01
Introduction to Filmmaking
Jeff's overview of what it actually takes to get an independent film developed, financed and distributed, and where we come in.
Talk to us about your filmThe Truth & Reality About the Film Business
- Development You have a dream of making a great indie film, but you don't know where to start. We can help you.
- Finance Your film is developed and now you need financing. We can help you.
- Distribution Your film is finished and now you need to get it successfully distributed. We can help you.
500+ films bought and sold/35 years in distribution/9 features produced/3 picked up by Netflix
What we can help you with
It's Challenging to Make a Movie
We can help you overcome the obstacles.
02
Development of your movie concept
- Scripting and script analysis
- Budget creation
- Full comprehensive filmmaking package
- You have an idea and financing. We can help you manage the entire process.
03
Financing your movie
- Creation of your investor pitch deck
- Investment scenarios, equity or debt
- Revenue forecasts
- Film tax credits
04
Distribution of your movie
- Connections to distributors, sales agents and aggregators
- Analysis and negotiation of your distribution deal
- Self-distribution overview
- Poster and trailer
- Marketing and social media outreach
About Jeff Deverett
FilmmakerTeacherPodcasterConsultant
Jeff is a film industry veteran with 35 years of hands-on experience in film finance and distribution, including serving as VP of sales for Astral Media and HIT Entertainment, where he managed the iconic brands Barney, Thomas the Tank Engine and Bob the Builder. He founded his own distribution company, KaBOOM! Entertainment, which was sold to eOne. Jeff also knows the artistic side of filmmaking, having written, produced or directed nine feature films, three of which were acquired by Netflix for worldwide release.
- Distribution35 years and more than 500 indie films bought and sold worldwide. Astral Media / Anchor Bay / HIT Entertainment / KaBOOM! Entertainment
- ProducerNine feature films financed and produced. Three acquired by Netflix worldwide.
- TeacherProfessor at San Diego State University, Film and TV Department. Lecturer at UCLA Extension.
- EducationLaw degree with an intellectual property emphasis, Osgoode Hall Law School. Finance and economics, University of Toronto.
- PodcasterIndie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
- ReferencesIMDbWikipediaInstagram
The films
Full Out
Kiss & Cry
Full Out 2
My Brother's Keeper
King of the Camp
God is Good
God Incorporated
Spine Scam
In detail
Services that we offer
Explanation of the components of filmmaking people ask about.
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Budgets
0:34
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Investor Pitch Decks
1:25
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Tax Credits
0:32
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Distribution Contracts
0:44
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Distribution and Marketing Plans
0:55
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Other Services
0:29
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What a Consultation Covers
0:35
Podcast
Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
The same straight answers, free. Jeff works through development, financing and distribution, and what actually happens to indie films once they are finished.
Full service
Do You Need Help Making Your Film?
We offer a full-service filmmaking package. You provide the financing and the concept, and we help you make the film.
You are welcome to be involved in the making of your movie. Tell us what you would like to learn or do, and we will ensure you are included in the process. If you don't have the time to be involved, no problem. We will do it all.
What's included
Everything elsePoster, trailer, festival strategy, marketing. And everything else that is required to make a great movie and get it strategically distributed.
ScriptingScript analysis and development, from a first draft to something financeable.
BudgetingA budget that ties out and survives an investor's accountant.
FinancingPrivate investors, debt, presales and credits, stacked into one structure.
Tax creditsWhich credits the film qualifies for, and what they are worth once discounted.
ProducingRunning the process day to day, on the money you actually raised.
DirectingA director in the chair, unless that is the job you are keeping.
EditingPicture and sound, through to a cut that is ready to sell.
MusicScore and song licensing, cleared for the territories you intend to sell.
DistributionDistributors, sales agents and aggregators, and the terms buried in the offer.
In their words
What Filmmakers Say
“Without Jeff's guidance and mentorship, I wouldn't have had the confidence to raise the money for our film, shoot our film and ultimately sell it. He is knowledgeable, kind and an honest guy, I cannot recommend him enough.”
“Somewhere during the talk Jeff made a small comment which made us think: why would the distributor give us two different company names? We started looking into it and within hours found a waterfall of comments, podcasts & articles about how predatory this distributor actually was. We feel like we just dodged a bullet.”
“Jeff gives incredible no BS advice on how to be successful in the Indie film world. When I met with him I had only directed & produced a few short films, now I am in post on my first feature and development on my second.”
“Jeff Deverett gave me the push I needed to get myself started. I was totally in the dark and he helped me turn on the lights; since then I've won three awards for filmmaking and that was in my first year!”
Straight answers
Filmmaker Questions
Working with Jeff
Who is Jeff Deverett?
Jeff Deverett is a film development, financing and distribution consultant. He spent 35 years on the business side of the industry, buying and selling more than 500 independent films, and has financed and produced nine features of his own, three of which Netflix picked up for worldwide release. He now advises independent filmmakers one on one, and teaches film and television at San Diego State University and UCLA Extension.
Who does he work with?
Independent filmmakers, producers and writer-directors, most often on a first or second feature. Some have a script and no money, some have a finished film and no idea who buys it. Consultations happen on Zoom, so filmmakers book from anywhere in the world.
What can you ask Jeff about?
Anything film-related, including development, financing and distribution: script and budget analysis, investor pitch decks, equity and debt structures, revenue forecasts, tax credits, connections to distributors, sales agents and aggregators, and the terms buried in a distribution offer. Bring the real document, whether that is the budget, the deck or the offer, and Jeff will go through it with you. He also loves to talk about his dog, if you're interested.
What is the cost of a one-on-one consultation with Jeff?
30 minutes for $150, or 60 minutes for $250. Both are one-on-one with Jeff on Zoom. You pick the date and time when you book.
Financing
Do indie films make money?
Most indie filmmakers know how to make a great film, but they don't know how to get it properly distributed and marketed, and hence their films do not make money. If you make a great movie and you are strategic with your distribution and marketing, your film will have a much better chance of financial success.
How do indie films get financed?
Most indie films are financed by high-net-worth private investors, otherwise known as “rich people.” Do you have a network of high-net-worth individuals you can pitch to? If not, Jeff will explain how you can get connected in those circles. Do you know how to pitch to those people properly when you get a meeting? If not, Jeff will teach you how to make a professional and engaging investor pitch deck that will excite and resonate with potential investors. Do you know what type of investment structure to create, equity or debt? If not, Jeff will guide you through it.
What do private investors want to see before they finance your movie?
They want a comprehensive, executive-style overview of exactly what they are getting involved with. That includes a short description of the movie, comparable films, the time frame of the project from development to production to distribution, a budget summary, the investment structure, the distribution and marketing strategy, a revenue and ROI forecast, a risk assessment, the perks (red-carpet screenings, credits in the movie, cameos and so on), and any other important elements.
What are film tax credits and how do you get them?
Film tax credits are available in about 30 U.S. states and several countries around the world.
They come in different forms and at different rates. Depending on the amount of “qualified expenditures,” credits will typically cover 15% to 30% of the cost of your movie.
When possible, a filmmaker should always strive to get a film tax credit at the maximum level available.
Distribution
When should you start thinking about distribution?
Distribution discussions and strategies should begin during the development stage of a project.
Before a script gets written, a filmmaker should know exactly who their core, niche audience is, and should have a strategy for how their film is going to connect with that audience.
Distribution is the key to success, and a filmmaker who has planned out their distribution and marketing strategy well has a much better chance of making money with their film.
How do you find the right distributor and negotiate a “fair” distribution deal?
We have all heard horror stories of filmmakers getting totally screwed by their distributor, and getting paid very little or nothing at all. How do you avoid that?
Jeff has 35 years of film distribution experience. He has negotiated hundreds of indie film deals and knows exactly what is fair and what to avoid.
Jeff can help you find a good distributor, negotiate a fair distribution deal, and not get screwed!
If you can't arrange distribution, what will happen to your movie? Can you self-distribute?
If, for whatever reason, you cannot find a good distributor or negotiate a fair distribution agreement, then you are left with the option of self-distribution.
Self-distribution means releasing your movie by yourself. How do you release it? What streaming platforms do you use, and how do you get your movie onto those platforms? What marketing should you do, and how should you do it?
Jeff is an expert at self-distribution, and he can guide you every step of the way.
Let Us Help With Your Filmmaking Journey
- Avoid making “first-timer” mistakes.
- Avoid wasting time and money on things that don't matter.
- We have “been there” and “done that.” We know from experience.
- Let us guide you in all aspects of the filmmaking process.