In today's marketplace, where film investment is at its riskiest and investors are more reluctant than ever to part with their money, it's absolutely critical for independent producers to create a business plan, relevant to today's marketplace.

Business plans for independent films are much different today than they have been in the past. Why? Mostly because DISTRIBUTION MODELS have changed - and all new revenue streams have emerged.

As the economy has dipped, investors in independent films are more than ever looking for solid evidence that producers have a well thought out and realistic financing & distribution plan in place that is in line with the realities of today's marketplace. Otherwise, they have to think twice about risking their hard-earned money.

Just a few short years ago as an independent producer you could project revenue from tried and true sources like traditional DVD and theatrical distribution. While those platforms still exist, the models have been turned upside down - the returns these revenue streams once produced have greatly declined and are now supplemented by direct-to-consumer sales, VOD revenue, specialty screenings, merchandise, transmedia opportunities, Cable PPV, and more.

In Business Plan 2.0 Building Basics I'm going to show you how to formulate a business plan appropriate for the current marketplace and how to integrate new revenue streams into the traditional business plan structure. By examining both the state of the market AND new revenue opportunities available to independent producers, you will be able to nail down a specific distribution strategy for your film that maximizes potential return for your investors and clearly and effectively communicates that to them in your business plan.

Here's what we'll be covering in each weekly coaching session:

Each 60 - 90 minute group coaching session will consist of in-depth lectures and live Q&A, brainstorming and strategy sessions. Please see dates and times for each session below. All live sessions are accessible via telephone.

Session 1: STRUCTURE & BASICS OF AN INDIE FILM BUSINESS PLAN
(Tuesday, October 12: 11am PST/2pm EST/ 7pm GMT)
• How to build your indie film business plan
• Long vs. short - which sections to include and not include in your business plan
• The absolute necessities for communicating your vision to investors

Session 2: COMMUNICATING YOUR DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY (Part One: Traditional Distribution Strategies)
(Thursday, October 14: 11am PST/2pm EST/ 7pm GMT )
• Which traditional distribution strategies do you need to include in your plan
• How do you tailor the existing traditional strategies to fit your specific project
• Which traditional distribution platforms are still relevant in today's market

Session 3: COMMUNICATING YOUR DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY (Part Two: 2.0 Distribution Strategies)
(Tuesday, October 19: 11am PST/ 2pm EST/ 7pm GMT)
• Which distribution 2.0 strategies do you need to include in your plan
• How do you tailor the existing 2.0 models to fit your specific project
• Which 2.0 strategies will realistically generate revenue for your project

Session 4: COMMUNICATING RECOUPMENT TO YOUR INVESTORS
(Thursday, October 21: 11am PST/ 2pm EST/ 7pm GMT)
• What is a realistic recoupment schedule for your investors
• How does distribution cash flow work for both traditional and 2.0 distribution models
• How to present recoupment in your indie film business plan

Session 5: SALES PROJECTIONS - PROJECTING REALISTIC REVENUE FOR YOUR FILM
(Monday, October 25: 11am PST/ 2pm EST/ 7pm GMT)
• What do realistic sales projections look like for YOUR film
• How do you communicate revenue projections to your investors
• How to incorporate sales projections from traditional, and 2.0 distribution platforms

Session 6: BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER - YOUR BUSINESS PLAN 2.0 PRESENTATION PACKAGE
(Wednesday, October 27: 11am PST/ 2pm EST/ 7pm GMT)
• What's the best way to present your Business 2.0 plan to investors
• Getting and keeping investors
• Tailoring your business plan to different investor audiences

In Addition, Business Plan 2.0 Building Basics Virtual Intensive Participants Will Also Receive:

• A private forum for in-between personalized consulting

• MP3 recordings off all lectures and Q&A Sessions

• A Business Plan Building Workbook to help facilitate your steps throughout the process

• 6 Months of Complimentary Film Specific Membership to offer on-going support (value: $149)

The Value Of Group Coaching:

This is a coaching program specifically designed for those who are looking to get their projects off the ground, understand how to add more value to their projects, and be able to responsibly and effectively communicate their vision to investors.

For a fraction of the price of just one hour of individual consulting with me at my hourly rate of $500, you become a part of this six installment intensive program. I have a full slate of business plan clients who pay thousands of dollars to work with me and many business plan consulting services charge upwards of $5,000 dollars to develop and draft these plans. I devised this group program in order to give filmmakers the guidance they need while keeping it extremely cost-effective and "indie-friendly".

But there is actually a much more substantial value...once you have the know of how to craft an effective business plan, you will be able to take that knowledge and skill and replicate it with all your future projects. That kind of potential long-term value is immeasurable.

The Fee:

And, remember, once you have the knowledge, tools and tactics you learn in this Group Coaching, you can use them over and over again for every film in your slate. This entire 6 installment program is less than if you were to consult with me privately for only one hour at my normal hourly consulting rate. And that would cover a mere fraction, and a small one at that, of what we'll be covering over 6 sessions in this program.

About Stacey Parks

Stacey Parks is an expert in the area of independent film distribution, with over 15 years experience working with independent film producers. As a Foreign Sales Agent she has secured distribution for hundreds of independent features and programs worldwide. She has sold independent films and programming to HBO, Showtime, Starz, PBS, A&E, BBC, SkyTV, NHK (Japan), RTL (Germany), Canal Plus (France), and countless others.

Her clients films have premiered at Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Berlin, SXSW, San Sebastian, and other major film festivals. Her clients include Sundance and SXSW award-winning filmmakers and producers who have secured studio and mini-major distribution.

Stacey is the author of 'The Insider's Guide to Independent Film Distribution" (2007 Focal Press), the founder of Film Specific, the educational resource and community for independent filmmakers focused on helping independent filmmakers get their works distributed, and she is an adjunct professor in the Entertainment Studies department of UCLA.

Stacey has been profiled and interviewed in MovieMaker Magazine, Student Filmmakers Magazine, The Christian Science Monitor and the Los Angeles Business Journal. She has spoken on numerous panels including the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, the American Film Market, Slamdance and the Alliance of Women Directors, has presented lectures or workshops at the British Film Institute, UCLA, Women In Film, and the Raindance Film Festival, and frequently writes articles for MovieMaker Magazine, MovieScope Magazine, and Student Filmmakers Magazine.