Tuesday, March 4, 2008

FLASH FORWARD INSTITUTE, April 19th-PRODUCING YOUR LOW BUDGET FILM


PRODUCING YOUR LOW BUDGET FILM

A Comprehensive Course in 7 Sessions

Presented By:

SUZANNE LYONS

Co-Founder of the Flash Forward Institute, Snowfall Films, Inc and WindChill Films, Inc

SCRIPT to SCREEN – from the award winning producer of

eight feature films in the past seven years.

“After producing a number of bigger budget features I thought producing the SAG ultra low budget would be a piece of cake. Boy, was I wrong. Wearing 100 different hats was a huge challenge. I’ve now produced three SAG ultra budget films in just sixteen months and I can’t wait to tell you what I’ve learned. In my workshop you’ll learn from my experience and benefit from my success. I promise to take you through a structured crystal clear step by step process that will actually make low budget film making look easy!” Suzanne Lyons, Producer

THE COURSE: This workshop is unique in that it will literally guide you through

the entire process of making your film. From my own hands on experience on my last few films I will be taking you through every detailed facet of filmmaking.

“Producing Your Ultra Low Budget Film” is an intensive 2 month course that takes you through the step by step journey of making your ultra low budget feature film. The Workshop includes:

- How to option a screenplay - Forming an LLC

- Preparing a sales presentation for investors - Creating your killer pitch

- Designing your business plan - Getting a mentor

- Hiring a line producer - Scheduling your EPK

- Creating an empowering environment on set - Finessing a budget & schedule

- Hiring a director - How to cast your film

- Developing a timeline - Creating a marketing strategy

- The details of pre-production - The secrets of a great Production

- Learning the ropes of post - Choosing the right distributor

- Getting the best deal from your distributor - Preparing for delivery

- Entering Film Festivals - Taxes (1099s, Accounting and K1s)

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS WORKSHOP:

Anyone who wants to make a film! Whether you are wanting to produce your film to enjoy the financial rewards or to display your artistic talents (or both!) this workshop is for you. With my first ultra low budget film I had a competition at AFM between Lions Gate and ScreenGems and within three months of the film market my film grossed 155% in territory sales. I have also had films distributed by Miramax, Sony, been in the director’s Forte Night at Cannes, been featured in Variety and Hollywood Reporter, won awards that range from best film at Shockerfest to the prestigious BAFTA award. Believe me, you will be in good hands.

“With Suzanne Lyons’s expert guidance, my career went from directing low budget, straight-to-video thrillers to directing two studio features for Warner Brothers and Universal. Suzanne is a true master of movie career coaching and an inspiration to anyone fortunate enough to know her.” Mark Rosman, Director, “A Cinderella Story”, “Perfect Man”

YOUR JOB: In the two month period you will be putting together your Business Plan, your LLC agreements (even if you are not ready to make your film at this point) and your Sales Presentation. You are going to learn how to raise money for your film and you will have all the tools and know how to do it!

AND HERE’S THE BEST PART: YOU WILL GET YOUR MONEY BACK WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR FILM.

WRITE YOURSELF A CHECK AS A REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF THE WORKSHOP

ON YOUR FIRST DAY OF PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY (either from your Budget or better yet, your Operating Costs)

The cost of this course now, will save you thousands and thousands of dollars on your film later!

INVALUABLE RESOURCES:

(Get well over $10,000 worth of contracts, business plans, deal memos and much more)

Participants will receive the following: - LLC Private Placement Memorandum

- Cast and Crew deal memos - Sale Presentation Outline

- A Business Plan - Writer and Director contracts

- SAG ultra low budget guidelines - Sample budget and schedule

- Composer Contract - Sound designer deal

- Color correction contract - Distributor contract

- Detailed delivery list - Additional Releases

- Breakdown Services guidelines - Location deals

- Post Production deals - LLC Operating Agreement & Subscription Agreement

“I have worked on many productions over the years and one of my most pleasant

experiences was working on Séance. Not only was Suzanne professional,

she was courteous and respectful as well. I would work with her again in a heartbeat.”

Adrian Paul, Actor “Highlander, TV Series”, “Séance”


GUEST SPEAKERS: (pending availabilities)

• Established Film Director • Veteran feature line producer • Entertainment Attorney

• Well known Distributor • Feature Editor, 1st Ad, DP



SUZANNE LYONS BIOGRAPHY: In the late 1990’s Ms. Lyons co-founded Snowfall Films, Inc. and has produced 5 feature films with actors including Christopher Walken, Naomi Watts, James Caan, Alfred Molina, Brenda Blethyn, Jon Lovitz, Dean Cain, Winona Ryder, Peter Fonda and Adrian Paul. Snowfall Films is gearing up to produce its next picture in Belfast with lead actor Michael Pitt this fall. In 2005 Snowfall Films created a genre division, WindChill Films, Inc. and they just completed their third SAG Ultra Low Budget horror/thriller. (www.snowfallfilms.com) Ms. Lyons is co-founder of the Flash Forward Institute. She has led hundreds of film industry seminars to over 15,000 participants in the US and Canada.



“Suzanne is a wonderfully engaging speaker and “teacher”. She knows feature

producing inside and out and presents every step with complete clarity.”

A seminar not to be missed by anyone making a low budget feature!”

Becky Smith, Director, “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”, UCLA Professor



COST: $1,475 (Includes Lunch and Course Materials)



Early Bird Special: Pay by April 4th and pay $1,275 (SAVE $200)

Check and Visa/MC (paypal) accepted

$200 non refundable Deposit to hold your space (No double discounts permitted)



“Suzanne has that rare ability to combine artistic creativity and smart business sense….she’s proven that

by taking a SAG ultra low budget and somehow squeezing out a quality film that looks like it cost a million!”

Mark L. Smith, Writer/Director “Séance” “Vacancy”



WHEN: (TOTAL OF SEVEN SESSIONS)

Saturday, April 19, Session #1 - 9:30am – 12:30, Session #2 – 1:30 - 4:30pm

Monday Evenings, Session #3 - April 28; Session #4 - May 12; Session #5 – May 19;

Session #6 - June 2; Session #7 – June 9 (all evenings are 7:00pm – 10:15pm)

PLUS: Team meetings on alternate weeks with your teams (Teams change each time)

WHERE: Burbank

HOW TO REGISTER:

Call Snowfall/WindChill Films at 818-558-5917 or email Suzanne Lyons directly at snowfallfilms@aol.com

- VERY LIMITED CLASS SIZE -

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