Business Plans with Kevin Geiger and Kathleen Kennedy

Kevin Geiger is an artist and film producer.  He is known for works such as “Reign of Fire, Species and Chicken Little.”  He has become as instructor on the methodology and the business of feature films.  One point that Geiger makes is that organization is a key point in developing a company.

Geiger has not been very active in terms of IMDb since he debuted as the producer of “Roads to Home.”  He has had a very dynamic career in the film business.  In 1995 he did computer animation work on the film “Species”” and digital artist on “Reign of Fire.”  He has had a good work history as CG supervisor at Walt Disney.  In 2009 he co-founded a small animation company named Magic Dumpling.

Geiger has a four part video lecture on YouTube about independent film business plans.  After watching said videos I took away from them these points…

The most important point that I came away from these videos is that as creative people we always have our creative pitch and it is wonderful, but don’t’ forget that you have to have an equally impressive business side of the pitch. 

He then talked a lot about the business side of the business plan.  When developing your funding pitch you need to have an accountant.  They want to know how they are going to get their money back and how you are spending the money they are going to give you.  He suggested to get an advisory team and to pick carefully and to not pay them because then their advice becomes tainted.  Which I thought was a very interesting point to take into consideration.  

He also talked about your investor pitch and that if you cannot do it in ten slides then you don’t know what you are talking about.  As he says “boom, boom, boom and then your done.  As anyone creating a business plan knows or should know there is a lot of preparation involved and you need to spend time on it to do it right and then do not deviate from that plan, unless things are not working out then to reassess your plan.

He then talked about the research part of the plan.  Ask the question, how will pay to see this movie and are they going to so.  Do research on about 5-6 other relatable movies and see how much they make and other similarities to your film.   

Lets change gears here a little from the business side to the creative side and talk about Kathleen Kennedy.  She is an American film producer whose net values is about $150 million.  She was born in California and went to San Diego State University and majored in telecommunications and film.  She started working at a local television station and worked her way up to production coordinator.  After which she produced a talk show and then moved to Los Angeles to do more work in film.  Her first job was a secretary position with Steven Spielberg.  She quickly moved to the production end of film.  She then co-produced “Poltergeist” and was then the primary producer on “E.T.” and the “Indiana Jones” series.  Since than she has gone on to produce a number of “high profile projects” such as the very first “Jurassic Park” and “Schindler’s List.”  She then formed her own production company, but moved on to co-chair Lucasfilm, Ltd.  She is now the president of Lucasfilm, Ltd. 

In an interview with Hollywood TV she talks about the business of film in Hollywood.  She talks about how to be successful you have to protect your characters and allow them to grow.  When she is looking at a movie to produce the thing that she looks at are great characters that have a hopeful message that instills values.  She also likes personal and dramatic films.  She also says that film markers need to take responsibility in what they make.  You also need to have a steady stream of product and to always be a part of the hiring process.  Her last piece of advice was to be honest with yourself and have strong values. 

    

Instruction Not Included Indie Film Markers

As the article found in Forbes states, “if your white and speak English you probably didn’t even know,” Instruction Not Included existed.  This is a Spanish film about a playboy who finds himself with a baby and enjoys fatherhood.  Instruction Not Included made 8 million at the box office and 20 million total.

 

Now, that’s not a ton of money by major Hollywood film standards, but it’s a big deal achievement because Latino cast is featured and it is mostly in Spanish.  Instruction Not Included is not some artsy film, it stars Eugenio Derbez who is no only a big star in Mexico, but is a hit with Latino American audiences.  The studio hit the ground running with the marketing campaign with television spots, press tours and billboards, to name a few.

However, if you don’t watch Spanish television you missed the hype.  Millions of people watched this movie and now it’s on the way to making a nice little profit.

Forbes estimated back in 2012 that the American Latino market is worth about 1 trillion.  There are many American companies that are reaching out to the Latino market but “their efforts are still a work in progress.” 

Pantelion Films, who produced Instruction Not Included have a hit formula on their hands when it comes to marketing to the Latino population.  What the studio is doing is targeting a smaller niche market.  This makes me think what other niche markets are out there?  Is it possible for small independent studios to find a niche market of their own and capitalize on it? 

I know I am asking more questions then giving answers, however I feel the resolution is a resounding YES!  Come on indie filmmakers find that market.  I know it’s out there and capitalize on it.  You just have too beat me too it…

Slated.com

For the independent filmmaker, having the money to make our aspirations come true on the screen, most likely means finding a financer.  Well, I came across this website called Slated.com that matches filmmakers and investors.  This could really be handy for a lot of us.  I am not saying that there are investor just standing in line waiting to hand you money.  You still have to dazzle someone.  However, they have a lot of investors that are willing to take a look at a well prepared package. 

There is an investment community out there that exemplifies millions of dollars.  Now, not all of it is ear marked for films, but some of the money is.  Slated offers a wide range of individual’s, film financiers or large financial institutions. So how Slated works is, your profile is distributed to financiers looking for a film like yours.  Slated uses technology to put your movies out there to a responsive audience.

Let’s face it, us in the independent film industry done have what they call a “bankable” name, so we are stuck building off the reputations of others.  There is a lot we need to do when making a film, find talent, sales agent, industry support and lastly distribution.  Slated goes deeper then just financing.  They help get your film notice by having “sales agents, packaging companies, talent, festival scouts, to name a few.”

They go a step further, they review your project and will “work with you to enhance the market suitability and industry prospects.”  Slated uses it’s team to “keep investors and the industry” apprised for your progress.  Sometimes it is hard to get your film the recognition it deserves until you get that A-list actor or what not, so investors are notified and that may be just what you need to get the investor you need. 

I encourage all of you too check out Slated.com, it may be a valuable resource for your film.