OPTIONAL PREP COURSES | Tuesday, March 8, 2011
1:00 - 4:00 pm
TRACK A: FOR NEW ENTRANTS/FINANCIERS
Anatomy of the Film Business
- Lifecycle of a film from acquiring property to the last broadcast
- Budgeting from line items to sales projections
- Identifying partners with aligned interests
Prep course instructor:
Steven Fayne, Visiting Professor, Media Finance, UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television
Partner, Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld LLP
1:00 - 4:00 pm
TRACK B: FOR INDEPENDENT PRODUCERS
Film Finance 101
- Understanding capital structure from private lending to equity vs. debt and bridge financing
- Preparing pre-packages and business plans
- Approaching and pitching to lenders and investors
Prep course instructor:
Philip Fier, Principal, Focus Advisory Services
***Registration rate per workshop: $75 in addition to the standard registration fee
5:00 - 8:00
WELCOMING RECEPTION
Sponsored by:
Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce & Rums of Puerto Rico
DAY ONE | Wednesday, March 9, 2011
7:30 - 8:30 am
Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:30 - 8:45
Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:45 - 9:00
State of the Industry Overview
Industry overview by:
Patrick Russo, Principal, The Salter Group
9:00 - 10:15
Five Reasons to Get Into the Film Business Now and Five Ways to Help you Stay
The opening panel will address where film finance is heading from slate deals to new deals; present new drivers of revenue; explore BRIC opportunities; share views on financing 2D vs. 3D films; and provide their insights on how to capitalize on the film business as a non-correlated investment strategy.
Co-Moderators: Clint Kisker, Director, Screen Capital International
Sean Kisker, EVP of Strategic Planning & Operations, Motion Picture Group, Lionsgate
Panelists: Adrian Alperovich, President, Acquisitions & Operations, FilmDistrict
Ashok Amritraj, Chief Executive Officer, Hyde Park Entertainment Group
Nick Meyer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Sierra/Affinity
David Shaheen, Managing Director, Head of Entertainment Industry Group, JPMorgan Chase
Jeff Small, President and Chief Operating Officer, DreamWorks Studios
10:15 - 10:45
Refreshments and Ice Breaker Session
10:45 - 11:45
Business Models for Digital Content and Electronic Delivery
What are the implications of digital/electronic distribution on the film business? What types of alternative content will emerge? And what business models are working to monetize the digital space? This panel will address these questions, in addition to discussing digital protection and management issues.
Moderator: Kara Swisher, All Things Digital, Wall Street Journal
Panelists: Cliff Plumer, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Domain
Logan Mulvey, President, GoDigital Media Group
Michael Murphy, Executive Vice President, Gravitas Ventures
11:45 - 12:45
Demand for Private Capital: Smart Money Insights
As media companies and studios regroup post-recession and develop their operating budgets for new releases and new modes of distribution, the market is focused on new forms of private capital to invest in the industry. This appears to be of growing interest not only among independent producers but also among the major studios. Is there a new pro-investor model for private capital evolving in the industry?
Moderator: Marshall Sonenshine, Chairman and Managing Partner, Sonenshine Partners
Panelists: James Moore, Chief Executive Officer, Vine Alternative Investments
Rena Ronson, Co-Head, Independent Film Department, United Talent Agency
Jessica Schell, EVP and Head of Strategy, Universal Studios
12:45 - 1:45
Networking Luncheon
1:45 - 2:45
The Lending Market: The Resurgence of Debt Capital
Is there still a credit crunch or is the debt market finally loosening up? If so, which banks and mezzanine lenders are providing capital creatively and at what cost to investors and producers? And what new strategies are available to increase the likelihood of a loan approval in the face of a difficult pre-sales market? For example, is there any way for banks to lend against production risks?
Moderator: Jay Cohen, Head of Film Financing and Packaging, The Gersh Agency
Panelists: Christine Ball, Senior Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager, Wells Fargo Capital Finance
Jean-Luc DeFanti, Managing Partner, Winchester Capital Management
Charles Heaphy, SVP, Team Leader, Entertainment Division, City National Bank
Jared Underwood, Senior Vice President and Group Manager, Entertainment, Comerica Bank
2:45 - 3:45
Controlling Volatility and Mitigating Risk
Film investments are more volatile by nature, but can offer significant returns when the degree of risk involved is carefully assessed and managed. This panel of experts will provide ways to mitigate risk by addressing how to create certain revenue streams, identify partners with aligned interests, and evaluate risks through technology solutions.
Moderator: Clark Hallren, Managing Partner, Clear Scope Partners
Panelists:
Joseph Chianese, SVP of Tax, Production Planning, and Business Development, Entertainment Partners
Keith Kjarval, Founder and President, Unified Pictures
Fred Milstein, Managing Director, AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services
Scott Parish, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Alcon Entertainment
Stephen Prough, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Salem Partners
3:45 - 4:00
Coffee Break
4:00 - 5:00
Fighting for Distribution: Effective Pre-Sales and Marketing Strategies
Guaranteeing pre-sales has never been more challenging, even as the market begins to recover from the economic downturn. This group of experts will address effective ways to meet today’s pre-sale demands and discuss how to generate the right budget; secure attractive elements; re-define the domestic audience; and work within limited P&A/marketing budgets.
Moderator: Tim O’Hair, Head of Production, Parallel Media
Panelists: Jonathan Deckter, President, International Sales & Distribution, IM Global
Micah Green, Co-Lead, Film Finance and Sales, Creative Artists Agency
Delphine Perrier, President of International, Stonebrook International
Michael Schaefer, SVP, Acquisitions and Co-productions, Summit Entertainment
5:00 - 6:00
Monetizing on Tax Incentives and Subsidies in a Transition Year
As state administrations transition with new film commissioners and budget cuts, how can producers and lenders continue to monetize on soft money in 2011? This panel of experts will provide strategies on how to acquire tax credits and rebates and what states to work with. Additionally, gain insight into how you can enhance the incentives and expedite payments.
Moderator: Dama Claire, Production Executive, The Incentives Office
Panelists: Lenny Alsfeld, President and CEO, FBT Investments
Ward Emling, Director, Mississippi Film Office
Marshall Moore, Director, Utah Film Commission
Adrian Ward, SVP, Entertainment, Sports and Media Department, National Bank of California
José R. Pérez-Riera, Secretary, Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce
Antonio Sifre-Sein, Attorney, Toro Colon Mullet Rivera & Sifre, PSC
6:00 - 8:00
NETWORKING RECEPTION
Sponsored by:
Aon/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services
DAY TWO | Thursday, March 10, 2011
8:00 - 8:30 am
Continental Breakfast
8:30 - 8:45
Recap of Day One and Introduction to Day Two
8:45 - 9:15
The Evolution of Netflix
Keynote Chat with Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer, Netflix
Hosted by:
Peter Caranicas, Deputy Editor, Variety
9:15 - 10:15
Working with Brands: Investment Partnerships and Capitalizing on Multiple Revenue Products
How are production companies getting innovative with advertisers beyond product placement? How does it affect content and profit? What does it take to capitalize on established franchises from acquiring and negotiating IP rights? And in what ways are brands creating multiple revenue resources for themselves and for their partners?
Moderator: Jeff Andrick, Owner, XL.Ent Media Group
Panelists: Steve Amato, Founding Partner, Omelet
Warren Franklin, Chief Executive Officer, Rainmaker Entertainment
Mike Harris, Partner and Chief Strategy Officer, agencytwofifteen
10:15 - 10:30
Coffee Break
10:30 - 11:30
Vetting Out P&A Funds for Investors and Producers
Last money in and first money out has always seemed like such a great way to invest in the film business which is why P&A funds have become so popular. However, with the emergence of the new wave of P&A funds, this panel will discuss how to assess a P&A fund from top to bottom from a financial, marketing, and distribution perspective in order to identify the best P&A fund to work with as an investor and/or producer.
Moderator: Bianca Bezdek-Goodloe, Managing Partner, Conduit Film Group
Panelists: Peter M. Graham II, Principal, 120dbfilms
Christopher Petzel, Chief Executive Officer, Fierce Entertainment
Harris Tulchin, Owner, Harris Tulchin & Associates
11:30 - 12:30 pm
How to Make Crowd-Funding Work For Filmmakers
Crowd-funding goes beyond sourcing for donations - there’s a strategy involved in building a community and a fan base around each project. This group of panelists will discuss what it takes to get a movie funded on these emerging sites, the benefits, and limitations.
Moderator: Jeff Steele, President, Film Closings
Panelists: Phil Botana, Head of Business Development, SoKap
George Brumder, Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer, Audience Productions
Adam Chapnick, Chief of Distribution, IndieGoGo
12:30
Forum Concludes
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