Series: BOE® Career in Entertainment Series

None of the lesson in this series have been reviewed.

Below are the descriptions for each of the lessons included in the series:

• "There's No Business Like Show Business"

  Patrick Gregston is principal and founder of NeoPixis specializing in the production and development of the next generation of non linear production and distribution tools. He has worked as a film editor, associate producer, producer, director, consultant, manufacturer's representative, and vendor of post production systems. Patrick is producer for Ceilings Unlimited, formed to tell the NOAA Climate Science story.

  Hollywood's business model has remained essentially the same for over 100 years - use other people's money to create entertainment products and generate revenue from the controlled consumption of these properties through distribution channels either owned or leveraged by content owners and distributors.

  Patrick covers the historic development and fundamentals of the traditional entertainment model and discusses how changing consumer habits and new technologies are contributing to disruptions and opportunities along Hollywood's value chain.

• "Can the Creative Process Be Defined?"

  Peter Schneider is the Tony Award winning producer of THE LION KING on Broadway. During his 17 year career at The Walt Disney Company, Mr. Schneider was President of Feature Animation and Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. In this remarkable presentation, Peter asks, "can the creative process be defined?"

  Well, in a word, “No”.   But as in that old adage—“Money can’t buy happiness but it can buy the context in which it is most likely to occur”—we can create an environment in which creativity can thrive.  Peter guides us through the various steps which have most often led to artistic success, including: breaking the rules, marrying the experimental with the proven, and unleashing through strategic thinking the “happy accidents” that are at the heart of the creative process. While budgets, ROI, and marketing are important adjuncts, Schneider explores both the fundamentals and the ad-hoc thinking which, in fact, merge the business and artistic spheres.

  You'll meet Howard Ashman, Alan Menken, Glen Keene, Ron Clements, John Musker and others responsible for the artistic triumph of THE LITTLE MERMAID as Peter breaks down the creative process into what he believes are the six essential ingredients for success.

• "Global Television Sales and Marketing"

  Chris Philip is President of Engine Distribution a wholly owned subsidiary of Electus Entertainment, where he oversees the global sales and distribution of finished content, formats, and international co-productions.

  After sweating the trials and tribulations of development, production and post, how do distributors sell their television and motion picture products to a global market?

  What's the difference between "format sales" and "finished sales", How do we track the licensed rights across dozens of global cable, terrestrial satellite channels?

  What are the machinations of negotiating million-dollar package and output deal? And what are the opportunities in "trans-media" and global branding?

  Chris is our guide through the treacherous tides of global media sales.

• "What Every Producer Needs to Know to Survive"

  Randy Greenberg is the former SVP of International Theatrical Distribution for Universal Pictures and is executive producer of COWBOYS AND ALIENS and DYLAN DOG: DEAD OF NIGHT.

  In this comprehensive and enlightening presentation, Greenberg walks us step-by-step through the process of producing a motion picture regardless of the budget.

  Where do stories come from and how does a producer gain the right to tell that story? Where does the money come from to finance the project, pay for the talent, the director, the cinematographer and everything else? How does a distribution deal get done and what happens when the lead actor breaks his leg - on the set?

  Randy shares his first-hand on-the-job insights on these topics and much more!

• "So, You Wanna Make a Movie?"

  "Most films lose Money", says Schuyler M. Moore (author of THE BIZ), but Hollywood continues to attract huge sums of money for film production from investors worldwide. How does a $300M box-office success 'lose' money when Hollywood appears to be so wildly successful?

  Schuyler M. Moore is a partner in the corporate entertainment department at the Los Angeles office of the national law firm of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, LLP. Mr. Moore has been practicing in the entertainment industry since 1981, and he represents a broad spectrum of clients throughout the entertainment industry, including producers, sales agents, foreign distributors, and financiers. He was listed as one of the top 100 California Lawyers by the Daily Journal in 2009 and is consistently listed as one of the top 100 entertainment lawyers by The Hollywood Reporter.

  In his frank and entertaining presentation Sky posits some preliminary issues for wannabe producers to ponder before proceeding down the perilous path of movie making. It will cover the basic economics of the film industry, advice for getting started, sources of financing, legal pitfalls, and suggestions for navigating the treacherous waters of film production.

• "Ultraviolet - The Digital Locker on the Cloud"

  Christopher Carey is a widely recognized technology strategist who was most recently Executive Vice President, Worldwide Technical Operations for Paramount Pictures. Before joining Paramount, Chris was the Chief Marketing and Technology Officer for Technicolor. Prior to Technicolor, Chris served as Senior VP of Studio New Technology for The Walt Disney Company.

  Annual DVD sales totaled 18 billion dollars just six years ago. That number is now less than half. Studios are seeking ways to jumpstart download-to-own to replace silver disks, but consumers continue to demand content "anytime, anywhere on any device." Ultraviolet technology may be the answer that enables purchased movies and TV programing stored on the “cloud” with seamless availability to the owner's devices.  Will this be the answer?  

  Chris will focus on the technological, contractual and commercial issues impacting the future of cloud-based ownership of Hollywood product.

• "The Wacky World of 2D and 3D Animation"

  James Oliff was trained in classical animation at Sheridan College of Art and Design and has worked in the animation industry for more than 20 years. An award-winning director and long-time feature film animator, his credits include the first season of "The Ren and Stimpy Show", and many feature length animated pictures such as "Hunchback of Notre Dame", "Mulan", "Hercules", "The Emperor’s New Groove", and CG animation on titles ranging from "Kangaroo Jack" to "Scooby Doo Too" and "National Treasure".

  Animation and its many forms - gaming, features, television. The perilous world of visual effects, and why it is nearly impossible to run a visual effects company and maintain your sanity. Runaway film production, trying to compete with emerging markets with low labour costs. Modern animation workflows-who does what, where and how? The hazards of freelancing.

  Jamie's presentation will be fast, loose and potentially dangerous for younger viewers!

• "The New Media Ecosystem"

  This presentation, co-sponsored by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, features Robert Yamashita and Glen Anderson from Gogentic Advisors, a professional consulting firm with significant expertise in new media economics and technology.

  New Media represents both opportunities and challenges to the production ecosystem. Driven by the proliferation of models and devices for creation, production, and consumption of media – along with the impact of social networking and mobile devices, the economic landscape of the ecosystem is in rapid change. Key success factors now include intelligent taxonomies and technology for content discovery, embedded interactive functionality, seamless integration of commerce and content, and flexible transcoding for multi-format devices in the connected home.

• “Developing a Profitable Online Studio Business"

  Doug Miller has over 25 years of diversified expertise within the international and domestic media space, full P/L management within Asia, Europe and the United States. While he was EVP and managing director of Walt Disney International in Asia, Mr. Miller demonstrated leadership in partnering with global teams, transforming margin challenges into sustainable high yield profit centers and launching strategic initiatives focused on increasing market share, profitability, and shareholder value.  Mr. Miller's expertise includes leading world-class media (new and traditional), sales, distribution, and market development organizations; developing cutting edge talent, and proactively capitalizing on incremental revenue streams.  A graduate of Michigan State University, Doug is currently managing global distribution and advertising for Michael Eisner's Tornante Animation and Vuguru, as well as managing partner at Stonebridge Global Consulting.

  Although it remains unclear what business models will ultimately be successful, it is a “given” that on-line video production companies must experiment with multiple, innovative revenue streams to have any chance of success. What will be the revenue strategies in the near future? Can an independent production company focused on short-form content for digital distribution become the new "studio" business in Hollywood?

  Doug profiles Vuguru, LLC (www.vuguru.com), the web driven, scripted video content studio launched by Michael Eisner. How have they managed their way through the cost-revenue-distribution maze? What can we learn from Vuguru's activities? How will Vuguru continue to expand their business?

• "Over the Top Video and Implications for TV"

  Prior to forming HighView Media, Phillip Schuman was Co-President, Universal Studios Television Distribution where he was responsible for the successful management of the global theatrical and television product distribution organization for Universal Studios, Inc. Mr. Schuman started at Universal as VP Business Affairs in 1995.

  From X-Box, Apple TV, Roku and Wii to connected televisions and Blu-Ray players, the Internet has finally found it’s way to the living room display. Add advertising-based and subscription program services (some in high definition) programming like Hulu, iTunes, YouTube and Move Networks to the mix, and we may have the recipe that economically disrupts, or compliments traditional delivery platforms like cable and satellite.

  Phil presents some startling information regarding television consumption trends among Americans 18 and over, and posits a number of predictions regarding "over the top TV" - video consumption through the Internet.

• "U.S. Motion Picture Distribution 101"

  Seth Zachary is Vice President, Video-On-Demand for Paramount Pictures Worldwide Television Distribution, focusing on licensing for the US and Canadian markets. Mr. Zachary was previously Director of Pay Television for Disney/ABC Domestic Television for seven years and before joining Disney, he was Director Pay and Cable Television Sales for Universal Television & Networks Group.

  It’s true that most of the revenue associated with filmed entertainment springs from distribution activities and content licensing beyond the domestic and international box office. Seth Zachary presents an overview of the current domestic (U.S.) licensing practices for motion pictures following theatrical release.

  The discussion covers exhibition markets from hotel/airline and residential Video-On-Demand (“VOD”), through home entertainment, pay television, cable, network and syndication television exhibitions.

• "Television Distribution and Syndication"

  Daniel Smith discusses the history, trends and consumer habits that are shaping the direction of television distribution and syndication today.

• "Independent Production and Product Sales"

  Daniel Linck is principal of Pacific Horizon Entertainment and has produced (and sold) numerous television, video and lower budget theatrical works and documentaries. In this candid interview, Mr. Linck discusses the pitfalls and triumphs of independent feature production, managing distribution and sales and the shark infested waters of foreign film markets.

  Motion pictures can be studio-financed or independently financed, and the difference between the two is budget, time and creative control. What are the trade-offs by making your movie before selling it to distribution? Who finances independent films and do they make a return on that investment? How do you take your finished movie to market and where are the buyers?

• "Postproduction 101"

  Steve Kochak is vice president of Engineering for Deluxe Digital Media.

  Digital high definition cameras and desktop post production technologies make it possible for anyone to create a commercially exploitable and professionally deliverable entertainment product. Or do they? What happens when your movie sits on a combination of hard drives, HD-SRW tape and USB keys?

  Steve focuses on real-world case studies and advice on how independent digital producers can better plan their projects for the long marketing tail, beginning with submissions to film festivals and markets like Sundance, Cannes and the American Film Market.

• "Copyright in the Digital Age"

  Josh Hiller is principle of Hiller Counsel, an entertainment based transactional law firm handling all aspects (talent, production, distribution) of new media (online, mobile), television, film, and music.

  The Digital Millennium Copyright Act governs the ‘do’s and don’t’ associated with electronic piracy, digital rights and Internet distribution.

  How does the DMCA fit within the larger U.S. Copyright Act and what should a content creator or owner do to protect their intellectual property? What are the rules that apply to ‘name, likeness, image’, and how do content creators and distributors protect themselves from unexpected lawsuits? What are ‘clearances’ and why should producers be wary of signs and sounds captured during a shoot?

  Josh tackles these and other questions in this informative lecture on a widely misunderstood topic.

• "Video Games 101"

  Josh Resnick is co-founder of Pandemic Studios and, more recently, nProgress - a social networking discovery app start-up. Mr. Resnick earned his M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1993, and his B.A. from Pomona College in 1989

  From Wii to X-Box to BD Live, the game industry is booming with over $10 Billion in annual U.S. sales.

  The majority of gamers are older than conventional wisdom would suggest. More women over 18 play games than boys age 17 and younger. 80% of gamer parents enjoy games as a family, and the most frequent game buyer is well over 30.

  Not necessarily for nerds, the game business is now challenging (leading?) filmed entertainment for consumer attention and $$$. Josh Resnick, co-founder of Pandemic Studios discusses the global game business, trends and challenges.

• "Stereoscopic 3D"

  Three dimensional viewing technologies have come a long way since the blue and red paper glasses used to view 3D in the 1950’s.  The recent increase in theatrical 3D releases has proven to be extremely popular among consumers, and so it only makes sense for the creative industries to team with product and service providers to develop ways to move that experience into other environments, enabling the consumer to enjoy 3D experiences anytime and anywhere.  Philip Lelyveld covers 3D visual perception concepts and content production technology, the current state of the market for theatrical and home 3D experiences, and projections concerning the future of the consumer 3D experience.

• "International Localization"

  Javier Ponton is a globally recognized expert in the creative process of language localization. Javier was vice president of Disney Character Voices for ten years and Creative Director of Dubbing for SDI Media.

  The majority of studio motion picture and television content undergoes a process of translation, adaptation, additional dialogue recording (ADR) and mixing in dozens of languages for global distribution and exhibition in theaters, home entertainment media and television.

  Javier covers the end-to-end creative and technical process, including the importance of matching vocal performances with the original actor. Examples will underscore why managing the language dubbing process is critical to the cultural and financial success of American content around the globe.

• "Sustainable Digital Archiving"

  Patrick Murphy is the founder and principal of Patrick Murphy & Associates, Inc. and has over 30 years experience in the entertainment industry. Patrick has held senior level positions at MGM and Turner Entertainment Co.

  Mr. Murphy provides consulting services to motion picture studios and post production industry senior management, primarily focused on creating digital retention, migration and storage policy plans, identifying appropriate digital asset management and content management systems, “end to end” digital supply chain solutions, mergers and acquisitions and “due diligence” activities.

  As digital motion picture capture increasingly offsets film-based feature and television production, the industry must grapple with ways to archive assets for posterity and future revenue possibilities. The problem stretches beyond entertainment and envelops other critical facets of our lives, such as medicine and world events. Consumers are becoming aware of how the problem affects their own digital collections of personal images, home videos and audio recordings.

  How do we protect our motion picture heritage and personal digital collections treasures from obscurity in a digital world? Patrick discusses the historical development, benefits and consequences of digital capture and storage.

• "Using Production Incentives to Fund Your Film"

  Shawn Gillespie is Director of Production Incentive Administration & Finance for Entertainment Partners. Shawn provides consulting and administrative services for tax incentives for film, television, and commercials. His 17 years of production accounting experience include working for several major studios: 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures, DreamWorks, Sony Pictures, Walt Disney Studios, MGM, Miramax, and ABC Network.

  Why are states from Alabama to Wyoming such successful movie making destinations? The answer is: millions of dollars from state tax incentives! But..how do you get your hands on that money? How do you make these programs work for your film, television or commercial budget? Which states are offering the best incentives and how do you stay on top of the changes?

  Shawn uncovers the key domestic and international hotspots that offer big money incentives and ways producers leverage them.

• "How to Sell Your Movie Without the Middleman"

  Jason Brubaker is a Hollywood-based Independent Motion Picture Producer and an expert in Video On Demand distribution. He is focused on how to market and sell movies more easily by growing a fan base, building buzz and creating community around a title. Mr. Brubaker is a contributing author of "The Independent’s Guide to Film Distributors", he is the founder of Filmmaking Stuff, a professional resource for independent filmmakers, and his articles on independent movie marketing, distribution and film production have been featured in The Independent and Movie Maker Magazine. Brubaker has lectured on these subjects to filmmakers from around the globe through various filmmaking seminars, panel discussions and workshops.

  With an independent movie market saturated with competition, producing a movie and finding a traditional distribution deal is increasingly challenging. After failing to garner a traditional distribution deal for his first feature, Jason Brubaker figured out how to market and sell his movie online. Years later he’s still cashing checks!

  Jason explains his 7-step "Sell Your Movie Now" system and reveals the five most important questions any independent filmmaker should answer before making their movie.

Supplementary Files:

• Once you purchase this series you will have access to these files:
• Theres_No_Business_Like_Show_Business.pdf
• BOE-There_s_No_Business_Like_Show_Business_-_Part_1.pdf
• BOE-There_s_No_Business_Like_Show_Business_-_Part_2.pdf
• BOE-Can_the_Creative_Process_Be_Defined__Transcript__.pdf
• BOE-Can_the_Creative_Process_Be_Defined___Presentation_.pdf
• BOE-Global_Television_Sales_and_Marketing.pdf
• BOE-What_Every_Producer_Needs_to_Know_to_Survive_and_Thrive__transcript_.pdf
• BOE-What_Every_Producer_Needs_to_Know_to_Survive_and_Thrive__presentation_.pdf
• BOE-So_You_Wanna_Make_a_Movie.pdf
• BOE-Ultraviolet.pdf
• BOE-The_Wacky_World_of_2D_and_3D_Animation.pdf
• BOE-The_New_Media_Ecosystem_PowerPoint.pdf
• BOE-The_New_Media_Ecosystem.pdf
• A_Sustainable_Studio_Biz.pdf
• BOE-Developing_a_Profitable_Online_Studio_Biz.pdf
• Over_The_Top_Video.pdf
• BOE-OTT_Video_and_Implications_for_TV.pdf
• Distribution_Windows.PDF
• Television_Distribution_and_Syndication_Powerpoint.pdf
• BOE-Television_Distribution_and_Syndication.pdf
• Postproduction_101_Powerpoint.pdf
• BOE-Digital_Post_Production_101.pdf
• Copyright_in_the_Digital_Age.pdf
• BOE-Copyrights_in_the_Digital_Age.pdf
• Video_Games_101.pdf
• BOE-Stereoscopic_3D_II.pdf
• Stereoscopic_3D_Presentation.pdf
• International_Localization.pdf
• International_Localization_Presentation.pdf
• Media_Asset_Management_in_2010.pdf
• BOE-Sustainable_Digital_Archiving.pdf
• BOE_IV_-_Production_Incentives_PowerPoint.pdf
• BOE-Using_Production_Incentives_to_Finance_your_Blockbuster.pdf
• How_To_Sell_Your_Movie_Without_the_Middleman.pdf
• BOE-How_to_Sell_Your_Movie_Without_the_Middleman.pdf