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IIFF Bay Area Film Financing Townhall in San Francisco (March 2012): Networking & Education for Financiers & Filmmakers

Thursday, March 22, 2012 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM (PT)

San Francisco, CA

IIFF Bay Area Film Financing Townhall in San Francisco...

Ticket Information

Ticket Type Sales End Price Fee Quantity
IIFF Member   more info Ended $35.00 $1.87
Non-member   more info Ended $55.00 $2.37
IIFF Member: Last minute   more info Ended $45.00 $2.12
Non-member: Last minute   more info Ended $65.00 $2.62
IIFF Member: On-site   more info Ended $55.00 $2.37
Non-member: On-site   more info Ended $75.00 $2.87
Student at Academy of Art University   more info Ended $10.00 $1.24
Add: Bring a friend (limited availability)   more info Ended $40.00 $1.99
*** IIFF Associate Membership (1 yr) ***   more info Dec 31, 2012 $99.00 $3.47
*** Extra Special: Full Membership (1 yr) + FREE Townhall ticket + FREE bio book ***   more info Ended $199.00 $5.97
Add: Attendee bio book for Members   more info Ended $10.00 $1.24
Add: Attendee bio book for Non-members   more info Ended $20.00 $1.49
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Event Details

 
 
Visit IIFF at http://filmfinancing.org

SF Film Financing Townhall at the Academy of Art

Film Meets Finance:
Networking & Education for
Filmmakers & Financiers

Seven Insightful Talks by Leading Experts & More

AddThis button (small)

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*** Don't miss other events in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Kansas City and New York ***

 
 
 

Abstract

"To-the-point presentations on the latest trends and targeted networking with like-minded pros set this event apart from the rest. IIFF delivers no-nonsense insight and real opportunity."Thomas Trenker, film financier

The San Francisco chapter of the Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF) continues its popular monthly gatherings at the junction of film & finance with a special Film Financing Townhall at the renowned Academy of Art. Their facilities are conveniently located across the street from the Palace Hotel in downtown San Francisco.

This grassroots community get-together is designed to foster & inform productive relationships between attendees. It provides unbiased insight & education about the business of film and film financing in particular. The event features a powerful roster of highly topical speakers from the filmmaking and financial industries. We are delighted to welcome real-world financiers among our guests!

The evening's five seven presentations plus panel discussion address key issues relevant to filmmakers, financiers and anyone interested in the economics, business mechanics, and financial dynamics of motion pictures. They are followed by Q&A time. Attendees also have ample opportunity to interact & network with our featured experts and amongst themselves.

An informal après-meeting celebration will take place at a nearby restaurant.

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Attendees

Who should attend?

Entrepreneurs, consultants, attorneys, bankers, investment managers, venture capitalists, angel investors and other professionals with an interest in the movie business will find this event worthwhile. Everyone who cares about independent film is cordially invited to join us.

Are you considering taking an active role in film, or would you like to expand your current involvement? Don't miss this high-value yet low-cost learning experience and the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers.

Established & aspiring filmmakers looking to raise capital for their projects, production companies, movie slates, film funds or other ventures are, naturally, more than welcome as well.

Why attend?

New to film finance? Need to brush up your topical knowledge? Want to deepen your understanding? Care to participate in an ongoing conversation & community dedicated to the subject? This uniquely valuable gathering is right for you!

Gain crucial insights from leading experts in their field. Network with fellow film & finance professionals. Meet potential collaborators and future business partners. All this at a price that is hard to beat.

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Program Details

  1. Greenlighting Requirements: The Importance of All Revenue Streams

    Clint Goldman (bio), Partner & Exec. Producer (EP) at 1-stop creative production company Bodega, which includes Hoytyboy Pictures, design collective Mr. Wonderful & Oscar-winning VFX house Tippett; Partner & EP at bi-cultural production co. Moskito w/ offices in SF & Montreal, specializing in filmed ads for multiple platforms; Producer of Disney's "Wild" (Sutherland, Shatner) & New Line's "Spawn" (Sheen, Leguizamo); fmr. EP at Hoytyboy & Complete Pandemonium; fmr. EP & Sr. Producer at Lucasfilm's ILM, headed commercial division, produced VFX & animation for Oscar nominee "Mask" (Jim Carrey), alien abduction sequence in "Fire in the Sky" & Dreamworks logo for Spielberg; fmr. Producer & Prod. Mgr. at CGI pioneer Robert Abel & Assoc.; mentored by Ridley & Tony Scott … (more) »

  2. Finance & Cinematography: Getting the Right Shots, on Time & on Budget

    Hiro Narita (bio), ASC, multi-award winning Cinematographer w/ 40+ years experience, ranging from small & experimental to epic & commercial films; worked on "Apocalypse Now" (Francis Ford Coppola), "More American Graffiti" (George Lucas), "Last Waltz" (Martin Scorsese), "Always" (Steven Spielberg), "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" (Disney), "Star Trek VI" (Paramount) & "Rocketeer" (Disney); lectures, mentors & juries widely for Sundance Institute, Hawaiian Int'l Film Festival & others; Visiting Faculty at San Francisco Art Institute; Member of American Society of Cinematographers & Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences … (more) »

  3. Film Festival Secrets: Think Outside the Box Office

    Scarlett Shepard (bio), media activist, filmmaker, festival organizer & community educator, who produced & curated many films, media arts programs & cultural events worldwide; Founder & Exec. Director at Women's Film Institute (WFI), presenter of annual SF Int'l Women's Film Fest, WFI Shorts Tour & Generation Herstory filmmaking training; responsible for programming, strategic growth, production, education initiatives, key partnerships & more; fmr. On-Air Co-Host at KPFA Women's Magazine Radio, discussing women's lives & issues from radical multiracial feminist perspective; fmr. Filmmaking Instructor at Tamalpais Beacon Center Project & MIYO Teen Center; served on many panels on filmmaking, development & audience engagement … (more) »

  4. What Makes a Winning Story: Tips for Producers & Investors

    Steve Shlisky (bio), Emmy-winning Sr. Producer & Editor at KTVU w/ 30+ years TV production experience in Bay Area; winner of 12 local Emmy Awards & 35 nominations, 4 nat'l Emmy nominations, 12 Telly awards, AP's Mark Twain Award & many other honors for producing, editing & writing; Professor of Media Communications at Laney College; local Education Committee Chair at Nat'l Assn. of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS); Advisory Board Member at Peralta College; also taught San Francisco State University … (more) »

  5. Kick Start Your Movie Project: Building Cast & Crew During Pre-Production

    Romanus Wolter (bio), MBA, a.k.a. "Kick Start Guy"; proven Director/Writer/Producer, Entrepreneur magazine's Success Coach columnist & author of "Kick Start" books; completed 6 shorts & 2 features incl. "Doggie Boogie" (Jessie Draper of "Valley Girl Show") & "Devious, Inc."; business consultant, radio host & spiritual motivator, provides action steps to turn goals into success; recognized as Speaker of the Year by Small Business Administration; fmr. Director at SF Small Business Development Center; served on Mayor's Committee for Small Business Loans; profiled by MSNBC, US News & World Report, BusinessWeek, Bloomberg TV, Chicago Tribune, SF Chronicle, Quicken.com & others … (more) »

  6. F/X on a Shoestring: Visual Effects & 3D for Indies

    Mohammed Allababidi (bio), Co-Founder & Art Director at Plant A Seed Studios, making 3D animated shows, movies & interactive games; Lead Animator at CosmiCube ("Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots"); fmr. Character Animator at Tall Chair; fmr. Cut-Scene Animator at Super Ego Games ("Rat Race"); fmr. Cinematics Animator at Electronic Arts ("Lord of the Rings: Return of the King"); fmr. Technical Director at Jones Intercable (now Comcast); fmr. CG Artist at Letca Studios; fmr. Video Game Animator at In-Orbit Entertainment; fmr. 3D Animator at Mind's Eye Media; teaches at Stanford, Academy of Art & UC Berkeley … (more) »

  7. Game Changer Gumroad: Simply Sell Your Movie With This Web App

    Sahil Lavingia (bio), 19-year old Founder & CEO at buzzy payments startup Gumroad.com, creator of simple-as-can-be web app to "sell anything you can share" (incl. movies), received $1.1M seed funding from Accel, Ron Conway's SV Angel, Chris Sacca, Max Levchin & others; fmr. Founding Team Member & Designer/Engineer at social media's "next big thing" Pinterest.com; previously built iPhone app for popular social-music service Turntable.fm; dropped out of USC in LA; also lived in Singapore, London, Hong Kong & NYC … (more) »

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Featured Moderator

Moderator headshotThe event will be moderated by Noemi Zeigler (bio), an award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter, film and video instructor, web show host, singer/songwriter and standup comedian. She has produced and/or hosted such TV programs and web shows as "Pushy TV," which gained a cult following in San Francisco; "The Minx Mandate" on Revision3 Beta; "Pop Secrets (and Other Roadside Attractions)," which aired across Europe; and "Studio SX" for SXSW. Her feature script "What Do You Thinx of Madeline Minx?" won Best Farce and Best Fresh Voice at film festivals in Los Angeles and Toronto. Noemi holds an MFA from the prestigious American Film Institute. (more) »

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Schedule

From To What
  7:00 PM Kick-Off & Welcome
  7:00 PM   8:00 PM Four Featured Presentations with Q&A (4x 15 mins)
  8:00 PM   8:15 PM Networking Break (15 mins)
  8:15 PM   9:00 PM Three Featured Presentations with Q&A (3x 15 mins)
  9:00 PM   9:15 PM Networking Break (15 mins)
  9:15 PM 10:00 PM Moderated Panel Discussion with Q&A (45 mins)
10:00 PM+ Community Time at Area Restaurant

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Townhall Venue

Academy of Art University (AAU)

79 New Montgomery St
(between Market & Mission, across from Palace Hotel)
Auditorium - 1st floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 274-2200

Map: Get a map of 79 New Montgomery St at Ask, Bing, Google, MapQuest or Yahoo.

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Our Host

Host logoThis month's Film Financing Townhall in San Francisco is hosted by the esteemed Academy of Art, a leading private university founded in 1929 in San Francisco. With nearly 10,000 students that occupy its 30+ buildings in downtown San Francisco, AAU is considered the largest private school of art and design in the United States. It offers both traditional on-campus and online distance-education degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of fine arts-related majors, including Motion Pictures & Television and Animation & Visual Effects. In May 2007, AAU was granted regional accreditation by the Senior Commission of the prestigious Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC), one of the six major regional accreditation commissions recognized by the US Department of Education.

Very special thanks for making this event possible go to Curran Engel, Full-Time Instructor in AAU's film school.

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Registration

Filmmaker-friendly affordable online registration is available at the top of this page.

Ticket type IIFF Member* Non-member Registration deadline
Early bird $25 $45 3 weeks before event
Regular $35 $55 1 week before event
Last minute $45 $65 1 day before event
On-site (at the door) $55 $75 Day of event

Register now to secure the best available price!

* To learn more about membership, email our Membership Bureau or ask an IIFF staffer at or after the event.

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Need Help?

Direct all your questions and inquiries about this event to IIFF's online forum at http://forum.filmfinancing.org.

Having trouble with Eventbrite (this site), PayPal or Google Checkout? Get help in our online forum. You can also notify us by email well in advance of the event and register on-site.

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Speaker Bios

Noemi Zeigler

Moderator

Speaker headshot 10Noemi Zeigler is an award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter, film instructor at the Academy of Art, web show host, singer/songwriter and standup comedian. Her feature script "What Do You Thinx of Madeline Minx?," a comedy with musical numbers, won Best Farce at the Broad Humor Film Festival in Los Angeles (2008) and Best Fresh Voice at the Female Eye Film Festival in Toronto (2008). Kathleen Turner read the role of her mother Rochelle in a staged reading of the script at the Electric Lodge Theater in Venice, CA in 2009. In 2002, Noemi produced and hosted "Pushy TV," a weekly genre-bending reality/talk show, which gained a cult following in San Francisco. She hosted and co-produceed a satirical web show on Revision3Beta.com called "The Minx Mandate," with guests including celebrity blogger Perez Hilton. She co-hosted the German television documentary "Pop Secrets (and Other Roadside Attractions)," which aired across Europe on ARTE and 3 SAT. Noemi also co-hosted "Studio SX," a program for South by Southwest (SXSW). Moreover, she writes, performs and records electronic dance music on the independent record label Radio Charlie Records. Her single "Unleash Your Soul," has appeared on numerous dance charts around the country. Noemi has taught film and video courses at the College of Santa Fe in New Mexico, the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and Laney College in Oakland. She is an advisory board member of Toronto's Female Eye Film Festival. Noemi holds an MFA degree in Film Directing from the American Film Institute (AFI) in Los Angeles. (more) »

Thomas Trenker

Founder

Speaker headshot 11A Wall Street investment banker and Silicon Valley startup executive turned independent film financier, Thomas (LinkedIn profile | full bio) serves as Chairman of the Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF). An innovative and ambitious social-impact organization, IIFF endeavors to bridge the gap between the worlds of filmmaking and finance for the benefit of all stakeholders including the public at large. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in San Francisco, IIFF has active chapters in multiple cities across the U.S. and continues to expand.

In his role as Managing Director of FilmAngels, Thomas also runs the world's first professional angel investor group for film. FilmAngels has been modeled after the way successful angel networks function in Silicon Valley and adapted to the unique characteristics of the movie industry. It focuses exclusively on funding independent films and film-related ventures. FilmAngels address the unfilled need for a structured, highly efficient and ultimately more effective environment for the vetting and financing of high-risk film projects.

Don't hesitate to connect with Thomas on LinkedIn or at an upcoming IIFF meeting near you. (more) »

*** To be finalized shortly ***

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The Buzz

These quotes are samples of what past attendees say about IIFF events:

"Wow. Last night was great! I want to thank you again for the inspiring work you do. This is such a big need […] and you're truly doing the work of angels (literally and figuratively)." — Brant Smith, Producer, "Quality of Life"

"I really must say that I found all speakers very interesting, and I was hanging on their every word. IIFF, the mission and content, seems to be a good fit for me, because it is my dream to run a medium size production house. […] Thank you, BIG THANK YOU […], for inviting me to this very quality and important event." — John Henry, Owner, John Henry Filmworks

"Let me again say I think you did a great job putting yesterday's event together – great crowd, smart presentation, lots of enthusiasm." — David Rosen, Executive Producer/Convener, Digital Independence

"Wow! For such a moderate investment, so much information. So much good networking. I hope you are proud of the magic you've created with IIFF." — Kevin Morrison, Writer/Director/Producer of independent film & TV

"I just wanted to say thanks for another great and informative meeting. The speakers were impressive and I made some good contacts." — Jesse Ford, Founder & Executive Director, Group Hug Productions

"IIFF and FilmAngels has really impressed me so far with its focus on the independent film community. I've traveled and interacted with film organizations around the world […]." — Jin Woo Joo, Founder, Cinemasports

"Thanks so much for hosting such an interesting program last week. I am always inspired by the creativity, and most recently, by the commitment to 'a better world'. It keeps my cynic's heart at bay! [A]gain, my heartfelt thanks for your mission and execution. Well done!" — Teri Cundall, Founder & President, Propville.com

"The event was great, very helpful." — Marc Perez, Co-President & Founding Partner, Sirk Productions

"I greatly enjoyed attending last night's event and found it very informative - certainly something that's been missing in New York so far." — Michael Gunther, Director/Producer, Triboro Pictures

"Great presentation tonight. Lots of energetic discussions and questions." — Campbell Dalglish, Prof. of Screenwriting, MFA in Film & Video at CUNY

"Thanks so much for tonight's event. It was really inspiring and incredibly informative." — Elizabeth Foley, Founding Faculty Member, Producing Dep't at NYFA

"I enjoyed this evening's Townhall presentation and found it very informative." — William Doll, Writer/Director, World Stage Pictures

"Your Townhall mtg was stimulating. You managed to attract the right target audience, and I loved your choice of speakers." — Sandra Schulberg, Founder, Independent Feature Project (IFP)

"I attended the New York Townhall Meeting and just wanted to thank you for setting up such an informative colloquium. It was my first IIFF event and I look forward to attending more in the future." — Blythe Frank, Producer, "Kettle of Fish" (Michael Mailer Films)

"Thank you again for a wonderful event last night." — Morgan Pehme, Co-Founder & CEO, Merlion Entertainment

"I'm just writing […] pertaining to the IIFF meeting last night, which I found both entertaining and informative and also promising of great things to come from IIFF in the near future!" — Thomas Woodrow, Producer, Furnace Films

"I attended the IIFF Townhall last week in New York and came away impressed. Thank you for putting together such an excellent panel of speakers. I found [Mr. Trenker's] presentation especially useful. As a former quant at Putnam Investments, I tend to dig into the numbers and [his] analysis was illuminating." — Robert Milacci, Executive Producer, Sinestra Pictures

"I very much enjoyed the seminar last Saturday in Stowe, VT. It was a lot of driving in one day (3.25 hrs. each way…), but worth it. […] Thanks again for a very enlightening day." — Marjorie Short, Oscar-nominated Writer/Producer/Director, Short Productions

"Just a note to say Larry Meistrich had a good time last night and was impressed with the quality of the group." — Jeff Silverstein, President of NEHST Access + Learning, NEHST Studios

"As it turns out, my producing partner [producer/director Leszek Burzynski] attended your IIFF meeting in Santa Monica on July 16. He was quite impressed with the presentations." — Terrance Sweeney, Partner & Producer, Winning Team Studios

"I just wanted to say thanks again for putting on such a great forum last night. […] I really enjoyed the occasion and especially the presentations. They were extremely relevant and really strong, credible presenters." — Gordon Clark, CEO, The Movie Portfolio Fund

"First, I wanted to say how much I really enjoyed your premier [film financing] seminar…!" — Frank Sacks, Founder & Principal, The Frank Sacks Company

"I had a very enjoyable experience. The seminar was extremely professional and well put together." — Adam Tantleff, Founder, President & Executive Producer, Sinestra Pictures

"THANKS […] There are no organizations or groups that I have come across that are doing what you and FilmAngels are doing." — J. Martin, Co-Owner, 24 Bros Entertainment

"I cannot express enough gratitude toward the great job that you are doing to help talented filmmakers realize their dreams. God bless you!" — Mara Vardanyan, Producer, Roman Pictures

"Your seminars are FIRST RATE!" — Rowan Joseph, President, Greenwood Hill Productions

"Thanks for organizing a great event. I thought it was a very interesting group of speakers." — Tricia van Klaveren, Producer/Exec. Producer & Principal, Fully Loaded Pictures

"[T]hank you for a terrific meeting last night…" — Greg Lejnieks, Actor/Filmmaker, Art Dealer & fmr. Pro Soccer Player

"First of all, thank you for hosting the Film Financing seminar. Very, very informative. I hope you have another one very soon." — Richard Beaty, Writer/Producer/Director & Co-Owner, Cielo Azul Films

"Just wanted to say 'thank you' for last night's IIFF meeting. […] The slides look great […]. I look forward to the next meeting." — Robert Pratten, Founder & Writer/Director, Zen Films

"I'm a big fan of all you're doing with IIFF… very inspiring to filmmakers." — Thomas Mignone, Director/Writer, DOOM Incorporated

"Thank you for hosting the [Workshop] last week. It was very informative and [the instructor] was spectacular. I learned a lot and met several fantastic people." — Lisa McTigue, Producer/Director, Three Masked Peeps Productions

"Thank you for inviting us to present to your [FilmAngels] groups in both Palo Alto and San Francisco. The attendees were warm and educated investors. You've done a terrific job gathering people with a passion for film." — Julie Richardson, Producer, "Collateral" (Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx)

"It was another great event and I appreciate all your work […]. Thank you." — Paul Oja, Writer/Director, "Bus Trip"

"I must thank you for sending [Workshop instructor] Dr. Patrick O'Heffernan down to Los Angeles last month. It was the best $200 I have ever spent on a seminar. [S]ince Patrick has both raised money and invested money, his perspective was simply invaluable!!!" — Rosser Goodman, Director, KGB Films

"You assembled an impressive group of speakers (and characters). […] I think we share a strong desire to help filmmakers." — Darren Ehlers, COO, Scenechronize

"First, I simply must say what an amazingly informative session it was and well carried out by [Workshop instructor] Tricia van Klaveren and her guest speakers. It packed a memorable punch. […] I had never heard of IIFF previously and now look forward to more of the same from you guys." — Teo, CEO, Cool Room Entertainment

"I really enjoyed [Kaiser Wahab's] class. A great value. Thank you for sharing your knowledge." — Bob Rudis, Director of Photography & President, Tubular, Inc.

Speak out, we would like to hear from you! Send us your comments by email.

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About IIFF

IIFF logoThe Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF) is an independent grassroots organization equally dedicated to serving the needs of filmmakers & financiers. IIFF's one-of-a-kind mission is to sustainably expand the scope & appeal of film financing and do so for the benefit of the public at large.

True to our proven motto of "democratizing film finance," IIFF's frequent Townhall Meetings bring together a wide array of professionals from relevant backgrounds in film, finance and beyond for a vibrant evening of insightful presentations, inspiring discussion & focused networking. Past meetings have reliably delivered useful insights into the business of film, provided valuable networking opportunities and drawn large, enthusiastic crowds.

IIFF has active chapters in multiple cites, and we are looking to expand further to better serve filmmakers and financiers everywhere. Help start or run a local chapter in your area! We make it easy and worth your while. Take a first step and tell us about yourself.

Not ready for your own chapter but eager to get involved in another meaningful way? We may have just the right full- or part-time internship for you, no matter where you are. Simply email us your resume to apply. IIFF interns are treated as equals while they learn about film finance and interact with industry leaders.

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When & Where



Academy of Art University (AAU)
79 New Montgomery Street
Auditorium - 1st floor
San Francisco, CA 94105

Thursday, March 22, 2012 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM (PT)


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Hosted By

IIFF San Francisco Bay Area



The Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF) is an innovative, independent social-impact organization that endeavors to bridge the gap between the worlds of filmmaking and finance for the benefit of all stakeholders – including the public at large.

Founded by Thomas Trenker in 2003 and headquartered in San Francisco, IIFF has chapters in the Bay Area, New York City, New England, Florida, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, London, the Pacific Northwest, the Lower Midwest, the Southwest and the Great Lakes Region.

Help launch or run an IIFF chapter in your area! We make it easy and worthwhile. Email the chapter development team and tell us about yourself. Or join our online community at http://forum.filmfinancing.org to keep in touch with a growing number of filmmakers and financiers.