Markets, Sequels and Other Things Filmmakers Need To Understand

As the name of the blog implies, I am all about the business side of entertainment. I suppose I'm fairly creative for a lawyer, but I inevitably look at the entertainment business as a fun, challenging and interesting way of making money. If you're not in it for that reason, then what you're doing isn't really a business.(As an aside, I do serve as a music supervisor for films and there is

Iowa Tax Program Update

After yesterday's post, I got into a great Facebook discussion with attorney/writer/producer/sales agent, Darlene Cypser (@DarleneCypser) of Colorado. She was kind enough to provide a link to the actual auditors' report which ostensibly caused the governor to shut down the program. Darlene suggests that, based on this report, there was definitely a problem. I don't disagree, but we probably

Iowa Film Tax Incentive Program: Is There Really a Problem?

There is an excellent article in today's Wall Street Journal about the suspension of the Iowa Film Tax Incentive Program. Clearly, the program was driving a lot of film business through a state that would otherwise have very little. But when an audit of the program expenditures revealed subsidies helping to purchase luxury cars, an expensive bed and an iPod, the governor halted the program and

Hollywood: Are Things Really That Bad?

Earlier this week, I was listening to my favorite business podcast - The Business, hosted by Kim Masters. Let me preface this by saying that I am not picking on TB or Kim. In fact, I am a huge fan of both. I think Kim is seriously one of the very best entertainment reporters I've seen, heard or read.With that said, I have to complain about the negative tone of some of her recent reports.

Current Trends in the Film Industry Create Both Challenges and Opportunities

In this article from Friday's Variety, Peter Bart and Michael Fleming paint a fairly negative picture of the current state of the Hollywood film business. In its subtitle, the article promises both the yin and the yang of the prevailing conditions, but by the end of the piece, it feels like a lot of yin and only a little yang. They don't really put much emphasis at all on the bright side of the

Smart Money Chasing Proven Producers

An article in today's Variety gives details of recent deals where financial partners other than studios are backing development efforts of proven film producers. The top line relationship addressed is Barclays Bank's reported backing of Jerry Bruckheimer's development efforts with a $20 million credit line. The article also discusses yesterday's Imagenation Abu Dhabi deal with Walter Parkes

Pros and Cons of the New Ortenberg Business Model

I had a great discussion today with Ted Kroeber regarding the new venture from Tom Ortenberg, One Way Out Media. The new company is slated to undertake a variety of functions in the independent film world, including financing, distribution and consulting. This of course takes advantage of Tom's vast experience and superior track record in the film industry.On the positive side, I think Tom's

TV Widgets - A Revolution In Interactive Media

For those of us who watch the media landscape (and make our living in the entertainment business), the development of truly interactive television is an elusive landmark that has been slowly approaching for years. It has become almost a myth, with millions of dollars already lost because it failed to develop as quickly as many hoped it would.In the past year or so, I have written fairly often on