Producing

I think Netflix buying Warner Bros would have a huge impact on the industry, Sandra Isabel Correia! Netflix releases some films in theaters, but I think if they buy Warner Bros, they'll still be streaming focused. I can see Netflix doing theater releases for major franchises though. I'm not sure how Netflix buying Warner Bros will impact indie creatives and professionals, but I hope it's positive!

Netflix is $14B in debt, and WB is $34B in debt to buy everything WB. Does anyone really think Netflix wants this level of debt and take a hit to their credit rating? Yes, WB has pushed a lot of debt into the other arms of it's business so there's a chance WB could be sold off in sections, i.e. Netflix would only want the studio and HBO. Doubt this would be approved by the government.

The push by the MPA cartel to become a monopoly seems to be their major strategy to keep on top in a dissolving industry... Lindbergh E Hollingsworth points out the debt - is it sustainable? Nope. What is really going on behind the scenes and who is talking. Because they clearly have a plan.

You've all shed light on the true motives behind this potential venture. To me, it feels more like smoke and mirrors than a genuine strategy. Netflix has been supporting indie voices through streaming—like we're seeing in Spain—but I’ve never trusted an industry dominated by just two or three major players. That kind of control benefits no one. Let’s see how it unfolds. Grateful for the insights shared.:)

Interesting share Sandra Isabel Correia - thank you :) It seems to be mostly a rumor, this Netflix reach for WB. I agree with the others in this thread that Netflix is doing too well now with just doing what it is doing (expanding globally, rolling out their ad suite in pretty much all markets, etc.) to consider increasing their debt. BUT they do have an impressive $2B cash flow - I mean... jeeez. lol so, maybe if a piece of WB falls off the back of the truck driven away by Paramount-Skydance, Netflix may wanna try to pick it up. Exciting times!

Great share, Pat Alexander! Thanks. Matt Reilly talked about the movie Drop. I watched it yesterday. A must-watch movie for writers, producers, directors, actors, and more! I picked up some writing tips and ideas.

One of the things that makes a movie unforgettable in my opinion is taking risks. It can be the concept of the movie, a scene, etc.

great share Pat Alexander ! much appreciated - enjoyed it and walked away with a better understanding of the importance of malleability on the side of both creators and creative execs.

Kathryn Carmichael We are dealing with Rolphe on one of our projects and to be honest, he is the only person in so-called product integration who we see has a main stream track record, and the only one who me and my partner assess has the attitude to achieve results. What he does different is that he makes direct contact with decision makers and sells the idea to them. That is the only way sales can be done successfully. Others we deal with (who I will not name here ) all do passive email outreach and that is a very slow burn and so far have produced no results for us. Rolphe does require a retainer of course - and you have to have faith that he will do the work and understand that sometimes no one likes your project. But he has been around a long time and I can't find anything negative about him.

hi Kathryn Carmichael - have not dealt with any product placement companies but I have come across this company (which I believe may have a London presence) in past articles and probably noted it down for future projects: https://www.benlabs.com/solutions/film-and-music-producers/

As to the company that reached out to you - it's never a bad idea to do a specific search of their track record and rep, especially now that we can use ChatGPT or other AI LLMs to at least get us started pretty well on our search :)

I don't think about whether the scripts I develop and write will be on streaming or in theater, Ashley Renee Smith, so I don't know if Netflix’s evolution influencing will effect the types of projects I develop and pitch. My scripts can work for either one.

I think live sports on Netflix would strengthen its brand identity. I'd watch the games! I think sports fans will come for the games and stay for the movies, shows, and mobile games.

"And with Netflix leaning into global franchises, how can indie producers position themselves to stand out?" One thing indie producers could do is add things about other cultures in their films and shows to attract international audiences to their projects. Maybe that means a diverse cast, making a movie/show that's based on a foreign story, a storyline about a certain culture, etc.

cool share Ashley Renee Smith - thank you :)

A couple of things stood out to me:

- their extension of the story world into the physical/live experiences. I'm all about story ecosystems so was nice to see it's being executed by a company like Netflix.

- I liked his incidental nod to movie theaters... but also got the sense he thinks their continued dwindling numbers is inevitable.

Probably more thoughts will appear as it latently acts on my psyche haha

Thank you. Very informative...

Thanks a lot for this webinar, Shefali, Colin, and Ashley! It was useful and insightful.

Hello my name is Kasawuli Bantu a filmmaker based in kampala, Uganda. i've really enjoyed this webinar

I just wanted to say thank you for a great webinar- to all three of you! And of course I have one more question :) For LBA which requires theatrical release, what is that "minimum requirement"? Are you within the contract if it is in one (and any) theater and you have paying viewers/ticket holders? And if it instead goes to a streamer?

Thank you for your response Colin!

Thank you, everyone.

You're welcome, Rich Terdoslavich. Sometimes when I get hired by a producer, they'll give me a synopsis or outline, and I'll expand it, then I'll show my outline to the producer before starting the script. I show the producer my outline to make sure we're on the same page.

Faced with an issue of images that are not available anywhere else, and having no drawing skills, AI images are acceptable. It's becoming more and more common.

I just saw a Lookbook with all AI images and it was mind-blowing good. Head and shoulders above the usual cobbled together decks.

Thank you for your insights Dwayne Williams 2 E Langley. In general, I feel more inclined not to use AI-generated materials, as Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg suggest. Yet, in this case, I don't even need to evaluate it because I'm lucky to collaborate with the artist who'll create the animation, so we have plenty of visuals!

Chiara Torrisi, also you can use ShotDeck as a source for Comps images and use in your pitch deck. It’s free for two weeks when you sign up.

Sandra Isabel Correia ShotDeck is a tremendous tool: I didn't know it, thank you very much for suggesting it!

It is Chiara Torrisi. You are welcome :))

Hello Sam Rivera, I have an interesting action fiction drama, I would like to cooperate with you, is it possible to send me a message?

Hi, Paolo Ruello. I think a well-crafted, high-quality film could perform just as well as a weak blockbuster. Maybe better.

My biggest tip to get producers interested in your projects is network/build relationships on Stage 32. Here are some blogs on networking: www.stage32.com/blog/tags/networking-41

And Stage 32 has in-person Meetups that are great for networking (www.stage32.com/meetups). If you don't see a Meetup in your area, you could start your own.

Hello Paulo, it's definitely as you say.

Are you willing to collaborate? Dear friend?

Sebastian Tudores

I'm wondering if he wants to develop AI for filmmaking.

He thinks like a tech developer/innovator/entrepreneur. Why fight when you can innovate, create and own the advancement? “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”

haha! yesss - SunTzu all the way Leonardo Ramirez 2 ! and you're probably right about AI/filmmaking angle

Sebastian Tudores, as I always say, I have three lives :D That was my crowning achievement as a businesswoman, and it was there that I won so many awards and learned everything I know about business today. It was risky but also challenging because you were creating something no one had thought of before. Life is amazing, my friend. Just to show you the umbrella, here's a photo from one of our advertising campaigns in New York. :)

oh I love it Sandra Isabel Correia !

It was an interesting idea.

Hi Sandra,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and encouraging response.

I really appreciate your insights on clarity of concept, visual identity, and market positioning – they give me a lot of direction as I continue shaping this project.

I’d love to share a pitch deck and some early visual materials with you once they’re polished, if you’d be open to taking a look. Your perspective as both a screenwriter and producer would be incredibly valuable.

Thanks again for taking the time to engage – it means a lot.

Best regards,

Andras

I agree with Sandra Isabel Correia, Andras Nagy. In my experience, some of the things that make a project stand out to buyers are a high-concept idea, the project's budget, and the script.

Hi Andras Nagy . Thank you for your kind words, and I’m really glad my thoughts could offer some direction. It means a lot to know they resonated with you.

I truly appreciate your offer to share the pitch deck and visuals. That trust is not taken lightly. At the moment, my plate is quite full, and the little free time I have is intentionally spent away from the filmmaking world to recharge in other ways. So I won’t be able to dive into new projects right now.

Still, I’m cheering you on from afar. Wishing you clarity, momentum, and all the best as you shape your vision.

Thank you Maurice Vaughan :))

You're welcome, Sandra Isabel Correia.