• ·         Whether there is a fee for utilization

• ·         If the request and permission has been declined

• ·         Whether requested information is in a gray area of ownership and availability

• ·         Connect the client directly to the source of ownership or authorization if needed

Clearance of a photo or document can vary from country to country. A claim of ownership or right of use maybe on file or in due process in one country. Whereas the same photo or document is free or available in another country. The legal aspects and consequences’ are an unneeded risk that no individual or business should put themselves in too. We try to mitigate and help to resolve as many potential issues that we can.

Disclaimer

To the best of our knowledge, the information, research, analysis contained herein is accurate and reliable as of the date of publication to the client; however, we do not assume any liability whatsoever for the accuracy and completeness of the above information. BBB Research Analysis Development makes no warranties which extend beyond the description contained herein. Any information given in this statement does not constitute any warranty of merchant-ability or fitness for a particular use. It is the customers' responsibility to inspect and to test our products in order to satisfy themselves as to the suitability of the products to their particular purpose.

It is the customer's responsibility to check the relevant product data sheets and respective material from BBB Research Analysis Development Blog in order to follow any possible change before any final execution of an order.

The customers are responsible for the appropriate, safe and legal use, processing and handling of our material and products. The information contained herein relates to our materials when not used in conjunction with any third party materials. BBB Research Analysis Development will not accept any liability with respect to the use of its products in conjunction with other materials. Without derogating from the above, the standards and the analysis methods (if an analysis method is mentioned above) which the above statement refers to, are only those which are expressly mentioned in the above statement and no other standards and/or analysis method should be implied in any way from the above information. This certificate will not derogate in any way from the limitation of liability under the contract between the customer and our company.

Multi-media budgets and scheduling created for realistic expectations.

One of the most challenging aspects of creating the perfect film or television project is an accurate and usable budget. Without this vital piece of your very complicated puzzle, you truly have no idea where you are going and more importantly, what is will take for you to get there.​ With decades of experience in the industry, we can work with you and your perimeters to fill in the blanks and flesh out a realistic budget with realistic expectations.

Here are some examples of a feature film budget and shooting schedule that I created using Entertainment Partners Movie Magic Budgeting and Scheduling programs. The budgeting and scheduling programs can be used to create any multi-media platform for budgeting and scheduling.

The programs can be used over many mediums, such as a TV pilot or television series, documentaries, commercials, informational or music videos and of course feature films.

The budgeting usually encompasses all actual and any projected costs, based on the requirement of the client. Both above the line and below the line. 

• With budget lines for the director, talent, crew, benefits, accounting, payroll, auditing, and general costs, etc. 
• Entailing such cost factors as locations, flights, housing, catering, transportation, phones, furniture, air conditioning and heating, security, electricity, cleaning service, shipping costs for national and international needs. 
• The budgeting can be as detailed as, the number of reams of paper, pens and pencils, too paper clips and postage stamps. 
• The budgeting can also be broken down into a budget containing both currencies for the client's country of business and any foreign shooting location. 
• Separate budgets can be created for both currencies with a time-defined exchange rate for international monetary considerations.

Please note the shooting and day out of day schedules.

• Usually created directly from the script. They will give you a detailed time factor for the shooting schedule, talent and crew call times and expectations. 
• The scheduling and day out of days are created from the script, scene numbers and any determination by the director or creative input. 
• Detailing the hero props and set decorating, what greenery is needed, transportation and styles of picture vehicles. 
• What and when the costumes/wardrobe department are to provide the talent with their costumes. 
• Including special effects, make-up, hair, scenic, locations, extras, unit, stunts, special equipment etc.

Feature film and documentary series budgets created with Entertainment Partners

Movie Magic budgeting program.

Feature film shooting schedule created with Entertainment Partners

Movie Magic scheduling program.

Feature film Day out of Days scheduling example for live animals.

Created with Entertainment Partners Movie Magic

scheduling program.