Are the deals mostly made in LA?

A

Aspiring Mogul

I just came back from the AFM, and I miss LA already. That said, in all the many postings of whether people should move to LA or NY, I was told that the filming will be increasingly done outside California, but all the deals are still made in LA. So, if I was to be an aspiring mogul, as opposed to an aspiring actor or director, I should move to LA instead of NY.

Anyone has any thoughts on where the decisions are made?
 
Deals are made with hard work, blood & sweat, connections, talent, knowledge, and some luck; Deals are not made simply because you live in LA.

You want to be a mogul (but not an actor/director). What kind of mogul do you want to be? Work your way up. You can always fly out to LA to make those deals you are talking about and then return when you're done. If your plans start falling in place and you realize you're spending a lot of time in LA and/or you feel like you've plateaued in the location you're at, then re-evaluate.
 
I haven't plateaued in my location, but there's opportunity in California and New York, two of the largest states in the Union, that don't exist elsewhere.
 
What would I do? Review film and television projects, arrange financing, deal with directors and producers on current projects ... and have lunch with a beautiful actress every day.

That's my dream job.
 
Executive Producer
AKA: Executive in Charge of Production
A producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the filmmaking process, but who is still responsible for the overall production. Typically an executive producer handles business and legal issues. See also associate producer, co-producer, line producer (IMDB.com)

Producer
AKA: Prod
The chief of staff of a movie production in all matters save the creative efforts of the director, who is head of the line. A producer is responsible for raising funding, hiring key personnel, and arranging for distributors. See also associate producer, co-producer, executive producer, line producer, Producer's Guild of America (IMDB.com)

I'm not quite sure exactly what you mean by film mogul; however you could always just produce. You'd arrange the financing, deal with directors, and could still have lunch with beautiful actresses (if you're lucky :) ) haha
 
This is a very social business. All businesses are. You can make deals from
anywhere in the world. Living and working in a place where most deals are
made has that personal, social advantage.

You can review film and television projects and arrange financing from
anywhere. Dealing with directors and producers may be better done face to
face. That personal, social connection can be important. Having that daily
lunch means either spending a lot of money on travel expenses or living
where the actresses are. Most film and TV actresses are in LA - most
stage actresses are in NY.
 
If you want the snarky answer...

Most beginnings of most deals are made over the telephone and over cocktails, they get fleshed out at lunches and parties. The complete deal is put together over a very nice dinner. Then it is handed over to attorneys to be put in legal speak.

This is a part of the social aspect Rik is talking about.

You spend a huge portion of your life being seen in all the right places with all the right people.

Your network isn't necessarily deep, but very broad.

You keep a very, very detailed tickle file (or whatever they call it these days) on everyone you meet, remember to send birthday and anniversary greetings, ask about the wife/kids/whatevers when you see them.

You go to screenings, film festivals, launch parties, afters parties, seminars, meet & greets, etc., etc., etc. constantly - you are almost never at home.

You need an encyclopedic memory for people.

You need to be noticeable and memorable without being a (pick your favorite expletive).

You ALWAYS need to follow up on what you say you will, even if it's just to say no.

You NEVER burn any bridges (todays junior a$$hole, tomorrows executive producer... Or perhaps Big Names brother-in-law).

You never promise anything you can't deliver.

Treat the worker bees with respect.


I think you get the idea.
 
I've been wondering if I should set up an office in LA for my day job/business. It could be cost-effective, but the possibility of making movie deals would be a huge added incentive.
 
Aspiring Mogul said:
What would I do? Review film and television projects, arrange financing, deal with directors and producers on current projects ... and have lunch with a beautiful actress every day.

That's my dream job.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you want to be a studio executive or studio president. The kind of person who doesn't do any of the hard work but has all the experience in the industry to say no to the independents and play it safe ;)
 
Then yes, move to LA.

A studio executive position, while virtually impossible to get is mostly about the connections you have and the experience.

Good luck!
 
Alcove Audio said:
Because most indie films don't make money. I guess what you need to do is define what you mean by a "Production company."
Click to expand...

That's been my concern for the past few years. I want a prodco that will make money - in fact, I want to create franchises like James Bond and Star Trek. If I know for sure that my prodco won't make money, I probably wouldn't do it.
 
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