Contents
Foreword by Roger Corman
Explaining the Producer’s Role to Laymen
The Independent Entrepreneur Producers
Producer Credits: What Do They Mean in Film?
2 Changes to the Independent Marketplace
Monopolies versus Independent Free Trade
Home Entertainment Consolidation
Keeping Abreast of the Changing World
The Evolution of the Independent Market
Domestic Media and the Internet
4 How to TAP into the Marketplace
5 The Domestic Market, Festivals, and Market Value
Market and Currency Fluctuations
6 Identifying and Developing a Film Based on Trend and Analysis
Network to Gain Access to Material
Non-union Independent Films: The Backbone of the Film Industry
Tricks to Write for Cost-effective Production
Screenplay Titles and Perception
7 Now That I Have My Script, What Do I Do?
Do Whatever it Takes to Make the Deal
8 Investors, Actors, Attorneys, Agents, Managers, Business Managers
Producers and Filmmakers Need to Understand Actors
Choosing a Representative and the Rates You Pay
Beware of Making Large Prepayments
10 How to Manage Production Costs
IATSE and Teamsters: Negotiate
Reduce the Number of Locations
Reduce or Eliminate Distant Locations and Save Money
Reduce the Number of Speaking Roles
Reduce Days or Weeks of Equipment Rental
Reduce the Number of Shooting Days
Reduce Vehicles, Drivers, Fuels, and Transportation
Creating a Schedule for the Picture
Production Staff and Pre-production
Protect Yourself from Personal Liability
SAG, the Thirty Mile Zone (TMZ), and Locations
Shooting with Multiple Cameras
12 Navigating the Actors’ Union
SAG Unintentionally Accelerated the Digital Revolution
Residuals Assumption Agreements
Key Art in the Independent Film World
Appendix A: Major Entertainment Conglomerates and their Holdings as of 2013
Appendix B: IFTA Model Sales Agency Agreement Completed Picture: Basic Form
Appendix C: IFTA Model Sales Agency Agreement Completed Picture: With Advance
Appendix D: Sales Projections and Participation Statement
Appendix E: Sample Collection Agreement
Appendix F: Sample Writer Option Purchase Agreement
Appendix G: Sample Writer Work for Hire Agreement
Appendix H: Sample Writer Step Deal Agreement
Appendix I: Sample Post-production Schedule
Appendix J: Sample Delivery Schedule
Appendix K: Full Non-union Budget
Appendix L: Non-union Top Sheet
Appendix M: Union Comparison Top Sheet
Appendix O: SAG Studio Zone Map
Appendix P: Sample Shooting Schedule