I was sitting at the notorious “Bean” on Sunset Boulevard today waiting for a meeting with a cool guy, another producer, when I decided to type up my notes from this event last night and share them with anyone interested in funding a film project in today’s climate.

Panelists included an investor, Bernard Kinsey, Brenda Doby-Flewellyn, president, Film Bankers International, a consultancy for introducing investors and producers, and Schuyler M. Moore, an investment banker for Strook & Strook & Lavan LLP, who has worked with Summit Entertainment, and Reliance Films. Moore wrote a book called The Biz and teaches at UCLA in addition to his day job.

Key points
• Develop a criteria for projects, Repeat that process
• Hollywood does well in a recession
• However, nobody can do well with confidence credit issues like now
• Moderator commentedIdeas Don’t Stop
• DVD sales way down
• Piracy out of control
• Skylar predicts all states will be wiped out of tax incentive programs
• What is the return on capital?
• Get someone with biz sense to partner with you
• Don’t pitch angels/investors on “greed,” (making lots of money) demonstrate they will get their money back
• Some equity outside America: India, China, Hong Kong
• mariage made in heaven – advertisers and indie film makers: pitch ad people on sponsoring your film, product placement, other tie ins. They are desperate to get their brands out and their ads are being Tivoed and fast forwarded through.
• A good line producer is really important to investors
• Get an experienced partner in the industry if you are new
• Piracy is a huge issue – DVD sales are decreasing at the rate piracy is increasing
• Pay attn. to Internet shorts, there is a huge demand for shorts, people don’t have time for full movies, time for 5, 10 minute breaks.
• Research: Go deep/wide web series and Youtube, and see what’s popular
• Watch what Apple TV is doing with films, will be like what they did with music
• Five million dollar films that need twenty five million in marketing are not money makers