Wednesday, May 22nd, 2019

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

Track II: Finance - Film-TV-Production Track, Herscher Hall, Room 202

Investment & Funding of Film, Indie Film and TV: from Theatrical Features to Cable Networks, Netflix and Amazon

Bob Emmer, Co-Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Shout! Factory

John Kim, President, Deep C Digital

Jonathan Schwartz, SVP, Scripted Television and Films, Apiary Entertainment

Meyer Shwarzstein, President, Brainstorm Media

Seth M Willenson, President. Seth Willenson, Inc., Moderator

Jonathan Schwartz, SVP, Scripted Television and Films, Apiary Entertainment: In his role as SVP, Scripted Development at Apiary, Schwartz oversees all aspects of film and television development and production including the identification and acquisition of intellectual property rights. Prior to Apiary, he was an Executive Producer of scripted television under a POD deal with Critical Content. Under that deal he sourced and acquired IP and developed projects including Malcolm X and Whistleblower: The Karen Silkwood Story which are both in active development at F/X Networks. Prior to Critical, he was responsible for the distribution and production joint-venture between Relativity Media and The Weinstein Company which financed David O. Russel’s The Fighter and Rob Marshall’s Nine. From 2000-2004 he was the President and

Chief Operating Officer of Madonna’s Maverick Films, responsible for the Twilight and Cody Banks franchises. While at Maverick, Schwartz oversaw 12 first-look producing deals while managing the 20th Century Fox output deal and an international sales joint-venture. Schwartz began his career producing music videos and commercials in New York City where he learned to tell stories in a highly visual medium before turning those skills to his true passion of film and television.

Meyer Shwarzstein, President, Brainstorm Media: Meyer Shwarzstein is President of Brainstorm Media, an independent production and distribution company widely recognized as an innovator in new media. In addition to handling some 40 new theatrical films per year in various media, the company develops, finances and produces original films and series.  Before forming Brainstorm in 1995, Shwarzstein spearheaded new media development for a variety of film distribution companies including Atlantic Releasing and MGM. Shwarzstein has developed and produced dozens of movies, including Bridge to Terabithia, A Liar’s Autobiography and Let Freedom Sing: How Music Inspired the Civil Rights Movement.  He has been an outspoken advocate of independent film in Washington, is a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Producers Guild.  He is also a published game designer and composer.

John Kim, President, Deep C Digital: Few people in the home entertainment industry have as wide-ranging and hands-on experience as John Kim, principal of Deep C Digital. With over 20+ years of sales and marketing experience, John sold both independent and major studio movies and TV content directly to iTunes, Amazon, VUDU, Sony, Google, Microsoft, and Hulu for the past 5 years. Prior to this, he spent 10 years at Disney and Paramount; marketing over $1Billion dollars of DVD and Blu-ray sales to big box retailers Walmart, Target, and Best Buy.  Before entering the home entertainment industry, he served as a brand manager at Nabisco and a Marketing Director at Mattel. John is a graduate of Yale University and has an MBA from the Kellogg Management School of Business at Northwestern University. He currently resides in La Canada, CA with his wife of 24 years and they have 3 children.  John is a former nationally ranked tennis player, avid fisherman, and golfer.

Bob Emmer, Co-Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Shout! Factory: Bob Emmer brings over thirty years of entertainment industry licensing, acquisitions, and business affairs experience to Shout! Factory.  His business and legal skills are complemented by his creative abilities and industry relationships.  His ability to identify and execute acquisitions, license and create new projects has proven to generate significant long-term value. As Shout! Factory’s Co-CEO, Bob oversees Shout! Factory’s legal and business affairs activities, including major deal negotiations for content, as well as major contracts including distribution, manufacturing and financing.  His entertainment experience has led to close relationships with many of the top entertainment attorneys, artist managers and rights holders; and Bob has great expertise in all issues surrounding music clearances.  He also oversees Shout! Factory’s international activities. Bob previously served as Executive Vice President at Rhino Entertainment for twelve years beginning in 1984 where his responsibilities included business affairs, deal execution and project oversight for Rhino’s record, video and film divisions.  During this period Rhino’s revenue increased to over $100M, largely driven by acquired and licensed video and audio product and integrated projects.  In 1996, following the initial stage of Rhino’s acquisition by the Warner Music Group, Bob was recruited to serve as Senior Vice President, Business Affairs at WMG whose record labels include Elektra, Warner Bros, Atlantic and Rhino Entertainment. Prior to joining Rhino Entertainment, Bob served as Director of Business Affairs for MGM/UA Home Video and Senior Vice-President, Creative and Business Affairs at Alive Enterprises, a multi-faceted entertainment management and production company.  His early career includes assisting in the commercial development of numerous music talents, including Alice Cooper, Blondie and Teddy Pendergrass.  Bob was also Executive Producer/Creator of the NBC late night music show Rock ‘n Roll Tonite. Bob is a frequent panelist and guest lecturer at entertainment industry seminars.  He has also taught several college courses on the music industry and serves as a member of the Board of Directors of UCLA’s Entertainment Extension School.  He is a graduate of Loyola Law School and the University of Southern California.

Seth Willenson - President, Seth Willenson, Inc.:  Seth Willenson has over 40 years of experience in the, entertainment business starting in 1970 as one of New Line Cinema's first, employees. Seth Willenson's other Executive positions included : Corporate VP of, Programming and Business Affairs for RCA; where he was a key participant, in the creation of the RCA Columbia joint venture, cable channel, investments, and the selection, creation, and clearance of content to be, released in home video where no previous model existed, Senior VP of, Programming United Satellite Communications first DBS service financed, by General Instrument and Prudential, Vice President of Acquisitions and, Special Projects Paramount Television group, and Senior VP of, Telecommunications and Strategic Planning for New Line Cinema.   For the past 20 years, he has been head of his own consulting firm, working with over 100 clients including: Scholastic, Columbia-Tri Star,, Disney Channel, Blockbuster Entertainment, Saul zaentz, Working title,, and Warner Brothers among others. He has been active in valuation of, entertainment properties including: the Credit Lyonnais CDR Library, the, Last Emperor, Yellow Submarine, Easy Rider and Gordy the Pig.  He has represented or produced over 100 features utilizing value in new, channels of distribution. Seth Willenson graduated from Cornell University in 1968 with a B.S. in, Economics, and attended the Annenberg School of Communications at The, University of Pennsylvania.