Risky Business at UCLA February 21, 2009

Mark will once again present his yearly "Risky Business: Financing & Distributing Independent Films" all day seminar at the UCLA campus on February 21, 2009. Those who attend this comprehensive seminar will learn how independent films are financed and distributed. Topics include organizing your company, raising financing via pre-sales, debt and limited partnerships, negotiating tactics, principal terms of the acquisition/distribution agreement, cross-collateralization and creative accounting.

Particular attention is paid to how producers and filmmakers can protect their interests by watering down warranties, getting added to the E& O policy, using lab access letter to retain possession of the negative, and utilizing termination and arbitration clauses.

The seminar is all day Saturday. There is limited enrollment so enroll early to assure a place.

Registration number: U6442. Attorneys may receive 7 hours of MCLE credit.

More info at: Link https://www.uclaextension.edu/index.cfm

https://www.uclaextension.edu/index.cfm

An extensive handout accompanies the course. The handout covers:

SELF DEFENSE CHECKLIST

ORGANIZING YOUR COMPANY
Choice of Business Entity
Sole Proprietorship
General Partnership
Limited Partnership
Corporation
Company Formation Checklist
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Comparison of Entity Choices

COLLABORATIONS AND CO-PRODUCTIONS
International Co-Productions
Co-Production Checklist

RAISING MONEY
Loans
Pre-sale Agreements
Contract: IFTA International Schedule of Definitions
Entertainment Finance Companies
Equity Investments
Finders

TACTICS AND STRATEGY IN ARRANGING DISTRIBUTION
How Much is My Film Worth?
How Distributors Evaluate a Film
Sources of Revenue
Increasing Your Leverage
Film Festivals
Working the Festival Circuit
Balancing Risks and Rewards
The Acquisition/Distribution Agreement
Tactics and Strategy
Markets and Festivals
Investigate the Distributor

PRINCIPAL TERMS OF THE DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
Territory
Media
Term
Distribution Fee
Distribution and Marketing Expenses
Advances and Guarantees
Consultation Rights
Warranties and Representations
Accounting
Arbitration
Insurance
Termination
Assignment
Allocation of Package Revenue
Security Interest
Governing Law
Territorial Minimums
Retain Your Masters
Return of Materials
Delivery
Contract: Lab Access Letter
Contract: IFTA Rider to International Distribution Agreement

WHEN A DISTRIBUTOR DEFAULTS
Selecting a Distributor
Creative Accounting
Conducting an Audit
How Revenue is divided
Creative Accounting Pitfalls
Accounting Terms
Defensive Tactics