Gustavius Smith

Thank you AmericanFilmMarket.com for the very detailed panel about how to work the AFM with Jean Prewitt – IFTA & AFM, President & CEO Clay Epstein – Film Mode Entertainment, President & Founder and IFTA Chairperson Kim Spurgeon – Nevada Film Office, Director AND Part II, How to Work with Sales Agents: Clay Epstein – Film Mode Entertainment, President & Founder and IFTA Chairperson Nat McCormick – The Exchange, President, Worldwide Sales & Distribution The key takeaways I learned from this for producers and filmmakers: 1) is to get with a sales agent as early as possible 2) choose a sales agent wisely by doing your due diligence (research about the company the sales agent works with and seeing if a good fit with your film) 3) better to focus on high probability targets and spend time crafting your pitch to a company you have researched and think is a good fit with your film 4) sales and marketing (including sales agents) have more creative control most of the time than the filmmaker or director as they know what will sell 5) in your pitch to sales agents bring an independent intrinsic value like a catchy title and easy to pronounce for digital service, known actors attached that fit your genre, trailer, budget, financial plan, a short film showing proof of concept, a poster, tax incentives, bonded or not bonded, union/nonunion, scope of movie 6) sales agents and their companies have their slate for 2025 and are looking to fill their slate for 2026 7) at AFM dress professionally - lean into more upscale 8) good sales agents have a lot of exeperience, know the market inside and out globally and attend film markets like AFM, MITCOM, CANN, Berlin, Hongkong. Look for those sales agents. Sale agents are amazing at their jobs and can truly help filmmakers get their films distributed and seen with goal of making a good profit for the filmmaker. They work on commissions and some upfront fees. #film #independentfilm #salesagents #distribution #afm #filmmakers #movies

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BBC AMCerica I’ve gotten a LOT of questions on this website about this transaction. “AMC Networks has acquired full control of BBC America, its joint venture with BBC Studios.” https://lnkd.in/eh8nvSWy This is a pretty easy one to suss - and a crystal clear indication of two companies going in two VERY different directions… AMC is still controlled by OG Cable TV royalty, the Dolan family. Their CEO is Kristin Dolan. They are tripling down on what they know: Cable TV. Yes, it’s a dying business, but BBCA still spins off cash from affiliate fees and advertising, and, up until now AMCN only got 49.9% of the fruits of their labor. Additionally, this deal eliminates substantial long term contractual and financial obligations AMC has had to BBC Studios. Considering the immediate upside, and what they paid for the first half ($200 mil), $42 mil ain’t a bad price to pay. BBC Studios is the for-profit arm of BBC. They recently acquired BritBox International. As BBC Studios Media CEO Rebecca Glashow said, they are “expanding and diversifying our market presence in the U.S,” aka focusing on content arms-dealing and solidifying their streaming business. Thus, the influx of cash, as well as the divorce of exclusivity to BBCA, makes a ton of dollars and cents. Happy to answer more questions in the chat. But this one is not a complicated puzzle to piece together.

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DIVERSITY, DIVERSITY, HEAR ALL ABOUT IT! According to the annual Hollywood Diversity Report (2024) presented by the UCLA Entertainment & Media Research Initiative, only 2.3 out of 10 theatrical film directors are people of color, Only 1.5 out of 10 theatrical film directors are women. This can be a daunting statistic that leaves many of the filmmakers I work with hopeless. I'm committed to hope and measurable change for diverse storytellers. So, I wanted to share a bit of my perspective on how l've seen diversity change in the work I do with new voices over the past few years. The budgets of the movies we make live under $4 million which isn't accounted for in the report that focuses on theatrical films in the $100M range. I think we have to contextualize when evaluating change. People of color and women often have to start at the bottom with smaller budgets. But this is where so much of the change around inclusion and equity is happening. This growth is rarely reported on, but is remarkable nonetheless. Our genre features slate with @hulu is proof of this incredible moment. I'd like to propose that we stop thinking of diversity as a bad word that's overused and performative. Diversity is real, it's needed, and it is changing the landscape of whose stories are told. There's never been a better time to be a diverse storyteller, use it to your advantage wherever, however, and with whomever you can. Ally with teams and producers who are part of this change at the grassroots level, develop your stories with them, and together let's continue to diversify Hollywood from the bottom, up! Excerpts from "The Era of Upheaval" panel at the 2023 Asian Leadership Conference in Seoul, moderated by Ron Geller, VP Worldwide Content Relations at Dolby

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The Skydance offer is the best option on the table for Paramount Global. This offer guarantees the best chance of this iconic studio surviving. I hope Shari Redstone sees the value the Skydance merger will bring to the Hollywood brand that has been her family's business for more than thirty years. Some reports on the M&A offer say that Ms. Redstone is "hesitant" to approve the revised deal which gives her less for her share of National Amusements Inc. than the previous offer. I think the trades who are reporting on this whole M&A process are looking to hype the drama instead of allowing for the time it takes to ponder each step in the process. More decisions in this business should be made after careful consideration and not rushed. #ParamountGlobal #Skydance #MandA #ParamountPictures #CBS #ParamountPlus https://lnkd.in/gT4tBiGS

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Another round of excitement and rebirths to emerge from #Hollywood as #Paramount, the original producer of #thegodfather seeks to re-create itself as a creative-tech hybrid. I am curious to see what the meat on those bones, given the tendency for large companies to use technology at its edges rather than making it a core operational focus. The fact they have now referenced #directoconsumer, #AI, and even #layoffs suggests that they are looking at the right things and understand the difficult challenges for legacy companies to compete in the new era. The fact that David Ellison's father is CEO of Oracle and is part of the deal makes these claims a little more credible. Expect to see more of these #spins as those left reeling from the #streamingwars find their next footing. #innovation

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The VFX industry has faced significant challenges over the past and current year, with studios grappling with strikes, layoffs, reductions in hiring, and unemployment. These obstacles, coupled with limited project availability and intense competition, have disrupted connections and workflows across the industry. The recent resolution of the Hollywood strike brought some relief, with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) securing a three-year contract. However, the industry still faces a gradual recovery as studios adapt to post-strike conditions and VFX work resumes. Despite the turmoil, Select VFX Studio stood strong without any layoffs or salary cuts. Our team's dedication and unwavering commitment to excellence set us apart. We owe our ability to overcome these challenges to the steadfast trust of our clients and our relentless pursuit of delivering top-notch VFX work. It's not just about business transactions; it's about the meaningful connections we've built. The relationships we've forged and the respect we've garnered are testaments to our commitment to excellence and the trust our clients have placed in us. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our amazing clients. Your trust and support have been pivotal in our journey.🙏 At Select VFX Studio, we're here to support you within your budget, meeting any scope and deadline expectations to ensure your success. Together, we will continue to push boundaries and achieve new heights in the VFX industry.🤝 #vfx #visualeffects #vfxproduction #vfxartists #vfxstudio #movie #film #media #postproduction #vfxsupervisor #entertainmentindustry #vfxindustry #vfxindia #vfxworld #vfxartist #vfxnews

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Career Producers are the champions before, during, and after the film is in the can. The fact that they work with no pay for so long is insane, as is the fact there's no health benefits being paid. I've worked with some of these producers. Why does it always come down to PAY YOUR PEOPLE? #filmmaking #producers #screenwriting https://lnkd.in/etTG-Myk

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Daniel Bessner’s article in Harper’s Magazine, “The Life and Death of Hollywood,” delves into the profound transformations and challenges facing Hollywood, spotlighting the struggles of film and television writers amidst an evolving industry landscape. The piece highlights how deregulation and corporate consolidation have dramatically altered the business, prioritizing efficiency and profit over creative stability. This shift has left many writers facing precarious working conditions, with diminishing job security and compensation, even as top talent continues to secure lucrative deals. The writers’ guild strikes, while achieving some gains, have not fully countered the deeper systemic issues rooted in the dominance of massive conglomerates and financial firms over the creative aspects of filmmaking. Bessner underscores a significant downturn in the industry’s financial health and a steep decline in employment, suggesting that without substantial intervention, the future of Hollywood and its creative professions could be at risk. The narrative captures a critical moment of crisis and transformation, offering a stark outlook on the sustainability of traditional filmmaking in the face of corporate and financial pressures. But there’s hope… “It seems like buyers are much less adventurous,” one writer said. “Buyers are looking for Friends.” There’s no reason to believe that this type of caution will pay off. The supposed sure shot of IP is currently misfiring: in 2023, Disney’s The Marvels fell more than $64 million short of breaking even, and its Indiana Jones sequel drastically underperformed. The Flash, for Warner Bros. Discovery, lost millions, and the company’s Shazam! Fury of the Gods flopped. (In the case of Barbie—the loudest exception—the writers, Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, were given extraordinary free rein.) As Zack Stentz put it, “Hollywood is based on giving audiences what they might not know. Any attempt to drive risk out of that process is sooner or later doomed to failure.” His words played off an old adage by the screenwriter William Goldman. “Nobody knows anything,” he wrote. “Not one person in the entire motion picture field knows for certain what’s going to work.” But investments in the alchemy of the creative process do not perform well in quarterly reports.” https://lnkd.in/gW3UnW6W

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Hollywood Betting Big on Genre Films: AFM’s Vegas Move Signals Shift in the Independent Film Market For the first time in its 45-year history, the American Film Market (AFM) has traded the coastal ambiance of Santa Monica for the glitzy setting of Las Vegas, launching its 2024 event at the Palms Casino Resort. This relocation comes with high hopes for streamlined networking, concentrated events, and fresh energy—but also a dose of skepticism as the independent film market continues to erode. With a notable focus on genre films, the independent film industry is gathering to confront market challenges in a bold new setting. A New Venue and New Energy Relocating from Los Angeles, where AFM was a fixture for over four decades, the Las Vegas setting promises to bring renewed energy to the market. At the Palms Casino Resort, all activities—from screenings to panels to networking events—are conveniently held under one roof, a feature set to alleviate some of the logistical challenges of prior years. By consolidating everything into one venue, AFM aims to foster a community atmosphere, allowing filmmakers, distributors, and buyers to maximize their time without shuttling across various locations. The all-in-one setup at the Palms is already a draw for industry heavyweights. With 286 sales, production, and distribution companies registered, including significant players, AFM sees increased interest from international representatives spanning 80 countries. European delegates from Italy, France, and Germany are attending in solid numbers, underscoring the global appeal of AFM’s new setting. The Rise of Genre Films Amid Uncertain Markets In an industry facing unpredictable returns from theatrical releases, genre films have emerged as a key investment focus at this year’s AFM. Genre films, especially horror and action, command significant buyer interest due to their strong built-in audiences and relatively lower risk. The recent success of horror films like Longlegs and Terrifier 3 has reinforced this trend, with AFM showcasing an impressive slate of horror and action offerings. Projects generating buzz include George A. Romero’s final zombie movie, Twilight of the Dead, directed by Brad Anderson, and the psychological thriller Victoria Psycho, which reunites Sanctuary star Margaret Qualley with director Zachary Wigon. Action films are also gaining traction, with high-profile offerings such as Cleaner, featuring Daisy Ridley in a Die Hard-style thriller, and The Last Druid, a sword-and-sandals epic led by Russell Crowe.

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What’s the next big thing in music? Troy Carter predicts it will be synthetic artists. To me, this prediction is inevitable because like I previously mentioned, I believe more labels will move to focus on the “label is the artist” model where there’s more collaboration versus scaling in the form of development of a range of artists at a time. Artists today have more leverage than ever so this gives labels an opportunity to scale at a faster rate than long term exclusive deals with a large number of artists. And this could also bring down production costs for live shows using this. And regardless of purists who rather this not happen, it’s only a matter of time until it becomes acceptable to audiences. Video via Trapital

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ARE THREE C.E.O.s BETTER THAN ONE? In the midst of a complex media landscape and in the middle of negotiations for the sale of Shari Redstone's controlling stake in Paramount, the company announces a change in management. A new "Office of the CEO", with not one, not two, but three CEOs. When I heard this, I recalled a Freakonomics podcast where they investigated the question, "Are Two CEO's Better Than One?". So when I heard there would be an office of the CEO with now three leaders of company, the obvious question is, will this work? Now, despite tensions between Redstone and departing CEO Bob Bakish, the board expresses confidence in the leadership team's ability to execute a new strategic plan. The Office of the CEO at Paramount comprises business executives tasked with accelerating growth, streamlining operations, and optimizing streaming strategy. Meanwhile, potential suitors like Skydance Media, Sony, and Apollo are considering bids. It's an exciting time, that's for sure! Can a global brand and media company be run with three CEOs? The Freakonomics podcast effectively boils down to a "yes". But it's a qualified yes, that's for sure. It looks only at situations where there have been two CEOs let alone three. The ability to leverage specific skills, time, and personalities, is all on the table. Will it work or this a three-body problem? A likely possibility is that when the M&A activity finds its footing the dust will settle and the CEO question will be resolved.

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Remember the story of the long tail? In 2006, the successful book "The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of More" captivated audiences. Now, a new phenomenon is emerging - "the middle class." Remember the successful book of 2026 "The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of More'  Now in 2024, according to the Luminate report, an increasing number of artists are hitting between 1 million and 10 million on-demand audio streams in H1. This goes beyond the traditional model, offering exciting opportunities to explore. #musicacquisition #musicrights #AImusic #mentor Read more about this growing trend: https://lnkd.in/dyhzeE3d

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“The major labels have made a number of commitments around AI to artist and musician members of US performer union SAG-AFTRA via a new code of fair practice. They are, says artist manager, Irving Azoff, “a great first step to make sure artists have creative control and get paid” “US performer union SAG-AFTRA has announced a new deal with the major record companies that includes some protections for artists and musicians around the use of artificial intelligence, in particular “digital replications” of an artist’s voice. A statement from the union explains, “In this agreement, clear and conspicuous consent, along with minimum compensation requirements and specific details of intended use, are required prior to the release of a sound recording that uses a digital replication of an artist’s voice”. #SAGAFTRA #Artists #RecordLabels #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Legal #GenerativeAi #GeAi #Music #MusicBusiness #Musicians #Musica #MusicIndustry #Musique #Musik #MusicLicensing #WMG #MusicVideos ##SonyMusic #VoiceClones #WarnerMusicGroup #UMG #SonyMusicEntertainment #UniversalMusicGroup #DisneyMusicGroup #Disney #Warner #Sony #Universal

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The rise of streaming has changed the game for artists, but it’s also created challenges in terms of fair compensation. As an industry, we need to rethink how we value and distribute music. What do you think is the best way forward? #MusicIndustryChallenges #StreamingRevenue #FairCompensation

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Not a trailer, but a powerful, abridged cinematic synopsis from a screenplay that has been recognized by nearly 30 international accolades, and multiple Coverfly Red List placements. All raw footage was created via one of the world's most powerful AI filmic generators. Of course, the story and screenplay were written by a human. But what about the direction? Human. The editing? Human. The music, sound effects, and mix? All human. It took patient detailed prompting to create nearly 3000 ten-second clips that were curated, and broken down into the groundbreaking visual narrative you'll see here. Though the results can at times be visually stunning, prompted AI film generation still remains devoid of the precision that traditional CGI/Compositing approaches provide. However, this production demonstrates a new kind of ethical workflow that does not infringe on artists, but with the right kind of experienced and creative post production design, it delivers an innovative realm of previsualization that can work for ANY film endeavor. If you want to learn the details on how I created it, I'm available not only for AI workflow consulting, but also as a professional writer, post production expert and filmmaker who can make this happen for any project. #AI #A.I. #AIfilmmaking #filmmaking #film #motionpicture #movie #trailer #entertainment

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Seeking Producers/Investors for Fidelity (Yantra): A 10-Episode Sci-Fi Series We’re Looking for Visionaries:  Fidelity (Yantra) is a bold, 10-episode sci-fi thriller that merges ancient mysteries with cutting-edge technology. We’re seeking producers and investors to help bring this visionary project to life. What’s Fidelity (Yantra) About? At its heart, Fidelity (Yantra) follows Meisha’s journey as she unravels the secrets of her late father’s invention—a device with the potential to change the world. This series blends intense drama, ethical dilemmas, and high-stakes action, all set against a richly crafted narrative that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Proof of Concept:  We’ve already completed a short film to showcase the potential of this series. Now, with the right partners, we can expand this into a full-fledged, gripping saga. Explore Our Concept Art:  Take a sneak peek into the world of Fidelity (Yantra) through our concept art and creatives. Let’s Connect:  Join us on this journey to create something truly extraordinary. Reach out if you’re interested in collaborating on this groundbreaking project. #FidelityYantra #SciFiSeries #FilmInvestment #Filmmaking #InvestInCinema #IndependentFilm #SciFi Short Film Trailer: https://lnkd.in/dw6aKpnV

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To Catch a Killer All Secrets Must Come to Light #CrescentCity Official Trailer produced by #Clever_Caboose with #TerritoryStudios for #Grindstone #Lionsgate drops exclusively today on #Collider. (Posted 7/12/24) Have you visited our website? Check out: clever-caboose.com #movietrailers #filmdistribution #filmmarketing #entertainment #entertainmentmarketing #entertainmentindustry #entertainmentnews

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