Getting Started with Shake the Tree Productions Services
What kind of producer / writer / director / creative is the Shake The Tree Productions option right for?
Shake The Tree Services are suited for early stage producers through veterans looking to further the development or structuring, financing, packaging or selling of a film or TV project.
How does Shake The Tree Productions Services determine which projects to get involved with?
Shake The Tree Services reviews each project to determine three critical components:
How do I know which Shake The Tree Productions Service tier is the right choice for my project?
Shake The Tree Services is able to tailor our services to best suit projects of any size, genre or need. And all services are available à la carte or within a package. All first consultations are free of charge.
What are the next steps in getting started with Shake The Tree Productions Services?
Shake The Tree Services requests the script, any packaging or presentation materials and any current attachments of talent or crew to make an assessment to begin the process. Reach out to us to get the ball rolling.
Am I able to remain involved in the film in my current creative capacity (writer, director, producer, performer)?
Shake The Tree Services always works to include the requested packaging elements. While there may be instances that this makes the project a more difficult “sell,” our team remains honest and transparent with this process. Third parties may request others but we will work within our abilities to assure certain non-negotiable elements.
Does Shake The Tree Productions Services get involved in every project that is submitted?
No, Shake The Tree Services assesses project engagement on three levels:
Shake The Tree Services are suited for early stage producers through veterans looking to further the development or structuring, financing, packaging or selling of a film or TV project.
How does Shake The Tree Productions Services determine which projects to get involved with?
Shake The Tree Services reviews each project to determine three critical components:
- Uniqueness and originality of concept and/or script;
- Marketability within the current media landscape;
- Strength of the current team and current package.
How do I know which Shake The Tree Productions Service tier is the right choice for my project?
Shake The Tree Services is able to tailor our services to best suit projects of any size, genre or need. And all services are available à la carte or within a package. All first consultations are free of charge.
What are the next steps in getting started with Shake The Tree Productions Services?
Shake The Tree Services requests the script, any packaging or presentation materials and any current attachments of talent or crew to make an assessment to begin the process. Reach out to us to get the ball rolling.
Am I able to remain involved in the film in my current creative capacity (writer, director, producer, performer)?
Shake The Tree Services always works to include the requested packaging elements. While there may be instances that this makes the project a more difficult “sell,” our team remains honest and transparent with this process. Third parties may request others but we will work within our abilities to assure certain non-negotiable elements.
Does Shake The Tree Productions Services get involved in every project that is submitted?
No, Shake The Tree Services assesses project engagement on three levels:
- Reviewing the material to determine the quality and commercial value of the project;
- Assessing if the project is well-suited for our suite of services, relationships, and process;
- Determining if the project's team and attached elements are well-suited for a Shake The Tree Productions Services partnership.
Working with Shake the Tree Productions Services
Does Shake The Tree Productions option or purchase material?
Shake The Tree Productions has optioned material in the past, but each project is different and will be assessed accordingly.
Does Shake The Tree Productions take ownership in my project?
Shake The Tree Productions does not take ownership in any projects but is engaged as a work-for-hire contractor unless otherwise negotiated as per an option agreement, which would only transfer RIGHTS not OWNERSHIP. The Intellectual Property (IP) will always remain owned by the copyright holder.
Who at Shake The Tree Productions will be my point person on my project?
Shake The Tree Productions has multiple Development Executives experienced in development, production, financing and sales who will oversee the daily communications. You can rest assured that you are getting a top-tier point of contact within our company.
What is the timeline from getting started through delivery of the materials?
Shake The Tree Productions Services generally turns around the first draft of materials within 2-4 weeks depending on the complexity of the project needs. Timelines will be negotiated ahead of time, so you'll always know what to expect. Expedited services are available for an additional fee.
What are some of the recent projects to come through Shake The Tree Productions Services?
Shake The Tree Productions has worked on projects ranging from festival winners (e.g., feature film, Alto, and TV pilot, Sober) to high-profile content for This Old House and dozens of commercials.
What is the success rate of the projects Shake The Tree Productions Services get involved with?
Shake The Tree Productions has produced a variety of content (see IMDB list here), dozens of projects that are the result of Shake The Tree Productions development process, partnerships, or packaging through our Services Divisions.
What makes some Shake The Tree Productions Service projects successful while other are not?
The major distinction between projects that end up successful as opposed to those that are not generally comes down the ability of the producers to be reasonable, flexible and realistic in how they approach the marketplace at any given time with the package/resources/team they have assembled, as well as marketplace conditions, however, we do our utmost to help each of our projects be as successful as they can be.
Will my team and I be involved in discussions and decision-making with sales companies, financiers, partners, etc.?
Shake The Tree Productions Services keeps clients looped in on email, phone and in person discussions across the board and keeps you engaged to make all decisions as a joint team.
Can other producers and/or production companies be involved with my production?
Shake The Tree Productions Services has worked with dozens of companies and producers in a collaborative fashion and welcomes partners who are well-suited to move the project forward.
Will Shake The Tree Productions be involved in my project after finishing Development with Shake The Tree Services?
Shake The Tree Productions Services work to prepare each project for financing, pre-sales, tax credits, limited gap, etc. If we have negotiated further work for your production, we will continue to be involved to that extent.
What happens if my project doesn’t secure funding as a result of working with Shake The Tree Productions?
Guaranteeing financing for a project is simply not possible, but we can assure you that once we come onboard, your project will be fully prepared for professional presentations to the best-suited sales and distribution entities and will be packaged and ready for festivals, financing partners and the current market place.
Shake The Tree Productions has optioned material in the past, but each project is different and will be assessed accordingly.
Does Shake The Tree Productions take ownership in my project?
Shake The Tree Productions does not take ownership in any projects but is engaged as a work-for-hire contractor unless otherwise negotiated as per an option agreement, which would only transfer RIGHTS not OWNERSHIP. The Intellectual Property (IP) will always remain owned by the copyright holder.
Who at Shake The Tree Productions will be my point person on my project?
Shake The Tree Productions has multiple Development Executives experienced in development, production, financing and sales who will oversee the daily communications. You can rest assured that you are getting a top-tier point of contact within our company.
What is the timeline from getting started through delivery of the materials?
Shake The Tree Productions Services generally turns around the first draft of materials within 2-4 weeks depending on the complexity of the project needs. Timelines will be negotiated ahead of time, so you'll always know what to expect. Expedited services are available for an additional fee.
What are some of the recent projects to come through Shake The Tree Productions Services?
Shake The Tree Productions has worked on projects ranging from festival winners (e.g., feature film, Alto, and TV pilot, Sober) to high-profile content for This Old House and dozens of commercials.
What is the success rate of the projects Shake The Tree Productions Services get involved with?
Shake The Tree Productions has produced a variety of content (see IMDB list here), dozens of projects that are the result of Shake The Tree Productions development process, partnerships, or packaging through our Services Divisions.
What makes some Shake The Tree Productions Service projects successful while other are not?
The major distinction between projects that end up successful as opposed to those that are not generally comes down the ability of the producers to be reasonable, flexible and realistic in how they approach the marketplace at any given time with the package/resources/team they have assembled, as well as marketplace conditions, however, we do our utmost to help each of our projects be as successful as they can be.
Will my team and I be involved in discussions and decision-making with sales companies, financiers, partners, etc.?
Shake The Tree Productions Services keeps clients looped in on email, phone and in person discussions across the board and keeps you engaged to make all decisions as a joint team.
Can other producers and/or production companies be involved with my production?
Shake The Tree Productions Services has worked with dozens of companies and producers in a collaborative fashion and welcomes partners who are well-suited to move the project forward.
Will Shake The Tree Productions be involved in my project after finishing Development with Shake The Tree Services?
Shake The Tree Productions Services work to prepare each project for financing, pre-sales, tax credits, limited gap, etc. If we have negotiated further work for your production, we will continue to be involved to that extent.
What happens if my project doesn’t secure funding as a result of working with Shake The Tree Productions?
Guaranteeing financing for a project is simply not possible, but we can assure you that once we come onboard, your project will be fully prepared for professional presentations to the best-suited sales and distribution entities and will be packaged and ready for festivals, financing partners and the current market place.
Financials of Shake the Tree Productions Services
What is the purpose of the retainer fee?
Shake The Tree Productions is a small and dynamic team that has fixed costs for preparing projects for the marketplace. Furthermore, the landscape of independent producing has changed and therefore a commitment from Shake The Tree Productions to engage in the project is mutually fulfilled with the service retainer.
Is the retainer fee paid before the services are rendered?
Shake The Tree Productions Services requires full payment of the retainer (similar to a law firm) prior to engaging in service work.
Is the retainer fee the only cost incurred to production?
Shake The Tree Productions Services upfront retainer fee is the only cost incurred to the production/producers and may under certain circumstances be built into the budget as a development fee for recoupment.
Is it possible to defer payment on the Shake The Tree Productions Services service requirements?
Unfortunately, no. Shake The Tree Productions Services requires upfront payment to engage in the project.
Is it possible to pick and choose à la carte from the packages, or is it a one-size-fits-all structure?
Shake The Tree Productions Services welcomes the tailoring and specifying of how best the services can assist each unique project. À la carte services are an option. Contact us for pricing.
Shake The Tree Productions is a small and dynamic team that has fixed costs for preparing projects for the marketplace. Furthermore, the landscape of independent producing has changed and therefore a commitment from Shake The Tree Productions to engage in the project is mutually fulfilled with the service retainer.
Is the retainer fee paid before the services are rendered?
Shake The Tree Productions Services requires full payment of the retainer (similar to a law firm) prior to engaging in service work.
Is the retainer fee the only cost incurred to production?
Shake The Tree Productions Services upfront retainer fee is the only cost incurred to the production/producers and may under certain circumstances be built into the budget as a development fee for recoupment.
Is it possible to defer payment on the Shake The Tree Productions Services service requirements?
Unfortunately, no. Shake The Tree Productions Services requires upfront payment to engage in the project.
Is it possible to pick and choose à la carte from the packages, or is it a one-size-fits-all structure?
Shake The Tree Productions Services welcomes the tailoring and specifying of how best the services can assist each unique project. À la carte services are an option. Contact us for pricing.