This updated third edition introduces readers to the business of film at every stage of the filmmaking lifecycle, from planning and production to financing, marketing, and distribution. Celebrated authors Stephen R. Greenwald and Paula Landry offer a practical, hands-on guide to the business aspects of this evolving industry, exploring streaming, development, financing trends, regional/global/online distribution, shifting business models, exhibition, multi-platform delivery, marketing, VR/AR, virtual production, accounting, and more.
The book is illustrated throughout with sample financing scenarios and charts/graphics, and includes detailed case studies from projects of different budgets and markets. This new and expanded edition has been updated to reflect the new challenges facing the industry due to Covid-19 and how to navigate the new landscape of film financing and distribution. Other updates include coverage of new indie films and distributors, virtual production, the recent impact of global markets including the biggest streamers like Netflix, Apple and Amazon are how they are shaping the future of the business.
This is essential reading for students looking for foundational knowledge of the film industry and guidance on how to successfully adapt to constant changes in the entertainment business.
Extensive online support material accompanies the book including downloadable forms and templates, PowerPoint slides, quizzes and test banks, and other additional resources.
Author(s): Stephen R. Greenwald, Paula Landry
Edition: 3
Publisher: Routledge/Focal Press
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 397
City: New York
Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Preface
Author Bios
Notes on Contributors
Introduction
Chapter 1: A Brief History of the Film Industry
Movie Industry Themes
A Global Business
Both a Business and an Art Form
Profit-Driven
Film Is Collaborative
Film Is an Art Form that Is Technologically Driven
Capital-Intensive
A Brief Business History of Film
The Early Years
The Birth of Distribution
Thomas Edison’s Monopoly
The Birth of the Studio System
The Marriage of Sight and Sound
The Influence of Capital
Funding Research and Development
The Impact of World Events
The Advent of Television
Television Spurs Media Consolidation and Independent Film Production
The Expansion and Impact of Cable TV
The Introduction and Influence of Home Video
The Restructuring of the Film Studios
Corporate Consolidation and Risk Aversion
The Evolution of Film as a Global Business
Other Important Developments
Independent Movie Companies
Multiplexing
Convergence and Disruption
Fast Forward to Present Day
Internet Protocol Television/OTT
Digital Streaming and Downloads
Mobile
Large Formats
New Formats
Notes
Chapter 2: A Business Overview of Film
Key Characteristics of the Industry
Film as Intellectual Property
Managing Creative Talent
Film Is a Global Product
Film Takes a Long Time to Conceive, Create, and Sell
Market Structure—Oligopoly Versus Monopoly
Cyclical
Price Elasticity
Structure of the Industry
The Production Sector
The Distribution Sector
The Exhibition Sector
New Media Players and Their Impact
Notes
Chapter 3: Movie Development
Where Films Come From
Different Types of Films
Narrative Feature—Theatrical
Narrative Films—Shorts
Documentaries
Feature Films—Non-Theatrical
Educational/Training/Corporate/Personal
Process
Length of Development
Personnel Involved in Development
The Advisers: Entertainment Attorneys, Agents, Managers
Development Evaluation Criteria
Pitch/StoryLine/Heroes and Villains
Visual/Hooks
Definable Target Audience/Exportability
Genre/MPA Rating
Cost and Projected Revenue
Franchises and Trends
Building a Package
A Script Is the Foundation of a Film
Controlling the Script or Property
The Decision to Option or Purchase a Script or Other Work
Script Format
The Writers Guild
Protecting a Movie Before it is Made
Copyright Recapture
Attaching Key Players/Name Value
Creating a Budget
Studio Versus Indie
DIY Filmmaking
Notes
Chapter 4: Movie Financing
Corporate Financing
Balance-Sheet Financing: Equity and Debt
Equity Financing
Debt Financing
Entertainment Banks
Coproduction Deals
“Slate” Deals; Off-Balance Sheet Financing; Limited Partnerships
Slate Deals
Off-Balance-Sheet Financing
Limited Partnerships
Picture Financing
Production/Financing/Distribution Deals
Negative Pickup Deals
Development Deals
Loan Financing
Presales and Distribution Deals
Gap Financing
Equity Investments—Limited Partnership and Limited Liability Company
Crowdfunding, Production Incentives, Soft Money, Blockchain
Crowdfunding, Blockchain, NFTs, and Crypto
Production Incentives, Soft Money
Other Sources
Product Placement
Music Recording Rights Advances
Services Deals
Credit for Dollars
The Future
Notes
Chapter 5: Movie Production
Preproduction—Planning
Organizing Preproduction Time
Formats
Key Personnel
Line Producer and Director
Producer’s Unit
Director’s Unit
Cast and Crew
Primary Tasks
Infrastructure
Legal Form
Shooting Script/Breakdown/Schedule
Planning
Timeline/Scheduling/Budgeting
Documentation
Chain of Title
Unions
The Director’s Contract
The Star’s Contract
Casting
Where to Shoot/Production Incentives
Soundstages/Developed Film Industry Centers/On Location
Film Commissions/Production Incentives
Shooting Abroad/Foreign Coproductions
Insurance and Completion Bonds
Production
Length of Production
A Typical Production Day
Key Roles
Postproduction
Picture
Sound
Preparation for Delivery
Impact of Mobile, VR/AR, and IMAX
Mobile
Notes
Chapter 6: Movie Distribution
Distribution Details
Distribution Structure
The Distribution Agreement
Deal Points
Term
Territory
Common Elements
Exclusivity
Revenue and Profit Definitions
Changes in Distribution: Internet Streaming, Convergence, Disruptors
Internet Streaming/OTT
The Major Distribution Companies
Warner Bros
Paramount
Walt Disney Studios
Sony
Universal
Evolution of Film Distribution
Theatrical Distribution
Theatrical Release Patterns
Timing the Theatrical Release
Competition from Other Films
Distribution Budget/Prints and Advertising
Opening Weekend
Costs of Distribution
Convergence
Disruptors
Impact of the Internet and Mobile Technology
Mobile
Internet technology
Direct and Hybrid Models
Global Influences on Distribution
Notes
Chapter 7: Movie Marketing
Marketing: Creating Awareness for a Film
A Marketing Plan
Film File, VPF, DCP, and Delivery Expenses
Advertising, Publicity, and Promotional Expenses
Determining the Overall Marketing Budget
Consumer Product Sponsorship
Important Elements of the Marketing Campaign
Title
Logline
Press Book
Internet Website, Social Media, and Online Presence
Defining the Audience
Film-Viewing Habits
Social Media
Trends in Promotion and Marketing
Film Festivals and Markets
Notes
Chapter 8: Film Exhibition, Retail, and Consumption
Theatrical
Important Historical Events in the Theatrical Business
The First Distribution Window
Leaders in the Theatrical Industry
Setting Ticket Prices
Movie Grades and Differential Pricing
Theatrical Expense and Revenue Sources
Who Is Going to the Movie Theater?
Rethinking the Theatrical Experience
The Transformation to Digital
Deals Between Distributor and Exhibitor
Streaming and New Business Models
Crowdsourcing as a New Business Model
Franchising a Universe of Content
Create Your Own Model
From Video/DVD to VOD/PPV
Brief History of Video to DVD
Rise of DVDs
High-Definition DVD Formats
DVD Retailers
DVD Rentals
OTT/VOD/PPV/EST
Mobile Platforms
Cable/Free-TV/Cutting the Cord
Free-TV/Basic Cable/Syndication
Impact of Global Markets
Licensing Foreign Rights
Trade Barriers to American Films
Ancillary Rights
The Role of Film Markets and Film Festivals
Notes
Chapter 9: Movie Accounting
GAAP Versus Contractual Accounting
GAAP—Corporate Accounting
Contractual Accounting
Accounting Terms and Revenue Sources
Box Office
Gross Receipts/Gross Film Rental
DVD/Blu-ray
Television
Music, Merchandising, Sequel Rights
Foreign Revenue
Gross Participants
Distribution Fees
Distribution Expenses
Negative Cost
Trade Show, Trade Dues, and Festival Expenses
Additional Expenses
Interest
Revenue Flow to a Film
Recognizing Revenue
The Value of a Film Over Time
Projecting the Ultimate Revenue of a Film
Film Amortization
Audit Rights
Accounting System
Guilds and Unions
Purchase Orders
Financial Reports
Notes
Appendices
A. Option and Literary Purchase Agreement
Short Form Option
Short-Form Assignment
B. Release for Submission of Materials to Studio or Production Company
Production Company Submission Release Form
Schedule A
C. Writer Theatrical Short-Form Agreement—Work for Hire
D. Life Story Rights Agreement
Exhibit A
Assignment (Short Form)
E. Directing Agreement
F. Actor Services Agreement
G. Product Placement Release
H. Script Readers Coverage Report Content and Format
I. Acceptable Genre Classifications
J. Film Festivals
Biggest Festivals
Other Popular Film Festivals
Festival Submission Platforms
K. Online Film Distribution Platforms
L. Popular Movie Industry Trade Magazines/Sites
Notes
Index
