Why Invest in a Movie?

by James Jaeger

A movie is the best investment one can make for the up-side potential vs. the risk. They’re better than real estate, blue chip stocks, gold, silver, precious stones, income-producing rental properties, futures, treasuries, international currencies . . . better than anything, with the possible exception of investing in your own education and spiritual enlightenment.

There simply is no business with manufacturing capital entry requirements as low as motion pictures where the potential return can be as unlimited over the short, medium and long terms. For instance, a movie such as HALLOWEEN, costing as little as $320,000 to produce, earned $75,000,000 and it does not stop earning money – for a lifetime. RETURN OF THE SECACUS 7 cost only $60,000 and grossed $2,500,000. BENJI cost $550,000 and grossed $45,000,000; NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD cost $114,000 and grossed $40,000,000, GRIZZLY cost $700,000 and grossed $31,000,000, DAWN OF THE DEAD cost $700,000 and grossed $55,000,000 and BLAIR WITCH PROJECT costs $5,000 and grossed over $150,000,000. And just when we thought nothing could top BLAIR WITCH, along comes MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING which was produced for about $1.5 million as an independent film (turned down by all the studios for financing I might add) and it has so far generated over $200,000,000 and it hasn’t even hit home video or foreign yet. There are thousands of other examples where the return was at least three times anything done by securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the S&P 500 or the NASDAQ.

5 Tips To Help You Become A Film Producer

EZINE

Here are the 5 important skills one needs to develop to become a successful film producer:

The first and fore most important skill you need is organization. If you were the kid who kept the minutes of the club meetings, edited the yearbook, or organized the prop-closet by era, you already have this skill. It is something that is very difficult and hard to teach, but you can certainly learn it, to become more organized.

If you are the person who can’t find his or her keys and has no idea how much is in your checking account, you need help. Get organized. There is simply no proxy for it.

Read books like “How to Get Organized When You Don’t Have The Time,” by Stephanie Culp and many more books available on Amazon. You get, at least, some idea about it. Or do whatever you have to do, but just get organized.

The second important skill you need is ability to make decisions quickly. Despite the best planning, things change moment-to-moment during film production. You will have to decide right on the spot whether to set up the next shot despite the looming storm clouds, or to move on to another location, completely distracting the schedule. Whatever but you will have to take right decision at right time.

One of the best ways to develop this skill is to completely bury your doubt. Know that you are the boss, and any mistakes to be made are yours to make and you will suffer the consequences of wrong decisions. If you act decisively, and accept responsibility when necessary, your team will accept your decisions unquestioningly.

Be a good negotiator. This is the third important skill you need to develop. You will have to make deals for every single thing on the set or on location – the equipment, the set properties, the crew, the film stock, everything. Everything will have to be negotiated. When negotiating rates, you can easily save 15 percent or so off what you expected to pay for almost anything in any branch of filmmaking.

There is one important thing you need to know when negotiating: You can always say no. If you can’t get the deal you want, simply say no. Practice it. No. Just make it clear that you will take your offer elsewhere.

Want to Become a TV or Film Producer?

Better Learn the Art of Making a Deal

EMORY.EDU

“There are a gazillion great ideas out there, but it comes down to who you can get to buy into your product,” says Tracey Baker-Simmons, the co-owner of Atlanta-based B2 Entertainment Studios, LLC who has produced such shows as “Being Bobby Brown.” “This is business and you have to consider to whom you’re pitching your idea, which audience they attract and who you can get attached to your project to make it more viable.”

Baker-Simmons, for example, was able to get Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston to agree to a show about their lives. While the show took only a little over three months to film, crafting a deal took twice as long.

The deal, Baker-Simmons explains, is the business behind the glamour and it’s the hard work and detail that can make or break a TV show or film before it ever comes to light on the screen. Art aside, Baker-Simmons stresses, “this industry is 80% business and 20% creative.”

According to Baker-Simmons, the business acumen stretches beyond creative projects, and begins with selecting a professional team, which includes an agent, attorney, etc, with years of experience who embrace her company’s vision. We spent a lot of time interviewing for our professional team and we checked references,” she explains. “We also made a decision to select a team that had a presence in Los Angeles and New York because those cities are essential in the industry and having representation there makes a big difference.”

As for the creative aspect, Baker-Simmons says an idea is merely the starting point. “The first thing networks and studios consider is how a project will fit into their network, film or theater.”

Therefore it’s vital that would-be producers thoroughly research a potential client to whom they will pitch their idea. Why? “Because the buyer needs to satisfy his or her client, such as advertisers, and make money,” she says.

Pitch Your Script

Pitching a script is an art form, and although it can be stressful, it’s something every writer has to perfect before approaching executives or agents. So what is pitching exactly?

A pitch is an animated summation of a script with emphasis on the main characters, the conflict, and the genre. When pitching a script, you use this summation to persuade industry professionals to option the work (purchase it for consideration).

Pitches come in two forms: the two-minute pitch, also known as the teaser, and the story pitch, which is traditionally 10 to 20 minutes in length, though the shorter the better. You absolutely must have both types of pitches prepared before you contact industry personnel. You never know when you’ll be called upon to sell your story or how you’ll be asked to sell it.

The teaser pitch

The teaser pitch is a short pitch. Traditionally, you get three sentences to hook listeners into the premise, the genre, and the scope of your film. When crafting this pitch, pay particular attention to what you think they might be listening for. Producers probably want to know the following details:

• How the film might be cast

• How much it will cost to make

• How they’ll market it

• What films it resembles

If you follow those requests, your first sentence introduces the characters, the next sentence illustrates their conflict, and the final sentence leaves listeners wanting more. The conflict generally suggests the film’s genre, but if not, consider alluding to that in the final sentence as well.

Here are some examples:

• Europe, 1912. Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bukater enjoy a secret and passionate romance after they meet on a ship chartered toward New York. That ships happens to be the Titanic.

• Jessica Stein has met and refused virtually every man in New York City. Maybe it’s time she looked for a woman. (Kissing Jessica Stein)

• Northern England, 1984. Young Billy Elliot, the son of a poor local miner, decides to start training for a career. In ballet. (Billy Elliot)

These examples suggest the skeleton of a short pitch. You might use them at the onset of a meeting to rope listeners into a more detailed explanation, or perhaps insert more details in between these sentences. In any case, practice your pitch at home with a stopwatch. Never exceed two minutes — try to do it in one, if you can. If you maintain the three to five page limitation, timing shouldn’t be a problem; you’ll finish in well under two minutes. If executives want to know more, they’ll ask. Be animated, enthusiastic, and concise. Movie trailers are good examples of this kind of pitch; so are the blurbs on the back of video and DVD boxes.

FEMA Announces Refunds For Travel Trailers Purchased By Disaster Occupants And Through GSA Sales

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that it will offer to refund the purchase price of travel trailers or park models to individuals who wish to return units purchased directly from FEMA or through the General Services Administration (GSA). This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to address concerns about possible adverse health effects of formaldehyde associated with recreational vehicles.

For GSA auction sales, refunds for the purchase price of travel trailers and park models will be offered for units purchased through GSA auctions on or after July 24, 2006, until such sales were suspended in July 2007. Individuals who want to return their travel trailer or park model unit must contact FEMA within a 60-day period beginning January 17, 2008.

For units sold by FEMA directly to disaster assistance applicants occupying the unit, FEMA will offer to refund the purchase price of any travel trailer or park model sold on or after July 31, 2006, until such sales were suspended in July 2007. The refunds option applies to disasters declared on or after Aug. 29, 2005. Occupants will have 60 days from the date of notification to request a refund.

Buyers must have purchased the units directly from FEMA or GSA. The refunds will be provided upon repossession of the units.

Individuals and disaster applicants, who have questions regarding the purchase of their unit, may call FEMA at 1-866-562-2381 or, TTY 1-800-462-7585.

Purchases through GSA

FEMA will notify via e-mail each individual who purchased a recreational vehicle (travel trailer or park model) sold to the public as excess by FEMA through GSA on-line auction sales. The e-mail will include the refund period and procedures for requesting a refund. Buyers will need to send a written request for a refund to FEMA within 60 calendar days of the initial public notification date, January 17, 2008. The written request must include the GSA Sales Contract Number, the purchaser’s name, the purchase price and the purchaser’s receipt for payment.

Buyers must submit a Direct Deposit form with an original signature to allow for the electronic deposit of funds and an unsigned, voided check or deposit slip along with a signed and completed Trailer Refund Checklist form. Both forms will be provided via the e-mail notification.

Purchasers must return units to the designated FEMA facility; the original Certificate to Obtain Title or the original Title to the unit must be signed and returned to FEMA Logistics Current Operations Branch prior to return. FEMA will not reimburse purchasers for upgrades or work done to the unit; individuals are responsible for arranging for transportation or travel and paying for the associated costs.

Refunds will be transmitted to the purchaser’s bank account by direct deposit within 30 days of the unit’s physical return to the designated FEMA facility.

Refund requests should be sent to FEMA at the following address:

Attn: Logistics Current Operations Branch
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street SW, Room 330
Washington, D.C. 20472

Purchases Directly From FEMA

FEMA will mail a letter to each disaster assistance applicant who purchased their recreational vehicle (travel trailer or park model) directly from FEMA between July 31, 2006, and July 31, 2007, for major disasters declared on or after Aug. 29, 2005, notifying them of the option and procedure for seeking a refund. Buyers who wish to seek a refund will need to contact FEMA within 60 calendar days of the date of the notification letter they receive.

Applicants who contact FEMA through the toll free number will be transferred to the appropriate Transitional Recovery Office (TRO) or field office in order to process the refund request. The TRO or field office will obtain the original Certificate to Obtain Title from the applicant, if the purchaser still has the document, and any other titles the applicants obtained for the unit.

FEMA will deactivate and haul away recreational vehicles for occupants who want to return the units to FEMA for a refund. Refunds will be transmitted to the purchaser’s bank account by direct deposit within 30 days of the unit’s physical return to FEMA.

For occupants still residing in the recreational vehicle and who are in need of, and remain eligible for, housing assistance from FEMA, a caseworker from the respective field or Transitional Recovery Office will work with the applicant to help them move them into other housing.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Join New Social Network For Movie Moguls

DT Productions has set up a social network for movie enthusiast. Members will have the opportunity to network with producers, directors, indie film makers, screenwriters, and others who just want to be apart of the movie business. Please give your opinions and advice for members and seekers alike.

www.themoviemogulsclub.ning.com

Evacuee Killed in FEMA Trailer Fire After Expressing Concerns to FEMA

http://www.wafb.com/global/story.asp?s=5234433&ClientType=Printable

CARLYSS, La. (AP) – A fire has engulfed a FEMA trailer, claiming the life of a Cameron Parish evacuee who lost her home during Hurricane Rita.

The victim had previously gone to the news media with concerns about the trailer’s safety. The fire’s cause is unknown.

The Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 51-year-old Ellen Schools. Carlyss Fire Chief Jude Savoie says Wednesday’s fire was heavily involved when firefighters arrived.

Schools had expressed problems with the FEMA trailer in the past. In May, she spoke to Lake Charles television station KPLC about exposure to formaldehyde in the two-bedroom mobile home. She said the exposure was causing headaches, a sore throat and sinus problems.

According to the report, Schools said FEMA suggested that she open her windows to alleviate the problem.

A FEMA official had no comment about whether Schools had reported problems in the past. He did say, however, that a FEMA safety group is investigating the fire.

New Task Contract Awarded For Temporary Housing Units

Release Date: August 4, 2008
Release Number: HQ-08-152

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded a contract to TL Industries of Elkhart, Indiana to provide two-bedroom, park model temporary housing units.  The contract was awarded following a competitive process, through which the offer from TL Industries was determined to represent the best value to the government.

The contract requirements are based on a new set of procurement specifications for manufactured housing that were developed by FEMA in coordination with the Recreational Park Trailer Industry Association (RPTIA), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Health Affairs (DHS/OHA).  The new procurement specifications for indoor air quality include a requirement that formaldehyde emission levels must be significantly reduced inside the units. Each unit must test below .016 parts per million (ppm) prior to acceptance by FEMA. Moreover, this contract provides a critical resource in support of the National Disaster Housing Strategy.  For more information on the Housing Strategy, visit www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=45190.
Award of similar contracts for three-bedroom mobile homes and alternative housing strategies are forthcoming, based on other competitive solicitations, and will further contribute to FEMA’s housing capabilities.
“FEMA is committed to providing safe temporary housing that meets the needs of disaster victims,” said FEMA Administrator David Paulison. “This contract allows FEMA to provide housing proven to meet significantly reduced formaldehyde emission levels.  Additionally, because TL Industries is a small business, we are both meeting the mission needs and enabling small businesses to contribute to the FEMA mission.”
FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Bush Admin on FEMA’s Toxic Trailers: Screw the Poor!

President Bush-Talk To The Hand

Source: Alternet.org

The Bush Administration, FEMA and Governor Hailey Barbour — just said screw the poor, let’s build more casinos and luxury accommodations.

Remember those toxic FEMA trailers? Looks like folks in Mississippi hoping for more affordable housing to be built so that they can start to get back on their own feet again will have to keep on waiting.

The Bush Administration and FEMA — along with former RNC head turned lobbyist turned Governor Hailey Barbour — just said screw the poor, let’s build more casinos and luxury accommodations. Again. I’m not kidding. Via Digby:

While thousands of Mississippians who lost their homes to Hurricane Katrina remain in FEMA trailers, the federal government on Friday approved a state plan to spend $600 million in grants earmarked for housing on a major expansion of the state-owned port — a project that could eventually include casino and resort facilities.

[...]

The money in question is part of $5.5 billion in HUD Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) that Congress authorized for Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina struck on Aug. 29, 2005. Administered by the Mississippi Development Authority, about $3.4 billion was allocated to replace and repair some of the nearly 170,000 owner-occupied homes destroyed or damaged by the storm. Another $600 million was set aside for programs to replace public housing, help small landlords fix their units and foster construction of new low- and moderate-income housing.

Scout Prime has more. Well, what’s wrong with being stuck in FEMA trailers because there is no where else to move to that these folks can afford? Here’s what’s wrong:

FEMA “ignored, hid and manipulated government research on the potential impact of long-term exposure to formaldehyde” on Katrina and Rita victims now living in the FEMA trailers, the congressmen wrote in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, whose department includes FEMA.

Urgent:FEMA Trailer Death E-mails

URGENT: DEATH OF AN APPLICANT

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicsasusual/2007/07/urgent-death-of.html

July 19, 2007 11:41 AM

<!–

Jennifer Parker

–>It is Tuesday, June 27th, 2006 at 12:47:25 and Fema official Michelle McQueeney, sends the following e-mail MARKED URGENT to several colleagues at the agency:

Gil, Jim, Darryl:

A FEMA applicant was found dead in his trailer in St. Tammany earlier today.  We do not have autopsy results yet, but he had apparently told his neighbor in the past that he was afraid to use his A/C because he thought it would make the formaldehyde worse.  It may not have anything to do with formaldehyde, but I agree with Mark that we need to DEAL WITH THIS HEAD ON.

Misczak (Mark Misczak, another Fema official) says that OGC (office of general counsel) has NOT WANTED FEMA to test to determine if formaldehyde levels are in fact unsafe.  HQ Recovery (Souza and Garratt) are recommending that we mission assign EPA to do a full assessment and make recommendations.  I agree with this — want to ensure that you’re on board with this approach too.  Needs to be backed by Gulf Coast Recovery.

Regarding messaging — WE NEED TO DEVELOP A STATEMENT FOR THE MEDIA — would like Darryl (as soon as he arrives on site) to work with LA TRO public affairs and mark’s team to develop a statement, and also EASY TO UNDERSTAND MESSAGING that can be IMMEDIATELY PROVIDED TO ALL RESIDENTS LIVING IN FEMA TRAILERS.   HUD provides a formaldehyde message to everyone living in a MH — Mark’s team has that language and it could be used as a model.  Our messaging would essentially be the same as what we used in previous press on this issue — how to air out your trailer, use your A/C etc.

PLEASE ADVISE ASAP.  Gil — I left you a voicemail on this too.  Darryl — please come see me as soon as you get in.

thanks
Michelle

That e-mail from Michelle to Gil, Jim and Darryl was sent OVER A YEAR AGO.

YESTERDAY, JULY 18, 2007 at 3:09pm FEMA, aware they are about to get hammered at a Rep Henry Waxman hearing this morning at 10am, sends out a press release entitled “FEMA CONTINUES TO ADDRESS FORMALDEHYDE CONCERNS — asks CDC TO CONDUCT ASSESSMENT OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN TRAVEL TRAILERS.”

Lindsay Huckabee didn’t wait for FEMA to test her trailer.  After numerous visits to a doctor and coming home one afternoon to find her young daughter “COVERING HER NOSE; HER HANDS, ARMS and SHIRT COVERED IN BLOOD” Huckabee got an independent test which showed a FORMALDEHYDE LEVEL of 0.18ppm — “WELL above the 0.10ppm believed to be HARMFUL TO HUMANS.”  In her prepared statement she says when she called fema about the test results, “WE WERE MET WITH OPPOSITION.  FEMA REPRESENTATIVES WERE RUDE WHEN I CALLED THEM.”

Formaldehyde, a chemical which can be dangerous at elevated levels is widely used in building materials, often as a component of glue, adhesives, paint or coatings.