Summary: The task of raising money for your independent film can be a bit overwhelming. The good news is that there are professionals who are willing to help independent filmmakers foster relationships with investors. There are also attorneys who can help protect the creative types to ensure that laws are followed while raising money for their films. Episode Thirteen Guests John Cones- Securities Attorney John Cones is a securities/entertainment attorney who has practiced in Los Angeles for eighteen years advising independent feature film producers and others on matters relating to investor financing of feature film and other entertainment projects. He has prepared or participated in the preparation of business plans and/or the required securities disclosure documents, along with Blue Sky compliance for more than 250 such offerings during his 18 year securities law career, including public and private production-money offerings for feature films, television pilots, documentaries, infomercials, live stage plays and Internet companies. His clients have produced or distributed some 51 feature and documentary films with funds raised through such offerings. Mr. Cones also works with entrepreneurs on investor financing of business start-ups. In addition to several articles, he has authored six books on those same topics including Introduction to the Film Industry- A Guide for Students, Filmmakers and Scholars, Dictionary of Film Finance and Distribution- A Guide for Independent Filmmakers, Film Industry Contracts, 43 Ways to Finance Your Film, The Feature Film Distribution Deal and Hollywood Wars. He also hosts a Q&A Internet site about investor financing of entertainment projects at http://www.mecfilms.com/coneslaw/finforum.htm He is a member of the California and Texas bar associations. Mr. Cones resides in Westlake Village, California. For more information about John or to contact him please visit his website. Timothy Owens- Executive Producer Timothy Owens has been involved in real estate acquisition and syndications since 2000. Since that time, Mr. Owens has been the principal investor in over 40 acquisitions. He has extensive experience in raising capital and working with motion picture and real estate investors on the science and art of investing. Mr. Owens has a BS in Business Administration from the California State University at Fullerton. Mr. Owens also spent 10 years as a financial planner with a series 7 license from the SEC. Tim's career began with American Capital after graduating from CSUF with a Business, Finance degree. In 1992, Tim became a financial planner with IDS/American Express. He advised clients in many forms of investing and financial management and was registered with the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) with a Series 7 license. In 1996, Tim's career went corporate beginning with the gaming industry in Nevada and then with top Finance positions with companies such as GNC, Del Taco, Rubio's Restaurants and as CFO for Marshall Reddick Investments. Most recently, Tim is one of the founding members of EMO films. Most recently Tim was able to raise the funds for production and distribution of EMO Films' April Showers. Tim is also executive producing Ghoulishly Yours, William M. Gaines with partner Joel Eisenberg and John Landis. Tim and Joel are also the producers on the upcoming Road to Purgatory and Road to Paradise films, the authorized sequels to the Oscar-nominated The Road to Perdition. To contact Tim Owens please email him at tim@incomeandequity.com Jenna Edwards- Resident Producing Advisor For more information about Jenna see the About page or click here. [nggallery id=28]
