The Art of the Development Deal

The Art of the Development Deal: Structuring Rights, Credits & Compensation Before the Greenlight

Starting a film or television project with one or more development deals requires vision, trust and invariably includes uncertainty. How do producers fairly allocate rights, credit, and back-end compensation when it remains uncertain who will ultimately deliver which key contributions?

This seminar offers a practical framework for structuring development deals by focusing on key deliverables—attaching value and ownership not to people, but to outcomes.

We’ll also cover early-stage deals with talent who are brought on to help raise financing, and how to protect the project if that financing doesn’t come through. Producers will gain tools to navigate the murky waters of early-stage collaboration with more clarity, fairness, and flexibility.

July 30th, 3p - 4:30p ET | 12p - 1:30p PT | 7p - 8:30p GMT

Led by Innes Smolansky and Bob Freedman with Q&A to follow

As a courtesy to all members, please RSVP if you are certain you are able to attend.

This is a WIP member-only soiree. Members should please reach out to WIP leadership for prior approval if they wish to invite a special guest or prospective member who meets the membership criteria. This meeting is a safe space for peers to discuss freely, and all must adhere to the Women Independent Producers: Code of conduct.