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IIFF New York City Film Financing Workshop (January 2012) in Manhattan: "Essential Financing & Producing Success: Make Your Next Film Happen Now" w/ Top Agent Turned Indie Producer

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:35:18 +0000

When:
Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (ET)

Where:
Simple Studios NYC
134 West 29th Street
Room 211 - 2nd floor
New York, NY 10001

Hosted By:
IIFF New York Metro Area

The Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF) is an innovative, independent social-impact organization that endeavors to bridge the gap between the worlds of filmmaking and finance for the benefit of all stakeholders – including the public at large.

Founded by Thomas Trenker in 2003 and headquartered in San Francisco, IIFF has chapters in the Bay Area, New York City, New England, Florida, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, London, the Pacific Northwest, the Lower Midwest, the Southwest and the Great Lakes Region.

Help launch or run an IIFF chapter in your area! We make it easy and worthwhile. Email the chapter development team and tell us about yourself. Or join our online community at http://forum.filmfinancing.org to keep in touch with a growing number of filmmakers and financiers.

Register for this event now at:
http://iiff-workshop-nyc-rss.eventbrite.com

Event Details:

IIFF/NY Film Financing Workshop with Top Agent Turned Independent Producer

Essential Film Financing & Producing Success: Make Your Next Film Happen Now

A nuts-and-bolts, bottom-line, no-bull and empowering full-day seminar distilled from 25+ years of hands-on industry experience

*** Don't miss upcoming events in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, New York and London ***

Abstract

"Jim Jermanok brings tremendous knowledge, depth and passion to his workshops. His insight and enthusiasm are not only inspirational, but very, very practical. Jim has a refreshingly honest and direct point of view […]"

— Nick Yellen, Professor at New York Film Academy

"[…] I can tell you this: You should not miss his next workshop. Jim Jermanok changed my life and career and he can make a difference in yours."

— Ray Yeates, Director of Axis Arts Centre, Ballymun in Dublin, Ireland

This unique workshop answers all your questions about financing an independent film. You will receive practical advice from a seasoned expert and walk away with a proven method of success for advancing your career goals.

Former longtime ICM agent and active award-winning film producer Jim Jermanok has distilled over twenty-five years of professional film and entertainment experience into a nuts-and-bolts, bottom-line, no-bull and empowering one-day workshop. Rarely has a former talent agent from a leading, major agency been available to give his uncensored take on feature financing and production.

By the end of the day, you will have acquired the skills and knowledge necessary to confidently and competently go about financing and producing a movie.

Seminar Description

"After enjoying Jim Jermanok's workshop, my membership was both informed and motivated to put his real-world show business advice into practice, and vault to the next plateau of their creative careers."

— Steven Arvanities, Founder of NYCscreenwriter

Essential Financing & Producing Lessons

Using his real-life experiences and those of many other prominent financiers and producers in the film business, Jim Jermanok will impart the key lessons he learned during his entertainment career of twenty-five years.

He will teach you how to refine your financing and producing strategy; distinguish yourself and your project; pitch with confidence; find and convince financiers and investors; employ the art of the schmooze to your fullest advantage; succeed with talent agents and managers, distributors, sales agents and other industry executives; and much, much more.

You Can Achieve Success Right Now

What it boils down to is this:

Jim shows you how to succeed in the film business.
Jim shows you how to make your movie happen right now.

Priceless Insights From Uncommon Perspective

Our expert instructor draws his valuable insights from a rare vantage point: current experience as an active, award-winning feature filmmaker combined with his professional background as an agent at America's biggest talent agency. While at International Creative Management (ICM), Jim was privy to the bottom-line realities of how leading film financiers and producers succeed. He learned what common qualities and skills they share in contrast to the majority of those who fail.

Trusted by Movie Stars & Industry Legends

At ICM, Jim represented and nurtured the careers of Alan Arkin, John Chancellor, E.L. Doctorow, Lou Gossett Jr., Helen Hayes, Sir Ben Kingsley, Burt Lancaster, Shirley MacLaine, Arthur Miller, Dudley Moore, Harry Reasoner, Andy Rooney, Henry Winkler and other stars. Many of them will be quoted verbatim.

Advisor to Hedge Funds & Investors

Jim has also served as a consultant and advisor to numerous production companies, producers, hedge funds and investors. He developed a genuinely inspiring approach to achieving success in the film businesses. His distinctive method and philosophy is enriched by the financing and producing experiences of hundreds of industry professionals he knows and has worked with.

You will be in excellent hands with Jim.

"[O]ne of the best speakers we have offered at San Diego City College. The faculty, staff, and students responded so favorably that not a day goes by that they do not ask when Mr. Jermanok will visit again. They loved his ability to speak about the entertainment industry from all angles. His presentation was insightful, frank, funny and extremely informative."

— Prof. Pamela S. Perkins, Director of World Cultures Program at San Diego City College

Learning Outcomes

"[Jim's] insight, humor and passion were absolutely contagious and inspiring."

— Kierstin Schupack, Director of White Sands International Film Festival

This course conveys valuable skills and knowledge that any film entrepreneur will find useful.

Skills

You will develop important hands-on skills such as:

Distinguish, promote & pitch yourself & your film
Select the right script & what to watch out for
Develop a networking system & schmooze like a pro
Locate, approach & convince investors
Understand essential legal paperwork & terms
Find & succeed with agents & managers
Work with distributors & sales agents
Assemble a team that can & will deliver

Knowledge

You will be exposed to many mission-critical topics including:

Current sources of independent film financing
What prospective investors need to know now
Types of movies that are presently selling
"Soft money" film funding opportunities
Why networking really is the key to your success
State & international production incentives
Mechanics of international co-productions
Brand integration & branded entertainment
How to use the Internet to reach your goals
Differences & similarities between film & other entertainment investments including scripted & reality TV, theater & new media

Review the full Workshop program for additional details. »

Featured Instructor

The Workshop will be expertly taught by Jim Jermanok (IMDb | LinkedIn | Facebook | website), a longtime talent agent turned award-winning producer, director and writer of narrative and documentary feature films.

Jim wrote and produced the highly acclaimed romantic comedy "Passionada," which was released by Columbia TriStar in over 150 countries. It starred Jason Isaacs, Seymour Cassel, Theresa Russell, Sofia Milos and introduced Emmy Rossum ("Phantom of the Opera"). Jim recently won the Grand Jury Prize at the Seattle International Film Festival for his film "Em," a romantic drama about loss and love. Set in San Francisco, the film went on to win the Criterion Collection's International Inspiration Award, the International Film Guide Award and Best Film at the Strasbourg International Film Festival. Jim won the Best Producer Award at the recent Brooklyn International Film Festival. "Em" was released by Vanguard Cinema in late October 2011. Jim recently finished directing "Agganis," a feature documentary about legendary New England athlete Harry Agganis.

A former ICM agent, Jim represented Shirley MacLaine, Burt Lancaster, Dudley Moore, Helen Hayes, Alan Arkin, Arthur Miller, Henry Winkler, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf and many others. »

Attendees

Who should attend?

Established and aspiring filmmakers looking to raise capital for their independent films, production companies, movie slates, film funds or other film-related ventures are well advised to participate in this high-value yet low-cost learning experience.

Entrepreneurs, consultants, attorneys, bankers, investment managers, venture capitalists, angel investors and other professionals with an interest in the business of film will also find the Workshop useful and worthwhile.

Why attend?

Whether you are new to the subject of film finance, need to brush up your relevant skills or want to deepen and expand your topical knowledge, this seminar is right for you!

Don't miss the rare opportunity to gain crucial insights from a top expert in the field. Connect with like-minded peers and potential collaborators in the process.

Workshop Venue

Simple Studios NYC

134 W 29th St
(between 6th & 7th Ave)
Room 211 - 2nd floor
New York, NY 10001
(212) 273-9696

Map: Get a map of 134 W 29th St at Ask, Bing, Google, MapQuest or Yahoo.

Our Host

This world-class Film Financing Workshop in New York City takes place at Simple Studios NYC, a premiere studio rental space in Midtown Manhattan. Built by artists for artists, it provides a clean, friendly and professional environment and prides itself as a peaceful oasis of creative energy. The newly renovated 10,000 square foot space features 13 beautiful, state-of-the-art rooms with numerous amenities including free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, stage lighting and a comfortable, spacious lobby. Among the most beautiful facilities of its kind in Manhattan, Simple Studios is perfect for classes, meetings, rehearsals, auditions, readings, coaching sessions, temporary offices, photo shoots, small-to-medium video production, and much more. It is also a great place for special events such as birthday parties, anniversaries and meet-and-greets.

Questions? Get answers in IIFF's Film Financing Forum!

Schedule

From	To	What
10:00 AM	10:30 AM	Registration, Welcome & Networking (½ hr)
10:30 AM	12:30 PM	Workshop Session I with Jim Jermanok (2 hrs)
12:30 PM	1:30 PM	Lunch & Networking Break (1 hr)
1:30 PM	3:30 PM	Workshop Session II with Jim Jermanok (2 hrs)
3:30 PM	4:00 PM	Networking Break (½ hr)
4:00 PM	6:00 PM	Workshop Session III with Jim Jermanok (2 hrs)
6:00+ PM		Community Time at Nearby Restaurant

Program Details

Session I (2 hours) with Jim Jermanok

My Agent & Producer Background
Agents & Managers

What They Can & Can't Do for You
How to Deal with Them

Get the Right Kind of Attention From Financiers & Producers

Distinguishing Yourself & Your Projects
Promoting Yourself & Your Projects

Key Promotional Materials for Film Financing
Five Essential Head Starts to Finance Your Film

Session II (2 hours) with Jim Jermanok

Concept Is Key: Selecting & Developing the Right Script
Effective Research

How to Locate the Right Investors & Producers
Determining if Financing is Possible & if Not, Why Not

Successful Networking for Producing & Financing Films

The Art of Schmoozing: Do It Like a Pro
How to Meet the Right Financiers & Producers
Creating an Effective Networking System
Networking Hierarchy: What to Ask a Third Party

Informational Interviews with Industry Pros

How to Obtain Them
What to Do When You Get There

Session III (2 hours) with Jim Jermanok

Status Quo of the Independent Film Industry

Present Sources of Film Funding
What Investors Need to Know Now

The Pitch: How to Convince Financiers to Back Your Project
Basic Legal Paperwork, Contracts & Terms
International Productions & Co-Productions
Distributors & Sales Agents

Speaker Bios

Jim Jermanok

An award-winning writer, director and producer, Jim Jermanok wrote and produced "Passionada," a sophisticated romantic comedy that was released in over 120 American cities in summer-autumn of 2003. It was later released in 2004-2005 by Columbia TriStar in over 150 countries. The film stars Jason Isaacs ("The Patriot," "Harry Potter"), Sofia Milos ("CSI: Miami"), Emmy Rossum ("Phantom of the Opera"), Theresa Russell and Seymour Cassel. "Passionada" was the prestigious closing night film of the Seattle International Film Festival. Since its release by The Samuel Goldwyn Company, the film received high praise from prominent American film critics. Ebert and Roper gave it "Two Thumbs Up!" on their weekly television program and syndicated column. Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times writes: "The Jermanoks strive for and achieve a romantic comedy with humorous, fanciful plotting yet shaded by genuine tenderness and passion." Rex Reed of the New York Observer adds that "'Passionada' is a charming and luxurious romantic interlude carefully constructed and greatly enhanced by fresh dialogue."

Most recently, Mr. Jermanok produced "Em," a romantic drama about loss and love. "Em" had its world premiere at the Seattle International Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize. It went on to win the Criterion Collection's International Inspiration Award, the International Film Guide Award, the Best Film Award at the Strasbourg International Film Festival and Best Producer Award at the Brooklyn International Film Festival. The film was released in October 2011 by Vanguard Cinema.

Mr. Jermanok recently finished directing a feature documentary narrated by Olympia Dukakis, "The Golden Greek: The Harry Agganis Story," about the extraordinary and beloved New England sports legend of years past. He previously wrote and produced a highly praised thirty-minute film, "Clear Cut," starring Calista Flockhart and Stephen Fry. He has also written "High Moon," a full-length screenplay commissioned by Just Betzer, the Academy Award-winning Producer of "Babette's Feast."

Jim Jermanok was an agent one of the world's largest talent and literary agencies, International Creative Management (ICM), for eight years. Within a year of starting in the mailroom, he was promoted to a full-fledged agent at the age of 25. Mr. Jermanok represented Alan Arkin, John Chancellor, E.L. Doctorow, Helen Hayes, Burt Lancaster, Shirley MacLaine, Arthur Miller, Dudley Moore, Harry Reasoner, Andy Rooney, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf and Henry Winkler, among others. »

Registration

Filmmaker-friendly, affordable online registration is available at the top of this page.

Ticket type	IIFF Member	Non-member	Registration deadline
Early bird	$75	$95	3 weeks before event
Regular	$100	$120	1 week before event
Last minute	$125	$145	1 day before event
On-site (at the door)	$175	$195	Day of event

Register now to secure the best available price!

Need Help?

Direct all your questions and inquiries about this event to IIFF's online forum at http://forum.filmfinancing.org.

Having trouble with Eventbrite (this site), PayPal or Google Checkout? Get help in our online forum. You can also notify us by email well in advance of the event and register on-site.

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IIFF Pacific Northwest Film Financing Townhall in Vancouver (January 2012): Networking & Education for Financiers & Filmmakers

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:12:54 +0000

When:
Monday, January 30, 2012 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM (PT)

Where:
Vancouver Film School: Design Theatre
392 West Hastings Street
(SE corner of Homer & Hastings)
Vancouver, V6B 1K6
Canada

Hosted By:
IIFF Pacifc Northwest

Register for this event now at:
http://iiff-townhall-pnw-rss.eventbrite.com

Event Details:

NW Film Financing Townhall at Vancouver Film School

Film Meets Finance:
Networking & Education for
Filmmakers & Financiers

Six Insightful Talks by Leading Experts & More

*** Don't miss other events in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Kansas City and New York ***

Abstract

"To-the-point presentations on the latest trends and targeted networking with like-minded pros set this event apart from the rest. IIFF delivers no-nonsense insight and real opportunity." — Thomas Trenker, film financier

The Vancouver chapter of the Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF) continues its popular monthly gatherings at the junction of film & finance with a special Film Financing Townhall at the renowned Vancouver Film School. Their facilities are conveniently located in downtown Vancouver.

This grassroots community get-together is designed to foster & inform productive relationships between attendees. It provides unbiased insight & education about the business of film and film financing in particular. The event features a powerful roster of highly topical speakers from the filmmaking and financial industries. We are delighted to welcome real-world financiers among our guests!

The evening's five six presentations plus panel discussion address key issues relevant to filmmakers, financiers and anyone interested in the economics, business mechanics, and financial dynamics of motion pictures. They are followed by Q&A time. Attendees also have ample opportunity to interact & network with our featured experts and amongst themselves.

An informal après-meeting celebration will take place at a nearby restaurant.

Attendees

Who should attend?

Entrepreneurs, consultants, attorneys, bankers, investment managers, venture capitalists, angel investors and other professionals with an interest in the movie business will find this event worthwhile. Everyone who cares about independent film is cordially invited to join us.

Are you considering taking an active role in film, or would you like to expand your current involvement? Don't miss this high-value yet low-cost learning experience and the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers.

Established & aspiring filmmakers looking to raise capital for their projects, production companies, movie slates, film funds or other ventures are, naturally, more than welcome as well.

Why attend?

New to film finance? Need to brush up your topical knowledge? Want to deepen your understanding? Care to participate in an ongoing conversation & community dedicated to the subject? This uniquely valuable gathering is right for you!

Gain crucial insights from leading experts in their field. Network with fellow film & finance professionals. Meet potential collaborators and future business partners. All this at a price that is hard to beat.

Program Details

Make an Impression: How to Pitch Your Movie Successfully

Mass Abedi (bio), Producer & Owner at Abco Film Corp., produces AhornTV for Omni Television; fmr. Production Manager for Germany's 1st TV network ARD (world's 2nd largest public broadcaster); fmr. Supervising Producer at RTL (Croatia), worked on "Big Brother" weekly live reality show; fmr. Head of Production at German film production & distribution company Helkon Media AG; fmr. Production Manager at Kirch Group's SportsNetwork DSF & at Plaza Media Broadcast Center; fmr. Asst. Project Manager & Production Controller at Berlusconi's Tele 5 … »
International Film Finance: The Chinese Co-Production Opportunity

Raymond Massey (bio), Principal at Anji Bridge Fund, which finances Chinese-Canadian deals; President at Massey Productions; produced or supervised 20+ feature films, MOWs & miniseries; Producer of Gemini Award-nominated & Leo Award-winning "Iron Road" (Sam Neill, Peter O'Toole); had films featured at festivals worldwide incl. Toronto, Venice, Sundance, NYC & LA Asian Film Fest; sits on Board of Canadian Film Centre; Chairman of Massey Foundation … »
Funding Made-for-TV Movies: Helpful Pointers for Filmmakers & Financiers

Kaleena Kiff (bio), Producer & Director at Red Squared Media Group; Executive Producer of "Marilyn" (Allison Mack, Ryan Robbins); Producer of "Death Do Us Part" (Christine Chatelain, Peter Benson) & "Locked Out" (David Lewis); Creator, Writer & Director of SyFy series "Riese" (Amanda Tapping); previously worked on many TV series & movies incl. "Supernatural," "Smallville," "Family Ties," "Three's Company," "Trapped," "Oliver & Company," "Jaws: The Revenge," "Snow Dogs," "The Jeffersons," "The New Leave It to Beaver," "Ratz" … »
Digital Dollars: Get the Money for Your Interactive Project

Erez Barzilay (bio), Founder & Development/Production Manager at Shailah Interactive, producing documentary films & interactive mobile content; R&D Interactive AV Producer of Supiki iPhone App at LinguaComm Enterprises; Asst. Director &/or Production Coordinator on "Stargate Atlantis" (SyFy), "Twilight: New Moon" (Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson), "King of Fighters" (Maggie Q, Sean Faris), "Alice" (SyFy), "Supernatural" (WB) … »
Fearless Financing: Using Tax Credits to Fund Your Film

Trent Carlson (bio), Producer & Director at Anagram Pictures; wrote & directed Golden Zenith Award-winning feature "The Delicate Art of Parking" (Andrew McNee, Dov Tiefenbach); produced "The Thaw" (Val Kilmer, Aaron Ashmore), "Fido" (Carrie-Anne Moss, Billy Connolly, Tim Blake Nelson), "Donovan's Echo" (Danny Glover, Bruce Greenwood) & "Mile Zero" (Michael Riley, Sabrina Grdevich); currently in production on comedy-drama "The Widow's Club" & sci-fi action adventure "Sky Chariots" … »
Totally Television: The Filmmaker's Guide to Producing for TV

Jason Margolis (bio), experienced director, producer, screenwriter & editor; currently Supervising Producer & Writer on "The Electric Playground" (G4, ABC, Australia's Sci Fi Channel); recipient of Nat'l Screen Institute's Totally Television Award for "Uncorked," Directors Guild's Kick Start Award for "After Shock," Fellowship from Praxis Centre for Screenwriters for "The Great One"; taught at Vancouver Film School & Art Institute of Vancouver … »

Featured Moderator

The event will be moderated by Javier Badillo (bio), a Venezuelan/Canadian film producer, director and entertainment business entrepreneur with multiple credits in over 100 productions. He brings a rich entertainment business experience to his current endeavors, Spitshine Flicks Entertainment and False Creek Films. Javier is also the Vancouver Regional Director for Raindance, an international independent filmmakers organization based in London, UK. Moreover, he helps organize and run IIFF's Film Financing Townhalls in Vancouver. »

Schedule

From	To	What
7:00 PM		Kick-Off & Welcome
7:00 PM	8:00 PM	Three Featured Presentations with Q&A (3x 20 mins)
8:00 PM	8:15 PM	Networking Break (15 mins)
8:15 PM	9:00 PM	Three Featured Presentations with Q&A (3x 15 mins)
9:00 PM	9:15 PM	Networking Break (15 mins)
9:15 PM	10:00 PM	Moderated Panel Discussion with Q&A (45 mins)
10:00 PM+		Community Time at Area Restaurant

Questions? Get answers in IIFF's Film Financing Forum!

Townhall Venue

Vancouver Film School (VFS)

392 W Hastings St
(S corner of Homer & Hastings St)
The Design Theatre
Vancouver, BC V6B 1K6
(604) 685-5808

Map: Get a map of 392 W Hastings St at Ask, Bing, Google, MapQuest or Yahoo.

Our Host

This month's Film Financing Townhall in Vancouver is hosted by the esteemed Vancouver Film School, a leading private entertainment arts school located in downtown Vancouver. VFS trains students in immersive production-oriented programs, each spanning one year or less, that encompass all aspects of visual media, from Film Production to Game Design to Animation and Visual Effects to Acting to Sound and more. Practicing industry professionals guide students as they create professional-quality reels and portfolios. In recent years, VFS alumni have won Oscars, Emmys and Independent Spirit Awards, and their work is showcased in hundreds of recent films, TV series and video games.

Registration

Filmmaker-friendly affordable online registration is available at the top of this page.

Ticket type	IIFF Member*	Non-member	Registration deadline
Early bird	$15	$30	3 weeks before event
Regular	$25	$40	1 week before event
Last minute	$35	$50	1 day before event
On-site (at the door)	$45	$60	Day of event

Register now to secure the best available price!

* To learn more about membership, email our Membership Bureau or ask an IIFF staffer at or after the event.

Need Help?

Direct all your questions and inquiries about this event to IIFF's online forum at http://forum.filmfinancing.org.

Having trouble with Eventbrite (this site), PayPal or Google Checkout? Get help in our online forum. You can also notify us by email well in advance of the event and register on-site.

Speaker Bios

Javier Badillo

Moderator

Javier Badillo is a Venezuelan/Canadian film producer, director and entertainment business entrepreneur. With multiple credits in over 100 productions, including independent features, shorts, music videos, commercials and corporate videos, Javier brings a rich entertainment business experience to his current endeavors, Spitshine Flicks Entertainment (TV, film and animation development and production) and False Creek Films (stereoscopic 3D production and education). He had previously started successful companies in the music, animation and film industries in Malaysia, China and Canada. Javier is also the Vancouver Regional Director for Raindance, an international independent filmmakers organization based in London, UK. »

Thomas Trenker

Founder

A Wall Street investment banker and Silicon Valley startup executive turned independent film financier, Thomas (LinkedIn profile | full bio) serves as Chairman of the Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF). An innovative and ambitious social-impact organization, IIFF endeavors to bridge the gap between the worlds of filmmaking and finance for the benefit of all stakeholders including the public at large. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in San Francisco, IIFF has active chapters in multiple cities across the U.S. and continues to expand.

In his role as Managing Director of FilmAngels, Thomas also runs the world's first professional angel investor group for film. FilmAngels has been modeled after the way successful angel networks function in Silicon Valley and adapted to the unique characteristics of the movie industry. It focuses exclusively on funding independent films and film-related ventures. FilmAngels address the unfilled need for a structured, highly efficient and ultimately more effective environment for the vetting and financing of high-risk film projects.

Don't hesitate to connect with Thomas on LinkedIn or at an upcoming IIFF meeting near you. »

*** To be finalized shortly ***

The Buzz

These quotes are samples of what past attendees say about IIFF events:

"Wow. Last night was great! I want to thank you again for the inspiring work you do. This is such a big need […] and you're truly doing the work of angels (literally and figuratively)." — Brant Smith, Producer, "Quality of Life"

"I really must say that I found all speakers very interesting, and I was hanging on their every word. IIFF, the mission and content, seems to be a good fit for me, because it is my dream to run a medium size production house. […] Thank you, BIG THANK YOU […], for inviting me to this very quality and important event." — John Henry, Owner, John Henry Filmworks

"Let me again say I think you did a great job putting yesterday's event together – great crowd, smart presentation, lots of enthusiasm." — David Rosen, Executive Producer/Convener, Digital Independence

"Wow! For such a moderate investment, so much information. So much good networking. I hope you are proud of the magic you've created with IIFF." — Kevin Morrison, Writer/Director/Producer of independent film & TV

"I just wanted to say thanks for another great and informative meeting. The speakers were impressive and I made some good contacts." — Jesse Ford, Founder & Executive Director, Group Hug Productions

"IIFF and FilmAngels has really impressed me so far with its focus on the independent film community. I've traveled and interacted with film organizations around the world […]." — Jin Woo Joo, Founder, Cinemasports

"Thanks so much for hosting such an interesting program last week. I am always inspired by the creativity, and most recently, by the commitment to 'a better world'. It keeps my cynic's heart at bay! [A]gain, my heartfelt thanks for your mission and execution. Well done!" — Teri Cundall, Founder & President, Propville.com

"The event was great, very helpful." — Marc Perez, Co-President & Founding Partner, Sirk Productions

"I greatly enjoyed attending last night's event and found it very informative - certainly something that's been missing in New York so far." — Michael Gunther, Director/Producer, Triboro Pictures

"Great presentation tonight. Lots of energetic discussions and questions." — Campbell Dalglish, Prof. of Screenwriting, MFA in Film & Video at CUNY

"Thanks so much for tonight's event. It was really inspiring and incredibly informative." — Elizabeth Foley, Founding Faculty Member, Producing Dep't at NYFA

"I enjoyed this evening's Townhall presentation and found it very informative." — William Doll, Writer/Director, World Stage Pictures

"Your Townhall mtg was stimulating. You managed to attract the right target audience, and I loved your choice of speakers." — Sandra Schulberg, Founder, Independent Feature Project (IFP)

"I attended the New York Townhall Meeting and just wanted to thank you for setting up such an informative colloquium. It was my first IIFF event and I look forward to attending more in the future." — Blythe Frank, Producer, "Kettle of Fish" (Michael Mailer Films)

"Thank you again for a wonderful event last night." — Morgan Pehme, Co-Founder & CEO, Merlion Entertainment

"I'm just writing […] pertaining to the IIFF meeting last night, which I found both entertaining and informative and also promising of great things to come from IIFF in the near future!" — Thomas Woodrow, Producer, Furnace Films

"I attended the IIFF Townhall last week in New York and came away impressed. Thank you for putting together such an excellent panel of speakers. I found [Mr. Trenker's] presentation especially useful. As a former quant at Putnam Investments, I tend to dig into the numbers and [his] analysis was illuminating." — Robert Milacci, Executive Producer, Sinestra Pictures

"I very much enjoyed the seminar last Saturday in Stowe, VT. It was a lot of driving in one day (3.25 hrs. each way…), but worth it. […] Thanks again for a very enlightening day." — Marjorie Short, Oscar-nominated Writer/Producer/Director, Short Productions

"Just a note to say Larry Meistrich had a good time last night and was impressed with the quality of the group." — Jeff Silverstein, President of NEHST Access + Learning, NEHST Studios

"As it turns out, my producing partner [producer/director Leszek Burzynski] attended your IIFF meeting in Santa Monica on July 16. He was quite impressed with the presentations." — Terrance Sweeney, Partner & Producer, Winning Team Studios

"I just wanted to say thanks again for putting on such a great forum last night. […] I really enjoyed the occasion and especially the presentations. They were extremely relevant and really strong, credible presenters." — Gordon Clark, CEO, The Movie Portfolio Fund

"First, I wanted to say how much I really enjoyed your premier [film financing] seminar…!" — Frank Sacks, Founder & Principal, The Frank Sacks Company

"I had a very enjoyable experience. The seminar was extremely professional and well put together." — Adam Tantleff, Founder, President & Executive Producer, Sinestra Pictures

"THANKS […] There are no organizations or groups that I have come across that are doing what you and FilmAngels are doing." — J. Martin, Co-Owner, 24 Bros Entertainment

"I cannot express enough gratitude toward the great job that you are doing to help talented filmmakers realize their dreams. God bless you!" — Mara Vardanyan, Producer, Roman Pictures

"Your seminars are FIRST RATE!" — Rowan Joseph, President, Greenwood Hill Productions

"Thanks for organizing a great event. I thought it was a very interesting group of speakers." — Tricia van Klaveren, Producer/Exec. Producer & Principal, Fully Loaded Pictures

"[T]hank you for a terrific meeting last night…" — Greg Lejnieks, Actor/Filmmaker, Art Dealer & fmr. Pro Soccer Player

"First of all, thank you for hosting the Film Financing seminar. Very, very informative. I hope you have another one very soon." — Richard Beaty, Writer/Producer/Director & Co-Owner, Cielo Azul Films

"Just wanted to say 'thank you' for last night's IIFF meeting. […] The slides look great […]. I look forward to the next meeting." — Robert Pratten, Founder & Writer/Director, Zen Films

"I'm a big fan of all you're doing with IIFF… very inspiring to filmmakers." — Thomas Mignone, Director/Writer, DOOM Incorporated

"Thank you for hosting the [Workshop] last week. It was very informative and [the instructor] was spectacular. I learned a lot and met several fantastic people." — Lisa McTigue, Producer/Director, Three Masked Peeps Productions

"Thank you for inviting us to present to your [FilmAngels] groups in both Palo Alto and San Francisco. The attendees were warm and educated investors. You've done a terrific job gathering people with a passion for film." — Julie Richardson, Producer, "Collateral" (Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx)

"It was another great event and I appreciate all your work […]. Thank you." — Paul Oja, Writer/Director, "Bus Trip"

"I must thank you for sending [Workshop instructor] Dr. Patrick O'Heffernan down to Los Angeles last month. It was the best $200 I have ever spent on a seminar. [S]ince Patrick has both raised money and invested money, his perspective was simply invaluable!!!" — Rosser Goodman, Director, KGB Films

"You assembled an impressive group of speakers (and characters). […] I think we share a strong desire to help filmmakers." — Darren Ehlers, COO, Scenechronize

"First, I simply must say what an amazingly informative session it was and well carried out by [Workshop instructor] Tricia van Klaveren and her guest speakers. It packed a memorable punch. […] I had never heard of IIFF previously and now look forward to more of the same from you guys." — Teo, CEO, Cool Room Entertainment

"I really enjoyed [Kaiser Wahab's] class. A great value. Thank you for sharing your knowledge." — Bob Rudis, Director of Photography & President, Tubular, Inc.

Speak out, we would like to hear from you! Send us your comments by email.

About IIFF

The Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF) is an independent grassroots organization equally dedicated to serving the needs of filmmakers & financiers. IIFF's one-of-a-kind mission is to sustainably expand the scope & appeal of film financing and do so for the benefit of the public at large.

True to our proven motto of "democratizing film finance," IIFF's frequent Townhall Meetings bring together a wide array of professionals from relevant backgrounds in film, finance and beyond for a vibrant evening of insightful presentations, inspiring discussion & focused networking. Past meetings have reliably delivered useful insights into the business of film, provided valuable networking opportunities and drawn large, enthusiastic crowds.

IIFF has active chapters in multiple cites, and we are looking to expand further to better serve filmmakers and financiers everywhere. Help start or run a local chapter in your area! We make it easy and worth your while. Take a first step and tell us about yourself.

Not ready for your own chapter but eager to get involved in another meaningful way? We may have just the right full- or part-time internship for you, no matter where you are. Simply email us your resume to apply. IIFF interns are treated as equals while they learn about film finance and interact with industry leaders.

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IIFF Bay Area Film Financing Townhall in San Francisco (January 2012): Networking & Education for Financiers & Filmmakers

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:55:09 +0000

When:
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM (PT)

Where:
Dimension 7 Studio
150 Folsom Street
Main studio - Ground floor
San Francisco, CA 94105

Hosted By:
IIFF San Francisco Bay Area

Register for this event now at:
http://iiff-townhall-sf-rss.eventbrite.com

Event Details:

SF Film Financing Townhall at Dimension 7 Studio

Film Meets Finance:
Networking & Education for
Filmmakers & Financiers

Seven Insightful Talks by Leading Experts & More

*** Don't miss other events in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Kansas City and New York ***

Abstract

The San Francisco chapter of the Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF) continues its popular monthly gatherings at the junction of film & finance with a special Film Financing Townhall at Dimension 7 Studio. Their facilities are conveniently located in downtown San Francisco's Rincon Hill neighborhood, just south of the Financial District..

The evening's five seven presentations plus panel discussion address key issues relevant to filmmakers, financiers and anyone interested in the economics, business mechanics, and financial dynamics of motion pictures. They are followed by Q&A time. Attendees also have ample opportunity to interact & network with our featured experts and amongst themselves.

An informal après-meeting celebration will take place at a nearby restaurant.

Attendees

Who should attend?

Established & aspiring filmmakers looking to raise capital for their projects, production companies, movie slates, film funds or other ventures are, naturally, more than welcome as well.

Why attend?

Program Details

What Investors Want: How to Raise Film Funding & Get Movies Made

David Blackford (bio), Co-Founder, Partner & COO at real estate & media investment fund Q Black Media; financed 2010 comedy "Chosen One" (Rob Schneider, Steve Buscemi); partnered with Deviant Films ("Last Word," "Big Stan," "Dead Birds," "London," "Dirty") to develop, fund & produce indies in $2-20M range, reality show pilots & webisodes; next films are "Amsterdam" (Sean Faris, Paz de la Huerta) & "Small Apartments" (Juno Temple, Dolph Lundgren, James Caan); re-opened exclusive SF nightclub Paradise Lounge in 2008 … »
Delivering the Goods: Create the Best Production Values at All Budget Levels

Gerald Olsen (bio), veteran producer of 30 feature films & equal number of TV productions; Executive Producer of blockbuster comedy "Dumb & Dumber" (Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels); producing credits also include "Rundown" (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Christopher Walken), "Nightmare on Elm Street 3" (Robert Englund), "Repo Man" (Emilio Estevez) & "House Party" (Martin Lawrence); fmr. VP of Production at New Line Cinema, supervising entire production slate; fmr. Director of Production at HBO; fmr. Assistant Director on "Buck Rogers" TV series; worked on feature films produced by industry legend Roger Corman … »
Film Festival Insider: Know Your Genre & Niche

Jill Brooke (bio), President at Bay Area Women in Film & Media; Bay Area film festival veteran of 20+ years with national & int'l experience; previously worked for SF IndieFest, SF Int'l Asian American Film Festival, SF Int'l Film Festival & Frameline, holding wide variety of key positions; started at Mill Valley Film Festival in 1988; studied film editing at San Francisco State University … »
Successful Documentaries: Challenges & Strategies for the Documentary Producer

Morgan Schmidt-Feng (bio), award-winning filmmaker with 2 decades experience on commercials, docs & indie features; Founder at Filmsight Productions; shot & produced for Lucasfilm, Pixar, Columbia Pictures, Interscope Records, Disney, CNN, Olympic Games & others; contributed to Pixar's "Toy Story" & "Cars," "Rent," 2 "Star Wars" episodes, 50 Cent's "Heat" music video & numerous TV shows; had films screened at Sundance, New Directors/New Films NY, Berlinale & Mill Valley Film Fest; won Golden Spire at SF Int'l Film Fest … »
Fundable Indies: Techniques to Streamline Productions & Budgets

Frazer Bradshaw (bio), seasoned cinematographer & filmmaker; produced Independent Spirit Award-nominated 1st feature "Everything Strange & New," which won several prestigious awards; Cinematographer on "Lost Forever" (Gravitas, PBS), "These Amazing Shadows" (Independent Lens/PBS, IFC), Caveh Zahedi's "I Am a Sex Addict" (IFC), "Be Here to Love Me" (Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson), "Hunting the Edge of Space" (NOVA/PBS), HBO's "Russell Simmons Presents Brave New Voices" (Queen Latifah) … »
Making Festivals Work for You: Prime Your Film for Success & Snag a Theatrical Release

Zoe Elton (bio), Director of Programming at Mill Valley Film Festival (MVFF), one of most prestigious in US; veteran film programmer who pioneered digital media exhibition in 80s, initiating MVFF's Active Cinema program; interviewed such world-famous artists as Ang Lee, Helen Mirren & Alejandro González Iñárritu; served on panels for Rockefeller Foundation, Haas Foundation's Creative Works Fund & Independent Spirit Awards; graduated from New College of Speech & Drama in London, UK … »

*** More to come ***

Featured Moderator

The event will be moderated by Sheridan Tatsuno (bio), an accomplished Silicon Valley business strategist and serial entrepreneur. As Principal of Dreamscape Global, he helped raise $10M for 7 tech startups since 2000. Sheridan is also a seasoned business writer, whose books have been produced by PBS and Central Independent Television, as well as a screenwriter currently working on his 15th screenplay. He advised Oscar, Emmy and Peabody Award winner Steven Okazaki on the producion of "Survivors," which received a PBS Documentary Award. A founding team member at IIFF, Sheridan has also served as an advisor to movie investor group FilmAngels. »

Schedule

From	To	What
7:00 PM		Kick-Off & Welcome
7:00 PM	8:00 PM	Four Featured Presentations with Q&A (4x 15 mins)
8:00 PM	8:15 PM	Networking Break (15 mins)
8:15 PM	9:00 PM	Three Featured Presentations with Q&A (3x 15 mins)
9:00 PM	9:15 PM	Networking Break (15 mins)
9:15 PM	10:00 PM	Moderated Panel Discussion with Q&A (45 mins)
10:00 PM+		Community Time at Area Restaurant

Questions? Get answers in IIFF's Film Financing Forum!

Townhall Venue

Dimension 7 Studio

150 Folsom St
(between Spear & Main St)
Main studio - Ground floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 371-8706

Map: Get a map of 150 Folsom St at Ask, Bing, Google, MapQuest or Yahoo.

Our Host

This month's Film Financing Townhall in San Francisco is hosted by Dimension 7, a pioneering production company based in San Francisco, internationally recognized for its expertise in videography and 3D animation. Their creative and technical talent derives from over a decade of experience in the video production industry. Dimension 7 has produced media for such high-profile clients as Budweiser, Red Bull, the Seattle Seahawks, Nordstroms, Pontiac, Infinity Broadcasting, VH1, Warner Bros., Gwen Stefani, P. Diddy, REM, Pearl Jam, Alanis Morissette, Snoop Dogg, Black Eyed Peas, Shaggy, Sean Paul, Avril Lavigne and the United Nations.

Very special thanks for making this event possible go to Andre Patrick Anderson, Executive Producer at Dimension 7 Studio.

Registration

Filmmaker-friendly affordable online registration is available at the top of this page.

Ticket type	IIFF Member*	Non-member	Registration deadline
Early bird	$25	$45	3 weeks before event
Regular	$35	$55	1 week before event
Last minute	$45	$65	1 day before event
On-site (at the door)	$55	$75	Day of event

Register now to secure the best available price!

* To learn more about membership, email our Membership Bureau or ask an IIFF staffer at or after the event.

Need Help?

Direct all your questions and inquiries about this event to IIFF's online forum at http://forum.filmfinancing.org.

Having trouble with Eventbrite (this site), PayPal or Google Checkout? Get help in our online forum. You can also notify us by email well in advance of the event and register on-site.

Speaker Bios

Sheridan Tatsuno

Moderator

Sheridan Tatsuno is a seasoned businessman with over 30 years of experience in the high-tech and urban planning industries. He began his film career by advising a student on a video class assignment, which won the 1980 PBS Documentary of the Year Award, namely "Survivors" about California survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. During Japan's heyday in the 1980s, he wrote two business books on Japan, "The Technopolis Strategy" and "Created in Japan," which were optioned, respectively, by Central Independent Television plc of London for "Japan Dreaming" (1991) and by Alvin Perlmutter Inc. of New York for the four-hour PBS series "The Creative Spirit" (1992). Since 1991, Mr. Tatsuno has written 12 screenplays and is currently writing two screenplays slated for independent production, as well as brainstorming two new scripts. He is a member of FilmAngels and the Institute for International Film Financing. In the high-tech industry, Mr. Tatsuno has advised over 700 companies in the US, Japan, Asia and Europe, while working as a senior analyst at leading market researcher Dataquest/Gartner Group (1982-1989) and his own consulting firm, Dreamscape Global (1989-present). A visionary thinker, Silicon Valley business strategist and thought leader, Mr. Tatsuno was involved with the early stages of the "Intel Inside" marketing campaign, Nokia's global strategy planning, AMD's breakthrough sub-$1000 PC, and Canon's networked equipment strategy. His strength is helping companies develop breakthrough strategies. Currently, he is advising a videoconferencing startup and is conducting surveys on medical imaging, solar panels, fuel cells, batteries for electric cars and smart grids. Mr. Tatsuno has studied in France and Germany, worked in Caracas (Venezuela) and Japan, and traveled on business to Japan, Asia and Europe. He speaks and reads Japanese, Spanish and French. »