FULL STREAM AHEAD-Indie Series Pt. 3: The Art of the Deal for Indie FIlms

SAG Foundation Actors Center
5757 Wilshire Blvd-Mezzanine Level
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(Parking Validation Available)

This event is also available LIVE ONLINE at www.sagfoundation.org/liferaft/livestream  During the event, you can email questions to the moderator at LifeRaft@sagfoundation.org or tweet to #LRLS.  NO RSVP REQUIRED FOR ONLINE GUESTS. 

This event contains a 1 hour  PRE-RECORDED segment then follows with a LIVE Q & A session with some of Hollywood's most established lawyers and deal makers. 

You have a close knit group of actor friends.  You and a buddy wrote the script already.  You know a guy who’s a “brilliant” director and you're ready to act in your own film.  It might make sense to listen to entertainment lawyer Eric Weissmann and William J. Immerman of Yari Film Group as they enlighten indie filmmakers on “the art of the deal”. 

What are the rules concerning financing your film?  How do you structure financing agreements with the cast, director, and crew?  What about percentage participations, insurance and completion bond requirements?  What’s the best way to work with necessary unions?  How do you secure a positive distribution deal? Be prepared on the front end.  Protect the art of the craft by addressing the art of the deal!      

Eric Weissmann: Perspective of Filmmaker, Deals and Definition of Profits

Eric Weissmann is a senior partner in Weissmann Wolff Bergman Coleman Grodin & Evall LLP in the entertainment department.  He was one of the founding partners of the firm in 1981.  Mr. Weissmann represents actors, directors, producers, and financiers.  Mr. Weissmann has been practicing entertainment law since 1957 when he joined the legal department of MCA Artists Ltd.  Mr. Weissmann travels extensively, participating at entertainment symposiums in foreign countries, including Russia and Australia, at the Cannes Film Festival, and has lectured for the U.S. State Department in Brazil, Bolivia and El Salvador.

William J. Immerman: Perspective of Film Buyers and Exhibitors

William J. Immerman is currently Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Yari Film Group, LLC), an independent motion picture and television production, financing and distribution company.  Prior to joining Yari, Immerman was Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Crusader Entertainment, LLC, an Anschutz Film Group company, from its founding until its merger with Walden Media, LLC.  Throughout his career, Immerman joined Twentieth Century Fox as Vice President in charge of Business Affairs and acted as chief talent, production and distribution negotiator for the studio.