(Qualified as Continuing Professional Education - 33.5 Hours)
Objectives: Day 1: To have the ability to work in Film Production as a 3rd Assistant Accountant
Day 2: Intermediate Level - to have the ability to work as a 2nd Assistant Accountant
Live Webinars: Senior Level - to have the ability to manage budgets and cost reports
When: Day 1: Sat Feb 20th, and Day 2: Sun Feb 21st, 2010 each 9:00AM - 8:00PM PST
Workshop includes 9 live webinars, each 1 1/2 hours long from 7:00PM - 8:30PM PST
Where: EASE Entertainment, 8383 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills,
CA 90211 (See map)
Instructor: John Gaskin. To learn more about John, Click here
The unique practical aspects of Film Production Accounting & Auditing as taught by a working 25 year Film Industry Professional, John Gaskin
FREE: Multiple Budget Templates, Accounting & Legal Form Templates and DVD Screen
Recordings of Specific General Ledger and Budgeting Software Procedures.
Each day's workshop consists of intensive hands-on training, live practical drilling with on-line general ledger software and in-workshop filing/routing procedures. This workshop is the toughest course that I deliver, both for me and for the
attendees,
because we are approximating a live situation as much as possible.
There are three distinct parts:
Day 1: Intro Level Film Production Accounting
Day 2: Intermediate Level Film Production Accounting
Then, 9 Live Webinars: Senior Level Film Production Accounting
To train someone to be able to work in Film Production as an Assistant Production Accountant.
The End Result is a person who can do the job of an assistant film production accountant, and can prove it.
Objective of 9 Live Webinars:
Upgrade of Assistant Film Accountant: to provide a training ground where assistant accountants can get exposed to many of the functions of a Key Production Auditor, giving them a chance to upgrade,
Training Ground for Producers to Manage Film Budgets: to provide a training ground for aspiring Producers, Line Producers, Unit Production Managers, Studio Financial Managers, etc. where they can learn the aspects of Managing the Film Budget and Weekly Cost Report - not taught anywhere but the most sophisticated graduate programs in America.
to provide exposure for CPA's to the functions and financial reports they will need to audit for State Tax Incentives - the universally standard film production Cost Report (note: to understand the Cost Report you must also understand the Film Budget).
The emphasis is on the practical introductory level procedures, functions and film accounting systems.
Day 2: Intermediate Level Film Production Accounting
The emphasis is on the practical requirements of a junior film production accountant based on my own needs as an auditor.
After years of surveying my fellow film production veterans the most common statement made by those hiring are: I WANT TO HIRE SOMEONE I DON'T HAVE TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME TRAINING.
Well, this is the training the kind of training a Film Production Accountant wants you to have before hiring you.
9 Live Webinars: Senior Level Film Production Accounting
The webinars are dealing with Fim Budget Management and the universally standard Cost Report - this is the document that will be audited by for the State Tax Incentives. It is also the weekly report card sent to the bonding companies, financiers, studio execs, etc. See the agenda for details - Click here.
BTW - if you have an internet connection and have sound on your computer/laptop, you can do the webinar. I will send you a link and all you have to do is click it to join. If you miss it, every webinar will be reorded and you will
have access a link/password to it for 3 months.
NOTE: FILM ACCOUNTING 101 IS THE TOUGHEST COURSE I DELIVER! Bring your roller skates.
Not only do you need to understand the terminology of filmmaking, you need to understand how to route, file, retrieve
and process the practical accounting documents uitlizing the systems common to all of the film production industry. You will also be expected to know the basics of entering transactions to the specific general ledger software utilized by film productions.
Each day's workshop consists of intensive hands-on training, live practical drilling with on-line general ledger software and in-workshop filing/routing procedures. This workshop is the toughest course that I deliver, both for me and for the
attendees,
because we are approximating a live situation as much as possible.
The practical aspects of this course will make you a candidate for work in the Accounting Department. An accounting background is preferred, although there are many examples of successful film accountants with unrelated industry experience, so read below and use your own judgement.
The workshop starts with an overview of the departments in a film production and how they relate to Film Accounting. Then, the six basic accounting entry modes, which are most important to film production, are extensively drilled using the industry specific filing
systems and very specific licensed general ledger software that is unique to the
film industry (there are only 4 film industry specific General Ledger softwares
available in Film/TV production, and they can be used under license only):
Purchase Orders
Accounts Payable-Invoices Received in the Mail,
Accounts Payable - Check Requisition,
Petty Cash and
Payroll - Deal Memos and Timecards
Journal Entries
The high volume and rapid movement of money in the film industry requires that assistant accountants have some exposure before working - this is it. Most of the workshop is taken up with practice drills and general ledger applications. You will also get familiarized with fundamental film production forms, such as
basic "Call Sheets", "Daily Production Reports", etc. At all times emphasis is
placed on what is NEEDED AND WANTED by Production Accountants so as to make you marketable in the film production business. For a full Agenda, CLICK HERE.
Resume writing, ways to find contacts and acceptable ways of approaching the Film Accountants & Unit Production Managers for work are discussed and practiced within the Workshop.
The 9 live 1.5 hour webinars are designed to introduce you to the functions of Managing A Film Budget and in Managing the Weekly Cost Report. The film production cost report is the key financial statement produced by the Film Auditor in conjunction with the Producer and Production Manager on every
feature film and TV production of any kind. This is the document reviewed by all financiers, studio execs, bond companies and the State Tax Incentives authorities - it must be in the industry specific presentable format and it must be right. Note: as required by Section 88 of the California Statutes for CPE, the webinars have a minimum of 2 poll questions every 1/2 hour and they also have VoIP or On-Line Chat where participants are asked questions and will get direct responses from me.
Webinar note: the only requirements to do a webinar is an internet connection and sound on your computer. I will email you simple links with instructions to follow to connect - it's really very simple. Each live webinar will be recorded and you will be given links/passwords to review the recordings
at your convenience.
WHEN:
Day 1 (Introductory Module - 10 Hrs) is on Saturday, February 20th, 2010 from 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Day 2 (Intermediate Module - 10Hrs) is on Sunday, February 21st, 2010 from 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Webinars (Senior Module - 13.5Hrs) Followed up by 9 one & 1/2 hour live webinars. The webinars are scheduled on week nights to accommodate those who are working:
Tues, Wed, Thurs Feb. 23, 24, 25 from 7:00PM to 9:00PM PST
Tues, Wed, Thurs Mar. 2, 3, 4 from 7:00PM to 9:00PM PST
Tues, Wed, Thurs Mar. 8, 9, 10 from from 7:00PM to 9:00PM PST
NOTE: All webinars will be recorded during the live webcast so that those who can't make it, or who want to review the webinars at a later date, can do so on demand (everyone will be given individual passwords
and access links).
WHERE:
EASE Entertainment Payroll Services, 8383 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211. For Google map, Click
here.
INSTRUCTOR: John Gaskinis a working Production Auditor. At the time of this
writing he is the Production Controller on "Devil", a feature film production
developed and produced by M. Night Shyamalan. John also has a Proprietary School
licensed in the State of Michigan (License #20090034). John has worked in the
film production business since 1985, primarily as a Film Production Auditor.
John has worked on 45 different productions in 5 different countries, working with greats such as Ron Howard, Frank Oz and Walter Salles - as well as small
independent films and TV episodic productions, pilots and mini-series. During
his career many of his assistants have gone on to become Key Accountants
(another term for the Production Auditor).
John also has Supervising Producer credits - see his resume on
IMDb. In his previous seminars he was touted as the Billion Dollar Man
because the accumulated budgets that have been under his control has exceeded a
Billion Dollars.
John's book, "Walk The Talk" is required reading
at the University of Southern California's Cinematic Arts (Peter Stark Graduate
Producer's Program), as well as the Producer's Program at the University of
Tampa, where John has an open invitation to deliver seminars. John's book is
also used and recommended by at least one mentor, Michael Glick, at the American
Film Institute. John has numerous internet articles on Google Knol and EzineArticles and enjoys answering your questions on his blog - filmproduction.
John has several 'Testimonials' but his favorites are
from Ron Howard and David Valdes (David worked with Clint Eastwood for a chunk
of his career and has been an independent producer for some time in his own
right). Click
here to see
Ron Howard's letter, and here for David
Valdes's hand written note. Another testimonial that John is proud of is Peter D.
Marshall's book review. Peter is a 35 year veteran film director and
instructor. Visit John's Web Site for more testimonials. For a quick 2-minute
video of Testimonials, CLICK HERE.
BENEFITS: The workshops
provide you with a practical 'door opener' to film production - especially in
the Film Accounting department, but also as a novice Line Producer, Producer's
or Director's Assistant, Production Assistant, etc. If you are unsure of the the
role of a Film Accountant, click here, for a quick run down on the income levels and
career potential.
You will receive a copy of John's book, "Walk The Talk" jammed with
practical tools of your trade. (When you register below you will be sent to a
web page where you can download the e-book of "Walk The Talk" -
please read through it before the workshop so you will be familiar with some of
what we will be covering).
John will provide each attendee with their own CD
packed with
- over 50 practical film production form
templates, including all accounting forms used in the business, as well as
sample Call Sheets, Daily Production reports, release forms, deal memos, legal
assignments, sample equipment agreements, etc. (Note: Most accounting forms are
on Word or Excel for your future application)
- screen recordings of the general ledger
software applications, as discussed in the workshop will be provided on DVD,
for your future reference.
All practical assignments are based on John's 25
years experience in film production.
John will be discussing the practical aspect of finding work in the film industry, either as a film production accountant or as a CPA/professional accountant. John makes no promises, but he
has many years of experience finding work as a film accountant and will mentor
you on his successful actions and contacts.
Coffee and snacks will be provided.
Certficates are issued on completion of each
Workshop.
If you have any further questions about the
workshops, or about the film business in general, feel free to email John
Gaskin.
SIGN-UP FOR ALL THREE GET $150 OFF: $955 LESS $150 FOR ONLY $805 BEFORE EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT - Less 10% Early Bird Discounts (2 weeks in advance) = $724.50Click here.
When you register you will be taken to a sign-up page which will allow me to pre-deliver to you my e-book,
"Walk The Talk", the course 'checksheet', the Glossary, the Master Budget we'll be using, etc. Please familiarize yourself with the materials before the workshop so we can hit the ground running on the Saturday morning (a hard copy of all materials will be provided in the workshop).
Please bring your laptop. or your tabletop computer with monitor, so we can load the software and templates as part of the workshop materials. I have limited the attendance to no more than 20 people, so please book early.
Out of towners are invited as well (for anyone travelling in from out of town please let me know so I can get a volume discount near the final location of the workshop).
Regardless if you have registered, or not, answering the survey questions below will help me to deliver the Workshops and give me a better understanding of what you are looking for. When you click the submit button at the bottom you will be taken to a 'Thank You' page. Simply close that page and you will return here. Thank you very much for your assistance:
