|
|
Sam and Leah Business Plan Written and Directed by Steve Cosmic Who We Are |
Steve Cosmic is a multiple award winning writer and director currently residing in Vancouver BC. Before becoming a filmmaker, he spent 20 years as a bushpilot, logging 15,500 flying hours. This is equivalent to flying 65 times around the world with 48,000 take offs and landings. He is extremely resourceful, and an inventor with 6 patents in Canada and the US. Steve is committed to making entertaining movies that have a message. He assembles experienced and hard working crews on all of his productions. Leaning towards creative over high budget, Steve has proven that he has a keen visual sense for directing, and helped the actress in his last movie win a Best Actress Award. He has also proven his ability to write stories with strong characterization and natural dialogue. Steve is a rising director to be watched for. His current project, a feature film entitled "Sam and Leah", is currently in advanced pre-production stages. The Story Sam and Leah is an enduring and timeless love story between a younger woman and an older man. Leah is 24 years old, struggling with addictions to cocaine and alcohol. She is living with a drug dealer while secretly working part time as an erotic model. Her modeling ad in a newspaper is answered by Sam, about 45 years old, and a former pro baseball player who has managed to kick his addiction to alcohol. When Sam meets Leah, he sees a chance to help her and he comes up with a plan to help her quit her addiction. However, things get complicated when Leah's boyfriend, Orlando, enters the picture. Orlando supplies Leah with cocaine and begins to menace Leah and Sam, unable to control his anger fuelled by his jealousy. Sam comes up with a daring plan to help rescue Leah and to prevent a murder that Orlando is planning. As Leah starts to wean herself off drugs, she begins to notice Sam in a more romantic light. But Sam has developed a relationship with a woman his own age. Leah becomes jealous of Sam's relationship with the other woman. What makes Sam and Leah different from other movies is that it delves into the "whys" of addiction and abuse. It helps to create empathy for the addict. As well, it helps viewers realize the harsh reality of an addict's life and why they find it so hard to kick their addictions. Sam and Leah is a relevant film that is poised to gain attention. Cast and Crew Sam and Leah will be directed by Steve Cosmic. Award winning actress Sarah Sands is onboard for the role of Leah. Sarah's award winning performance can be viewed on a link by CLICKING HERE. "Cam Girl" was written and directed by Steve Cosmic. Dan Ellis is on the short list to be Orlando. He has been studying the character for 8 months. Reese Alexander is on the short list to be Peter, Orlando's friend. Leo Award nominee Julie Blue will be composing the film score. Julie Blue has composed scores for over 36 film and TV projects. She has also been the subject of many magazine and newspaper articles that spotlight her talent and achievements. Julie Blue has also agreed to a licensing deal for the use of one of her songs in the movie. An award winning Director of Photography (DP) is onboard! Our DP is Tony Papa, an established television producer/director with special expertise in international documentary, performance and dramatic television programming. Mr. Papa has studied film and television in New York, Toronto, Los Angles and Vancouver. Since 1996, his company AVANTI PICTURES, based in Vancouver has produced thirteen documentaries and 4 dramas as as well as countless music videos, shorts, and artistic productions for screen and television. He has received many awards including best directing for a series called Cosmic Odyssey, for Discovery Network, Best Documentary for True Prince: Vladimir Malochov, and a Gemini award for Suzuki Speaks, an innovative program directed, produced and edited by Papa. Other recent award winning productions include the documentary WordLoveWorldLove and the performance Doco entitled Kathaumixw: A Thousand Voices, a Single Passion. Website for AVANTI PICTURES. Papa also founded the Powell River Digital Film School based in Powell River BC, now in it's third year. Website for his film school. An award winning producer is onboard! Our producer is Eva Wonderman, with 18 years in the film business and 15 major productions and numerous awards. To find out all about Eva, CLICK HERE. Locations and Schedule Sam and Leah will be shot in High Definition video. Rehearsals and pre-production will be 60 days, filming 21 days and editing 60 days. This will make the film ready for distribution within 6 months. This is one third of the normal time that it takes for many movies to be made. Return of investment will occur faster on Sam and Leah as other films take upwards of 18 months to be completed. The main location has already been secured for filming. The other locations are inexpensive and easy to find. The locations are practical, everyday locations that do not require any building of sets. Set decoration and costumes are inexpensive and straight forward as they are every day locations and costumes. Significant pre-production has already taken place. Practice scenes have been shot and edited. Market, Structure and Growth of the Industry The independent film has seen a huge revival in recent years and continues to grow. The advent of digital technology has lowered production costs to a fraction of what it costs to shoot on film. There are many avenues to film makers for distribution. There is the traditional method of using established distributors and the modern trend to self distribute. The internet and technology have made internet streaming and online marketing other profitable options. There are profit making future technologies that we will use as well. Below are some comparables: Adam and Evil (2004). Budget $250,000.00 CAD. Sold 235,000 DVD copies, grossing $1.2 million from DVD sales alone. Chuck & Buck (2000) Budget $250,000 USD. Total US theater gross of $1.1 Million Chasing Amy (1997) Budget $250,000 USD. Total US theater gross of $12 Million Sam and Leah will take a multi-faceted approach to distribution. It can be classified as a romantic drama or "chick-flick" for which there is a steady market. The theme of love never goes out of style. Sam and Leah will be distributed on DVD, theatrically, on the internet, and on TV. DVD Distribution DVD distribution has become an easy option for independent filmmakers. The internet has made marketing and receiving payments for DVD's easier than ever before. When traditional distribution is utilized, then DVD's will be distributed to video and retail stores. When self distribution is utilized, DVD's will be sold online. Internet Distribution There are many new emerging possibilities for independent filmmakers, with the biggest one being internet streaming. Sam and Leah will be available for online viewing. There is a vast untapped potential on the internet that even major studios have turned their focus on. The Producers of Sam and Leah will keep abreast of emerging technology that will increase the audience for Sam and Leah. Theatrical Distribution Theatrical distribution will be actively pursued. Sam and Leah will play at as many film festivals as possible to increase exposure. This exposure and key contacts made at the festivals will aid in official theatrical release. Many independent films have gained distribution deals by being shown at film festivals. Such films include Little Miss Sunshine, Groove, Tadpole, Teeth, and King of California. All were picked up for $1.5 million to $4 million USD each. TV Distribution Sam and Leah falls into the category of "chick flick" or romantic drama. There is a steady market on channels such as Women's Television Network, CTV and CBC for these types of movies in Canada. In the USA, there is The Lifetime and Oxygen Networks who play similar movies regularly. Sam and Leah is a timeless movie that will be aired for years to come, which will increase the revenue potential. All of the above mentioned networks play movies that are upwards of 30 years old based on the qualities that Sam and Leah possess. Financial Strategies and Assumptions Given similarly budgeted films, we project Sam and Leah to be shown on TV regularly over the course of your investment. We also anticipate strong DVD sales with an average profit of $5 each. It is common for sales of a DVD movie to sell from 200,000 to over a million copies. This can generate profits of 1 million to 5 million dollars. CTV and CBC currently pay about 60K for broadcast rights. Broadcast rights in the US are higher. Globally, the potential for broadcast rights could easily equal 500K. Return on Investment A generous return on investment package is offered. Investors will be given their appropriate share of the movie's net profit and have a chance to at least triple their investment. This can be compared to much more modest returns with mutual funds and real estate investments which appear to be in a decline. An incorporated company has been formed to handle this project and proper accounting records will be maintained. Such records will be made available to all investors upon request. Investors will also be given the exciting opportunity to attend the wrap party, and all premiere screenings, and to meet the cast and crew. As well, investors will be given the opportunity to be in the movie. 40K has already been raised. You can read the investor's statements at the bottom of this report. |
Risk Statement Many people believe investing in movies is very risky. However, the past decade has proven that films are a safe investment choice. Movie studios have increased their demand for independent features which proves that there is a large market for them. Many chose to invest in stocks and income trusts. However, the past year has proven how fragile those investments can be. Traditional investments are no longer reliable. The past two years have shown the extreme effect that outside forces have on them. While investors could invest in real estate, it is a very cyclical market. There are factors such as interest rates and employment over which investors have no control. Sam and Leah is a safer investment because the success of the movie relies on the hard work of all those involved, the talent and the story. A dedicated and responsible team is currently being assembled in order to assure a high quality production. Movies have been a solid investment since the beginning of the medium. Even during the Great Depression of the 1930's, people still attended movies. It's a fact people will attend movies regardless of what is happening in the world. It is their escape. And in today's changing world, people are leaning towards more intellectual movies over fluffy, no brainer movies. Therefore, Sam and Leah is an ideal investment choice. Not only is the rate of return generous, but it is helmed by an award winning writer and director who will be working with an accomplished and talented crew. |