Guest Speaker: Sandra

• Kill Rights- actors can approve/disapprove of certain photos of them.
• Founded the IFP-Independent Feature Project. Originally a 3 yr idea.
• Don't underestimate how long it will take to accomplish particular goals.
• Indie Collect-Nationwide campaign to conserve every American Independent Film.
• 1949 movie theaters independent of studios.
• "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee."
• Film: Northern Lights. Went straight to theater owners.
• Cannes Film Festival-awarded Northern Lights with the Camera D'or.
• Alambrista! won 1st year, Northern Lights 2nd. Both American films that she worked on.
• Do you really want to wait for permission to make your project? Do it yourself.
• If you're going to be professional, need to be inventive and creative.
• Write down project ideas.
• Why do I need to make films?
• Producer's money comes from pocket.
• Am I trying to make films to communicate? to express myself? Are we primarily business people? entertainers?
• It's a trap to define success solely on financial terms.
• Have a long term perspective in terms of artistic, talent, communication goals.
• USP-unique selling points.
• When you create an investment document, list all potential problems with the film.
• Budgeting- includes food and how much you will pay each person, how elaborate the set design will be.
• Write the documents yourself, cuts cost.
• Hybrid films-profit and tax deduction...Selma could be funded entirely by foundations or investors. (Picabo Street!)