Stage 32 4-Part Class: How To Produce, Finance, And Distribute Your Under $5MM Feature Film
Summary
Learn from a producer of over 45 film and television projects with Netflix, Disney, Sony, Paramount, HBO and Showtime!
Get a sample option agreement, talent offer agreement, CAMA agreement and more!
PLEASE NOTE: Although this exclusive Stage 32 class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email, we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.
Feature films with a budget under $5 million have the advantage of being relatively smaller, agile productions while also allowing enough money for a quality crew and the option to attach meaningful on-camera talent. This paradigm can elevate your film, and make it more profitable.
However, how can you successfully make a creatively satisfying and profitable film under $5 million? How much should you pay for talent? What types of stories lend themselves best to this budget range? And what distribution options work best for films under $5 million to ensure a successful release and money back to your investors? Stage 32 is here to here to answer all of those questions for you and more.
In this exclusive Stage 32 4-part class, you will learn every step of the process to make a successful feature film for under $5 million from the inception of your idea through production and all the way to generating profits via distribution. From learning how to pick the right script to understanding the proper distribution options to learning how to structure your finance sources to optimize your returns, you will walk away from this class with all the tools and know how to successfully make a feature film for under $5 million.
Teaching you everything you need to know to produce your feature film for under $5 million is Jeanette Milio. She has worked on over 45 films and television programs for companies like Netflix, Disney, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, HBO, Showtime, and many more. Her projects have also starred Academy Award-winning performers, including Halle Berry, Adrien Brody, Forest Whitaker, and Mickey Rourke. Jeanette is a member of the Producer's Guild of America, Women in Film, and the Cannes Film Festival Producer's Network and structured her own media fund that financed theatrical features with a production volume of $60 million.
Over 4 interactive sessions with Jeanette, you will learn the steps to take - and steps not to take - when making your feature film for under $5 million so you can ensure a smooth production and land a profitable distribution deal. This course will define the risks associated with producing films in the mid-budget range and you will learn mitigation strategies to protect your project, your producer, and your investor(s).
If you want to learn a step-by-step guide to producing films under $5 million that sell and generate profits then this class is for you!
PLUS! You will receive exclusive handouts to help you produce, finance, and distribute your under $5MM feature film. Downloads include:
- Today’s film marketplace quiz
- Financial planning tools
- Sample CAMA (revenue/profit) agreement
- Sample story rights agreement (option)
- Sample talent offers for director and cast (pay-or-play)
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
SESSION 1: Understanding The Film Industry Today
- What are the recent major shifts in the industry that impact producers, both negatively and positively
- How content producers can constantly optimize for success in an ever changing industry
- How the global film market affects the film you will make
- Why low budget feature films (under $5 million) make sense in today's marketplace
- The economics of $5 million feature films
- Q&A with Jeanette
Assignment:
- Quiz - Understanding Today’s Market Place
SESSION 2: Distribution Options For Films Under $5 Million
- How does your budget impact distribution revenues?
- The risks and pitfalls you should know about in distribution
- Risk mitigation options when it comes to distributing films under $5 million
- Sales agents and distributors - what to know before you sign a contract
- Q&A with Jeanette
Assignment:
- Distribution Case Study: Establish Sales Estimates, Pre-Sales for a Feature Film and structure the related Bank Loan
SESSION 3: The Financing Options Available Today
- Identify the various financing sources that are available today for feature films
- What financing option makes sense for your project to optimize profits?
- The sources to finance in today's market and how they differ
- Banking
- Equity
- Branding
- Production incentives
- More...
- How to secure financing for your low-budget project
- Do's and Dont's when working with investors
- How to approach investors for your under $5 million feature film
- What are the steps you should take during the financing process that lead you to optimize profits?
- Q&A with Jeanette
Handouts:
- Financial Planning Tools
- Sample CAMA (revenue/profit) agreement
Assignment:
- Case Study to finance a feature film including all available finance sources today
SESSION 4: Putting It All Together: How To Create A Successful Business Plan For Your Film
It is critically important to know how to break down your script into a budget and business plan that delivers a high quality commercial film that will be a financial success. You need a strong business plan to attract meaningful talent, distribution, and financing.
- What are the important elements of a business plan pitch deck?
- How to secure distribution before you start shooting and how to structure the deal to get a greenlight for your project
- Why so many producers utilize pre-sales for their under $5 million feature films
- Learn how to protect your project (and your investor) creatively and financially
- Q&A with Jeanette
Handouts:
- Sample story rights agreement (option)
- Sample talent offers for director and cast (pay-or-play)
Assignment:
Create a business plan for your project.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- This class is designed for beginner and intermediate students looking to learn how to produce, finance, and distribute your under $5mm feature film in today’s marketplace. This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed class with significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
PLEASE NOTE: Although this exclusive Stage 32 class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email, we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.
Who Should Attend
All levels of producers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to produce a feature film for under $5 million.
All levels of screenwriters (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to produce a feature film for under $5 million.
All levels of screenwriters (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn the craft of TV pilot writing from an experienced literary manager who has sold projects in the marketplace.
Producers who want to better understand the under $5 million feature film market and what represents a marketable under $5 million feature film script.
Actors who want to take control of their careers by producing a feature film for under $5 million.
Executive
Jeanette B. Milio is a veteran producer and entertainment finance expert with over 25 years of experience in film and television across the U.S., Europe, and beyond. She has overseen the development and production of more than 50 projects with a combined production volume exceeding $250 million. As CEO of Alliance Cinema, she structures equity investments, debt financing, and content library strategies, with investments supporting productions totaling over $60 million to date.
Her work includes collaborations with Academy Award®-winning talent, and her credits span major studios and platforms such as Paramount, Lionsgate, Sony, Warner Bros., HBO, Showtime, ABC/Disney, Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV+, National Geographic, and others.
Select credits include: “Timeshare” starring Timothy Dalton and Nastassja Kinski (ABC/Disney, Freevee), “13” starring Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, Michael Shannon, and 50 Cent (Paramount Vantage/Amazon), “The Experiment” starring Adrien Brody and Forest Whitaker (Sony Pictures, Netflix), “Dark Tide” starring Halle Berry (Lionsgate, Amazon, Apple TV), “Global Beauty Masters” (TLC) and its spin-off “The Look: All Stars” (CW Network), “Operation Hidden Treasures” (Discovery Channel, American Heroes Channel), “Dog Whisperer” (National Geographic Channel, Disney+), “Dog Masters”, an original series created and produced by Jim and Jeanette Milio, currently in production and the non-profit documentary series “C-Story”, which is currently in production.
Ms. Milio is the author of “Entertainment Finance Today”, a widely adopted industry guide to financing and distributing media content. She advises producers, lenders, and investors and regularly consults for platforms including Netflix and Amazon Studios on development, finance structuring, and feasibility. She also designs and leads customized finance seminars for funds and media companies, including Netflix and Amazon.
A recipient of the Distinguished Instructor Award at UCLA Extension’s Entertainment Studies Program, she is a frequent speaker at industry events and institutions including Stage32, the Cannes Film Festival, the American Film Market, and others.
In 2025, she and her husband co-founded Perfection In Progress (PIP) Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to producing mission-driven content that fosters empathy, environmental awareness, and social impact.
Testimonials
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.
Credits
