Lets Make a Deal: NOVAC Will Bring Together Filmmakers, Attorneys and Loyola Law Students at April’s MAKING THE DEAL

Whether you’s are an indie filmmaker with a project in development or a law student with a taste for IP and entertainment law, NOVAC may have just what you need to kick your project into gear. On April 14 NOVAC members, filmmakers and members of Loyola College of Law’s Sports and Entertainment Law Society (SELS) will come together at NOVAC’s Making the Deal, presented by Baker Donelson Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowiz, PC to learn the ins and outs of indie film financing in the current marketplace, and hopefully pick up a contact or two while they are at it. Hosted by Loyola’s SELS Making the Deal will take place at Loyola’s law school campus from 10AM – 5PM with a networking event to follow.

Taught by seasoned entertainment attorney, author and lecturer John Cones, Making the Deal will cover producer packages, an overview of film finance, the relationship between film distribution and finance, investor financing strategies and more.

“It is absolutely essential,” says Cones, “for independent filmmakers to have a basic understanding of what their film finance options are, because almost all of them will, at one time or another in their careers, set out to become an entrepreneurial filmmaker and seek to find financing for a project.”

Cones has lectured extensively on investor entertainment financing and film distribution deals at seminars in Los Angeles, Houston, and Las Vegas as well as at the American Film Institute, UCLA extension, USC – Television Alumni Association and more.

Making the Deal will not only provide participants with critical information necessary to secure investors, but it will also connect local filmmakers to future entertainment attorneys so that together, they may package films for financing and distribution in the future. Featuring guest lecturers from the National Law Firm Baker Donelson, Making the Deal will also cover legal and other resources available to the growing film industry here in New Orleans.

NOVAC caught up with Making the Deal guest speaker and Baker Donelson of Council Rob Wollfarth who insisted ”programs such as [Making the Deal] are a good way to connect those in the industry, and those hoping to become a part of the industry, to local professionals who can provide the services they need and who are also interested in helping them grow the film business in New Orleans.”

Whitney Kelem, president of SELS is also excited about partnering with NOVAC on Making the Deal. “NOVAC is an organization that offers so much to the burgeoning film community and SELS is thrilled to be able to expose law students to issues of film financing, an area that many of them may not even realize is a potential source of legal work and that will give them an opportunity to begin thinking about alternative ways they can apply their legal expertise,” says Kelem.

Following the course, participants will mix and mingle at the followup networking event where they will have the opportunity to discuss their projects, diverse fields and how they may work together in the future. Tuition for Making the Deal is $75 for NOVAC members and $125 for non-members. For more information about Making the Deal, instructor John Cones or to register, click here or call the NOVAC offices at 504-940-5780.

So sign up and get cracking on those producer packages and financing strategies. Isn’t it about time you made that deal?

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