film distribution

CinemaCon Shines Again with Lots of Star Power

by admin on May 7, 2012

CinemaCon, the four day annual convention of NATO (National Association of Theater Owners), returned to Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas from Monday, April 23rd through Thursday, April 26th bringing with it the latest word on films, lots of celebrities promoting their movies and receiving awards and the industry’s latest in technological advances.

As an added bonus this was the first time in more than a decade that every major film studio including: Paramount, 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Universal, Disney and all of their partners Pixar, DreamWorks and Marvel Entertainment participated in the event. 

Formerly known as ShoWest, the convention gives theater owners previews of upcoming films being released by the studios and a chance to hear from the stars and filmmakers associated with them.  Some of the celebrities who appeared this year included industry icons Jerry Bruckheimer, Ang Lee, Tim Burton, Christopher Nolan,  and Martin Scorsese (who received the ‘RealD Innovation in 3D’ award), and actors Mila Kunis,  James Franco and Johnny Depp.

Just like last year Paramount Pictures kicked off the opening nigh festivities by teaming up with DreamWorks Animation and showing selections from their upcoming 2012 slate in “Paramount Pictures – Celebrating 100 Years of Outstanding Moviemaking”.  This was followed by an Opening Night Dinner Reception held in conjunction with Christie, Dolby Laboratories and IMAX.  Celebrities on hand for the presentation included D.J. Cotrona, Adrienne Palicki and Dwayne Johnson, director Jon Chu and producer Lorenzo de Bonaventura from “G.I. Joe: Retaliation,” Chris Rock from Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted,” and Chris Pine and director Peter Ramsey from “Rise of the Guardians.”

Director Martin Scorsese was the third recipient to be honored with the ‘RealD Innovation in 3D Award’ by RealD Inc., one of the leading global licensors of 3D technologies, for his work on the five-time Academy Award winning film “Hugo,” which was based on Brian Selznick’s best-selling novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret and starred Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Chloe Grace Moretz and Jude Law.  RealD Chairman and CEO Michael V. Lewis presented the award to Scorcese during a special luncheon.  “’Hugo’ set a new bar for innovative use of 3D, representing a leap forward in 3D filmmaking by utilizing 3D techniques to draw audiences into the story in ways unobtainable in 2D,” said Lewis. “With his work on “Hugo” Mr. Scorsese has embraced 3D as a creative tool and demonstrated its true potential to bring a life-like and fully immersive world to the big screen,” he added. 

Some of Scorsese’s comments in response to receiving the award included, “I had a fascination with 3D that goes back to the View-Master. I’d always dreamed of making a film in 3D. It’s like a combination of theatre and film.  There’s something 3D gives to a movie that takes you to another land.”  

Past award honorees have included James Cameron and Jon Landau for their work on the top-grossing worldwide feature film of all-time, “Avatar,” as well as Henry Selick, Laika and Focus Features for their work on the feature film “Coraline,” the first stop-motion animated feature ever produced from inception in 3D.

Some of the other highlights during the event included the dinner honoring Jeffrey Katzenberg with the 2012 ‘Pioneer of the Year’ Award and the CinemaCon Final Night Talent awards where several stars were honored during the closing evening festivities. Jack Black served as the official master of ceremonies at the dinner accompanied by special guests Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas, who spoke on behalf of Katzenberg. 

For over a decade Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas lent their creative talent and voices to DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek franchise, the top-grossing animated film franchise of all time. With Diaz as Princess Fiona and Banderas as Puss in Boots, “Shrek,” “Shrek 2,” “Shrek the Third,” “Shrek Forever After,” and most recently the Academy-Award® nominated “Puss in Boots” have amassed over $3.5 billion worldwide. Jack Black has brought to life Po the panda in DreamWorks Animation’s Academy-Award® nominated films “Kung Fu Panda” and “Kung Fu Panda 2,” which have grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide. 

The Pioneer of the Year 2012 Honorary committee includes David Geffen (Founder/Owner of Geffen Pictures), Jim Gianopulos (Co-Chair / CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment), Brad Grey (Chairman/CEO of Paramount), Bob Iger (President & CEO OF Disney), Gerry Lopez (CEO of AMC Theatres), Michael Lynton (CEO of Sony Corporation of America), Barry Meyer (Chairman/CEO of Warner Bros), Ron Meyer (President and COO of Universal Pictures), Amy Miles (CEO of Regal Cinemas), Amy Pascal (Co-Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment), David Passman (CEO of Carmike Theatres and current President of National Association of Theater Owners), Jeff Robinov (President of Warner Bros), Tom Rothman (Chairman and CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment), Stacey Snider (Co-Chairman and CEO of Dreamworks), Steven Spielberg (Principal Partner of DreamWorks) and Alan Stock (CEO of Cinemark Theatres).

On Thursday the glitz and glamour continued with the presentation of the following awards prior to the closing night ceremonies.  They were as follows:

Career Achievement Award SYLVESTER STALLONE, Male Star of Tomorrow TAYLOR KITSCH, Female Star of Tomorrow CHLOE GRACE MORETZ, Rising Star of 2012 DIEGO BONETA, Comedy Star of the Year ANNA FARRIS, Distinguished Decade of Achievement in Film CHARLIZE THERON, Award of Excellence in Film Making JUDD APATOW, Cinema Icon Award MICHELLE PFEIFFER, Female Star of the Year JENNIFER GARNER, Male Star of the Year JEREMY RENNER, Action Star of the Year DWAYNE JOHNSON and Breakthrough Performer of the Year JOSH HUTCHERSON.

Wrapping up here’s an overview of some of the upcoming films you’ll be able to see these award winners in: Chloe Grace Moretz and Michelle Pfeiffer star in Warner Bros. “Dark Shadows,”, which is being released on May 11th; Sylvester Stallone will be back igniting the screen in “The Expendables 2” on August 17th for Lionsgate; Universal Pictures has two upcoming films with Taylor Kitsch, “Battleship” on May 18th followed by “Savages” on July 6th; Diego Boneta will be appearing in New Line Cinema’s eagerly awaited “Rock of Ages,” which will be released by Warner Bros. on June 15th; comedy star Anna Farris will be seen next on May 16th in Paramount’s “The Dictator”; Charlize Theron graces the screen again in Universal Pictures “Snow White and the Huntsman” on June 1st; “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” will be released by Walt Disney Studios on August 15th showcasing Jennifer Garner’s talents; Jeremy Renner debuts in the Bourne franchise on August 3rd when “The Bourne Legacy” is released by Universal Pictures; the latest 2012 premiere Judd Apatow’s next film for Universal titled “This is 40” arrives in time for Christmas on December 21st; while CinemaCon’s Action Star of the Year Dwayne Johson will be seen soon in Paramount’s “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” on June 29th.  Breakthrough Performer Josh Hutcherson already drew audience attention in March when Lionsgate released the box office hit “The Hunger Games.”

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The “Financing Your Film” Panel is Coming to Sundance

by admin on January 17, 2012

If you are one of the lucky people headed to the Sundance Film Festival and are interested in attending a panel discussion that could help you with your filmmaking career be sure to check out “Financing Your Film: Avoiding the Pitfalls from Business Plan to Distribution”, which will be held on Monday, January 23, 2012 from 1:30pm-4:00pm at The Blind Dog in Park City.  The cost for the event is $15.00 so space is limited to the first hundred registrants and over 30 individuals have signed up already during pre-registration.

This seminar is structured so that it will help filmmakers approach investors and/or financiers and aid them in getting their projects into the theaters, while learning how to avoid many of the potential pitfalls they’ll encounter during the process.  It will also cover how to develop and execute an effective business plan.  A must for anyone in the development stage several industry experts will share their own experiences and expertise related to the filmmaking process and answer specific questions.  It will also provide a step-by-step explanation of how the business looks at a film project and explains the necessity of having a business plan, which contracts need to be in place, the subtleties of comparing the various state incentives, pre-production pitfalls to avoid and how all of these factors effect financing and distribution deals.

Specific topics include: How to protect your material including the importance of copyright and the “Chain of Title”; When is a screenplay “Ready to Go?”; How to build a pitch team for investors and who to stay away from; Attaching talent, casting directors, agents and managers; How to attach a Director, DP, Production Designer and other key personnel; Determining when you need an attorney, an accountant and a line producer; Preparing a production budget and schedule, Why you need a business plan and how it is different from a “producer’s package”; Legal and business pitfalls in the process; Monetizing tax rebates and credits; The Importance of financial projections and cash flow; How and where to look for funding; What to look for in distribution deals; and how to qualify investors and recognize scams. 

One of the key industry people featured on the panel includes Entertainment Attorney Hal “Corky” Kessler from Deutsch, Levy & Engel.  Corky has been speaking at events that are aimed at helping independent filmmakers for years and has extensive entertainment industry experience.  He is well known for his expertise with tax incentives and has worked with governors andUnited Stateslawmakers in many states to implement incentives including Sections 181 and 198 of The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.  Corky has been the attorney and/or executive producer of over 18 films and 3 films funds and is currently active on over 20 projects. 

Another familiar face in the world of film is Louise Levison, President of Business Strategies (moviemoney.com), who has been a financial consultant in the film industry for over 20 years.  She specializes in creating business plans and consulting on other aspects of independent filmmaking and distribution.  Author of “Filmmakers & Financing: Business Plans for Independents” and publisher/editor of “The Film Entrepreneur: A Newsletter for the Independent Filmmaker and Investors” perhaps Louise’s most well known independent low-budget film client has been the producers of “The Blair Witch Project although she has assisted companies in raising as much as $300 million dollars. 

Todd Hein, the Senior Manager of the Federal Tax Unit in the Los Angeles Office of Crowe Horwath James will also be on the panel.  He specializes in income tax compliance and planning for entertainment industry clients and related service businesses.

Representing the Distribution side of the business will be Gil Agaure, President of Koan, which was founded in theU.S.in 1993.  Prior to that he worked as Director of Sales for a French production company and was heavily involved in developing the concept of a 40 episode documentary series hosted by Christopher Reeve called “Adventure”, which sold to 112 countries.  Koan focuses primarily on feature films and is a front runner in the family film arena and an important resource for buyers from television stations and DVD companies worldwide. 

The subject of Risk Management will be addressed by David Mackin, the Vice President of JMB Insurance, who works with all of the sources, domestic, international and captive, for film insurance and completion bonding.  This includes innovative protective providers who may now comprehensively offer viable general insurance, errors and omissions insurance and surety bonding with a synthesized single underwriting. 

Rounding out the panel is Line Producer John Corser, who will be acting as Moderator.  An award-winning producer of commercials, promotional films, music videos, features, television productions and education films, his projects have spanned 20 countries, 5 continents and a variety of settings.  An expert in digital media production, John has earned numerous awards and distinctions. 

More information about the panel is available at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e5glika2d7854582&llr=upx85ieab  

 

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050 Sheri Candler Has a Special Gift For Indie Filmmakers

September 14, 2011

  Independent Film Marketing Specialist Sheri Candler is joining with The Film Collaborative and Jon Reiss in order to provide a special gift to Indie Filmmakers.  It’s a book called “Selling Your Film Without Selling Your Soul” featuring information and case studies in hybrid, DIY and P2P independent distribution and it just became available today.  The material covers specific details [...]

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A Few Thoughts About Vegas Cine Fest

September 4, 2011

Now that Vegas Cine Fest is over I have some thoughts about festivals I thought I’d share.   For one thing, the more lead time you have to plan the better.  Considering that so many issues for running this event came up and were dealt with within a matter of weeks, the few number of people [...]

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Vegas Cine Fest Opens With Films, Celebs, Panels & Parties

August 22, 2011

It’s hard to believe but Vegas Cine Fest, which is being held from August 25-27 at the Tropicana Las Vegas Resort and Casino, is almost here.  As many people know I am the marketing consultant for the award-winning documentary MORE TO LIVE FOR and have been getting the word out about our Las Vegas Premiere [...]

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Ash Adams Goes From “Once Fallen” to Michael Madsen’s Tribute

July 29, 2011

When Ash Adams was asked last year to recommend someone for the Indie Icon Award at the 2011 Las Vegas Film Festival held at the Hilton Hotel from July 14-17,  his friend Michael Madsen quickly came to mind.   Talking about the 170+ films Madsen has appeared in, Ash commented “The whole thing with Michael is he’s [...]

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There Are No Restrictions on this Q&A with John Paul Rice! – Part 3

March 18, 2011

Filmmakers Notebook has really enjoyed this 3 Part Q&A with  independent filmmaker John Paul Rice, who is President of No Restrictions Entertainment.  This week Rice released the trailer to the dramatic thriller, Mother’s Red Dress, which is now in post-production, and he has been very generous in sharing his ideas about making this film as well as his earlier ones [...]

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There Are No Restrictions on this Q&A with John Paul Rice! – Part 2

March 16, 2011

Filmmakers Notebook is pleased to present Part 2 of our Q&A with  independent filmmaker John Paul Rice, who is President of No Restrictions Entertainment.  This week Rice released the trailer to the dramatic thriller, Mother’s Red Dress, which is now in post-production and we were fortunate enough to find out more about the project and John’s [...]

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There Are No Restrictions on this Q&A with John Paul Rice! – Part 1

March 15, 2011

One independent filmmaker who has been building up a solid reputation for producing quality content is John Paul Rice, President of No Restrictions Entertainment.  Now in post-production on the dramatic thriller Mother’s Red Dress, John is known for his successes with self-distribution and social media marketing and he very happily shared some of his strategies [...]

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Sheri Candler Brings Independent Films to Market – Part 3

February 27, 2011

The final part of the Filmmakers Notebook Q&A with the very bright, talented and opinionated independent film marketing expert Sheri Candler.  This time we focused on film festivals, self-distribution and revenue streams. After seeing a number of film festivals up close, how important a role do you think they play for independent filmmakers? I think there are [...]

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