Getting that Script Out there!!!

For some time now I have been practicing my screenplay writing skills (thanks to Final Draft) and have not pursued the act of actually have my script published. Since taking my current class at Full Sail University, I have become interested in the processes of publishing and distribution. I have found the process of publishing scripts, which will assist me in the next step of getting my script to the silver screen. Now having a step-by-step process, in my opinion, is the best knowledge that any aspiring person can receive. So I have listed some very important steps for publishing a script, which I am using as we speak to publish my own script.

Here we go:

·      First of all, one must ensure that the script that you planned to turn in is formatted and edited correctly. The script must also have research information and a voice that speaks directly to its audience. In this case, we want it to speak clear enough to for the right persons to hear and take it straight to the silver screen.

·      Secondly, begin writing query letters to a few agents (minimum of 3). Within the letters, ensure to include the genre of the script and a treatment.

·      Next, search for a literary agent. They can be located via industry referrals or union directories.

·      The next move will be to join a union. This move will help with the publication process by providing a support system. The union can help with the availability of your work to studios and producers. Also the union can provide the author with legitimism and originality. For the publication of the script.

·      Lastly and most importantly, copyright (protect) your work! Make sure that you contact the U.S. Copyright Office to obtain the needed application and list of fees.  I cannot stress the importance of this step enough. This process will prevent copyright infringement and publication of your material.

Hopefully the information I have provided you will be beneficial to you as it is for me. This is KB and this has been Real to Reel.

Sources:

http://www.jamesrussellpublishing.biz/advice1.html

http://www.lazybeescripts.co.uk/Publishing/Index.htm

From Cutting Room Floor to the Big Screen

So since I have been attending Full Sail University for the past year and I have learned a tremendous amount about the entertainment industry.  What is most exciting is that I have been learning about the Film industry that I did not learn in my undergraduate studies of Film and Theater. I learn about the production side of thing but now I am experiencing the business side of the house.

            So I’m currently taking a Media Publishing and Distribution class in which I learn the concepts of, you’ve guess it, publishing and distribution within the entertainment industry.  Now this is exciting to me because I have always had an interest in how a film makes it from the production studio to the movie theater. So now that I am able to gather the information on this particular process, let’s take a look at it. Now I will use bullets to individualize each step for clarification:

From Cutting Room Floor to the Big Screen

·      Idea for movie is presented. (This is where the screenplay would be written)

·      Treatment is written and presented to promote interest in the Film (idea)/screenplay.

·      A studio or investor purchases rights to the Film.

·      The film production team (director, producer, etc.) is brought together to make the film.

·      The film production is completed and the film is sent to the studio.

·      A licensing agreement is completed between the studio and distribution company. (To ensure the power that both entities have over the control of the film)

·      The distribution company determines how many copies (prints) of the film to make.

·      The distribution company shows the movie (screening) to buyers representing the theaters.

·      Negotiation between the Distribution Company and theater(s) determine which movies will be leased and the terms of the lease agreement.

·      Prints of the movie are sent to the theaters days before the official release date. (Gives time for additional promotions)

·      The movie shows for a specific number of weeks (engagement). (Determined in the negotiations between the distribution company and theaters)

·      The step we all know and love: We buy our ticket and enjoy the movie (or not).

·      The engagement ends and the theater send the movie back to the distribution company and make a payment on the lease agreement.

As you see here there are a lot of steps to get those films you have loved, currently like, and desire to see in the future into the theater. Those steps take place before and after we enjoy them in our local theaters. This has been a very informative topic for me and I hope that it was for you guys as well.  So for those, like myself, that desire to have a screenplay reach the majors; these steps should help you as they have helped me.

This is KB and this has been Real to Real.

Sources:

http://www.independent-magazine.org/magazine/2009/03/prepfordistribution 

http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/movie-distribution.htm 

Important tool to use and understand in the World of Entertainment....Copyrighting!!!

     Hello World! I'm back for another intriguing entry into the world of Real to Reel. Last week I was discussing formatting for a track with up and coming, North Carolina hip hop artist, Keyahna Shanelle, she posed a question about copyrighting her work and other questions about copyright laws in general. I explained to her that my main focus within the entertainment field was mainly film and video but I couldn't resist finding out more about a general topic that circulates throughout the world of entertainment no matter the specific industry of it.

     So I began browsing and researching the world wide web and came across a few sites and podcasts from credible resources about Copyright Laws, Copyright Infringement, and Copyrighting materials within the entertainment industry. Here is some information on them for you to check out:

1. Duke Law Podcast - "Copyright Liabilities"
    Information on Ecology Lecture Services
    Professor Jessica Litman
    March, 30, 2007
    http://mediastream.law.duke.edu/mp3cast/03302007litman64.mp3

     Within this podcast, Jessica Litman, a Professor at the University of Michigan Law School, speaks about   how Copyright Laws give the "freedom", which she calls "copyright liberties" to enjoy and not exploit copyrighted material. She also touches on the importance of having your work(s) immediately copyrighted not only for the protection but for the protection of generations' enjoy to come. She I gained the aspect and understanding that one's original work whether visual, audio, or print must be protected with for the importance of history and science.

2. Entertainment Law Update Request - "Monkeying around with Copyright Law"
    Gordon Firemark, Esq.
    August 19, 2011
    http://www.entertainmentlawupdate.com/2011/08/elu-episode-023-monkeying-around-with-  copyright-law/

     In this particular podcast, the speakers, Mr. Firemark, Esq. and Ms. Bennett, discuss past (actual) cases as examples of copyright laws being enforced, copyright infringement, and other possible issues with copyrighting. The cases give clear and informative examples of how the copyright laws and practices apply within the world of entertainment on many different (artist, management and executive) levels. This podcast definitely gave a sense of insight as what to be mindful of as I enter the business and entertainment industries. I have to ensure that I protect my work(s) as well as research any possible similarities of my business plans and structures to others to better protect my assets as well as my investors.


3. Intellectual Property Colloquium - "Copyright Termination"
    Doug Litchman, UCLA School of Law
    http://www.ipcolloquium.com/Programs/13.html


     Within this podcast, Peter Menell, Professor of UC Berkeley, and David Nimmer, author and copyright guru, discuss the practices of modern day copyrighting. The speakers give an historical account of the development of copyrighting and its changes and practices from past to present (which most wouldn't know has not been around that long). Included within the discussion was the topic of "termination rights" ,which was very new to me, of copyrighted work(s) and how the author possess the rights to terminate the contract of copyright 35 years after the contract has been signed to sell their work(s) if desired. (Side note: Any work that is copyrighted is protected for the life of the original author plus 70 years.)

Final Thought:

     These podcast are very informative and will hopefully answer your questions about copyrighting as they did my own. So I will now be taking my newfound information back to my friend and hopefully give her better understanding for protecting her work(s) as well as my own. The questions that I had over the years as far as copyrights go have been cleared up and now I will use them to build a stronger foundation for my business plan, strutcure and dealings.

Until the next time...this is KB and this has been Real to Reel.

O . . . EMMM . . GEEEEE!!! Girl Goes On Facebook . . . Brags That She Has THE MONSTER . . . And Claims She's Trying To INFECT EVERY DUDE SHE KNOWS!!! - MediaTakeOut.com™ 2011

O . . . EMMM . . GEEEEE!!! Girl Goes On Facebook . . . Brags That She Has THE MONSTER . . . And Claims She's Trying To INFECT EVERY DUDE SHE KNOWS!!! - MediaTakeOut.com™ 2011

Read All About It...Unseen legalities within Entertainment!

So I am sitting here reading up on my daily gossip for the day and I run across a few articles about about some of our beloved stars and programs. Seems that they have been in a little trouble recently and are working out their legalities. So let's take a look at a few stories that I ran past today:

1) "Sesame Street" Composer Pleads Not Guilty to Child Porn Chargers


Now this story hits home as being part of a generation that grew up on Sesame Street. One of the composers for the grammy-award winning Sesame Street plead "not-guilty" to producing, possessing,  and distributing pornography of a 4-year old child. The composer, Fernando Rivas, is currently under house arrest. Rivas was arrested in April 2011 after photos of the 4-year old being restrained "bondage-style" were discovered. Rivas admitted to having sent those photos to two other persons.

Now as much as I love "Sesame Street" growing up and still love it for my children...this seriously needs to be handled as quick as possible and in a discreet manner to save its reputation.

Resource: http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2011/11/22/sesame_street_composer_pleads_not_guil

2) Rihanna's "We Found Love" Video Banned In France


So once again (and I mean this in a daily sense) Rihanna is in the headlines of recent Entertainment news, blogs, and vlogs. So Ms. Rihanna has put out another racy music video that has caught the attention of France. The French censors have made this decision based on the "self-destructive" behavior they feel the video contains. The Supreme Audiovisual Council of France have ruled the video to only be shown after 10pm due to its explicitness. This video will be the second video for Rihanna within recent months to have been banned. Her video for "S&M' had been banned in 10 other countries besides France in earlier months.

Now I am honestly not sure that Rihanna and her record company actually cares for other countries banning her music videos because her career seems to be built off of controversy.

Resource: http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2011/11/21/rihannas_we_found_love_video_banned_in

3) Wesley Snipes Sued Over Credit Card Debt


Wesley Snipes is once again in financial trouble and having to face a credit card company in dispute of repayment for $30,000 in unpaid charges. He is currently serving a 3 year sentence for tax evasion. American Express, who has filed this lawsuit, attempted to recover their money prior to Mr. Snipes sentencing. They are now wanting to recover their owed monies in addition to associated legal fees.

I am no celebrity but I do know that your name is like credit within the Entertainment Industry and like credit you want to ensure that you keep your name in good standings. This is not a good example of keeping your name, finances and/or credit in good standing and this will follow him for quite some time.

Resource: http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2011/11/21/wesley_snipes_sued_over_credit_card_de

These are just a few of the many legalities that are currently going on within the Entertainment Industry. Hopefully I brought light to few situations that you may or may not have known were occurring. So hopefully I have enlightened you minds on a different sector of the Entertainment Industry.

This is KB and this has been Real to Reel.

Where in the World is Andre 3000? (OutKast for that matter)

Now for all of my OutKast and "Andre 3 Stacks" fans, have any of you been wondering why Mr. Benjamin has not been on any of the music videos for songs that he has lent his lyrical genius? Well after a lot of pondering and asking various family members and friends of mine I think I have finally found a few possible answers. I have checked various sites, blogs, and social media networks looking for answers to this mystery as well.

Now for those of you unfortunate souls that do not know of Andre 3000 or OutKast, let me give you a little background information to bring you up to speed. OutKast is a hip-hop duo, consisting of Big Boi and Andre 3000, out of East Point, Georgia that was signed to LaFace Records as their first hip-hop group in 1992. (Side note: They were called "2 Shades Deep" and the "Misfits" before officially changing it to OutKast due to those names previously being taken...Let's be happy that happened!!!) Each member of OutKast has their own style of lyricism, hence the moniker "The Pimp and The Poet".

OutKast went on to form the Dungeon Family with close friends and label mates; Organized Noize and Goodie MOB. In 1992, they would also initially be heard on another label mate's hit; TLC's remix for "What about your friend's". In 1993, OutKast would release their debut single, Player's Ball, which would go on to top the BillBoard charts. Afterwards, OutKast would go on to release 6 albums, be nominated for countless awards, and win the majority of those that they were nominated for. Their efforts would influence amplified "southern hip-hop" and it various artists to follow. Big Boi and Andre 3000 have gone to establish successful collaborations as well as solo projects. Both members of the duo have gone on to emerge themselves as successful actors with numerous titles under their belts.

Now that we have the introduction out of the way, let's get to the business at hand. Why in the world has Andre 3000 not been appearing in music videos of songs that he has been featured in? Well it was initially speculated that Andre had issues with those particular artist. Well this was not true! It was also speculated that his management company, Family Tree Entertainment, and his manager, Michael "Blue" Williams wouldn't allow him to appear due to contractual reasons. It was also stated that Andre did not want to apear in any other artist's video before appearing in Big Boi's solo efforts (if this is true...talk about loyalty). Whatever the case may be...I would like to extend a request to "Mr. 3 Stacks" from myself and the rest of his fans by stating that we are definitely ready for some overdue lyrical mastery. The same goes for Big Boi "Daddy Phat Sacks", we are checking for your music as well to be on the racks and on iTunes.

All of this speculation brings the old saying to mind..."The world may never know".

This has been another Real to Reel word provided by yours truly.

XM5 Music Management: Right place, Right Time, Right People

 
            (Photo contributed)

This week I had the pleasure of speaking with Renata Smith, CEO and Founder, of XM5 Music Management.  Smith currently manages XM5 Music Management, an independent artist management firm, out of her native state of North Carolina. XM5 MM strives to manage, inspire, and educate as well as develop independent artist within a struggling industry.

            As I spoke with Smith, I not only was given information about her company, but also received much needed insight on the dire state of the music industry, and how it motivates her daily.  Check out this snippet of our interview:

KB:  Why did you feel the need to start XM5 MM?

Smith:  Basically to groom the artist for the music industry which is struggling right now.

KB:  I’ve noticed.  Is that what drove you in your creation of XM5?

Smith:  Well…before the creation of XM5 I was an artist myself.

KB:  So you definitely have a first hand account of the in-and-outs factors within the music industry from a management side and an artist side.

Smith goes on to educate me as well as inform me that, “No one is buying music due to the piracy movement.”  Smith also speaks about the fact that the music industry started to take a downfall in 1999 and continuously drop 8%-9% every year there after.  She goes on to speak about the truths from a consumer standpoint to which we can all relate.  The fact that “people are tired, of buying junk (music) and/or want to invest their money into music/artist that is worthwhile.  Also that it is much more convenient to buy songs you want for 99 cents rather than purchase and entire album where you may end up feeling as if you wasted money after initially listening to it.

            When asked about the present state of artist management, Smith informed me that more artist (even those that are or have been well-known) are becoming independent as well as taking on other ventures such as acting, fashion, etc. to have longevity with the Entertainment Industry (to basically cut out the middle man i.e. Record Companies).  In addition to becoming independent, artists are “maximizing distribution deals” to keep majority control of their product and heavily touring to make additional monies outside of record sales within the music industry.

            Smith currently represents up-and-coming Hip Hop and R&B artist Lady Capone (known to the industry as "The Lady"), which by the sound of her product will become a household name among popular female artist and an addition to purely talented Lyricists within the music industry very soon! Believe that I checked out the talent thoroughly before stating this truth. With the motivating knowledge of Renata Smith plus the “sharp lyrical intelligence” that Lady Capone carries with her, both are surely set to be in your ears and in your minds…if they haven’t reached you already. They are also blazing a path of success for not only women but also for the Manager/Artist relationships and its product within the Entertainment (Music) Industry.

            In the immortal words of Ms. Renata Smith, the music industry is “lacking very heavy.”  I concur with her on this because we have lost the feeling of consciousness and awareness that music once had and traded if for party anthems given by one-hit wonders (most looking for a quick payday). Glad to see that there are people striving to pertain the pureness of music.

This is KB and this has been Real to Reel.


                                                     

 (Photo Contributed)                                                                                              (Photo Contributed)

Check out the following links to get additional insight on XM5 MM and what they have to offer:

Sources:

http://www.reverbnation.com/ladycapone

http://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-LADY-CAPONE/111777405523403

http://www.myspace.com/xm5musicmanagement5

https://twitter.com/#!/ms_xm5

*All photos were contributed and property of XM5 Music Management*