A look at how we believe we can move forward as an indie film culture.

1. A Real Shift
An Independent Filmmaking Workshop
Hosted by
Lawrence Whiteside
and Antonio Bonilla
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CINEMA
SET
FREE
Presents

2. What is a Producer?
And what the hell do they do?
Executive
Co-
Associate
Line
Segment
Classic?
It has
something
to do
with money
and
selling?
Indie producers bring elements to a project
SIMPLY PUT
Research
Scout
Communicate
Book
If you’ve ever ordered a pizza, you can produce a film
Music Art Direction
Extras
Wardrobe
Crew Locations
VehiclesFX
Cast
Common Elements
FoodContracts Props
You don’t worry that the pizza guy doesn’t think you know
enough about pizza to order some.

3. Research
For someone who's never done it before.
Not even once. Not even on Craigslist.
Say you’re looking for a Pizza Shop location
Make a list of locations that may meet the needs of your production.
Scouts often happen en media res.
So, what does a scout look like?
Producers are detectives
• Nobody knows before they’ve found it.
• Google, Craigslist, OregonFilm are places to
start.
• Bookmark resources you find useful for later.
• Share them freely with your team and
community.
• P.A.'s jump in the car & hope.
• Producers call around first & confirm.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
A PRODUCER & A PRODUCTION ASSISTANT?
Pre-Scout on Google Streetview.

4. Scouting A Location Scout example
Information to record
• Owner/Agent Contact Info
• Draw floor plan
• Bathroom availability
• Possible Staging areas
• Nearby food, medical, hardware
• Available parking
• Breaker Box Amperages
• Sun movement in windows
• Natural sounds (that you can’t avoid)
What to bring
• Camera/Camera-phone
• Location Agreement
• Insurance Company Info.
• Business card
• Soft shoot dates
• A good attitude
• An answer to the question of a fee.
($100/day, $50/half-day)
• The script, just in case.
What they can expect
• Production may take up 3+ more rooms
than the Picture rooms.
• Complete silence is required during
shooting.
• Professional/courteous load in & strike.
• Leave it as you find it.
• They will be kept updated on changes.
Overhead layout

5. Reaching Out, Connecting & Following Up
Get the "no." Make progress. Ask again. Repeat
Producer
Hello. My name is Antonio.
I am producing a film and would love to
use Pizza-A-Gogo in a scene. Do you
have a minute this week to discuss?
Producer
Yeah, I’ll see you on Thursday. 2pm work?
The film is a comedy about a young man who
wants to change the world. We’d only need
the shop during it’s closed hours. More on
Thursday.
Owner/Agent
Hey Antonio. I’m a little busy this week.
Can We do next? What’s the movie about?
How long would you be filming? I’m at the
shop this Thursday if you’d like to just stop
in.
SUPER HAPPY
Owner/Agent
I know my place looks awesome but I can’t
have an indie crew messing stuff up. Maybe
if Nick Cage is the Pizza Guy. How much
money do you have? I’m really just all about
money.
Producer
No problem. It’s not a big budget film.
We make artistic, thoughtful projects for
the love of it. Thanks for getting back to
me. Let me know if you change your
mind.
THE NO GO
Owner/Agent
Hey Antonio. I’ve had bad experiences with
filmmakers, especially indie ones in the past.
Do you have a budget for a location fee and
insurance? How long do you need to shoot?
Producer
Yes. We’ve budgeted a certain amount per
day for locations. And production insurance
will be through Gales Creek Insurance. We’d
be looking at 2 days of work, all during hours
you’re closed.
Owner/Agent
Alright, well you sound more professional
than the last jokers. I’m in the shop on
Thursday if you’d like to talk in person. 2-
3pm are usually slow enough for a 20 minute
meeting. Doable?
Producer
Absolutely! Thank you. I can assure you
we are a professional crew. I’ll be in at 2pm
on Thursday to talk further.
THE TOUGH SELL

6. Production Meetings: AKA Momentum
But I never have any time! But I have a
day job! But I live across the country!
What to cover on first meeting
• Give everyone a draft of the script to work from.
(Even if it’s not “done/perfect/whatever”)
• Set rough shooting dates. 1-4 months out.
• Make lists of Cast, Crew & Locations needed.
• Set dates for an initial audition.
• Someone writes the character descriptions for agencies,
open calls.
• Someone agrees to scout/book an audition space
• Start an email chain or private facebook/google group.
• Everyone call each other. Confirm Invites.
• Establish a workable day/time each week for future quick
meetings.
Then be done! We’re all busy people.
E-mail or group post any followups, random thoughts, brain
dumps. Team can read them at leisure.
The Quick Meeting - When you’re in it
1. What you've accomplished last week. Even if it’s just
attempts. At least you covered that ground.
2. Make decisions based on what you have. Keep
scouting, book and move on.
3. New assignments. Divide & Conquer. Obvious blocks?
The group may have leads. Stay positive, specific &
constructive.
4. Agree to work on it and have results next week.
Everyone takes a turn briefing the group.
google.com/hangouts
Questions?
Comments?

7. • 15 minute break.
• Say Hi to those
around you.
• Grab another
drink, smoke.
• We’ll be back with
a Revenue
Share Business
Model for Indie
Film.
Break Time

8. THESE FOLKS ARE ALL
LOOKING FOR WORK
The Competition Culture
Film/Drama School Admissions
Short Script/Film Contests
Audtioning/Job hunt
Get your first big break
Reality Shows
Pitching to Studios/Networks
Writer’s Rooms/Film Festivals/Markets
IMDB/HSX Ranking/# Followers
Pilot Season/Get Discovered
Academy Awards/Best Dressed
Achieve Spielberg Status
Limited jobs and the perceived ladder
What's different about Spielberg?
"Hollywood is going to implode in 2015"
- Steven Spielberg & George Lucas, June 11th 2013
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Those that seem to have made it, have usually just started their own companies
Move to Hollywood
Unpaid Internships
Those that wait for other people to accept them may eventually tire out.

9. An Entrepreneurial Path
Unlimited jobs. We are the job creators!
Meet weekly. Research/Scout/Book
Raise Money for production costs.
Show your progress, Keep asking for help
Produce/edit your project. Pay your crew
Self-Distribute. Pay out per the schedule
Earn a living doing what you love
Learn by doing/Teach by example
Contribute to a knowledge base
Apprentice/Work on a Project
Gather your team
Start your own project
Offer yourself to your
community
Stay where you areMove to Hollywood
Make it?
rama School Admissions
Short Script/Film Contests
Audtioning/Job hunt
Get your first big break
Reality Shows
Pitching to Studios/Networks
Writer’s Rooms/Film Festivals/Markets
IMDB/HSX Ranking/# Followers
Pilot Season/Get Discovered
Academy Awards/Best Dressed
Achieve Speilberg Status
Unpaid Internships
The technology for truly independent filmmaking is here.
It’s time we developed the culture/business practices for it as well.

10. An Overview of Concepts
Defining the terms of entrepreneurship
Revenue
Monetary Income from the sales of products
produced by the company. The movie, etc.
Member of Company
A person who has agreed to work for a company
and forgo their usual wages for a percentage of
revenue in the future.
Schedule of Payment
A document that details how the revenue from a
particular market will be delegated in the future
amongst debt, investors and members.
Investment
An agreement to fund a company at their own risk
for an agreed upon repayment percentage (150%).
To be included in the schedule.
An Agreement
A contract signed by the member and an officer of
the company that details the expectations for both
parties.
Debt
Expenses accrued over the course of the
production that are tied to an interest baring
account. To be included in the schedule.
Pre-Sales/Crowd-funding
Interest or Repayment-free income before the
completion of the product that is used exclusively
for paying production costs. Offset more costly
investment & debt.
An Addendum
An amendment to the agreement that brings the
schedule or other terms current as the project
progresses.

11. Rev Share Example
Percent of North American Online Distribution Revenue
Revenue Online Sales
$10 per Unit
6,500 Fans Buy It
$65,000 in Y1
Investment/Debt
$0 (to keep it simple)
RevShare %
for 6 Producers
(Members)
Pre-Sales/Crowdfunding
$30,000 (total cost)
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
$16,800 $11,200 $5,600 $2,800 $36,400
$6,000 $4,000 $2,000 $1,000 $13,000
$3,000 $20,000 $1,000 $500 $6,500
$2,400 $1,600 $800 $400 $5,200
$1,200 $800 $400 $200 $2,600
$600 $400 $200 $100 $1,300
$30,000 $20,000 $10,000 $5,000 $65,000
56%
20%
10%
8%
4%
2%

12. Payment Schedule Example
Striking a balance so we can all eat, attract investment &
rights acquisition, payoff debt and earn residuals long term.
To Payout
CC Debt $20,000 ($5k Interest 1st year) $25,000
Investment $20,000 (150% Return) $35,000
Rev Share $22,000 (Q1-4) $54,000 (Q5-8)
Example Cost Breakdown
Fundraising/Pre-sales $30,000
Total Cost to Produce $70,000
Total Earnings (2 Years) $134,000
Foreign Rights AcquisitionFestival Laurels
Other Press
Foreign Rights AcquisitionFestival Laurels
Other Press

13. The Agreement
A discussion of expectations
LLC Your Project
• LLC's are $300 on LegalZoom for State of Oregon.
• Members can be added after incorporating.
• Rev Share is taxed as individual income. Added to regular
income tax.
• The LLC’s taxes are $0 if RevShare takes all the profits.
• Signed Agreements are binding, even plainly worded ones.
Lawyer fees shouldn’t be a roadblock to industry.
• Members aren’t legally required to make at least minimum
wage. Non-members are.
• Equity or Common Stock in a company are taxed on perceived
value. Not ideal for a film.
• Shares can still be sold to investors in a traditional way. Return
on investment may be put before Rev Share or during. Per the
schedule of payment.
• Rev Share can be structured however both parties agree. % of
revenue for hours worked seems like the fairest way for new
comers.
• RevShare is tied to a particular market or markets. So rights
acquisition is still possible.
• Online distribution is guaranteed, so we can work with that first.
• Other distribution methods. (Foreign/DVD/TV/Airline) can be
negotiated for producers who work at the tail end of production
on securing these deals or for schedules with less upfront
RevShare
What the project expects
• Producer will be a contributing member and
assume a share of the workload throughout.
• Producer will stay on the project as needed
until exhibition.
• Producer will not jeopardize project by
abruptly leaving or otherwise.
Risk losing rev share.
• The RevShare for Pre-pro work is for North
American Online sales.
• Other RevShare can be available for help
distributing.
What a member expects
• Agrees to join as member of LLC for % rev share
without wages or less wages.
• Agrees to the schedule of payout and to sign
addendum's as needed.
• That project will be completed for paid exhibition.
• They will receive their portion simultaneously
with all other members.
• The project will keep accurate records and make
them available to all members of the team. (AKA
transparency).
Other stuff I learned along the way

14. Thank You!
There are filmmakers all around you.
Stick around and say hello.
We are
Lawrence
Whiteside
and Antonio Bonilla
If you’d like to
produce on upcoming
projects, get in touch!
Please leave a positive comment on our
meetup page afterwards. It really helps.
Signup on our website
We will make all documents available on
cinemasetfree.com soon.
CinemaSetFree.com