So in preparation for Cannes, I want to start talking about some relevant topics to a Film Market of such high caliber.

I know that one of the reasons that filmmakers head to Cannes is to raise money for a script or project they have in the works. And guess what - it's a great idea to do that! At a market like Cannes there are so many opportunities to network that you never know who you're going to meet - and chances are you'll come home with a fist-full of business cards to follow up with. But as you know, the better your film is 'packaged' the higher your chances of attracting any interest in your project. So how exactly do you 'package' your film?

Back when I worked in the Indie Film division at William Morris Agency, I learned the art of packaging a film. I'm sure many of you have heard that you need a 'package' to go out and raise money for your movie. While that isn't always the case, it certainly gives you much stronger chances of attracting investment, and ultimately distribution.

Packaging your film together is made a lot easier if you can get one of the big Talent Agencies to represent you. Simply because they will be able to leverage all the resources the Agency has to offer and attach a director, writer, stars, etc. and make the film 'package' infinitely more appealing than you could do on your own.

For example, at William Morris we packaged together films like "Slingblade", raised pre-sale financing based on the package, and then sold it off to distributors after it was completed. That's the job of a packaging agent and if you can get one, you'll be on easy street! (or relative easy street). The challenge of course is actually GETTING an agent in the first place, but I've taken care of that part a little bit by arranging an Audio Seminar with Alexis Garcia, packaging agent at Endeavor Talent.

Alexis and I originally bonded because we're both Miami natives. But then we also got to talking about 'packaging' and I finally convinced him he had to do a Seminar with me so I could share all his valuable insight with my members.

So....for this month's Audio Seminar I'm thrilled to present you with Alexis Garcia of Endeavor! In this Seminar Alexis talks about:

* How agencies put together the elements needed to attract interest from financiers * Why Distributor Screenings work for them and when to do them * How to get around the major 'catch 22' of independent film (hint: it has to do with cast) * What to do when you hear 'we don't accept unsolicited submissions' * How to get representation by an agency

AND...he even talks about taking submissions and how to submit your film to an Agent for representation.

If you've always wondered how to get an Agent, or how to hit the jackpot of a fully packaged film -- don't miss this Seminar. Alexis was incredibly generous with his time and information (which is really rare for the Agency world!)

Just go here to listen to this Seminar now: http://www.filmspecific.com/public/616.cfm

As an added resource, I also put together for you a list of the the major Independent Film packaging agents out there -- so you can learn the skinny from Alexis, then submit to several of these agencies at once and see what happens:

http://www.filmspecific.com/members/612.cfm

I hope you enjoy! And if you're planning on going to Cannes, please check out our Cannes Resource page that I'm starting to put together here: http://www.filmspecific.com/members/615.cfm

Alright - have a great Monday and I'll talk to you again in a few days!

To your success, Stacey*

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