Get Your Hand Held Through The Process Of Prepping For Film Markets

The FILM MARKET LAB is a FOUR MONTH GROUP COACHING PROGRAM created for filmmakers who want to use the power of the international film markets to move their projects in development forward or get their completed films into the hands of sales agents or in front of buyers...but don't know where to begin the journey to actually GET YOUR FILM THERE.

(Upcoming Markets: AFM Nov 2-9, 2011, Berlin, February, 2012, Cannes, May, 2012)

Lab Bonus: Participants receive a 6 month complimentary membership to Film Specific ($149 value).

WHAT IS THE FILM MARKET LAB?

Filmmakers often wonder what it takes to get their films launched at the big international film markets like AFM, Cannes, and Berlin, and even before that - how to get their film into the hands of a competent and reputable sales agent who can make that happen and fully exploit their films in the international marketplace to the best buyers.

And then there's the question of what happens if you are unable to get sales agency representation for your film or don't want a sales agent to act as a 'middle man' between you and distributors? Is there a way to get your film launched at the most important international film markets on your own? How can you gain the attention of international buyers?

These are the questions that motivated me to create the FILM MARKET LAB program for filmmakers....

After years of privately consulting filmmakers one-on-one for major film markets, I finally decided to create a formal group 'program' that could combine the best parts of individualized consulting while moving it to a group setting in order to reduce the individual costs to make it accessible for more filmmakers who want and need essential guidance and support to properly exploit their projects at the international markets, plus get a little hand-holding along the way. Thus the Film Market Lab was born....

The Film Market Lab is a FOUR MONTH program (August - November 2011), part virtual intensive bootcamp and part group consultancy, designed to facilitate getting your projects to market - to assist you in developing a personalized strategy to fully leverage the power of the film markets to move your film forward no matter what stage of production you are in.

WHO IS THE FILM MARKET LAB FOR?

• Filmmakers with completed films who are looking for sales agency representation for AFM or any other upcoming Film Markets (Berlin, Cannes)

• Filmmakers who already have U.S distribution for their films and want to explore international distribution possibilities

• Filmmakers at the script stage who want to learn how to leverage the Film Markets for getting their projects off the ground

WHAT'S IN THE FILM MARKET LAB?

The Film Market Lab will take place both VIRTUALLY via a series of in-depth lectures and strategizing sessions over a series of 4 months and in IN PERSON (in November during the American Film Market - in person participation is entirely optional).

• A personalized critique of your film's digital assets* prior to the start of the program (including trailer and presentation materials) and offer you feedback on how you can improve what you have (if necessary) in order to further appeal to sales agents and potential distributors.

• A comprehensive series of four 60-90 minute interactive virtual group coaching sessions in August (accessible to all via telephone) covering every aspect of prepping your completed film or project in development for market and taking it there delivered via in-depth lectures, and open discussion for q&a, brainstorming, and strategizing your specific projects.

• Two 60-90 minute virtual group "check in" sessions in September & October to evaluate your progress and any deals you've been offered, plus to provide ongoing guidance and feedback on your strategy leading up to the next major international film market (AFM in November)

•One 60-90 minute virtual group "Next Steps" call in November (post AFM and pre-Berlin) to evaluate your market experiences and offer guidance for moving forward

•One in-person tour of the next upcoming Film Market (at AFM on November 6, 2011 - participation is optional and proper credentials must be purchased separately) to show participants how film markets work... (the film market lab is in no way affiliated with the American Film Market or IFTA*)

• In between live sessions you will have full access to private, dedicated forums where we you can get ongoing guidance and support in your efforts, post progress reports and get feedback, get your questions answered and interact with fellow participants.

SCHEDULE OF LIVE VIRTUAL FILM MARKET LAB SESSIONS

SESSION 1 (Aug 8): WHAT YOU NEED TO GET STARTED PREPPING FOR FILM MARKETS (virtual session: 60 - 90 minutes - accessible via telephone: 10am PST/ 12pm CST/ 1pm EST/ 6pm BST)
which film markets are right for your film • the marketing collateral you'll need whether you have a completed film, or a film at the script stage • how to start researching the right buyers for your film • how to budget to attend a film market • developing your 'hit list' of appropriate sales agents to contact

SESSION 2 (Aug 11): FINDING FILM MARKET REPRESENTATION FOR YOUR COMPLETED FILM (virtual session: 60 - 90 minutes - accessible via telephone: 10am PST/ 12pm CST/ 1pm EST/ 6pm BST)
initiating contact with sales agents • how to deal with objections & rejections • what the acquisition process is like and what will be expected of you • what a potential offer might look like • what the difference is between different level sales agents

SESSION 3 (Aug 16): DO-IT-YOURSELF (DIY) FILM MARKETS (virtual session: 60 - 90 minutes - accessible via telephone: 10am PST/ 12pm CST/ 1pm EST/ 6pm BST)
establishing which way is right for you to (booth vs. no booth) • how to budget for getting your own booth at a Film Market • how to effectively book meetings with buyers if you decide NOT to get a booth • how to conduct yourself in meetings with potential buyers and what you'll need to bring with you

SESSION 4 (Aug 18): PITCHING YOUR PROJECT AT FILM MARKETS AT THE SCRIPT STAGE (virtual session: 60 - 90 minutes - accessible via telephone: 10am PST/ 12pm CST/ 1pm EST/ 6pm BST)
what you'll need to have in place before pitching your script at a Film Market • how to deal with objections & rejections • what the process is for making a deal with a buyer at the script stage • the timeline you're looking at when making a deal at the script stage

SESSION 5: (Sept. 8): CHECK IN ON PROGRESS & OPEN Q+A (virtual session: 60 - 90 minutes - accessible via telephone: 10am PST/ 12pm CST/ 1pm EST/ 6pm BST)

SESSION 6: (Oct. 18): CHECK IN ON PROGRESS & OPEN Q+A (virtual session: 60 - 90 minutes - accessible via telephone: 10am PST/ 12pm CST/ 1pm EST/ 6pm BST)

IN-PERSON FILM MARKET TOUR (Nov. 6): Taking place at the American Film Market® in Santa Monica, CA (in person attendance in optional and market credentials must be purchased separately - the Film Market Lab is in no way related to the American Film Market®)

SESSION 7 (Nov. 17): POST-AFM DISCUSSION ON WHAT YOU NEED TO DO NEXT (virtual session: 60 - 90 minutes - accessible via telephone: 10am PST/ 12pm CST/ 1pm EST/ 6pm BST)

WHAT ELSE IS INCLUDED IN THE FILM MARKET LAB?

• 6 Months Complimentary Membership to Film Specific (value $149) for ongoing support and complimentary resources (includes unlimited access to our sales agency and worldwide distributor databases)

• Film Market Planner Template - a calendar of specific target dates you'll need to hit if you want to get representation at an upcoming Film Market (including AFM, Berlin, and Cannes)

• Inquiry Templates (and follow up letter) templates for approaching sales agents to represent your film

• Film Market Spreadsheet to fill out and keep track of all your correspondences

• Film Market Checklist of items you need to have prepared

• Session worksheets to accompany each lecture lesson

THE VALUE OF GROUP COACHING:

Consider this - I've spent over 15 years immersed in independent film markets, as both a producer and a sales agent. I have cultivated relationships with sales agents and buyers, seen the mistakes filmmakers make when trying to get a sales agent or distributor on board or pitch their projects in development, and have also seen so many things filmmakers have done right to fully exploit their films in the international marketplace.

For a fraction of the price of one hour of individual consulting with me at my hourly rate of $500, you become a part of this FOUR MONTH program designed to guide you through every step of taking your films to market, no matter what stage of your project. For a small fraction of your project's budget, the Lab is a true investment in your project and your career...