Producers Guild Film and TV Finance Program Series

9 Jan 2012 until 22 Feb 2012


TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS GRADUATE-LEVEL SERIES THAT WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU PITCH, NEGOTITATE & PLAN FOR FISCAL SUCCESS

This certificate series is specifically designed to provide an in-depth understanding of film and television financing. The series will cover all types of production financing from debt to equity, soft money, tax incentives, and product integration. The series will also cover: (1) how executives make financing decisions, (2) the questions and information that they will ask of a producer, and (3) how to pitch to an investor, bank, or studio from a financial perspective. At the end of the program participants will understand how every CFO, investor or bank thinks, and will be able to present business plans and financial projections that are based on industry standards.

ENROLLMENT CLOSES JANUARY 23, 2012

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Professors & Industry Experts:

Rod Perth –President, USA Networks; President of Television, ReelzChannel; SVP, Late Night Programming, CBS Television; Adjunct Professor at University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.

Marc Robertson – President & Chief Executive Officer, RUI, Inc.

Andrew Sugerman – Producer and PGA member (“Conviction,” “Shopgirl,” “Premonition.”)

Brian Williams, EVP, BrandIn Entertainment

Devin Arbiter – Entertainment, Media & Technology, PwC

DETAILS: Five-Part Series:  Five two-hour online sessions.

Certificate:  Full-series participants will be awarded an RUI Certificate of Film & Television Finance

Purchased sessions in this series will be available to watch through February 22, 2012 (if enrolled by 1/23/12).

Participants will be invited to email questions and get answers even after the program series ends for a period of one month, thus allowing attendees to put their learning into practice while still having access to help.

PRICE: Discounted Series rate: $190 – ($35 savings) includes all 5 online sessions and an RUI Certificate of Film & Television Finance for your resume.

PGA Member discount: $35 per session / $175 per series (Discount code available from the PGA) RUI

Alumni discount: $35 per session / $175 per series (email for discount code: info@rui.us.com)

SESSIONS: Part 1: Understanding Finance for Feature Films Session 1

  • The cost of money.
  • The different  types of production financing available, debt and equity, soft, advances, and their cost.
  • The time value of money.
  • Matching your financing with your production budget.

Session 2

  • Understanding the formulas an investor uses to make an investment decision
  • (NPV’s, IRR).
  • How to pitch to a sophisticated investor.
  • How to negotiate with investors.
  • How to  manage investors.

Session 3

  • Types of budgets (marketing, advertising, operating).
  • Revenues, the distribution chain.
  • Net and gross profit participation.

Part 2: Understanding Finance for Television Session 4

  • NPV for a series.
  • How series are financed.
  • TV investment decision process.
  • Financial risk, number of pilots and success rates.
  • Limited financial resources.
  • Opportunity Costs, who they will buy from.

Session 5

  • ROI (return on investment) for a TV series.
  • TV windowing timeline.
  • Series monetization (Distribution revenues).
  • TV series financial formulas (NPV, IRR) the six year time line.

Have a question? Email:  info@rui.us.com Here’s what PGA Members are saying about RUI: “The PGA film finance seminar was immensely helpful. The speakers broke down complicated financing, revenue, and cost waterfalls into easy digestible pieces and used readily understandable examples to point out the pitfalls of independent filmmaking and fundraising (and how to avoid them!). More importantly, Marc and his team spoke from extensive first hand experience. Their own stories illuminated the challenges that face filmmakers today in a way that avoided sugar coating the truth while still encouraging the audience to pursue their passions. I would definitely go back!” Charlie Bathgate PGA Member “The Understanding Film/TV Finance Seminar was an eye-opening experience! It better enabled me to communicate with investors – offering them more peace of mind about investing in an artistic project, while affording me the opportunity to produce a picture that had a better chance of returning both a positive fiscal and creative success. Taking this seminar is one of the best investments a producer can make for themselves! Erica McIntosh ~ Associate Producer ‘High Flight’ PGA Member “The PGA finance seminar that RUI put together was excellent.  Key for me, it clearly and simply laid out the process of computing the actual current value of a feature project whose returns are spread out over a lifetime.  The crazy guesswork that one usually sees in film finance proposals pales in comparison to the studio-tested procedures that RUI makes plain for independent producers.  I highly recommend the coursework.” Ted Deiker, Line Producer PGA Member “As an indie producer, your presentation to us at the Producers Guild was mesmerizing. Although I have heard the information in different guises and packages before, no one has ever presented such a clear and succinct overview…as to what the business of the money that funds the movies, is really all about. I have signed up for all 5 classes.” Rosemary Marks, Producer PGA Member “Marc Robertson and the industry experts on film finance hosted by the PGA was essential. The presentation room at the CBS Studios Lot was packed, and for good reason. No matter how brilliant your film concept and vision, you can only realize your dreams if you invest time in the business of film. I am very grateful for the session. Catherine Cunningham – Founder, Eikosphere PGA Member