Film Business School Was a Success!
Last month the FilmHedge team hosted our first Film Business School event in Mableton, Georgia. Around 100 people attended.
The idea behind these workshops was to give people an in person crash course and time to ask questions about topics they may not be familiar with. Topics like how to complete a finance plan for a film, how negative pickups work, negotiating pre-sales, and securing distribution.
We noticed most other film finance courses focus on the business of how producers should spend money once they have it, not so much on how to get in the first place. No, the answer is not quite as simple as “just ask rich people”.
While it’s not easy, there are a number of paths to financial success available that many filmmakers simply aren’t aware of.
More important than just the basic concepts, we share practical information about what’s happening in the industry right now. Insights from our partners and collaborators, the various streamers, studios, distributors, and sales agents who participate in our deals.
We answer questions like: Which genres are in demand and why? What budget ranges are finding them most success when it comes to acquisition or licensing? Which groups have slowed down on deals and who’s being more aggressive? Is paying for packaging worth it or should you do it yourself as a Producer? What do financiers look for in a package before they get involved? When to leverage debt versus equity or both?
The FilmHedge team mostly consists of people with a background in private equity, banking, investing, senior debt, and structured finance. We also have executives who formerly worked on the finance teams of places like Netflix and the Creative Artists Agency. These workshops are focused on that side of the film business — a side of filmmaking other programs often don’t to include in their curriculum.
Admittedly, it is the boring side but understanding how to structure finance for a film or television production will make you a far more effective producer than those who don’t.
If you’d like to learn more about when the next FilmHedge Film Business School session will take place, please email erik@filmhedge.com to inquire.
Special thanks to Bacardi and The Reserves at Hamilton Homes for sponsoring the event.
