Finance Re-Defined: Getting Deals Done in Uncertain Times
When: April 23, 2020
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 am PT / 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET
Tune in live on your desktop or mobile device in order to participate in our Q&A session!
As if financing wasn’t difficult enough! The impact of uncertainty on the creative industries can be as jarring as the crisis itself. The call to action is clear: now’s the time to question all the conventions. To rethink theatrical distribution as a path to recoupment; to explore alternatives to dreams of big-screen premieres and screenings for distributors; to invent new pricing strategies, business models and source different streams of data. We’re all being forced to traverse uncharted terrain of heightened dichotomies: challenge and opportunity, innovation and risk. Many considerations will enter the equation when it comes to attracting new financiers in this shaky market. Beyond team dynamics, audience demand, production budgets, distribution platforms, social media strategy and market intelligence:
What are the new business models which will support independent storytelling at a time when we need original thinking more than ever?
How does a real world global pandemic influence the creative stories being told, and hopefully, being sold?
What does the most volatile and dynamic marketplace of our creative careers portend about consumer behavior?
And fundamentally, what will it take to increase and inspire investor confidence during crisis?
While there’s a lot we don’t know, let’s work out what we do know and where that points us and the state of creative dealmaking.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS:
Adrienne Becker
Co-Founder & CEO
Level Forward
Adrienne Becker is CEO and Co-Founder of Level Forward, an entertainment company developing, producing and financing stories for screens and stages of all sizes. Through its unique model, Level Forward works to extend the opportunity and influence of creative excellence, supporting new voices and advancing economic transformation.
Ms. Becker is formerly CEO and Co-Founder of Killer Content, entrepreneur-in-residence at Creative Artists Agency, CEO of DailyCandy, Inc., SVP at The Nielsen Company and InterActive Corp. She got her start on an airport tarmac in Philadelphia, where she held her first critically important position “rope line holder” for then Governor Bill Clinton.
Ms. Becker executive produced the Emmy-winning TOWER from Keith Maitland, HOLLER from Nicole Riegel and TOPSIDE from Celine Held and Logan George, and as part of the Level Forward Team, Kitty Green’s THE ASSISTANT, as well as the TONY-nominated Broadway shows OKLAHOMA!, and WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME, and current runs of SLAVE PLAY and JAGGED LITTLE PILL. Ms. Becker is also a co-founder of ROTTEN APPLES and GLASS ELEVATOR. She holds Board seats with Youth + Tech + Health, Story Pirates, Film Fatales and Killer Content.
Vinay Singh
Partner and Chief Operating Officer
Archer Gray
Vinay Singh is a Partner and COO at Archer Gray, a hybrid production, finance, and venture investment company. Vinay currently leads the firm’s venture capital and content finance businesses. In addition to managing Archer Gray’s investment portfolio and strategy, he also oversees the firm’s corporate strategy and operations. Vinay was recognized by Variety in 2018 as one of Hollywood’s New Leaders.
At Archer Gray, Vinay has overseen investments in disruptive media companies including Battlefy, Inked Brands, and ShareGrid; films such as Michael Moore’s Where To Invade Next and SXSW award-winner Transmilitary; and theater productions including The Elephant Man. He serves as board observer for Inked Brands.
In his previous roles, he has advised some of the leading names in the media sector. Vinay started his career at McKinsey & Company, in New York and Australia. Prior to joining Archer Gray, Vinay oversaw the consulting division of Cinetic Media.
Vinay graduated from The University Of Pennsylvania. He serves on the boards of Rooftop Films, the Made in NY Media Center, and EFM Innovation Platform. Vinay has also produced several narrative and documentary films that have premiered at Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca.
Jenifer Westphal
President & Executive Producer
Wavelength Productions
Jenifer Westphal founded Wavelength Productions in 2015 with a mission to develop, fund, and produce films that tell great f**king stories. In her role as President and Executive Producer, Jenifer breaks barriers by taking a special interest in fostering female talent, first-time filmmakers, and creators of color. Her support knows no bounds — whether you’re a documentarian, narrative filmmaker, TV producer or content creator, Jenifer works tirelessly to find and support talented artists in all stages of production.
A member of the Women of Sundance Leadership Council, Jenifer has served as a panelist on the Sundance Catalyst Round Table. Outside of her work in film, Jenifer serves as an advisory board member and grantor for the Good Work Foundation, an organization with the mission to lead a digitally-empowered education model for rural Africa and the world. In addition to her film and philanthropic work, she loves to watch the Phillies and is a self-taught chef.
Please complete the fields below to receive the video link:
MODERATOR: Katherine Winston
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
WINSTON | BAKER
Katherine Winston has been at the forefront of event production, marketing and emerging trends for nearly twenty years. As co-founder and managing partner of WINSTON | BAKER, she oversees business operations, event production, marketing strategies, and new initiatives. In her previous role as Director of Marketing for RealD, she was in charge of creative advertising, supervised public relations, and organized event participation, product launches, and screenings. Prior to RealD, Winston was Senior Marketing Manager for GoTV Networks, where she was responsible for all aspects of marketing strategy and execution, including corporate and consumer marketing, web-to-mobile advertising, print, online, and experiential marketing, public relations, and managing brand partnership deals. Before GoTV, Winston was Conference Producer for Strategic Research Institute where she was responsible for producing high profile investment conferences for various sectors, including e-commerce, nanotech, defense & aerospace, biotech, law, real estate, and entertainment, among others. Winston earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with honors from the University of Washington and is a Phi Beta Kappa and National Association of Professional Women member. As a fervent advocate of entrepreneurialism, Winston is dedicated to connecting innovators with seasoned professionals who can fuel development and growth.
In support of the independent entertainment community, Winston Baker will be offering webinars at highly discounted rates so that you can continue to acquire strategic knowledge and connect with industry leaders through these challenging times. Space will be limited so we can allow our attendees time for questions after each webinar.