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“A solid business plan is a must for attracting individual investors,” says Stacey Parks, an independent film distribution expert. “Film school teaches filmmakers how to make movies, but teach almost nothing about how to attract funding for their projects. Independent filmmakers have had to figure that out on their own—until now.”

Parks will present “Business Plan 2.0 Building Basics: A Virtual Intensive Bootcamp” for six twice-weekly sessions starting on March 2, 2010. Registration is $379 and the seminar series is limited to 20 participants. Filmmakers can register for the business plan series online at www.FilmSpecific.com.

The seminar schedule includes:

• Session 1: Structure & Basics of an Independent Film Business Plan
  Tuesday, March 2: 11:00 a.m. PST/2:00 p.m. EST/7:00 p.m. GMT

• Session 2: Communicating Your Distribution Strategy Part One: Traditional Distribution Strategies
  Thursday, March 4: 11:00 a.m. PST/2:00 p.m. EST/ 7:00 p.m. GMT

• Session 3: Communicating Your Distribution Strategy Part Two: 2.0 Distribution Strategies
  Tuesday, March 9: 11:00 a.m. PST/ 2:00 p.m. EST/ 7:00 p.m. GMT

• Session 4: Communicating Recoupment To Your Investors
  Thursday, March 11: 11:00 a.m. PST/ 2:00 p.m. EST/ 7:00 p.m. GMT

• Session 5: Sales Projections – Projecting Realistic Revenue For Your Film
  Tuesday, March 16: 11:00 a.m. PST/ 2:00 p.m. EST/ 7:00 p.m. GMT

• Session 6: Bringing It All Together – Your Business Plan 2.0 Presentation Package
  Thursday, March 18: 11:00 a.m. PST/ 2:00 p.m. EST/ 7:00 p.m. GMT

“Business Plan 2.0 Building Basics: A Virtual Intensive Bootcamp is specifically designed for filmmakers who are looking to get their projects off the ground, understand how to add more value to their projects, and be able to responsibly and effectively communicate their vision to investors,” says Parks.

Solid business plans are more important than ever in this economy, says the independent film expert. “Bottom line, investors need to see immediately how a film is going to make money before they’ll get out the checkbook,” says Parks. “This FilmSpecific.com virtual seminar series will help filmmakers do just that.”

In addition to lectures on distribution strategies, projecting revenues, recoupment schedules and creating presentation packages, participants in the Business Plan 2.0 Building Basics Virtual Seminar will also have access to a private forum for personalized consulting with Stacey Parks, an expert in independent film production and distribution. Participants will get MP3 audio recordings of all lectures and Q&A sessions, plus six months of FilmSpecific.com membership, valued at $149, to offer on-going support. FilmSpecific.com is Parks’ online education hub for independent filmmakers.

Parks continues, “More than ever, independent filmmakers need to present their projects as solid potential investments. But that can be tough, because film distribution models—and potential sources of repayment for investors—are changing so fast.” The virtual seminar series will teach filmmakers which traditional distribution platforms are still relevant in today’s market, and how filmmakers can tailor the existing traditional strategies to fit their specific project.

“Even more importantly,” says Parks, “we’ll go over all the emerging distribution channels like cable and Internet video on demand (VOD), self-distribution, and direct-to-consumer DVD sales, to help filmmakers show potential investors exactly how they’ll recoup their investment.”

About Stacey Parks

Stacey Parks is the author of The Insider’s Guide to Independent Film Distribution from Focal Press, a comprehensive guide for filmmakers and producers focused exclusively on the ins-and-outs of independent film distribution. In over 15 years of working with filmmakers, Stacey has secured distribution for hundreds of independent features and programs worldwide. Her clients’ films have premiered at Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Berlin, SXSW, San Sebastian, and other major film festivals. She is a frequent lecturer on independent film production and distribution, most recently appearing at the 2010 Berlin Film Festival, where she co-presented a workshop titled “Dawn of the Micro Major Film Producer” with Thomas Mai.