Pitching is an essential skill for all writers, filmmakers and producers. Those that do it well advance their projects faster and farther than those that don’t.

On June 11-12, the Northwest Screenwriters Guild (www.nwsg.org) will host the Great American PitchFest Founders and producers, Signe Olynyk and Bob Schultz. Friday evening is the discussion and Q&A, with an all day “Pitching” workshop on Saturday.

Learn to pitch to Hollywood from the pros! From the creators of The Great American PitchFest comes a unique opportunity to hone your pitching skills. The television and film industries are constantly looking for great new material, so why not yours? Bring your best ideas to this two-part workshop and learn how to sell yourself and your work.

On Friday, June 11, fresh from the set of their latest feature, BELOW ZERO, producers Olynyk and Schultz will discuss the challenging and rewarding process of creating an independent movie on a shoestring budget.

On Saturday, June 12, Olynyk and Schultz, also founders of the Great American PitchFest, will offer a two-part workshop detailing the ins and outs of successful pitching.

Friday, June 11: Discussion and Q&A

Time:
Doors Open: 6:30 pm
Discussion, Q&A: 7 pm to 9 pm
Location:
Demaray Hall 150
Seattle Pacific University
3307 Third Ave. West
Seattle, WA

Cost:
NWSG Members: FREE
Student Rate: $10
Partner Film Org Members: $15
General Public/Non-Members: $15

Saturday, June 12: Two-Part Workshop

Time:
Doors Open: 9:30 am
Workshop: 10 am to 4 pm
Location:
Demaray Hall 150
Seattle Pacific University
3307 Third Ave. West
Seattle, WA

Cost:
NWSG Members: $25
General Public/Non-Members: $40

Seating is limited. RSVP at RSVP@nwsg.org.

About Signe Olynyk

Signe Olynyk is President/CEO of Protagonist Pictures, Inc. (Los Angeles) as well as the Canadian-based Twilight Pictures, Inc. As an associate producer of two feature films, Signe is well-acquainted with both the creative and production facets of the industry, having written and produced several documentaries, one hour specials, TV pilots, as well as a six-part television series. With professional credits on more than 120 productions in the United States and Canada, Signe’s work has appeared on the CBC, Discovery Channel, FOX, and the BBC.

Signe recently wrapped shooting her latest film, which she wrote and produced. Below Zero, a psychological thriller, stars Edward Furlong (Terminator II, American History X, The Green Hornet,) Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes, Scooby Doo, Weird Science, The Devil’s Rejects,) and Kristin Booth (Young People Fucking, The Kennedys, Crackie.) Her next film project, The Middle Child, is currently in development with Apatow Productions and slated for release in 2011.

About Bob Schultz

Bob Schultz knows a good pitch when he hears one. Serving as Executive Director of PitchFest since 2004, Bob regularly judges the Austin Film Festival’s pitch contest, alongside such Hollywood heavy-hitters as Terry Rossio (Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean.) A freelance screenwriter and die-hard movie buff, Bob is involved in the operation of Cinemapolis, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the art of filmmaking by exposing the community at large to independent, foreign, and documentary films. .

As a script reader for Sharon Stone, Bob honed his coverage skills — working closely with Pilar Alessandra and other renown script consultants before turning his focus to writing and producing. His latest project, Below Zero, produced with Signe Olynyk, just wrapped in Vancouver.

Check out the new Northwest Screenwriters Guild website – especially the Pitching and Writing Resources! www.nwsg.org Special thanks to Diane Mettler and Chris Bivins of Spilled Ink Marketing for all the hard work. www.spilledinkmarketing.com

And note the next NWSG event – Signe Olynyk and Bob Schultz, founders and producers of The Great American Pitchfest, June 11th & 12th.

On Saturday, May 15, the Northwest Screenwriters Guild presents an informative and thought-provoking two-part session with veteran Hollywood television writers and producers Patric M. Verrone (also the immediate past president of the WGA West), and Maiya Williams.

Don’t forget to RSVP or purchase your tickets.

http://www.nwsg.org/events.html

Location:
Sorento Hotel
900 Madison Street
Seattle, WA 98104
Cost:
NWSG Members: FREE
Student Rate: $10
Partner Film Org Members: $10
General Public/Non-Members: $15

Congratulations to my longtime friend, Dr. Vince Morelli, on his new documentary, “Conversations with Artists.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbaMjbHH7vc

This is Dr. Vince’s second feature length documentary, and it’s been accepted to the Palm Beach International Film Festival.

And may be coming to the Tacoma Film Festival – amp up the buzz if you can.

Dr. Vince is himself a bohemian – a practicing physician who has arranged his professional life to allow him to pursue his passion for screenwriting and filmmaking. Rock on Dr. Vince!

On Saturday, May 15, the Northwest Screenwriters Guild presents an informative and thought-provoking two-part session with veteran Hollywood television writers and producers Patric M. Verrone (also the immediate past president of the WGA West), and Maiya Williams.

I hope to see you there.

http://www.nwsg.org/events.html

Location:
Sorento Hotel
900 Madison Street
Seattle, WA 98104
Cost:
NWSG Members: FREE
Student Rate: $10
Partner Film Org Members: $10
General Public/Non-Members: $15

Indie filmmakers often produce film projects “naked” – that is, without the benefit of corporate protections or insurance that covers their activities on a project. When discussing such “naked productions,” filmmakers often respond with “why should I go to the expense of incorporating – that’s money and time I could use for the production.”

That’s true – unless you have an “accident” and lose everything – including your personal assets.

First the basics: Filmmakers should always form some type of corporate entity, usually an “LLC”, to separate their film project from their personal assets and activities. Other forms of incorporation may be appropriate, but usually an LLC is perfectly adequate, and cheaper and easier than more involved “S” corporations or “C” corporations.

“LLC” stands for “limited liability corporation.” It’s simple to set up, and relatively inexpensive – with the assistance of a lawyer, usually all done for less than $1000. It can certainly be done without a lawyer, but if the LLC operating agreement or bylaws aren’t done right, the filmmakers could end up with trouble WITHIN the LLC, as opposed to trouble from OUTSIDE the LLC. And even if the corporate entity is formed correctly, those involved need to understand what “corporate formalities” are required to preserve the intended protection.

So what does the LLC do? Think of it as a liability condom.

The LLC structure allows the filmmakers to do what they need to do, while protecting them from possible harmful effects of their activities.

There are many situations that could result in the filmmakers being subject to PERSONAL liability for things that go wrong, or were done wrong – but here’s an easy example involving physical injury:

While shooting the horror/dance/musical “Zombies Got Talent”, done WITHOUT the benefit of an LLC liability condom, a lighting element falls from the rigging onto a film student volunteering as an assistant. The volunteer is seriously hurt, is rushed to the hospital, and is released many days later with mild but permanent nerve damage.

Between the hospital stay, MRIs, CT scans, PET scans, physical therapy and lost future wages and earning capacity, this could easily be a $100,000 injury. That volunteer will look to the production to be responsible for his injury and related costs.

If done properly, with an LLC encompassing the production and the “corporate formalities” having been followed, and hopefully an adequate amount of liability insurance for the production, it is likely that the liability for the injury will be “contained” within the LLC.

More specifically, the injured person probably will not be allowed to take the filmmakers’ personal assets, cash, home, car, or G.I. Joe with the Kung Fu Grip action figure collection – to satisfy the financial liability of the LLC.

The liabilities of the LLC would likely stay IN THE LLC.

And while many indie filmmakers may cavalierly say “I”m poor. No one can get anything from me,” a court judgement against you today can follow you for years. So when you have the successful hit with the fifth sequel in the zombie movie series, the maimed assistant may THEN reach into your pocket for his compensation.

The other important function of the LLC is to serve as the “legal person” that owns the intellectual property that IS the project, as well as being the entity that contracts with the above and below the line individuals that make the production happen. The LLC contracts with – hires – the director, camera operators, grips, actors, make-up people, craft services, etc. The LLC also contracts with the domestic and foreign distributors for the finished product.

Ultimately, it is ill-advised for any filmmaker to pursue a project without the protection of an LLC or other appropriate corporate entity. And while this may be accomplished without the involvement of an attorney, there are traps for the unwary, and actions only done half right may have the effect of never having been done at all.

Unprotected activity can be hazardous to your (financial) health.