All I want for Christmas is…
November 11, 2008 by 
After asking members of FMC and Twitter what they wanted most for the upcoming holiday season, here are the top 5 requests:
- Film Financing. Come on people! Open the checkbooks! Its art for goodness sakes!
- 24P on a DSLR. Yes we mean you Canon. Hook us up and you will reap the rewards!
- Red Red Red. Give us our Scarlett. Now we know how Rhett Butler felt.
- Script Sales. Please make it easier for the hardworking writers to sell specs.
- Plant a great idea in our heads for a web series. I mean if Fred pulls in $$,$$$ an episode then so can we!
If we missed your wish please add it to the comments. We will make sure Santa sees this! DIGG it!
AFM Survival Guide
November 7, 2008 by
Its that time of year again. Time to head out to Santa Monica, California and put your schmooze hat on. What I am rambling about is the American Film Market has arrived. Over 400 production companies. Over 8000 industry pros to network with. Bring your A game because if you don’t you will be wasting your time.
Where is the AFM? AFM command central is at Loews Hotel in Santa Monica. Its a great place and on a beautiful day in Southern Cal its wonderful to be there. Go out to the pool deck and enjoy the atmosphere. Don’t expect to park there however. Parking is reserved for the AFM exhibitors.
Where to park? There are lots of parking in the nearby hotels and a few lots. I like to park at Shutters on the Beach. Its about $26 but its close enough to walk and a great place to have drinks after the market is closed. The bar in Shutters gets a good crowd to network with.
I like to go on the second half of the market unless I have a completed product to show. The sales companies are more welcome to talk to you when they aren’t in a sales frenzy. Saturday to Wednesday are best.
Where to eat? For Pete’s sake do not eat at Loews. Not only is it expensive but not too tasty. Within walking distance check out: Sushi Roku, Ivy at the Shore, Broadway Deli, iCugini.
Here is some info on the conferences. They usually are pretty good.
Ok enjoy your time and sell your movie or get financing! Above all else make as many connections as you can.
P.S. If this helps you please DIGG it!
Free your mind and the ideas will flow!
As I sit here working hard on the FMC FilmSchoolOnDemand classes I have to say using a mind mapping tool is has become essential for me. For those who have never mind mapped, think of it a throwing up your ideas on a page. Then rearranging them to make sense. Ever since MacWorld where I met the folks at MindJet I have been using their tool MindManager. I can really dive into my ideas quickly.
I do know there is other mind mapping software out there and alot of them are free. Here is a link for Google searches. Try one out for yourself and just let your mind be free. You may be surprised what you come up with!
Are you ready to lead the tribe?
October 28, 2008 by
I just finished reading (actually hearing since I picked up the audiobook!) a book that has inspired me beyong measure. The book titled “Tribes: We Need You To Lead Us” by marketing guru Seth Godin is a journey into the world of web 2.0 marketing ideas. How does this play into filmmaking you might ask? As it becomes more and more difficult to find distribution for your film because of the influx of films being made we need to think outside of the box time and time again.
The book is filled with case studies of extremely successful entrepreneurs such as Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV who took what he knew best and had a passion for (wine) and turn it into a cult like following. His live online show draws tens of thousands daily. The key? He loves what he does and believes in it. He is not trying to make you buy something but helping to inform you about wines. A lesson for us all.
I can’t recommend this book enough. If you are on iTunes look for the book. Although you missed the $0.95 special it is still only $5.95. Hmm Starbucks or expanding your mind?
Where should you shoot? Download the incentives guide for roi!
October 22, 2008 by
CLICK HERE to download. The Guide is current as of October 20.
The guide is invaluable in finding possible places to shoot your film, where the soft money is greatest and more.
FMC Live this week! Stump me!
October 21, 2008 by
Greetings all! This Wednesday I will be hosting my first FMC Live show! Join me as I make myself available to answer your questions, hear your pitches (I will critique them so beware!) and network with you. The show link is http://filmmakingcentral.com/fmc2/fmc-live/.
Also sign up for the newsletter! We are giving away a new Wacom Intuous tablet to the person with the most referrals! So open that roledex and get those friends to join us here! Link is http://filmmakingcentral.com/fmc2/fmc-newsletter/ Make sure you remember to tell them to enter your name in the referral box!
Newsletter members will get invited to special FMC Live shows, podcasts, downloads, product discounts and other great things.
See you all soon! Cheers, Dave
Want to know about Adobe CS4? Come to this weeks DMALA meetup!
October 20, 2008 by
Join DMA\LA this TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21 us when MICHAEL COLEMAN and GILES BAKER* will be showcasing some of the great features in Production Premium CS4. If you’re a veteran user, you know Michael and Giles. If you’re an intermediate user, now is the time to come meet the team responsible for the motion graphics tools you rely on. If you’re a first time user, be sure to register for a membership.
Meet other pros, grab some tapas snacks, see some of the new bits first hand.
* LINEUP: An Evening with Adobe Production Premium for Professional Animators
Adobe Systems Incorporated announced Adobe® Creative Suite® 4 Production Premium, a complete solution for creative professionals who craft world-class video, audio, and interactive media — for delivery on-air, online, and on device. Adobe Creative Suite 4 Production Premium offers unprecedented levels of integration across major new releases of its video, audio, design, and Web tools, including Adobe After Effects® CS4 Professional, Adobe Premiere® Pro CS4, Adobe Encore® CS4, Adobe Photoshop® CS4 Extended (see separate release), Adobe Illustrator® CS4, Adobe Flash® CS4 Professional, Adobe® Soundbooth® CS4 and Adobe OnLocation™ CS4 — now redesigned to natively support Intel-based Macs.
Adobe will be coming to Hollywood to showcase some of the great new features in the different sections of this powerhouse bundle. Whether you’re an animator, compositor, broadcast designer, or editor, this is a meeting that you will definitely not want to miss!
In addition to the presentation, we will have more out of the ordinary treats for everyone on the night of the event. Check the DMA\LA newsletter for more.
Check out: http://www.dmala.org/nextmeeting for the full details.
Dave’s TGIF Weekly #4
October 18, 2008 by
Wow! Has the world gone mad. The financial system is cracking not just in the USA but all over the world. At least the movie industry will thrive. If one business is recession proof its the movies. We love seeing them in good and bad times. They are our escape.
That being said, I spoke to a friend today who funds features. She said money for movies is tightening up alot. Not for lack of it or that their bank has collapsed but with this crisis comes great opportunities. Many would be investors are now looking at investments in companies and businesses that they deem on sale. The mindset is “lets buy an established business or stock that is extremely undervalued” instead of “hey lets make a movie that could be risky!”.
Needless to say their is still folks who love investing and making films. Those that are well planned out, have names, distribution will be at the front of the line for those funds.
What does all this mean? Be prepared. Have your package together. Get as many elements as possible in place prior to seeking that big check.
Cheers!
INCENTIVES UPDATE OCTOBER 2008
October 13, 2008 by
ARIZONA still has funds available for production in 2008 (anything not used from the 2008 allocation carries over to 2009). Applications are available at www.azcommerce.com/film. Applications for the funds allocated for 2009 will be accepted starting in January.
FLORIDA, despite the reduction in their allocation for the current fiscal year, still has funds available for productions that start principal photography after January 1, 2009. Anyone interested should file an application as soon as possible. Applications are online at www.filminflorida.com.
GEORGIA has been generating substantial production interest in its new program which offers a tax credit of up to 30%. However, the credits are subject to recapture, which might present a problem for some potential buyers.
MASSACHUSETTS reports that 10 films are currently in prep or pre-production, compared with 8 at this time last year. Plymouth Rock Studios has purchased a golf course in Plymouth as the site of their proposed sound stage development. A town meeting to vote on the project is expected this month. MA has no caps on talent or per production.
MICHIGAN sends a reminder that productions must wrap, complete their third-party audit and receive a post-production certificate from the state prior to December 31, 2008 for the rebate to be received in 2009 (after filing the Michigan Business Tax return.) Otherwise, the rebate will not be due until 2010. There is currently no legislation in progress to put a yearly cap on the rebates.
MISSOURI has $4.4 million still remaining of their 35% tax credit allocation, for expenditures in the state. Out-of-state crew earns a 30% credit. A film company may only receive this credit for one film per year. There is no per picture maximum, provided that funds remain.
SOUTH CAROLINA has exhausted wage rebate funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009. However, ample funds for the 30% supplier rebate remain. For further details contact the commissioner, Jeff Monks: jmonks@scprt.com
WEST VIRGINIA’s 27% to 31% transferable tax credit has been hampered by a recapture provision, whereby the good-faith buyer of credits might lose their value should the state later determine that the production was not entitled to the credits. A temporary solution has been proposed so that once the production company submits and receives approval for its Agreed Upon Procedures Audit from the state, a letter will be issued removing the possibility of recapture. This should be a boon to production in WV, the only state that offers River On Demand ™, which tailors the flow of the Gauley River to the needs of the production. Our friends at Tax Credits LLC helped develop this proposal.
WISCONSIN has enjoyed its best production year ever, with six features completed, in production or in prep, plus TV episodes from Discovery, HGTV and MTV shooting this month. A warehouse in Green Bay has been converted into a 20,000 sq. foot sound stage, and the RDI Stages complex opens in Milwaukee this month. The incentive includes a 25% refundable credit and (for Wisconsin residents) and a 25% investment tax credit. The director of Film Wisconsin (which acts as the state film commission) will participate in our October 24th symposium.
U.S. SECTION 181 The Federal Bail-out Plan has extended the sunset of this program for another year, until December 31,2009.
OCTOBER 24 SYMPOSIUM
Aaron Syrett, the North Carolina commissioner, has been added to our Commissioners Panel, which also includes the commissioners from Iowa (50% tax credit), Mississippi (20-25% rebate), Wisconsin (25% tax credit) and Georgia (20-30% tax credit). Other panels include production heads from 2929 Entertainment, Millennium Films, 20th Century Fox and Crystal Sky plus producers, lenders, bankers, finance funds, brokers and more. For information or to sign up, CLICK HERE.
If you need information about cash-flowing (financing) rebates or brokering production tax credits, please CLICK HERE to fill out our form, and we will suggest possibilities. We will be pleased to introduce you to any appropriate banks, mezzanine lenders or tax credit brokers.
For an electronic copy of our Summer Guide to U.S. Production Incentives, please CLICK HERE. The Fall Guide will be distributed at our October 24 Symposium, and available online thereafter.
Incentives Office Alert
September 30, 2008 by
THE INCENTIVES OFFICE
CHANGES TO MICHIGAN INCENTIVE
Attempts are now underway in the Michigan legislature to limit the amount available per year for production rebates. Currently there is no limit or cap, but last week an amendment bill which would put a $50 million per year cap on the rebate was passed by a Senate committee. The House is now out of session until after the election; legislation not approved by both the Senate and House by December 31 may not be carried over to 2009, so passage is unlikely this year. But it is probable that an amendment will be introduced again next year.
Meanwhile, the Michigan Treasury Department has ruled that mileage reimbursements, meal allowances and per diems will not qualify for the rebate unless they are subject to Michigan taxes.
South Carolina is considering legislation that would reinstate the 20% feature film incentive for out-of-state crew; currently out-of-state crew are capped at 10% of the first $35,000 in wages. Qualified television projects earn 20% for out-of-state crew up to $1M. Both qualified film and tv projects can earn 20% for all cast and local hires up to $1M, and 30% for SC goods and services
The Incentives Office is sponsoring a major Production Incentives Symposium the morning of Friday, October 24, in Beverly Hills, CA. For information, CLICK HERE.
If you need information about cash-flowing (financing) rebates or brokering production tax credits, please CLICK HERE to fill out our form, and we will suggest possibilities. We will be pleased to introduce you to any appropriate banks, mezzanine lenders or tax credit brokers.
For an electronic copy of our Spring Guide to U.S. Production Incentives, please CLICK HERE.
