university of tampa film society presents production accounting seminar

Received via email:

Tom Garrett and the University of Tampa Film Society present production accounting seminar with John Gaskin

Date: Saturday, November 14, 2009

Time: 9:30 a.m.--5 p.m. (registration and coffee at 9 a.m.)

Location: The University of Tampa Film Society, Department of Communication, Film Media Arts, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa 33606

Instructor: John Gaskin, 25-year film production auditor veteran

The purpose of the seminar is to give indie filmmakers (writers, producers, directors, production managers, etc.) and any/all film students an inside look at the money side of the business, with some practical drilling and Q-and-A so that they can apply what they take from the seminar to their careers.

We’re going to be looking at the differences and similarities between the creative indie filmmaker and the more conservative side of filmmaking – the careful folks who guard the investment money – financiers, bonding companies, major studios and networks. A highlight of a few basic questions that I've heard are:

What is the minimal amount of financial understanding required when pitching projects?

Who does what and who do you trust?

What sort of deal are you expected to negotiate and when do the lawyers and blue suits enter the picture?

What is the minimal amount of control you need to retain?

What is the minimal amout of "film budget speak" expected and how do you communicate it with confidence and enthusiasm?

We talk about these subjects, and do some drilling, to give you more confidence in your pitching for financing or even for a film job. You'll be much more confident in your conversations with executive producers, studio execs, bonding companies, etc., thus creating confidence that you can actually finish the film project with the money available.

Throughout the seminar I give lots of real examples of my conversations with, and working observations of, known film/television producers and directors I have worked with/for.

Unabashed name dropping of some people I've worked with/for: Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Bill Mechanic, Frank Oz, George Clooney, Gavin Palone, David Valdes, Kevin Costner, Michael Glick (mentor at the American Film Institute), Film Finances (bond company), Independent Film Guarantors, studio execs at Disney, Universal, Warner Bros, Sony TV, etc.

This seminar is FREE to attendees.

Visit www.talkfilm.biz/flindies.htm for more info or to register.