Michael Cain

SDG Releasing Launches, Revolutionizing Theatrical Film Distribution with Transparency and Integrity Fort Worth, TX – July 29, 2024 SDG Releasing (sdgreleasing.com) proudly announces its launch as the newest player in the theatrical film distribution industry. Founded by veteran filmmakers Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman, the creative minds behind acclaimed films like Nefarious, God's Not Dead, and Unplanned, SDG Releasing is designed by filmmakers for filmmakers. Their revolutionary model combats industry corruption with honesty, transparency, and low costs, ensuring fair and accessible distribution for all. To kick off their journey, SDG Releasing is proud to announce its inaugural partnership with The Daily Wire. This partnership includes handling their first-ever theatrical release, Am I Racist?, the follow-up to Matt Walsh's acclaimed What Is A Woman?, and exclusive home video distribution rights. The first two films under this home video agreement will be What Is A Woman? and Ladyballers. At SDG Releasing, Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman bring their three decades of filmmaking experience to the forefront. "We’ve experienced the tremendous highs of bringing our vision to life and the joy of watching audiences moved to tears or shouts of excitement," says Solomon. "What’s not amazing is dealing with Hollywood’s 'creative accounting,' which always ends with, 'You get nothing.' We’ve faced this numerous times and didn't like it. We’re guessing you don't either. As fellow filmmakers, we feel your pain. That’s why we set out to do something about it: a straight forward approach that guarantees you get every penny owed to you." Key Highlights of SDG Releasing: Radical Transparency: Filmmakers have full visibility of every financial transaction through a dedicated bank account lockbox service, with each client having their own account. Industry-Low Fees: SDG Releasing offers the lowest distribution costs and fees in the industry by cutting out unnecessary intermediaries. Diverse Film Slate: The company showcases a variety of genres, from impactful documentaries to blockbuster features, ensuring a wide audience reach. SDG Releasing has already made a significant impact by distributing acclaimed films they have produced, and now, through their exclusive contract with The Daily Wire, they are poised to revolutionize film distribution. For more information, visit SDG Releasing.

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I am still reading up on the proposed FCC changes to LPTV and what that means to LP stations. Check out the article from Advanced Television Broadcasting Alliance on more details. What are your thoughts on these proposed changes?

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A HEM Community member asks a tough question: "Is it worth staying in expensive Los Angeles while waiting for the film & television editing job market to pick up, or should they move to a cheaper city temporarily?" In this video, I explore the pros and cons of both options and share some surprising insights. Plus, I'll reveal practical tips on managing your finances and navigating these uncertain times, whether you're solo or with a partner. Tune in to find out why staying in LA might be the best move for your career and how you can make it work financially. Don't miss this essential advice for film & television editors and creatives!

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Public funding remains paramount to finance fiction films, but production incentives are on the rise. "The report also shows that, even though it includes only 18% of total financing in the four large sample markets, direct public funding accounted for 44% in medium-sized and 63% in small sample markets.  By contrast, the financing weight of production incentives seems to increase with market size, growing from only 3% in small markets, to 14% in medium-sized markets up to 24% in large markets (25%, excluding French films)."

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The Recording Academy, along with GRAMMY-winning artists and songwriters, stand with the independent live entertainment community against unfair ticketing practices that harm artists and defraud fans. We fully support the bipartisan Fans First Act, the most comprehensive reform to improve the concert ticket marketplace. Join us in urging Congress to pass commonsense reforms that increase transparency and prohibit predatory practices. Introduced by Senators John Cornyn and Amy Klobuchar, the Fans First Act creates a better future for music and live events by: —Banning speculative or fake tickets. —Penalizing deceptive marketing tactics like fake websites that trick consumers into paying more for tickets that may never get them into a show. —Requiring every ticket seller to show the full itemized cost of the ticket upfront, including any mandatory fees and the face-value price. —Providing clear penalties for state and federal enforcement, including against ticket bots. These pro-artist and pro-consumer reforms will ensure a more equitable live event ticket marketplace for all. Take action: https://lnkd.in/ddJM4Yxz

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Surprised? CONCERNED?? Although no surprises, as production is down everywhere (although it seems to be rebounding more outside of the U.S., e.g., Canada, the UK and Australia. Acknowledging Governor Newsom is doing all he can (given the political climate, and budgetary issues & concerns) Los Angeles and California will face further competition from Illinois (as announced last week, Illinois now allows National Talk Shows, (‘Jimmy Kimmel’ Live – note, ‘The Tonight Show’, ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ and “The Kelly Clarkson Show” – have already moved to NY because of incentives), Game Shows (e.g., ‘Jeopardy’ and ‘Wheel of Fortune’) and Contest Shows (e.g., “American Idol” and ‘America’s Got Talent’). Talk Shows, Game Shows and Contest Shows do not qualify for the California incentive. Also, NJ Governor just signed a new bill, further enhancing the NJ incentive – reviewing the Bill now and will summarize and share ASAP.  Also noting, there was pending legislation in other states (e.g., Oklahoma - while it didn’t pass in Oklahoma this year, Oklahoma will try again to incentivize live tv/episodic television (still LA/CA’s bread & butter!!! Entertainment Partners https://lnkd.in/gwfW572T https://lnkd.in/gB7_AjPq

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#indiefilmmakers in #Scotland lets start a conversation about creating a sustainable industry. Please spread the word and repost this and more importantly... Come and join us! #IndieFilmInScotland #FilmTwitter #supportindiefilm #indiefilm

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Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation's THE WILD ROBOT is shaping up to be leggy, crowd-pleasing animated hit for movie theaters with a box office debut that's tracking close to $30 million (and potentially upward of $40 million in more bullish models). Full analysis in this post on Box Office Theory: #TheWildRobot #Megalopolis #BeetlejuiceBeetlejuice #BoxOffice #movies #cinema #theaters #film #entertainment #trending #trendingnews #trendingtopic #trendingonlinkedin

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Read our blog article about the dangers of NOT digitizing your family photos. Your family photos will NOT last a lifetime and will fade unless you digitize them. As a digital archivist, one of the most critical aspects of my job is to emphasize the importance of preserving family memories through digitization. https://lnkd.in/e_MKFTdx

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📖 Unlock the Art of Immersive Storytelling with Audio Description! Ever wonder what goes into creating audio description that captures the full essence of a story? My new book dives deep into the nuanced craft behind AD performance, showcasing how small choices make big impacts. Ready to take a behind-the-scenes journey? 🌟 RoySamuelson.com/book #AudioDescription #Storytelling #Inclusion

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Career Producers are the champions before, during, and after the film is in the can. The fact that they work with no pay for so long is insane, as is the fact there's no health benefits being paid. I've worked with some of these producers. Why does it always come down to PAY YOUR PEOPLE? #filmmaking #producers #screenwriting https://lnkd.in/etTG-Myk

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What is an “Archival Producer”?   It’s a title and role that many media professionals may not be aware of but might find useful, particularly in creating historical documentaries and exhibitions. Here is a little FAQ based on my personal experience working in the field for two decades. 1. Who benefits from engaging an Archival Producer? * Businesses undertaking media projects incorporating third-party content, particularly archival footage, photography, and imagery, benefit from the expertise of an Archival Producer. This role is pivotal for projects with broad distribution or commercial objectives. 2. What defines the role of an Archival Producer? * An Archival Producer is a seasoned professional proficient in curating and managing archival materials, including footage and photography, for diverse media ranging from documentary films to museum exhibits to websites. Their expertise spans navigating copyright intricacies and establishing partnerships with various archival repositories. 3. How does the role of an Archival Producer differ from traditional researchers? * Unlike conventional researchers, Archival Producers offer comprehensive support beyond content discovery. They curate and oversee the entire lifecycle of archival assets, including footage and photography, ensuring compliance with legal frameworks and optimizing their utilization within projects. 4. What are the key advantages of enlisting an Archival Producer? * Engaging an Archival Producer early in the project lifecycle yields significant time and cost efficiencies. Their adept management of copyright concerns and access to high-quality archival footage and photography enhance the overall quality and integrity of the final deliverables. 5. How do Archival Producers contribute to the symbiotic relationship with archives? * Archival Producers play a vital role in promoting archival collections while facilitating revenue generation through licensing agreements. Their collaboration fosters mutually beneficial partnerships, benefiting both production entities and archival institutions. 6. What encompassing responsibilities do Archival Producers undertake? * Archival Producers curate and collaborate closely with project stakeholders, providing strategic guidance on content selection and utilization. Their multifaceted role extends to rights management, vendor negotiations, and adherence to industry standards, ensuring seamless project execution and compliance. Ray Segal, NYC, NY - 04/15/2024

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Next up in our series on Film Sustainability: Big Impact Tech. Learn how new technologies are helping film productions lessen their impact on the environment and communities while making for a better experience for all on set!

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For many musicians, the allure of analog recording holds a timeless appeal. As digital technology continues to dominate the music industry, some artists are rediscovering the unique qualities of recording to tape. If you’re considering this route, here are some key points to keep in mind. https://lnkd.in/g7FXi838

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