Producer's Package

pmark23

pmark23

Veteran
I sat in on a (terrible) pitch, but the executive producer liked the story and wants me to produce the project.

I'm to take their pitch and make it more presentable (easy -- it's a great story), and put together a producer's package that he can use to raise funding with investors, distributors, broadcasters, etc.

There's about nothing on the 'net (except a lot of seminars) about putting together a producer's package -- specifically about calculating a return-on-investment for a feature film.

Basically, I need to write a business-plan for a feature film to prove to investors that they'll get their money back.

I've done many grant proposals for documentary projects, but this is a big feature with a much bigger budget, and will be read by people who read these things for a living -- I want to make sure I get it right.

Does anyone have any links to resources? Have you gone through this process before?
 
The location information which accompanies your avatar is a little less than specific, so I will just take a chance that you might be in the Southern California area.

Based upon this assumption, I would suggest that perhaps the finest place to learn what promotional pieces which would accompany a film look like is an upcoming event in Santa Monica. The AFM (American Film Market) show opens this week and while not inexpensive to attend, would be the absolute best place to look and learn about the promotional side of films.

Here is a link to their site:

http://www.ifta-online.org/afm/home.asp
 
pmark23 said:
Basically, I need to write a business-plan for a feature film to prove to investors that they'll get their money back.QUOTE]

The only way to do this is to have a negative pick up. MEaning a distributor has agreed that they will purchase the finished film on x date for x price. Very very hard to come by these days. I do a podcast called Filmmaking Central that discusses the process. www.filmmakingcentral.com is the site address.

A savvy investor will know there is great risk involved with filmmaking. Is there named talent attached?
Click to expand...
 
If you're writing a business plan that attempts to lure savvy investors to part with their money, be aware that they'll sniff an amateur a thousand miles away.

You might want to look into hiring Louise Levison to do a professional business plan for you.
www.moviemoney.com
 
I'm in a foreign market, and this will be a foreign film -- however the topic is something very marketable to the west, particularly Europe (**hint** we're next to Afghanistan).

I'm not concerned about who to market it to, about raising the money, or how any deal will be structured -- that's the executive producer's job, and he's got that covered (he's well known in the industry and has good credits). I just need to put the documents together in the right format. The exec-producer is busy on other projects and the more I do myself, the faster things will happen. I have my own project riding on the tails of this one, so am supermotivated to get this one done ASAP.

The reason the executive producer (from Canada) is interested is because this is something he knows he can sell to his network of investors. He just needs the package. He's not here, and I am (and I speak the local language) -- so I've got the job of putting it together.

I've found a few other producer's packages, a listing of a table-of-contents for a package, one book which seems to cover this topic, and LOTS of seminars and people offering this service (which raises alarms, frankly.)

Are there no sites for producers or those marketing their films? I was expecting to find lots more information because of the huge amount of indy films being made.

If anyone can recommend any links (if there are any), that would be much appreciated. :beer:
 
Hey Barry -- does Louise do budgets for features?

Say I've got a script, rough ideas on who I want to cast, where I want to shoot... can I get a detailed budget done for a 35mm production (as opposed to doing it myself in Movie Magic Budgeting)? ...or maybe this is synonymous with business plan...
 
When you're talking about putting together a package to raise money from investors there is a lot you have to take into consideration. It may not be as simple as putting together a business plan, in fact, you may not even use a business plan. First you need to breakdown the script and create a budget. Then you need to come up with a plan for raising the money. For instance, are you looking for active or passive investors? Are you going to pre sell to foreign territories? What sort of deals do you have or can you put together with labs and rental houses? What sort of legal entity is going to run the production? Once you have your plan you can decide if you need a business plan, an offering memorandum, something else, or a combination.

You have a lot of work ahead of you. I know from my own experience there is no really good internet resource or book that covers everything you need to know, but you can feel free to send me a private message if you would like more specific help or guidance.

Rob
 
Owen said:
Say I've got a script, rough ideas on who I want to cast, where I want to shoot... can I get a detailed budget done for a 35mm production (as opposed to doing it myself in Movie Magic Budgeting)? ...or maybe this is synonymous with business plan...
Click to expand...


I'm looking to pick up a few extra bucks before Christmas, so if you are looking for a professional breakdown and budget at a fraction of the cost you'll find other places send me a private message.

Rob
 
Owen said:
Hey Barry -- does Louise do budgets for features?

Say I've got a script, rough ideas on who I want to cast, where I want to shoot... can I get a detailed budget done for a 35mm production (as opposed to doing it myself in Movie Magic Budgeting)? ...or maybe this is synonymous with business plan...
Click to expand...

I have a similar question. Does anyone know a production managment company that will break down a script and provide a day of days schedule (strip board) and several budgets, based on specific line item variations?
 
David G. Smith said:
I have a similar question. Does anyone know a production managment company that will break down a script and provide a day of days schedule (strip board) and several budgets, based on specific line item variations?
Click to expand...


David, see me note above to Owen.

Rob
 
pmark23 said:
Basically, I need to write a business-plan for a feature film to prove to investors that they'll get their money back.
Click to expand...

Problem is independent movies are usually a money losing proposition. Great scripts go down in flames everyday. People lose their shirts constantly. Without a distribution deal set ahead of time or a major name attached to it, odds are the movie will lose money. Most savy investors know this. They will stick with funding a movie with name recognition or, at a minimum, a producer who has a proven track record.

If you have these things, sell the people, not the movie.

Good luck
 
:sigh:

Did anyone read the original post?

We've got sources of funding through an established network of investors, distributors, and broadcasters. I'm not interested in anyone's opinion about how hard it is to raise money or get people interested. That hurdle has already been overcome. This project will make a profit before shooting starts (anyone who knows the Canadian co-production system knows why.)

How do you put this on paper in a format acceptable by people working in the industry?

I simply want to know if there are any sites which discuss putting together a producer's package, or deal with any of these advanced marketing issues. I have all the information -- I just need to put it in the proper format.

This will all be proof-read by people "who know" anyway, but the better I write it initially, the better for me and the faster the project will get started. Get it? I want to LEARN how to do it.

I spend another hour searching yesterday and didn't find anything new. I'm really surprised that there isn't more information on this -- you'd think that with all the people doing independent film that this would be an important step to take. Another Hollywood black art?
 
If your Executive Producer is worth his salt, he should be able to give you a bunch of paperwork package samples from prior projects. If he can't provide samples of documentation that worked, you need to question whether he is for real.
 
Galt: Did you even read the previous posts?

In case anyone else has to do this, there's some articles here. A forum (though Hollywood oriented) here. A list of books here .


I ordered a UK-oriented film distribution book, and got enough from the forums and online articles to piece everything together.
 
pmark23, I've noticed you tend to snap at people pretty easily. Why shouldn't galt question the executive producer's credentials? You say he's got great credits, but don't list any or who he is, yet it sounds like he's left it up to you to try & get a package together for these investors that are supposed to be in his back pocket. Shoot, I question the guy too ... sounds odd.

That aside, I can at least tell you what you would need if you were doing this in the U.S., looking for private money. It's called a PPM. What's a PPM? Private Placement Memorandum. Since you're in a foreign territory, I honestly have no idea what would work where you're at, or where specifically these investors are located.

You've also not stated how much of a budget this is going to be. Again, in the U.S., the different budgets may or may not require additional documents, disclosures, etc. ... stuff that's regulated by the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) ... stuff that's in place to protect investors, even Accredited Investors (as described in Rule 501 {A} of Regulation D by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission).

A lot of what's been said is accurate, but it sounds like you just want a template or some kind of idea of what you need. In the states, what I would use for funding of $5MM or less, is the following: PPM, Limited Liability Operating Agreement and a Subscription Agreement.

These will outline the inherit risks involved with the film industry, how the structure of the new company will work (it's best to keep things clean ... have them invest in the new company - purchasing shares, then that company will own the film/product) from who's managing it to how votes will be handled in the future, etc. The Subscription Agreement is basically a receipt for shares purchased in the company.

A really solid PPM will basically include a business plan as well so it spells everything out to the prospective investor. Our combined package for a film we were working on was over 60 pages of documents for the investor to read & consider, including the above items I've mentioned.

Hope it helps. If not, please don't bite my head off or question if I read the thread. I read every post before placing mine.

Lastly, depending on who or where your Executive Producer is marketing to, you need to be prepared. Our PPM covered EVERY state in the U.S., as SEC requires that you abide by the laws that are in place where the person you're solicting to lives ... that's why investment reps have to be licensed for every state they sell to ... taking courses/training for each state, as they all have different rules. May not pertain to you, but thought it was worth mentioning.
 
BTW, Owen & David G. Smith:

Mrblue1022 is too busy, you can always post a work request at the Producer's Guild's site. What you're ideally looking for is an experienced Line Producer, Producer, or Production Manager who's current on budgeting (what rates are, both union & non, etc.).

For a feature, you'll be looking at a minimum of $3K+, but if the person's itching for cash, could probably work out a deal or discuss credits, etc.
 
Sorry, didn't mean to sound snappy. :)

I didn't give enough information to make any judgements or advice beyond what was asked for (simply links to resources). :)

This is an international co-production, and will most likely use an offshore investment vehicle, so US-specific information is inapplicable (see 5th post). As stated, all of this is already taken care of. :)


(Do the smileys help? :) :) )
 
Smiley's are always nice ... help take the edge off of a comment, incase it might read differently.

Glad you got it all taken care of.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top