Summary
Learn the art of finance and profitability from a financier with over $250 million in production value under her belt.
Get downloadable sample budgets, business plans, sales estimate sheets, sales agency agreement, CAMA agreement, Pay Or Play and Option Agreements
One of the most difficult things to grasp in film production is the complexity of film financing. The ins and outs of handling this important area vary from project to project and, of course, studio and independent films operate within completely different models.
Your knowledge, or lack thereof, of all procedures and systems related to film finance can make or break your film. As a producer, it’s your responsibility to shepherd the project in an organized, professional manner to assure your investors that you’re doing everything in your power to make the film profitable.
This 6- part class will show you how to do just that.
For over 25 years, Jeanette Milio has overseen and been intimately involved with the production of over 500 hours of film and television across 3 continents. She has been involved in the financing of over 45 feature films and television projects for HBO, Showtime, ABC, USA Network, Disney, Lionsgate, Sony Pictures, Warner Brothers and more. She has also been a highly in demand Stage 32 educator for 10 years.
In an intimate setting, Jeanette will help demystify the complexities of the film financing part of producing in comprehensive fashion. Each week will be highly detailed and will include case studies, assignments and Q&A’s. You will also have a private channel to Jeanette to discuss any questions you have along the way.
This interactive Stage 32 lab is held on Zoom and goes substantially more in depth than a Stage 32 webinar. Best of all? As soon as you sign up you will be linked on email with Jeanette and given a questionnaire to fill out and send back to her. You will have access to her for the duration of your class by email to ask her any questions you have about your craft or career - it’s like having a mentor on demand! And, if you can't make a live session, don't worry! All class recordings will be available 48 hours after each session and you will be able to view them in your Library on your Stage 32 profile. Finally, you can expand your network with like-minded creatives - you'll have a dedicated lounge for interactive support and discussions with your fellow classmates!
In addition, all classes will be recorded and will be yours forever. As a result, you do not have to be available live for all sessions.
PLUS! Get exclusive handouts, including:
- Sample Business Plans
- Sample Budgets
- Sales Estimate Sheets
- Investor Pitch Decks
- Sales Agency Agreement
- Collection Account Management Agreements
- Pay or Play Offer Template
- Sample Option Agreement
Praise for Jeanette's previous Stage 32 Education:
"Jeanette has invaluable knowledge and made me feel like seeing my movie on the big screen was possible." --Phillip F.
"Jeanette's experience really comes through in her mentorship. She has seen it all and is so helpful in guiding you through the complex world of film and tv." -- Letty L.
"I learned so much from Jeanette and highly recommend you work with her!" -- Kaitlin L.
What You'll Learn
Week 1: Industry Overview: The Independent Film Finance Model vs the Studio Finance Model
-
How studios finance their films and generate profits
-
What to expect when you work with a studio
-
Comparing the studio finance model with the independent finance model
-
Why independent finance models are more transparent
-
Production and distribution options with studios
-
Case study: HARRY POTTER
-
Q&A with Jeanette
There will be an assignment after this session.
Week 2: How to Establish a Profitable Film Project
-
Essential elements that create profitability for a film project.
-
Essential creative elements
-
Packaging talent and establishing the value
-
Attaching a director and cast
-
Creating a feasible budget that supports quality but allows for profit
-
Understanding essential financial elements to achieve profitability
-
And aligning the interests of the investor and producer
-
Understanding the importance of sales estimates
-
And how estimates and pre-sales relate to your search for funding
-
Q&A with Jeanette
Take away materials:
-
Story structure graph
-
Play-or-Play template
-
Sample Budget
-
Sales Estimate template
There will be an assignment after this session.
Week 3: Distribution – The Devil Is In the Details
-
Defining your audience and your market
-
And how your genre will dictate your marketplace
-
Navigating your distribution strategy and establishing the right plan for your specific project
-
Deep dive of distribution options today
-
Theatrical
-
Streamer
-
Network
-
Co-productions
-
Licensing
-
Buy-on
-
Much more
-
Protecting distribution revenues
-
Pitfalls of distribution agreements
-
How to find the right sales agent
-
And how to keep him/her on track
-
Q&A with Jeanette
Take away materials: Summary sheet with all essential terms and conditions for a sales agency agreement
There will be an assignment after this session.
Week 4: Putting Together a Solid Financial Plan
-
An exploration of the main financial sources today
-
Bank loans
-
Mezzanine
-
Subsidies
-
Equity
-
Brand Integration
-
Deferments
-
In-Kind Services
-
Music Investment
-
More
-
Understanding the requirements and the optimal balance of financial sources to create profitability
-
Collateral
-
What assets do financiers and lenders require, and how to give them what they need
-
Why 100% equity doesn’t work
-
The best way to include equity investments
-
What portion of the budget should be equity and why
-
How to secure “ring-fencers”
-
Understanding the “Waterfall”
-
Who recoups what, when and why
-
Who gets paid what, when, and why
-
Case Study: Financing a Film Project from scratch
-
Q&A with Jeanette
Take away material: Excel Finance Plan Template
There will be an assignment after this session.
Week 5: Risk Mitigation
-
Understanding the major risks risks
-
Production
-
Distribution
-
Finance
-
Revenues
-
Eliminating risks
-
Completion bonds
-
Collection agents
-
Feasible financial plans
-
Avoiding distribution pitfalls
-
The investor checklist
-
Non-recoupable financial sources
-
Free money you can take advantage of
-
Related terms and conditions
-
Designing a risk-averse business plan for a project (essential terms and conditions to attract investors)
-
Q&A with Jeanette
Take away materials: CAMA Agreement draft
There will be an assignment after this session.
Week 6: Business Plan Pitch Workshop
-
Everyone will have the opportunity to pitch their business plan to Jeanette and the class as if they were potential investors and get invaluable feedback
What To Expect
PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 lab is limited to 10 creatives and will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. The opportunity to work this closely and for this long with an executive and an expert in the field is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity. If you are interested, please book quickly. Once the spots are gone, they’re gone for good.
-
This lab is designed for beginner, intermediate, or advanced producers, filmmakers and writers looking for advanced knowledge on how to finance your film.
-
Limited spots: Only 10 spots available
-
**Jeanette will be available on email during the duration of the lab to answer any questions you have about your project or career.**
-
This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed lab with one-on-one time with the instructor and significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
-
You will be held accountable to take the lessons from each week and move your work forward.
-
Plus, to stay motivated and inspired, you will have access to a private, dedicated Stage 32 Lounge where you can communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the length of the lab.
Payment plans are available - please contact edu@stage32.com for more information
Who Should Attend
Producers of all levels who want to learn how to finance profitable projects.
Filmmakers of all levels who want to understand how film finance works to better pitch their projects.
Executive
Jeanette Milio has over twenty-five years working across three continents as a producer, executive producer, and financier of motion pictures and television programming. She has worked on over 500 hours of film and television content in the US, Europe, Dubai and South Africa, with a combined total production value of over $250 million. She produced the Netflix Original THE EXPERIMENT starring Adrian Brody and Forrest Whittaker and has worked with ABC/Disney, USA, Showtime, TLC, CW, Discovery, Lionsgate, Paramount and more. She has also consulted for the international co-production department of Warner Bros. in the U.S. and Germany, which was focused on producing local feature content in Europe.
Born and raised in Germany, Jeanette B. Milio started her career in the entertainment industry as an assistant with the German network station RTL, where she was involved in the production of German formats of internationally renowned shows such as THE PRICE IS RIGHT, FAMILY FEUD, and JEOPARDY, among others. Five years later she produced 5 seasons of the prime-time drama series WILDBACH for the German network ARD, and the feature KREIS DER ANGST for the PRO SIEBEN network.
Jeanette immigrated to the United States and produced theatrical motion pictures and television content for U.S. studios and network stations. Credits include TIMESHARE starring Nastassja Kinski, Timothy Dalton, and Kevin Zegers (distributor: FOX Family/ABC Disney), 13 starring Jason Statham, Academy Award® winning actor Mickey Rourke, Sam Riley, Ray Winston, Michael Shannon, and Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent (distributor: Paramount Vantage); THE EXPERIMENT directed by Paul Scheuring, starring Academy Award® winning actors Adrien Brody and Forrest Whitaker, as well as Cam Gigandet (distributor: Sony Pictures, Netflix); and DARK TIDE, starring Academy Award® winner Halle Berry, directed by John Stockwell (distributor: Lionsgate), etc. Throughout her career, Jeanette was involved in financing over 45 film and television projects for HBO, Showtime, ABC, USA Network, Disney, Lionsgate, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., and others.
Jeanette managed a media fund for Far East National Bank, which funded 40 film and television projects, which lead to her structuring her own media fund in 2009, that financed theatrical features with a production volume of $60 million.
She co-created, co-financed and executive produced the beauty competition series GLOBAL BEAUTY MASTERS (TLC) and its spin-off series THE LOOK ALL-STARS (CW Network). She further managed the renowned dog series TV series and brand DOG WHISPERER WITH CESAR MILLAN, which aired for 9 seasons on the National Geographic Channel and sold in over 180 countries. In 2020 Jeanette co-created, financed, and produced two seasons for the new series DOG MASTERS, starring Laura Nativo and Alex Rossi, which is being represented by The Gersh Agency for the U.S. and international distribution.
Jeanette B. Milio is a member of the Producer’s Council for The Producers Guild of America, an executive member of Women in Film, and a member of the Cannes Film Festival Producer’s Network. Jeanette was a co-founder of the Film Finance Forum in Zurich with Winston Baker, teaches Entertainment Finance at UCLAx, and is the author of the industry guide for film and television finance: ENTERTAINMENT FINANCE TODAY, a comprehensive guide in film and television finance.
Jeanette B. Milio holds a bachelor’s degree in Business (Fachhoschule Cologne, Germany), and studied screenplay writing (USC, Los Angeles).
Schedule
Sunday July 27th, 9am-11am PST
Sunday August 3rd, 9am-11am PST
Sunday August 10th, 9am-11am PST
Sunday August 17th, 9am-11am PST
Sunday August 24th, 9am-11am PST
Sunday August 31st, 9am-11am PST
Testimonials
"Jeanette has invaluable knowledge and made me feel like seeing my movie on the big screen was possible." --Phillip F.
"Jeanette's experience really comes through in her mentorship. She has seen it all and is so helpful in guiding you through the complex world of film and tv." -- Letty L.
"I learned so much from Jeanette and highly recommend you work with her!" -- Kaitlin L.