Summary

The SVP of TV at Amasia Entertainment shows you how to score a YES from any buyer for your film or television project.

This industry is changing rapidly with companies ramping up productions worldwide, theaters working hard to get people back to the multiplex, and streamers in a never-ending battle to stay on top of the perpetually growing competition. It’s clear that there are more opportunities, outlets, and platforms than ever to get your work in front of audiences. So, why are buyers still telling you no?

The key to successfully selling your project requires work, research, and a targeted plan of attack, and in this Stage 32 exclusive webinar, you'll find out what plan works best for you and your project. You’ll discover why buyers pass on projects and provide you with industry insight to know how to turn a “no” into a “yes.”

You will examine industry trends, discuss how to make your passion project stand out in a crowded field, and get real about how best to pitch your project, all to enhance your chances of locking strategic creative and financial partnerships. You’ll cover how to market your creative brand, understand different buyers, how to get a meeting, what makes a successful meeting, and most importantly, you’ll learn the art of not taking “no” for an answer.

And who better to share with you their insider knowledge and vast experience selling film and television than Tracy Mercer, the Senior Vice President of Television at Amasia Entertainment. Tracy and Amasia are currently developing a sequel series to Dan Curtis’s classic DARK SHADOWS and the series BECAUSE THE NIGHT, based on the James Ellory book. Previously, she’s worked on projects including THE BOONDOCK SAINTS, HBO’s WINCHELL, TNT’s WITCHBLADE, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, INVICTUS, Marvel’s THE PUNISHER, AEON FLUX, and Tracy was instrumental to the development of the CBS hit series, MADAM SECRETARY. She’s also worked with top-tier talent, including Jennifer Aniston, Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Ang Lee, and Karyn Kusama.

By the end of this webinar, you’ll have a new understanding and current insight into this ever-shifting marketplace from an expert with years of experience and the keys to earning that “yes” from the right buyer.

What You'll Learn

The Story is Still King

Finding your hook and how to stand out
Understanding the value of public domain vs. IP
Utilizing a different point-of-view or storytelling lens
Identifying your target audience and budgeting accordingly

It Takes a Village: Collaborative Mediums Require Small Partnerships

Packaging smartly
Choosing the right financier/buyers
Building your team, networking

Presenting Yourself and Your Project to Best Advantage

Creating an elevator pitch for your creative "brand"
Thinking ahead to marketing
Mistakes commonly made when approaching buyers
How to use "six degrees of separation" to your advantage

Marketplace, Comps, and Meetings

Understanding the different buyers' needs (ie. HBOMax vs. Apple; Paramount vs. Universal)
How do you get a meeting?
Creating an action plan with your ideal list
The key to a successful meeting
The art of not taking "no" for an answer

Q&A with Tracy

Who Should Attend

All levels of directors (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking examine industry trends, discuss how to make your passion project stand out in a crowded field

All levels of writers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking examine industry trends, discuss how to make your passion project stand out in a crowded field

Producers looking to learn how to examine industry trends, discuss how to make your passion project stand out in a crowded field

Actors looking to examine industry trends, discuss how to make your passion project stand out in a crowded field

Executive

Tracy Mercer

Producer at Amasia Entertainment

Tracy Mercer is Amasia Entertainment’s Senior VP of Television. Currently, Amasia is in development at The CW with a sequel series to Dan Curtis’ classic, DARK SHADOWS, to be showrun by Emmy-winner Mark B. Perry. Additional shows in development include BECAUSE THE NIGHT based on the James Ellory book.

Tracy began her film in production before working as a personal assistant to actress, Jennifer Aniston. After working as a script analyst for producers Jennifer and Suzanne Todd at Team Todd, Tracy took a story editor position with producer Rob Fried at Fried Films; there she worked on projects including THE BOONDOCK SAINTS, and HBO’S, WINCHELL. Tracy next joined producer Dan Halsted at Halsted Pictures, who was then partnered with Oliver Stone, where she worked in development on TNT’s WITCHBLADE and films including ANY GIVEN SUNDAY and THE ART OF WAR.

Tracy was next hired by Gale Anne Hurd at Valhalla Motion Pictures. Tracy was the executive in charge of production on the PBS award-winning documentary, TRUE WHISPERS: THE STORY OF THE NAVAJO CODETALKERS, and helped develop Ang Lee’s HULK, Marvel’s THE PUNISHER, and Karyn Kusama’s AEON FLUX.

After four years at Valhalla, she headed up development for Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman’s Revelations Entertainment, where she was involved in the development of films including INVICTUS, directed by Clint Eastwood, and 10 ITEMS OR LESS, directed by Brad Silberling. Tracy was also instrumental in setting up, developing, and serving as an executive producer on the pilot of CBS’ hit series, MADAM SECRETARY.