Sect 181 Grandfathered!

Section 181 Grandfathered

The federal film tax incentive known as Section 181 will expire December 31st, 2016. The incentive allows film investors to minimize their risk by deducting their investment against passive income as soon as spending begins (capitalization of the offering).

However, the incentive will sunset December 31st. A bill has been introduced to once again renew but, based on past renewals - and considering how slow Washington moves, and a new administration - we can anticipate many months will pass before the bill comes to a vote; and who knows if it will pass. We can be sure there will be a gap until such time 181 renews where investors cannot deduct their investment as per the incentive.

We at Oroloro Entertainment are happy to report that our comedy feature film MegaBall$ has been grandfathered in, and the tax benefit for investors will not expire, but stay with our project. This gives us a very specific advantage over other films not covered by 181, making our project more attractive to prospective investors. Combining the benefits of 181 and state/local incentives, investors can see a substantial reduction in the financial risks of film investment. This is a great enhancement to our project, and giving us an edge when we promote MegaBall$ at the Sundance Film Festival January 21, 2017.

For more information on how Sect. 181 can benefit you check with your tax advisor - or, if you wish, send us an email and we will connect you with our lawyer (who was very involved in the drafting of Sect. 181). You may also 'Google' "Section 181" to see many legal opinions of the incentive.

Thoughts on TIFF16

One of many TIFF screening theaters

We recently attended 5 days of the 2016 Toronto FilmFestival and would like to share our experience.

Toronto is a great city: good transportation, very clean and people are friendly. It feels like Manhattan with a European flair. The festival is centered downtown in the Entertainment District and almost everything is in walking distance. For those who cannot find accommodations nearby find one near the underground or trolley lines, which are very efficient.

We were able to put together the travel and hotel with loyalty points keeping the trip very affordable.  We used the new UP Express, a train which connects Pearson Airport to Union Station. $12 Canadian gets you there in 25 relaxing minutes. Our hotel, the Delta, was in walking distance of Union Station and boasted amazing views. We kept our food costs low by having large breakfasts at the hotel (included in our deal), and by taking advantage of the VIP lounge in the evenings, which offered a variety of food and drink (also included).

Our hotel view at night

We attended TIFF to get the experience of a major festival. I’ve heard it said, and found it to be true, that it’s a good idea to attend a major festival BEFORE you have a film entered. It’ll be a great learning experience to see how the festival runs, and how the industry works within the fest. Our new lawyer thought it would be good to join him and others who were attending, and to sit in on a panel.

Toronto at night

1-sheets at a meeting

TIFF is the largest festival in North America, and with 350 films screened in ten days it’s too large. Considering every day there are multiple premiers, screenings, panels, discussion, events and parties one cannot not physically make them all. There were several films I had hoped to see including The Bleeder (which a friend acted in) and EgonSchiele: Tod und Madchen. My grandfather schooled with Schiele at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. I'll definitely see both films when they open in NY.

I had written to a few friends who I knew were attending. At last minute one told me he had 1 extra ticket for The Bleeder but we had set other plans that day and time. The lines waiting for rush tickets were very long to almost every film, and those with the most buzz were impossible to get into. We focused on the panels, discussions and networking moments to learn as much as we could. Our intent was to learn all we could, network where possible, and to use TIFF as the jumping point of the reboot of our film, MegaBall$.

We were armed with some great looking one-sheets; heavy magazine glossy sheets with our poster on one side (designed by our production designer, Roger Ambrose) and details about the project on the other. We handed out where ever we could, but wished we totally depleted our supply before leaving. The response from those we talked with was very positive. They liked the concept, the 1-sheet, and one person stated our log line was the best he’s ever read.

SAG-AFTRA / ACTRA Event

We were invited to one party hosted by the South African Film Office, but we opted to attend one jointly hosted by SAG-AFTRA and ACTRA. I felt as a board member of SAG-AFTRA I was better suited to meet and greet fellow members and union leaders. Overall a nice event and a need break from promoting our film’s development.

The big lesson we learned a little too late. Don’t expect to randomly meet some person in a festival that will have time to talk about the project you’re developing. Sure, there are many filmmakers willing to talk – and we were happy to do that. But the industry people you want, the financiers, distributors and sales reps are so busy doing business there’s not much time to meet. Their schedule doesn’t allow them to just grab a wine and mingle at some panel. The trick is: once you’ve purchased your industry pass, most festivals release a list of all the industry people attending. You must go down that list and reach out to preset meetings. The further in advance of the festival the better. We were able to secure one meeting in advance, that was a little harried because it started late, and we needed to catch the UP train back to our flight home.

Our lawyer, Corky Kessler,  had asked us to sit on one of several livestreamed panels about film that coincided with the festival which was featured on Torontoeco.tv. In addition to the development panel we spoke on, we stayed off camera to listen to all the other panels. This was a good move for heard some good advice, met a lot of good people -- all colleagues of our lawyer and who took our project seriously. According to the technician the streamed panels had 150,000 views worldwide.

We enjoyed a little down time as well, to pace ourselves and enjoy the city. I wouldn’t mind returning for a few days to play tourist in the early fall.

The overall lesson – plan far ahead when attending a festival. Try to make appointments to meet industry people long before you get there. Dress comfortable, specially shoes, and be armed with a good 1-sheet and lots of business cards, and pens and a notepad. Make sure your 1-sheet (or business cards) have whitespace where people can make notes.

Today we now start doing our follow-up. Bon chance!

Oh, yeah!? Well, we got MEGABALL$ !!

Thoughts on TIFF16

One of many TIFF screening theaters

We recently attended 5 days of the 2016 Toronto FilmFestival and would like to share our experience.

Toronto is a great city: good transportation, very clean and people are friendly. It feels like Manhattan with a European flair. The festival is centered downtown in the Entertainment District and almost everything is in walking distance. For those who cannot find accommodations nearby find one near the underground or trolley lines, which are very efficient.

We were able to put together the travel and hotel with loyalty points keeping the trip very affordable.  We used the new UP Express, a train which connects Pearson Airport to Union Station. $12 Canadian gets you there in 25 relaxing minutes. Our hotel, the Delta, was in walking distance of Union Station and boasted amazing views. We kept our food costs low by having large breakfasts at the hotel (included in our deal), and by taking advantage of the VIP lounge in the evenings, which offered a variety of food and drink (also included).

Our hotel view at night

We attended TIFF to get the experience of a major festival. I’ve heard it said, and found it to be true, that it’s a good idea to attend a major festival BEFORE you have a film entered. It’ll be a great learning experience to see how the festival runs, and how the industry works within the fest. Our new lawyer thought it would be good to join him and others who were attending, and to sit in on a panel.

Toronto at night

1-sheets at a meeting

TIFF is the largest festival in North America, and with 350 films screened in ten days it’s too large. Considering every day there are multiple premiers, screenings, panels, discussion, events and parties one cannot not physically make them all. There were several films I had hoped to see including The Bleeder (which a friend acted in) and EgonSchiele: Tod und Madchen. My grandfather schooled with Schiele at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. I'll definitely see both films when they open in NY.

I had written to a few friends who I knew were attending. At last minute one told me he had 1 extra ticket for The Bleeder but we had set other plans that day and time. The lines waiting for rush tickets were very long to almost every film, and those with the most buzz were impossible to get into. We focused on the panels, discussions and networking moments to learn as much as we could. Our intent was to learn all we could, network where possible, and to use TIFF as the jumping point of the reboot of our film, MegaBall$.

We were armed with some great looking one-sheets; heavy magazine glossy sheets with our poster on one side and details about the project on the other. We handed out where ever we could, but wished we totally depleted our supply before leaving. The response from those we talked with was very positive. They liked the concept, the 1-sheet, and one person stated our log line was the best he’s ever read.

SAG-AFTRA / ACTRA Event

We were invited to one party hosted by the South African Film Office, but we opted to attend one jointly hosted by SAG-AFTRA and ACTRA. I felt as a board member of SAG-AFTRA I was better suited to meet and greet fellow members and union leaders. Overall a nice event and a need break from promoting our film’s development.

The big lesson we learned a little too late. Don’t expect to randomly meet some person in a festival that will have time to talk about the project you’re developing. Sure, there are many filmmakers willing to talk – and we were happy to do that. But the industry people you want, the financiers, distributors and sales reps are so busy doing business there’s not much time to meet. Their schedule doesn’t allow them to just grab a wine and mingle at some panel. The trick is: once you’ve purchased your industry pass, most festivals release a list of all the industry people attending. You must go down that list and reach out to preset meetings. The further in advance of the festival the better. We were able to secure one meeting in advance, that was a little harried because it started late, and we needed to catch the UP train back to our flight home.

Our lawyer had asked us to sit on one of several livestreamed panels about film that coincided with the festival which was featured on Torontoeco.tv. In addition to the development panel we spoke on, we stayed off camera to listen to all the other panels. This was a good move for heard some good advice, met a lot of good people -- all colleagues of our lawyer and who took our project seriously. According to the technician the streamed panels had 150,000 views worldwide.

We enjoyed a little down time as well, to pace ourselves and enjoy the city. I wouldn’t mind returning for a few days to play tourist in the early fall.

The overall lesson – plan far ahead when attending a festival. Try to make appointments to meet industry people long before you get there. Dress comfortable, specially shoes, and be armed with a good 1-sheet and lots of business cards, and pens and a notepad. Make sure your 1-sheet (or business cards) have whitespace where people can make notes.

Today we now start doing our follow-up. Bon chance!

Oh, yeah!? Well, we got MEGABALL$ !!

Thoughts on TIFF16

One of many TIFF screening theaters

We recently attended 5 days of the 2016 Toronto FilmFestival and would like to share our experience.

Toronto is a great city: good transportation, very clean and people are friendly. It feels like Manhattan with a European flair. The festival is centered downtown in the Entertainment District and almost everything is in walking distance. For those who cannot find accommodations nearby find one near the underground or trolley lines, which are very efficient.

We were able to put together the travel and hotel with loyalty points keeping the trip very affordable.  We used the new UP Express, a train which connects Pearson Airport to Union Station. $12 Canadian gets you there in 25 relaxing minutes. Our hotel, the Delta, was in walking distance of Union Station and boasted amazing views. We kept our food costs low by having large breakfasts at the hotel (included in our deal), and by taking advantage of the VIP lounge in the evenings, which offered a variety of food and drink (also included).

Our hotel view at night

We attended TIFF to get the experience of a major festival. I’ve heard it said, and found it to be true, that it’s a good idea to attend a major festival BEFORE you have a film entered. It’ll be a great learning experience to see how the festival runs, and how the industry works within the fest. Our new lawyer thought it would be good to join him and others who were attending, and to sit in on a panel.

Toronto at night

1-sheets at a meeting

TIFF is the largest festival in North America, and with 350 films screened in ten days it’s too large. Considering every day there are multiple premiers, screenings, panels, discussion, events and parties one cannot not physically make them all. There were several films I had hoped to see including The Bleeder (which a friend acted in) and EgonSchiele: Tod und Madchen. My grandfather schooled with Schiele at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. I'll definitely see both films when they open in NY.

I had written to a few friends who I knew were attending. At last minute one told me he had 1 extra ticket for The Bleeder but we had set other plans that day and time. The lines waiting for rush tickets were very long to almost every film, and those with the most buzz were impossible to get into. We focused on the panels, discussions and networking moments to learn as much as we could. Our intent was to learn all we could, network where possible, and to use TIFF as the jumping point of the reboot of our film, MegaBall$.

We were armed with some great looking one-sheets; heavy magazine glossy sheets with our poster on one side and details about the project on the other. We handed out where ever we could, but wished we totally depleted our supply before leaving. The response from those we talked with was very positive. They liked the concept, the 1-sheet, and one person stated our log line was the best he’s ever read.

SAG-AFTRA / ACTRA Event

We were invited to one party hosted by the South African Film Office, but we opted to attend one jointly hosted by SAG-AFTRA and ACTRA. I felt as a board member of SAG-AFTRA I was better suited to meet and greet fellow members and union leaders. Overall a nice event and a need break from promoting our film’s development.

The big lesson we learned a little too late. Don’t expect to randomly meet some person in a festival that will have time to talk about the project you’re developing. Sure, there are many filmmakers willing to talk – and we were happy to do that. But the industry people you want, the financiers, distributors and sales reps are so busy doing business there’s not much time to meet. Their schedule doesn’t allow them to just grab a wine and mingle at some panel. The trick is: once you’ve purchased your industry pass, most festivals release a list of all the industry people attending. You must go down that list and reach out to preset meetings. The further in advance of the festival the better. We were able to secure one meeting in advance, that was a little harried because it started late, and we needed to catch the UP train back to our flight home.

Our lawyer had asked us to sit on one of several livestreamed panels about film that coincided with the festival which was featured on Torontoeco.tv. In addition to the development panel we spoke on, we stayed off camera to listen to all the other panels. This was a good move for heard some good advice, met a lot of good people -- all colleagues of our lawyer and who took our project seriously. According to the technician the streamed panels had 150,000 views worldwide.

We enjoyed a little down time as well, to pace ourselves and enjoy the city. I wouldn’t mind returning for a few days to play tourist in the early fall.

The overall lesson – plan far ahead when attending a festival. Try to make appointments to meet industry people long before you get there. Dress comfortable, specially shoes, and be armed with a good 1-sheet and lots of business cards, and pens and a notepad. Make sure your 1-sheet (or business cards) have whitespace where people can make notes.

Today we now start doing our follow-up. Bon chance!

Oh, yeah!? Well, we got MEGABALL$ !!

Another film recommendation

Here's a trailer of an indie feature film made by some friends. The Brooklyn Banker (originally titled Lily of the Feast) is directed by Federico Castelluccio, and features Paul Sorvino and David Proval. I'm sure they would appreciated you sharing the link to the trailer....and watch for its release soon through Tricoast Distribution!

Watch Trailer Here

Written by Michael Ricigiliano and produced by Jeff Schneider. Michael was the playwright of Queen for a Day, a very effective mob story that had an Off-Broadway run in New York starring David Proval and Vincent Pastore, and now being turned into an indie film. Michael and Jeff are good guys and we're always running into each other somewhere, then we have a coffee and great conversation.

We're looking forward to seeing the film when it's released soon!

Recommending two films

I'm pleased to recommend the following two independent films. Seek them out!

The first film is title Equity, the first female driven story about Wall Street. What separates this is not only the story is female driven, but the team behind it are females: Written by Amy Fox, Directed by Meera Menon, and Produced by Alysia Reiner and Sarah Megan Thomas. I know several people on the project, including the DP (Eric Lin), Line Producer Brian David Cange, Executive Producer Candy Straight, and several of the cast members including Craig Bierko and David Alan Basche. The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and was picked up by Sony, with a release in New York in July. Watch the trailer below, watch for it later in July.

The second film is one I mentioned on my post about the 2016 GI Film Festival in Washington DC. The Unimaginable Journey of Peter Ertel, a feature length documentary. Director Joseph Cahn has found the perfect subject in Peter Ertel, a German man essentially forced into the German army during World War II, who survived many battles before being captured by the Americans, then being brought to the US, and later returning to Germany working on behalf of the US government, At the time of filming Peter Ertel was 96 years old. Ertel is a sympathetic and charming character who mesmerizes the audience. The film is searching for distribution, and you can watch a trailer below. It won a major award at the 2016 GI Festival. Visit the films web site.

On a personal note, in the next few days MegaBall$ will be listed on one of the first sites to take advantage of the new crowdfunding laws known as Title II and Title III, which went fully into effect on May 15, 2016. This will certainly help expand our reach to find private equity to shoot the film. 

For those unaware...Oroloro is developing a feature comedy film about computers, the lotto and the Mob.

GIFFx in DC

I thought I'd recap my recent 9-day visit to the 2016 GI Film Festival (GIFF) in Washington, DC...their 10th year! (See the festival schedule here.)....my third time and, along with two others from SAG-AGFTRA, was a guest judge,

As part of a team from SAG-AFTRA -- a sponsor of the GIFF -- our bi-partisan committee, the Military Personnel and Family Support Committee, supported and attended the GIFF for the third year in a row. Among our group of actor-members are also veterans, including the committee Chair Rik Deskin (Air Force, president of the Seattle local), Vice-Chair Gene DeFrancis (Navy, of the New York local) and Marc Baron (Navy, NY Local Board), National SAG-AFTRA President Gabriel Carteris, National Secy/Treasurer Jane Austin, Susan Snyder (national board member from the Washington-Mid Atlantic local), Lance Lewman (president Washington-Mid Atlantic Local), Gale Nemec, Pamela Greenwalt (SAG-AFTRA Chief Communications and Marketing Officer), Kerri Wood (Legislative and Policy Matters Staff, and committee liaison), and SAG-AFTRA lobbyist, Todd Flournoy.

(L-r.: Todd Flournoy, Kerri Wood, Marc Baron, Rik Deskin, Congressman Ted Lieu,
Gabriel Carteris, Gene DeFrancis, Susan Snyder and Pamela Greenwalt.)

To be clear, the sole purpose of our visit is not to watch movies. We mingle with the filmmakers and promote the use of SAG-AFTRA members by explaining our various independent film contracts, we support the improvement of how veterans are portrayed in the media, we chat with many union members who attend the festival...and we talk with many local and national elected officials....and we visited the Walter Reed Hospital to chat with many outpatient recovering Vets.

(Rik Deskin, Marc Baron, Jane Austin, Susan Snyder and Gene DeFrancis
chatting with veterans at the Walter Reed Hospital.)

Some of officials attend the events, such as the VIP-only 10th Annual Congressional Reception Cannon Office Building (along with special guest, actor J. W. Cortes), or the evening of international films screened at the Canadian Consulate, and others are met in private quarters. Then there's the 'gauntlet'.  That's they day when Todd has scheduled numerous meetings in Capitol Hill that has us running - literally - from office to office and building to building. We discuss areas of concern to our members and our union's legislative efforts, such as film tax incentives and the Fair Play/Fair Pay Act ...and offer our support for veteran affairs.

Among the gauntlet meetings this year were Congressmen Tim Walz , Mike Bost, Marsha Blackburn and Ted Lieu, the Assistant Secretary of VETS, Mike Michaud,  and all of their assistants and advisors. It's quite an experience navigating the hallways of the Cannon House Office, Longworth House Office and Rayburn Office buildings. We met with Derrick Dockery, the former NFL football player who is now with the Office of the Speaker, located in the Capitol Building, who took us out to balcony for photos.

(Above -On The Capitol Balcony, L.-r.: Marc Baron, Susan Snyder, Rik Deskin, Derrick Dockery,
Kerri Wood, Gene DeFrancis, Todd Flournoy, Gabrielle Carteris in front. Below, the balcony view.)

Then there were the film, 78 in total - many made by veterans, all about the experiences of veterans and uniform service. Some were outstanding! My favorite two were documentaries on another perspective of World War II titled On the Wrong Side, and The Unimaginable Journey of Peter Ertel, which won a major festival award.

In addition, we were treated to special screenings of Top Gun, X-Men: Apocalypse, The Finest Hours (courtesy of Disney, presented by Jonathan Flora) and 13 Hours (about the Benghazi attacks). Following 13 Hours there was a Q&A with one fo the films actors, Dominic Fumusa, and three of the real "Secret soldiers" Kris 'Tonto' Paronto, John 'Tig' Tiegen and Tyrone Woods. Their story is an epic one, and was a fitting ending of the festival leading us to Memorial Day.

(L.r; Rik Deskin, Gene DeFrancis, Dominic Fumusa and Marc Baron.)

(L.-r.; John 'Tig' Tiegen, Rik Deskin, Gale Nemec, Marc Baron, Lance Newman and Gene DeFrancis)

(Above. After the screening, L.-r.: Festival founders Brendan Millett and Laura Lw Millet, Dominic Fumusa, John 'Tig' Tiegen, Kris 'Tonto' Paronto and Tyrone Woods.)

I also managed to get a few hours of my 9 days there and visit Washington museums and monuments....and now it's back to work and putting together my comedy feature, MegaBall$.

Overall, a fantastic trip. Good films, making new friends and connecting to filmmakers, glad-handing politicians, all while representing our union and fellow members with a fabulous team of dedicated union members. 

Moving up again...

The ScreenCraft Screenplay contest is considered by many as one of the top 15 best contests in the world. In 2015 MegaBall$ placed in their comedy contest in the semi-finals. Of the more than 1260 international entries, we placed in the top ten percent!

We then continued shaping the screenplay, and this year re-entered the 2016 ScreenCraft Comedy Screenplay Contest , and we're pleased to announce we're in the quarter finals.

Stay tuned for the next elimination round!

The Sad Passing of Ken Howard

Oroloro partners Marc Baron and Joe Cirillo sadly mark the passing of Ken Howard. An award winning actor, SAG-AFTRA president, advocate for performer's rights...and friend.

New NYC Film Commissioner

We welcome Julie Menin as the new NYC Film Commissioner. NYC is a very film-friendly town, and we look forward to the official support of the industry. We also hope we'll be walking into Ms. Menin's office setting up our film permits later this year.

READ MORE                READ MORE           READ MORE

 

Visit the NYC Office of Film & Media

 

Outta this world!

 

This is the work of our MegaBall$ production designer, Roger Ambrose, recently seen at the Hollywood Grove. A special design to mark the return of Fox TV's X-Files. Great work, Roger! You can read all about it at:

 

Hollywood Reporter

LAIst.com

TheWrap.com

 

 

We're proud of Roger and pleased to have him as part of our awarding production team!

 

#Xfiles #film #MBalls #Oroloro

Joe Cirillo Talks!

Oroloro partner Joe Cirillo was interviewed on WGBB radio Saturday, 8-22-15, for the show Streetwise with Lou Telano.

where he talks about his life as a NYPD police officer, and his transition to being an actor, screenwriter, celebrity security expert...and producer of our comedy MEGABALL$.

You can hear the interview by clicking HERE.

Section 181 Tax Incentive Renewed

Dec 18, 2015, Congress approved a spending package that include a provision to help filmmakers, by renewing the Sect 181 Federal Film Tax Incentive, which originated in the 2004 JOBS Act. The provision is retroactive to Jan 1 2015 and will expire on December 31, 2016. The revision also includes Theatrical productions, not just television and film.

The code allows investors to deduct their investment as soon as the qualified film begins production, then later claim any returns as income in future year (limited by passive income rules). There are limitations and a potential investor should consult their own tax adviser.  MEGABALL$ complies with the requirements of the film: 75% must be for paid service in the US, and our project will be 100%. Sect 181 may allow a film investor to minimize their risk.

Here are a few links to read more about Sect 181 and the tax implications:

Variety
Marc Jacobson (Lawyer) Tax Implications
Sect 181 Explained
Huffington Post

Filmmaker Magazine
Sect 181 Simple Breakdown

We hope potential investors will take into mind these tax implications and consider investing in MegaBall$, which has solid commercial appeal. Read more about MegaBall$

NYS Extends Film Tax Incentive

NY State’s popular film and television tax credit has been extended through 2019 will provide the stability necessary to allow the state to attract more long-term investments and create more jobs for New Yorkers all across the state.  READ MORE

 

Part of our overall plan is to use the tax incentive money for our marketing fund. A preliminary estimate puts our tax benefit at $190k.

 

Read more about MEGABALL$ on its web site.

 

John Oliver: The Lottery (HBO)

Think Outside the Frame # 3

Build that list!

While you, the filmmaker, are busy working on all the things that must be done to develop and produce a film, don’t neglect building your email list. We prefer using Mail Chimp – it’s easy to use and allows you to create different lists rather than mush your contacts all together. Mail Chimp also allows you to the place a widget on your website so visitors can add themselves to a list and has a free APP so you can enter contacts on the fly from any mobile device. Mail Chimp also allows the recipient to easily unsubscribe.

Create separate lists for different uses. We’ve divided our lists into a “general contacts”  (my audience base), investors (for special reports) and press contacts.

Search the web for bloggers that have something in common with your film.  For example, MEGABALL$ has a lottery theme to it so we busy ourselves scouring blogs and websites about the lotto/lottery. When you found a good page find a contact email if available, and add them to our list. Perhaps send them an email introducing your film and offering to exchange links on your website.

Every time you see a report or review about a film on TV, in a magazine or newspaper (print or online), the author usually posts their email address. Copy it. Use Twitter? Many Twitter users post their email or web site. Add it to your list.

Check out the many film distribution companies online or on IMDB Pro, and add their email to a list.

Use your lists wisely – posting too often or sending vague emails will turn off the recipient and they’ll unsubscribe. Don’t forget to have in your email your film’s web site, Twitter address, Facebook page, Pinterest…etc.

When your film starts to move you’ll be prepared to promote it.

Think Outisde the Frame #2

So what do you do next? You have your killer script and log line. You've done research and created a business plan / project overview, and you've worked with an entertainment lawyer to set up your investor offering (probably a Private Placement Memorandum) and the production entity (probably an LLC). You have your budget, shooting schedule, revenue projections. Perhaps you have a teaser and a web site. You've practiced your pitch, the short one and the long one. Maybe you have artwork, such as a poster or one sheet....and you have an investor one sheet, and a PowerPoint presentation  You're ready to meet with investors, but how do you prep for the actual meeting?

 

Here's what we do.

We have everyone of our documents converted into PDF's with embedded links and, when needed, we print paper copies. We invested in a Velo binding machine to make the packages professional.

We have embraced the world of Google - it's free, why not? We have a Google Drive that contains all the documents  - both the original and the PDF version. Some prefer DropBox, which is also fine. Or, if you're a real techy, you can have all the docs loaded into your web site with hidden links. This allows all of my team access to the documents from anywhere, and it allows me to access them on the fly, on my cell phone or tablet. I can email them from anywhere when a request comes in, rather than need to wait to I get back home - a big bonus if/when you travel. There's a new APP called Google Slide which reads/edits/saves PowerPoint files and lets you display the slide show right from your portable device. And, if needed, we can access the files and them printed/bound locally when we're out of town. And all of this is very "Green."

We're ready! No matter where we are, or when an opportunity arise, we can share the details with whomever.

www.MegaBallsMovie.com

Think Outside the Frame

Filmmakers should embrace the use of Pinterest while developing their film, adding yet another level to the film’s internet footprint.

You can create boards for ideals of locations, casting, themes, specialized props, etc. This creates a visual guide to how you see your film. We recently needed to replace our production designer. Our designer had left the business for a while to go back to college and study entertainment law. We had met several designers but one, Roger Ambrose, interested us because he had a long list of credits ranging from commercials, TV, film and theater….plus he had several Emmy awards. He read and liked our script, but he said what really sold him were the photos we had of ideal locations.

Another thing filmmakers need to do in advance of filming is to find online groups, blogs and associations that share a common interest featured in your film. In the case of MEGABALL$, the lotto/lottery is a big them…so every so often we search for blogs, Facebook pages, even news releases regarding the lottery, then post are reach out to the site owner introducing our film. The research led us to seven-time lottery winner Richard Lustig. Richard not only has a web site with frequent visitors, he also conducts seminars all over the country about how to improve your chances of winning.

Richard began emailing us and eventually we saw an opportunity, and we decided to have Richard appear as himself in a cameo in the film. Richard has been promoting our film through his appearances and has had his PR firm do some releases about the film. When the film is completed, part of our distribution plan is to coordinate screenings with Richard’s lectures.

Think outside the frame! Follow us on Pinterest.

 

www.MegaBallsMovie.com

It's important to use every opportunity to build your film's audience.

Many of you know I have an 'odd' little job, where I give tours about the HBO show, "The Sopranos." People from all over the world fill a bus every week to visit 50 locations used in filming, including the Bada Bing.

They are not allowed to take photos inside, and I saw an opportunity. I have photos taken sometime ago of the inside with the permission of the owner. At the end of each tour I welcome the clients to give me their email so I may send them the photos. The email with the photos thanks them for taking the tour and asks them to check out the web site for our film, MegaBall$. Then I add those names into a Mail Chimp list to use later on to continue promoting the film. The trick is to remind them they took the tour, and not over-send emails that may cause them to opt out.

So, what I'm doing is building a worldwide following with an interest in the Mob-genre who have met me in a memorable situation and are likely to follow our progess, and see the film when complete.

Always think of your film and how to promote it.

www.MegaBallsMovie.com
MegaBall$
Geeks, the lotto & the Mob
Tag line: You never know when you're number's up.
Now seeking private equity.
#Mballs

Newsday gets MEGABALL$

Well, it came out early – so here’s some big news.

Newsday, a major NY newspaper and ranked 11^th in the country, has done a profile on Oroloro partner, Joe Cirillo…with lots of talk about MEGABALL$. The print article will be out on Saturday but the feature has been released online at

http://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/retirement/retired-cop-82-still-on-a-beat-he-loves-show-biz-1.9097100

The story writer and paper editor are really intrigued about the film and asked if they can visit the set when we film. Dah, yes!

This should raise our internet presence many-fold, and show investors that this film has real potential. Newsday has a circulation of over 400,000 not counting online viewership. Tell your friends! www.MegaBallsMovie.com Follow our progress on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other social media.

 

#MBalls

#Newsday

#lotto