The Feature Film Distribution Deal: A Critical Analysis of the Single Most Important Film Industry Agreement - Tapa dura

"It is the primary contention of this book... that the pervasive market power of the major studio distributors in the United States (the MPAA companies, generally) has been gained and is maintained by engaging in numerous questionable, unethical, unfair, unconscionable, anticompetitive, predatory and/or illegal business practices.... Such practices are often referred to as creative accounting or creative contract interpretation. "John W. Cones, from the Introduction" "It is the primary contention of this book... that the pervasive market power of the major studio distributors in the United States (the MPAA companies, generally) has been gained and is maintained by engaging in numerous questionable, unethical, unfair, unconscionable, anticompetitive, predatory and/or illegal business practices.... Such practices are often referred to as 'creative accounting' or 'creative contract interpretation.'"--John W. Cones, from the Introduction

John W. Cones, whose real goal is to stimulate a long-term film industry reform movement, shows how the financial control of the film industry in the hands of the major studios and distributors actually translates into creative control of the industry. Cones discusses the pros and cons of the debate relating to the industry's so-called net profit problem. He then breaks down five major film finance/distribution scenarios, explaining various distribution deals and suggesting ways of negotiating distribution. Critically examining the specific terms of the distribution deal itself, Cones covers gross receipts exclusions, distributor fees, and distributor expenses. He also investigates the various forms of interest, issues of production costs, matters of creative control and general contractual provisions. For handy reference, Cones includes an extensive checklist for negotiating any feature film distribution deal.