The Cornerstones of Film Financing and Distribution

Frequently Asked Questions

FILM FINANCE & DISTRIBUTION TELESEMINAR

On Saturday, September 26th

Put some knowledgeable pro’s in your corner!

Please join us for expert instruction on key aspects of Film Financing and Distribution. Learn about the latest developments in the field from our expert presenters and connect with like-minded professionals from a variety of relevant backgrounds.

Film Synergy Magic LLC - together with the Film Synergy Group - follows upon its popular Townhall Meetings by presenting a special seminar taught by entertainment attorney Bianca Bezdek-Goodloe and distribution expert/filmmaker Jerome Courshon.

Organized by Film Synergy founder Tom Lassu and expertly moderated by Donald E. Bertrand, Esq. this is an educational online event for filmmakers, writers, producers, attorneys, entrepreneurs and financiers alike.

The class starts at 10:00 AM Pacific, 1 PM Eastern Time on Saturday, September 26^th and will last 2.5 hours. Jot down your questions now and take advantage of the Q & A session that will be provided following the instruction.

SCHEDULE
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12:45-1:00 Check-in & Adjust Your Audio Settings
1:00-2:00 Bianca Bezdek: Getting Your Film Financed
2:00-3:00 Jerome Courshon: The Secrets of Distribution
3:00-3:30 Q & A
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TOPICS
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Bianca Bezdek: Getting Your Film Financed

Thinking Like an Investor

• What investors are still out there?
• What do they want to see backing potential profit returns?
• What do you need to approach active and passive investors?

Details Underlying an Attractive ROI

• Optimizing production tax incentives
  (which ones are worth your while and how to monetize them)
• Private equity formulations that work
• Structuring the private placement
• Cost effective debt financing
• What do banks require in the current turbulent market place in order to
  provide debt?
• Which sales agents do banks find credit worthy?
• What is the right amount to pre-sell and why?
• Actor, director and producer deal memos fair to both sides
• How to get talent with little or no equity
• How to get the most P & A bang for your buck in search of your distribution
  deal

Jerome Courshon: The Secrets to Distribution

Distribution Deals: 9 Crucial Things to Know When Offered a Deal/Contract
(without these, expect trouble)

• What are Expense Caps and whey are these important?
• Foreign Sales Companies are notorious for charging tens of thousands of dollars to producers' movies for so-called "market expenses." Is this fair? What is equitable?
• What is a Performance Clause?
• Why should you negotiate a Guaranteed Release Date?
• 6 more crucial issues

Building a Pedigree

• What does this mean?
• Why is this important to securing distribution deals?
• What are the first couple of steps?
• Key Art (your poster artwork)

BIOGRAPHIES
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Bianca Bezdek-Goodloe, Esq. is a member of the New York Bar Association and a Foreign Registered Advocate with the European Union. Having worked at the top global and magic circle law firms Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP and Linklaters (in Prague, Berlin and London), Ms. Bezdek has years of experience in film finance, entertainment law and intellectual property, having also worked in development and production prior to practicing law.

Her clients include above and below-the-line talent, producers, writers, investors, and tax credit brokers. The films on which she has worked include Harry Potter 2, Lara Croft 1 & 2, Rush Hour 2, The Core, Paycheck, The Fighting Temptations, Marci X, Looney Tunes...Back in Action!, Malibu's Most Wanted, The Life of David Gale, I Am Sam, Abandon, 15 Minutes, Frequency, Final Destination and Next Friday, among others.

In 2003, Ms. Bezdek founded Bezdek Law. She is also an adjunct professor at New York University and University of California Los Angeles. Please visit her website for more information at www.bezdeklaw.com.

Jerome Courshon is an award-winning Producer/Writer, whose first movie was the critically acclaimed indie "God, Sex & Apple Pie," released by Warner Bros. His challenging journey to achieve effective distribution gave birth to the creation in 2006 of his powerful master class, "The Secrets to Distribution: Get Your Movie Distributed Now!"

Since then, Jerome has assisted hundreds of filmmakers with securing real distribution through his classes and speaking engagements, and has written for "MovieMaker Magazine," "Indie Slate Magazine" and "Film Festival Today Magazine," among other film publications. Read/view some of his articles or podcasts, freely available at his website www.Distribution.LA.

Donald E. Bertrand, Esq. is a veteran financial-sector corporate attorney turned entertainment lawyer, & entrepreneur; a graduate of Yale Law School, Don provides entertainment law services in CT, MA & NY to film, TV, music & literary industries as well as general business development law support from his principal office located in West Haven, CT; Don is the Legal Director of the New York Film Synergy Group and co-founder of Film Synergy Magic, LLC incubator and development-stage film production company; Member of Entertainment & Sports Law Section at New York State Bar Assoc. ("NYSBA"), Member of NY Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Moderator of SongsInLitigation blog, Director Greater New Haven Business and Prof. Assoc., Member New Haven Arts Council, and author of various published legal compliance and entertainment law articles.

Tom Lassu is a Hungarian-American Writer/Director, former organizer of the New York Chapter for the Institute for International Film Financing and the founder of the Film Synergy Group - focused on creating a “Permanent Film Crew” - among other ambitions. Mr. Lassu earned a Masters Degree from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, he is also the director and producer of short films and documentaries. As an actor, he worked on Boardwalk Empire, Stepford Wives, The Interpreter, theater productions in New York and several short films. His activities also include Writing, Story Development, Script-doctoring, Directing, Producing, Research, Hiring and Supervising, Teaching, Training, Management, Logistics, Filemaker Database Services, some Camera & Editing, Music Consultant, and currently learning about Scheduling and Budgeting.

FEQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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How Will the Class be Conducted Over the Web?
We will send you Adobe Reader *.pdf documents that you can study in advance and peruse during the the presentation. The audio portion will be provided through dialing in from your telephone. Note that some toll and international charges (outside that US) may apply, check your phone company regarding rates.

Detailed log-in instructions will be e-mailed to all participants a day before the actual class start time. Please login 5-7 minnutes early!

What if I am in a Different Time Zone?
The class starts at 10 AM Pacific Time, 1 PM Eastern Time on Saturday, September 26th 2008 and it will last 2.5 hours. Visit the links to find other time zones:

http://www.onlineconversion.com/timezone.htm
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html

Can You Cover All the Materials Listed in Such a Short Time?
Well, we will try to hilight as much as possible. However, this is an introductory class; we will soon offer longer courses, both online and in-person.