Summary
If you're an independent filmmaker, it's likely you don’t have all of the funds you need to begin or complete your production. In this scenario, you need a film financier to step in and invest equity. While the financier is often hands-off with the actual production, they do have a prominent position in the process. Their assets are your assets, and they need to be protected. Borrowing money is only one step in the process. Assuring your financier that their assets will be protected during the filmmaking and production process is another.
If you’re ready to take your film to the next level but aren’t clear on what financiers expect as far as protection when you borrow, you may be at a disadvantage. Protecting money given to you by someone with a vested interest in your film is extremely important. It’s also good business practice. And going into a conversation knowing what they expect before they hand over any equity - can only work in your favor. Your future lender has expectations. Let's delve into how you can always meet those expectations.
David Zannoni is an international business specialist for Fintage House in the US, Europe, Canada and Latin America territories. Fintage House, the world's most respected company for revenue and rights protection for industry professionals and companies. David negotiates agreements for films and television series and is involved in business development and relationship management globally on hundreds of productions. David is continuously present to make deals and speak at international film markets, festivals and conferences, including: the Cannes Film Festival, the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin, the American Film Market (AFM), Ventana Sur, the Bogota Audiovisual Market (BAM), and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and travels regularly to the United States, the Netherlands, Europe, and all over Latin America.
David will teach you how you can keep your financiers protected and explain the 6 different options you should take into consideration when you sit down with a financier for your own project. After explaining what the role of a financier on an independent film usually looks like, he will discuss security interests, completion bonds, escrow accounts, collection accounts, legal representation, and compliance, what each of these look like, and how you can use these to best protect your financier. There are variables for every filmmaking scenario, but David will leave you with a much clearer understanding the role of the financier and how you can keep them happy and safe so that they’ll want to work with you time and time again.
Praise for David's Previous Stage 32 Webinars:
"David is incredible and lovely and clearly knows his stuff."
- Cynthia P.
"Eye-opening information. A no-brainer approach that wouldn't be so obvious to the uninitiated."
- Gary O.
"By far, the best class I've seen on the subject."
Kirk K.
"David is a fantastic teacher. And what a voice! I could listen to him all day. More importantly, I learned so very much!"
- Isabella T.
What You'll Learn
- The Role of the Financier in Independent Film Financing
- Lenders
- Banks
- Private lenders
- Equity investors
- The Cycle of Film Production, Financing, and Distribution
- Control of financing funds
- Sales and distribution
- Allocation and disbursement of revenues
- The 6 Ways You Can Protect a Financier’s Position
- Security Interest
- What is a security interest?
- How does the security work?
- Security interest for the financier
- The security agreement
- Completion Bond
- What is a completion bond?
- How does the completion bond work?
- The role of the completion guarantor
- How a completion bond protects the financier
- Escrow Account
- What is an escrow account?
- How does escrow work?
- The escrow agent
- The escrow agreement
- Escrow to protect the financier
- Collection Account
- What is a collection account?
- How does a collection account work?
- The role of the collection account manager or CAM
- How to set up a collection account
- The collection account management agreement
- The benefits of a collection account for the financier
- Legal Representation
- The role of the entertainment lawyer
- Closing of film financing
- Drafting of documentation
- Importance of legal representation for the financier
- Compliance
- Due diligence protocol
- KYC – Know Your Client
- The financier vis-à-vis producers, sales agents, and other parties
- Security Interest
- Q&A with David
Who Should Attend
All levels of directors (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn how you can keep your financiers protected.
All levels of writers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn how you can keep your financiers protected.
Producers looking to learn how you can keep your financiers protected.
Actors looking to learn how you can keep your financiers protected.
Executive
David Zannoni is the representative for North America for Freeway Entertainment, a leading global provider of Collection Account Management, Escrow and Residual Payroll services for film, television and animation productions. For Freeway, David is involved in relationship management and business development.
David also runs his consultancy firm Zannoni Media. He focuses particularly on global service providers in the audiovisual industry and international film and TV productions. He is also the delegate of the Mexican National Chamber for the Film Industry (CANACINE) in the State of Quintana Roo.
As a film business specialist, David is continuously present at international film markets, festivals, and conferences, including the Cannes Film Festival, the American Film Market, Ventana Sur, the Toronto International Film Festival and Iberseries Platino Industria.
David has given presentations, workshops and seminars at universities across the globe and at events such as the yearly conference of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers in the US (NALIP), the Winston Baker Film Finance Conferences, the Rio Film Market and the Bogota Audiovisual Market (BAM).
Credits
