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The Biz

Schuyler M. Moore

0 Pages
2018

The Biz

The Basic Business, Legal, and Financial Aspects of the Film Industry in a Digital World

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"The Biz" - Summary

"The Biz" by Schuyler M. Moore is an essential guide for anyone navigating the complex world of the film industry. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the business, legal, and financial aspects that independent filmmakers must master. From raising financing and structuring businesses to understanding securities laws and budgeting essentials, "The Biz" covers it all. It also delves into modern topics like video on demand and virtual reality, making it a relevant resource in today's digital age. With practical advice and useful sample forms and agreements, this book is a must-read for anyone serious about succeeding in the film industry.

Key Ideas

1

Raising Financing

One of the most critical aspects of filmmaking is securing the necessary funds. "The Biz" offers detailed guidance on various financing options, including loans, investments, and grants. It explains the pros and cons of each method, helping filmmakers make informed decisions that align with their project's needs and goals.

2

Legal and Business Structuring

Understanding the legalities and business structures in the film industry is crucial for avoiding pitfalls. The book provides insights into forming production companies, navigating securities laws, and dealing with guilds. This knowledge is vital for ensuring that all legal aspects are covered, protecting both the project and its creators.

3

Modern Distribution Channels

With the rise of digital platforms, traditional distribution methods have evolved. "The Biz" explores contemporary channels like video on demand and virtual reality, offering strategies for maximizing reach and profitability. This section is particularly valuable for filmmakers looking to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of film distribution. <h2>Key Ideas</h2>

1

Raising Financing

One of the most critical aspects of filmmaking is securing the necessary funds. "The Biz" offers detailed guidance on various financing options, including loans, investments, and grants. It explains the pros and cons of each method, helping filmmakers make informed decisions that align with their project's needs and goals.

2

Legal and Business Structuring

Understanding the legalities and business structures in the film industry is crucial for avoiding pitfalls. The book provides insights into forming production companies, navigating securities laws, and dealing with guilds. This knowledge is vital for ensuring that all legal aspects are covered, protecting both the project and its creators.

3

Modern Distribution Channels

With the rise of digital platforms, traditional distribution methods have evolved. "The Biz" explores contemporary channels like video on demand and virtual reality, offering strategies for maximizing reach and profitability. This section is particularly valuable for filmmakers looking to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of film distribution.

FAQ's

"The Biz" provides detailed guidance on various financing options such as loans, investments, and grants. It explains the pros and cons of each method, helping filmmakers make informed decisions that align with their project's needs and goals.

"The Biz" offers insights into forming production companies, navigating securities laws, and dealing with guilds. This knowledge is crucial for ensuring that all legal aspects are covered, protecting both the project and its creators.

"The Biz" explores contemporary channels like video on demand and virtual reality, offering strategies for maximizing reach and profitability. This section is particularly valuable for filmmakers looking to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of film distribution.

💡 Full 15min Summary

The Basics: Navigating the risky film industry requires diversified investments, vigilance against fraud, and clear, concise contracts.
0:00 / 1:36

Let's delve into the fundamental economics and practices of the film industry. It's a hard truth that most films don't make money. Only about one in five films turn a profit. This is because there are too many films vying for a limited number of distribution slots. This harsh reality often leads to the downfall of independent production companies, which frequently end up bankrupt.

For equity investors, this means it's risky to put all your eggs in one basket by investing in just one film. Instead, spreading your investments across multiple films is a safer bet. The film industry is always on the hunt for fresh capital, which unfortunately makes it a magnet for "schemers and dreamers". These are people who falsely claim they can secure financing.

Be on the lookout for red flags such as requests for money upfront, complicated financing schemes, and the use of buzzwords like "foreign bank". It's crucial to thoroughly check the credentials of anyone claiming to be a financier.

When it comes to structuring deals, it's important to focus on three key elements: money in (the capital you're investing), money out (the payouts you'll receive), and control (your decision-making rights).

Keeping deal structures simple is recommended to prevent problems further down the line. Avoid using informal "deal memos" in place of contracts. Similarly, contracts that are heavy with boilerplate language and verbosity should be avoided. Instead, aim for contracts that are concise and clear, with all terms clearly outlined.

Remember, having control over the drafting of the contract gives you power. So, always negotiate to be the one who drafts the contract.

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