Training

There's No Business Like Screen Business

When: Saturday 19 July & Sunday 20 July
Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Where: OPEN CHANNEL, Shed 4, North Wharf Road, Docklands
Cost: $144 full / $120 OC members

Aimed at new Writers, Producers and Directors, this two-day workshop will lay out some solid foundations to help you build a stronger and more sustainable business in the screen industry.

During the two days you will:

Analyse various business models available to filmmakers, and the pros and cons of small business operation in the screen industry
Learn how to protect your business with flexible strategic plans and functional business plans
Learn the basics in a “crash course” in financial, legal, administrative and taxation management that will protect you in those early years in which you are the most vulnerable
Learn how MYOB can help manage your business financial affairs

This workshop provides foundation knowledge in four accredited units from the National Screen Training Package, and for those applying for OPEN CHANNEL’s Advanced Diploma of Screen (Writing, Producing or Directing strands) and the Teaser Production Initiative, the knowledge gained from this workshop will contribute toward your final qualification.

Knowledge covered is from the following four accredited units of competency:

CUFGEN01A Develop and apply industry knowledge
CUSADM09A Address legal and administrative requirements
CUSADM05A Develop and implement a business/strategic plan
THHGLE15A Manage financial operations

Who should do this course?

Writers, directors, editors and producers wanting a better understanding of forming a business and all the pot-holes to avoid.

Pre-requisites
Prior filmmaking knowledge and experience necessary, and a knowledge of what “business” you are in, or intending to be in.

Session Plan

Saturday 19 July Setting up your business 9.30 -10.30 The session will begin by class and tutor introductions, and will then look at different Business Models for Screen practitioners, focussing on Directors, Producers and Screenwriters. Examinations of a number of case studies of three vastly different but successful businesses operating in Victoria – a sole trader, a partnership and a company	Sunday 20 July Operating your business 9.30 -10.30 Legal Guest Speaker joins the class to talk about the basic Legal and Insurance considerations a screen business must keep in mind to protect itself, including an understanding of copyright and contract law, as well as chain of title, moral rights, sedition and defamation. Shaun will also discuss when you absolutely need a lawyer, and how and when an emerging filmmaker can save on legal expenses.
11.00 - 12.30 It’s time to set up your business. Students will be guided through the process of setting up different business structures, looking at the risks and benefits of each. Why you need to be a company. How to register an Australian Business Number (ABN) and Business Name. How to build your corporate identity, and capitalise on it. What makes an identity work? Look at options for business operation including renting a premises, working from home, creating a virtual office, working alone, employing and contracting.	11.00 - 12.30 Sound financial operation is critical to success. This session provides some tools which will help you manage both your personal and business finances as a filmmaker, including a separation of your business activities that allows you to pay yourself a wage. Look at how to develop a charging and payment policy, conduct a feasability study on projects, quote appropriately, maintain time sheets, invoice correctly and get clients to pay on time. Look at how to future-proof a business that works with irregular income streams. Discuss borrowing and credit. Finally, look at basic bookkeeping for your business including accounts, company and project budgets, cash flow, and Cash flow, an overview/demonstration of MYOB Accounting software.
1.30 - 3.00 Stategic and Business Planning A successful business relies on successful Planning. The Strategic Plan defines your goals, vision, mission and values - and your overall strategy for getting there. The Business Plan aligns with the Strategic Plan at a functional level to set the direction for your business and keeps you on track once you're up and running. It's also a requirement when you're seeking finance. Begin a Business Plan in class using easy starter templates, including learning how to evaluate your business Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Financial and Marketing aspects of the plan will be explored in more detail in subsequent sessions. Cover the basics of employment requirements such as Sick Pay, Annual Leave and Superannuation.	1.30 - 3.00 Taxation Navigate the torrential seas of taxation law with more confidence. Look at how GST applies to filmmakers, when registration is compulsory and why you might register voluntarily. Learn the difference between an employee or contractor, and how to calculate PAYG tax for employees. Complete a quarterly Business Activity Statement (BAS) in class, explaining Instalments and Withholding requirements. Learn how to account for GST including the difference between cash / non-cash accounting, how to attribute GST amount to tax periods and how to handle late payments. How will you complete your Income tax return and prove you are carrying on a legitimate creative business. What concessions and deductions are allowable, including the Entrepreneurs Tax Offset, Special Professionals that adjusts for variable income, and Non-Commercial Loss from the Arts for those still employed in a waged job. Learn how you can find the right Accountant as a filmmaker.
3.30 - 4.30 Guest Speaker Producer will discuss the current environment for financing screen projects, including the new ASPI Producer Offset. Learn how to work with Executive Producers and financers, create allegiances with other companies and creatives, as well as other opportunities for you in setting up your business such as agency support, venture capital and publicly listing a company. Look at basics of financial planning, and how to project likely returns for a project	3.30 - 4.30 Administration & Marketing Administering your business in a professional manner, and look at time management, how to use business tools and establish professional business processes. Then, give your business a face through successful marketing strategy developed through solid market research and client profiling. Learn how to promote yourself, advertise, brand, build word-of-mouth, use testimonials and network effectively. Talk about the essential use of websites, business cards, direct mail, advertising, merchandise, the media and events. Discover how the Screen Associations of SPAA, ASDA and AWG can assist your business. Discuss how you as a creative business can balance the Art and the Business, and also create a harmony with your personal life.

About the Tutors

Helen Mariampolski – Course Facilitator
TV Producer/Director/Writer, and proprietor of Palace PP public relations firm.
In a career that spans over 24 years as a producer, writer and director, Helen has successfully produced and developed long-running and high-rating TV series and solo projects. Helen has also worked in the corporate and marketing arenas. As Series Producer for Sunday Arts, Helen created a product that within a few months became the premier arts program for the ABC. As Executive Producer at Disney Entertainment during the 90s, Helen was responsible for the company’s total production output, which at one stage involved five concurrent programs including top rating programs on Network TEN. This position demanded superior management, creative and technical expertise, and totalled over 300 hours of TV product. Helen has taught courses at the Australian Film Television and Radio School and Australian Catholic University, and is currently co-founder and proprietor of public relations and events firm, Palace PP.

David Redman, Instinct Entertainment – Guest Speaker
David is one of the founders of Melbourne based media group instinct Entertainment. They are currently in production of the feature Documentary Salute will be released by Instinct Distribution in conjunction with Transmission / Paramount in July, an LA set thriller, Tom with Costas Mandylor and Damien Richardson, an R-rated animated feature Little Johnny The Movie, and a live action children’s series Jokky the Kangaroo. Most recently instinct produced Strange Bedfellows with Paul Hogan, Michael Caton and Pete Postlethwaite and also produced Till Human Voices Woke Us with Guy Pearce and Helena Bonham-Carter which was acquired by Paramount Pictures for the US, UK and other territories. David also line produced the upcoming Bollywood hit, Singh is King to be released in August, produced the Village Roadshow distributed Take Away, the Hoyts/Nine distributed You And Your Stupid Mate, and the Becker distributed black comedy Muggers. David previously ran the sales, distribution and exhibition company, Recording Releasing, a joint venture between Island Records founder Chris Blackwell and producer Jeremy Thomas.

Shaun Miller, Senior Associate, Marshalls and Dent Lawyers – Guest Speaker
Shaun holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and Bachelor of Laws (with Honours) degree from the University of Melbourne. He also has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law from the University of Melbourne. Shaun is a Senior Associate at Marshalls & Dent Lawyers' Media and Entertainment Department. He is currently on the Board of the Victorian College of the Arts Film and Television School Course Advisory Committee. Shaun also lectures in film and entertainment law at Open Channel, VCA, AFTRS and RMIT. Recent projects Shaun has worked on include the feature films "Ned Kelly", "The Rage in Placid Lake", “Gettin’ Square” and "Suburban Mayhem"; numerous FFC-funded documentaries; AFC and Film Victoria funded shorts and documentaries; as well as the television program "John Safran’s Music Jamboree" and telemovie "Curtin". Shaun also acted for the producer of the short animated film "Harvie Krumpet" which won an Oscar at the Academy Awards in 2004. Shaun sees the role of today’s film and entertainment lawyer as a "facilitator", that is, liaising with producers, government funding bodies, distributors, financiers and creative talent in order to get films and television programs onto the big and small screen.

Michael Jones – Partner, Cummings Flavell McCormack
Michael is the partner in charge of Cummings Flavell McCormack’s tax consulting practice. Michael assists clients by providing thoughtful, clear and practical tax advice. He combines strong technical knowledge with sound commercial advice. Michael has a good understanding of taxation administration and he regularly provides views from the perspective of family business taxpayers to the Australian Taxation Office and Treasury on tax policy matters. Michael is an active member of the ATO's Tax Reform Working Party, where he represents professional accounting bodies and he is a member of the Taxation Institute of Australia's Education Committee. Michael's formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Economics, a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Taxation Law from Melbourne University. Michael also has prior experience in private equity tax investment schemes for the film industry.