The Film/Movie Industry

Tax accountant serving independents (indies),
actor/actress-producers, and directors

Overview
Films that can be produced on shoe-string budgets can become blockbusters and strike gold at the box office. More than 560 movies earned over $18 billion at the box office in 2005, including $9.6 billion from international distributors. In April 2008, the movie "Prom Night" was released on a weekend to coincide with the upcoming prom season. It had resonated strongly with its target audience of teenagers and it earned $22 million in the first three days at the box office. It had cost $20 million to produce.

Special tax breaks are available for films that you produced in the USA. The production cost for each domestic film that you produced must not be more than $15 million and 75% of the total compensation paid for production must be for services performed in the USA by actors, actresses, directors, producers, and other relevant production personnel. Small-budget films have generated high returns at the box office and a big pay day for studio executives. One film that was produced on a budget of $6 million has generated over $48 million worldwide and another film that was produced on a budget of $13 million has generated $100 million in ticket and DVD sales worldwide. The uncanny ability of the script writers to produce quality scripts and the enduring popularity and drawing power of iconic actors/actresses have lured audiences to these films in droves.

Call Barry's Accounting Services if you are an independent filmmaker or have projects "picked up" from the "majors" (Form 1099, freelance), or if you are planning to make a film/movie that has been your life-long dream. Barry's Accounting Services has clients like yourself. Here is what we know about your industry.

Revenue Ticket sales: Ancillary sales: DVD/video Cable Network TV licenses Syndication Foreign TV

Floor Plan/Chart

Itemized Expenses

• Legal & accounting
• Tax consultation & preparation
• Script & score cards
• Agent, producers, & casting director
• Cast, crew, & extras
• Photographers
• Engineers (stage, light, sound, etc.)
• Music reproduction license/contract
• Marketing, distributors, & exhibitors
• Transportation (air, trucks, & buses)
• Stagehands & bellhops
• Bond & medical insurance
• Equipment, maintenance, & repairs
• Lodging (house, motel, campers/tents)
• Heaters
• Meals
• Tips backstage (doormen, porters, bellhops, dressers, etc.)

Thanks for your time. Have a nice day!


Click here for "The Entertainment Industry"