Using Section 181 to help finance your project:
The clock is ticking and there are only 20 days remaining to use section 181. If you are not familiar with Internal Revenue Code section 181, as a film maker shame on you. Federal job act allows for a production tax incentives. Section 181 allows for a 100 % tax deduction for motion pictures and TV sieres, oppose to film amortization over a 15 year period.
An investor will be able to make an investment with your project for a great ROI without giving up the 100% immediate deduction in the current year committed. Here are some of the guidelines to follow to become eligble for this deduction.
“75% of the motion picture must be shot in the US to qualify for Section 181.
- There is a 15 to 20 million dollar budget cap.
- There is no minimum film production budget cost.
- TV pilots, TV episodes (up to 44), short films, music videos and feature films all qualify for Section 181.
- Section 181 can be applied to active income or passive income.
- Investors can be either individuals or businesses.
- Section 181 is retroactive.
- There is no expectation for film distribution or film completion.
- The motion picture’s corporation issues Schedule K-1’s to the investors so they can take advantage of Section 181”.
For an investor the qualifty deduction allows tax rebates and incentives, additional federal and state incentives, may have NOL to carryback two years or carryforward for twenty. If investors are set with this years tax incentives, make sure you take advantage of the grandfather rule in section 181 benefits by memorializing your project before December 31, 2011. Every dollar counts, so think like an investor.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Indie Film Distribution
Now that you have completed your very first film project, what’s next? Are you waiting for your phone to ring and at the other end of the phone is one of the major studios? Are your hopes that MGM, Paramount, Fox or Sony will list your title as there latest discovery of this year’s best independent films? Are you hoping for an offer to purchase your film at seven times the production cost? The odds of this happening is like winning the lottery or being selected number one in the NBA draft, not impossible, just unlikely.
Let’s not give up, there is more opportunity out their then you may know. Now it’s time for phase two of a three phase process. If your team is in place, let the self-distribution begin.
http://www.filmindependent.org/news-and-blog/diy-distribution-distribution-can-you-really-do-it-all-yourself/
Phase 2
This is where a good producer takes the lead and assembles a media team that includes public relations and marketing. A CPA or accountant is needed to control the print and advertising budget. A competent attorney is need to review exhibitors agreements. And of course, you must have great artwork that will capture the audience’s attention.
Most theatrical exhibitors are worried about the marketing plan supporting the film and if the project has enough publicity. Do not be concerned; if the exhibitor has a better offer, they will have no trobule accepting it. It’s about the business of sales and profit, not art and expression. Your indie is showing over the weekend because there’s not a new release that will occupy this theater. Move forward with your plans of recouping your production costs and bringing happiness to your investors. This is the beginning of the next funded project. There’s nothing better then a happy investor, they will advertise there profits to other investors.
http://www.filmindependent.org/news-and-blog/international-sales-agents-do-your-homework/
Phase 3
Now that your feeling yourself, it’s time to act as a major studio and branch out to other countries. Unlike phase 2, your team will not be under your control. You will need to rely on an international sales agent. If you want to play with the big boys, this is what most of them do!
Contract with skilled international sales agents that can place your film in a market that will receive the film with outstanding reviews. Think about the possibilities of having your project in Canada, South America, Germany and Africa. This won’t be cheap, it may run from 25% - 35% of the gross sales of international sales. Your investors are loving you now☺ they are requesting you to start the next production project with the same winning formula. That’s the best fan club any director or producer can ask for.
Let’s not give up, there is more opportunity out their then you may know. Now it’s time for phase two of a three phase process. If your team is in place, let the self-distribution begin.
http://www.filmindependent.org/news-and-blog/diy-distribution-distribution-can-you-really-do-it-all-yourself/
Phase 2
This is where a good producer takes the lead and assembles a media team that includes public relations and marketing. A CPA or accountant is needed to control the print and advertising budget. A competent attorney is need to review exhibitors agreements. And of course, you must have great artwork that will capture the audience’s attention.
Most theatrical exhibitors are worried about the marketing plan supporting the film and if the project has enough publicity. Do not be concerned; if the exhibitor has a better offer, they will have no trobule accepting it. It’s about the business of sales and profit, not art and expression. Your indie is showing over the weekend because there’s not a new release that will occupy this theater. Move forward with your plans of recouping your production costs and bringing happiness to your investors. This is the beginning of the next funded project. There’s nothing better then a happy investor, they will advertise there profits to other investors.
http://www.filmindependent.org/news-and-blog/international-sales-agents-do-your-homework/
Phase 3
Now that your feeling yourself, it’s time to act as a major studio and branch out to other countries. Unlike phase 2, your team will not be under your control. You will need to rely on an international sales agent. If you want to play with the big boys, this is what most of them do!
Contract with skilled international sales agents that can place your film in a market that will receive the film with outstanding reviews. Think about the possibilities of having your project in Canada, South America, Germany and Africa. This won’t be cheap, it may run from 25% - 35% of the gross sales of international sales. Your investors are loving you now☺ they are requesting you to start the next production project with the same winning formula. That’s the best fan club any director or producer can ask for.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Thandie Newton: Embracing otherness, embracing myself
The curtain opened and this slim and beautiful lady stepped forward to the microphone. She introduced her self as, Ms. Thandiwe Ajdewa Newton of Zambia, Africa. Thandie, as she likes to be called, goes on to describe how she came to know herself and what she went through to discover the real her.
It was a heart-warming admission of guilt of a life style that included anxieties, shame and a lack of acceptance due to having a black mother from Zambia, Africa and white father from Cornwall, England. Thandie, suffered from bulimia and low self-esteem before she discovered a temporary relief in the performing arts.
It is rare to see someone of this magnitude truly open up and share their personal life of trials and tribulations. She single handily captured the audience emotionally and there trust never wavered. At that point Thandie became an inspiration for all that heard her confession. The truth will set you free.
As I embraced her words, I could not help but think that Thandie lacked branding. I know she is a human being, but she is now a star that is treated as a commodity for marketing and promotions. Her value as an actress was determined by the ticket sales of her last film.
However, she as a person could not relate to either side of her heritage. Her dilemma was which one to choose, so she embraced and branded herself with the term “Otherness”.
The idea of branding one’s self may sound peculiar but very necessary to continue down life’s path. Branding offers a peace of mind in knowing from where you came from and where you are going. Your brand is that certainty you can depend on.
It was a heart-warming admission of guilt of a life style that included anxieties, shame and a lack of acceptance due to having a black mother from Zambia, Africa and white father from Cornwall, England. Thandie, suffered from bulimia and low self-esteem before she discovered a temporary relief in the performing arts.
It is rare to see someone of this magnitude truly open up and share their personal life of trials and tribulations. She single handily captured the audience emotionally and there trust never wavered. At that point Thandie became an inspiration for all that heard her confession. The truth will set you free.
As I embraced her words, I could not help but think that Thandie lacked branding. I know she is a human being, but she is now a star that is treated as a commodity for marketing and promotions. Her value as an actress was determined by the ticket sales of her last film.
However, she as a person could not relate to either side of her heritage. Her dilemma was which one to choose, so she embraced and branded herself with the term “Otherness”.
The idea of branding one’s self may sound peculiar but very necessary to continue down life’s path. Branding offers a peace of mind in knowing from where you came from and where you are going. Your brand is that certainty you can depend on.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
BIG BROTHER
Big Brother
Has there been a time in business that you wish you had a big brother to aid or assist you in battle. As an independent film and TV production company, you should consider joining the team of the Independent Film and Television Alliance (IFTA).
This is a worldwide organization that services the needs of independents in the areas of continual market access and trade barriers, intellectual property, production incentives, international marketplace conditions, film finance and security interests.
In a nutshell, they provide the international business development staff that eludes most of the independents. As a production company these are programs you can’t be without.
Market Access / Trade Barriers
Your big brother, IFTA fights to even the playing field for international film and TV distribution channels. IFTA is allied with the international Federation of Film Producers Association and other worldwide organizations whose mission is to ensure the sharing of international productions and distributions.
Intellectual Property (IP)
Whether your production company is small, medium or large, the IFTA will represent their members in Washington D.C. over anti-piracy issues before the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Protecting the interests of IP from country’s not willing to provide copyright protection within its borders.
The IFTA works with the United States Trade Representatives in criminal trademark and copyright infringements. Knowing that big brother has your back you can concentrate on more creative projects and have some insurance that international revenue can be realized.
Production Incentives
As a filmmaker or TV producer, how many times have you wished for an additional 10 or 15 % added to your production budget. Your big brother is an advocate for national and local initiatives to ensure that independents receive there fair share of financial incentives.
International Marketplace Conditions
If you are interested in filming in other countries, but don’t know where to start, your big brother at IFTA does. The IFTA can provide you with research and analysis of various government bodies. They can advocate on your behalf and alert you to all issues that can affect the marketplace conditions.
Film Finance and Security Interests
There’s not one production company that would turn down their own personal banker or worldwide film financer. IFTA advocates and communicates with international film financing and banking institutions with each countries film financing issues and rules throughout the world.
In the film and television production business there are several choices of professional associations to consider, however very few are as complete as IFTA. It’s the business side that is rarely spoken about, but always needed.
Has there been a time in business that you wish you had a big brother to aid or assist you in battle. As an independent film and TV production company, you should consider joining the team of the Independent Film and Television Alliance (IFTA).
This is a worldwide organization that services the needs of independents in the areas of continual market access and trade barriers, intellectual property, production incentives, international marketplace conditions, film finance and security interests.
In a nutshell, they provide the international business development staff that eludes most of the independents. As a production company these are programs you can’t be without.
Market Access / Trade Barriers
Your big brother, IFTA fights to even the playing field for international film and TV distribution channels. IFTA is allied with the international Federation of Film Producers Association and other worldwide organizations whose mission is to ensure the sharing of international productions and distributions.
Intellectual Property (IP)
Whether your production company is small, medium or large, the IFTA will represent their members in Washington D.C. over anti-piracy issues before the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Protecting the interests of IP from country’s not willing to provide copyright protection within its borders.
The IFTA works with the United States Trade Representatives in criminal trademark and copyright infringements. Knowing that big brother has your back you can concentrate on more creative projects and have some insurance that international revenue can be realized.
Production Incentives
As a filmmaker or TV producer, how many times have you wished for an additional 10 or 15 % added to your production budget. Your big brother is an advocate for national and local initiatives to ensure that independents receive there fair share of financial incentives.
International Marketplace Conditions
If you are interested in filming in other countries, but don’t know where to start, your big brother at IFTA does. The IFTA can provide you with research and analysis of various government bodies. They can advocate on your behalf and alert you to all issues that can affect the marketplace conditions.
Film Finance and Security Interests
There’s not one production company that would turn down their own personal banker or worldwide film financer. IFTA advocates and communicates with international film financing and banking institutions with each countries film financing issues and rules throughout the world.
In the film and television production business there are several choices of professional associations to consider, however very few are as complete as IFTA. It’s the business side that is rarely spoken about, but always needed.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
NEED TO KNOW WHAT COST TO CONSISDER WHEN MAKING YOUR FILM???
See examples of the type of expenses that production companies have from start to finish.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Independent Movie Theatre by State
The following information is provided by Indiefilmpage.com
"Our goal is to make this the most comprehensive list of indie and art house theaters on the web. Please forward theater URL's, send us corrections and deletions: Click here"
"Our goal is to make this the most comprehensive list of indie and art house theaters on the web. Please forward theater URL's, send us corrections and deletions: Click here"
Friday, September 9, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Intro
If you are an independent film maker and are having trouble distributing your film, you are not alone. Most experts, i.e., (Sales Agents, Brokers/Financier's and Film Executives) say Less then 2% of all independent films completed each year are actually offered a theatrical distribution deal. If you are not in that 2% field, Follow TAFDIST blog, to get the latest tips on changing your odds.
We will critique and rank the best websites, for the most current information on independent film distribution. Create a specific, step-by-step guide on film financing, bonding and distribution. Post interviews and links of independent film makers, executives and sales agents to hear there comments on the who, what, were and when of film distribution.
Post interviews and links:
Independent Music Producer turns Filmmaker
All That Gliders Isn't Gold
We will critique and rank the best websites, for the most current information on independent film distribution. Create a specific, step-by-step guide on film financing, bonding and distribution. Post interviews and links of independent film makers, executives and sales agents to hear there comments on the who, what, were and when of film distribution.
Post interviews and links:
Independent Music Producer turns Filmmaker
All That Gliders Isn't Gold
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