Back Pocket Productions
20 Curtis Avenue
West Orange, NJ 07052
973-324-2180
The Sublet
A Musical Comedy
INFORMATION KIT
BUSINESS SUMMARY
BACK POCKET PRODUCTIONS is the New Jersey production
company that owns the option to the screenplay entitled The Sublet. The
Sublet was a semi-finalist in the only screenplay contest it entered,
Scriptapalooza, and was given an evaluation by AAA Screenplays which
concluded: “There is a place for this script in the market because it's a
smart idea and it's executed well.”
PROPOSED BUDGET: $950,000 (budget may increase depending on
talent). Preliminary budget is available. Actual budget will be locked after
preproduction.
SHOOTING SCHEDULE: 4 weeks in New York. Location breakdown
and date of commencement of principal photography will be determined
once we have locked in financing.
BUSINESS STRUCTURE: The Susquehanna Hat Co, LLC, a
Delaware corporation. Back Pocket Productions is the Producing Member
and sole managing entity.
RISK REDUCTION: Tax incentives from the state of New York, of
between 30% and 35% of the film’s eligible production budget. In addition,
Section 181 of the IRS Code allows a 100% write-off for investors who
participate in a film whose production begins in 2013.
INVESTORS’ REIMBURSEMENT: Investors will be reimbursed
125% of their original investment prior to sharing in 50% of the profits of
the film.
THE SUBLET
By Gila Zalon
A Comedy/Romance with Music and Dance
SYNOPSIS
Nancy Bourne is young. Very young. At least very young for a producer of plays in New
York City. But that is what she wants to do. And she’ll be damned if she won’t make it
happen. Of course she has experience! Well, sort of - as a gofer for other theatrical
producers--none of them too successful. But how else do you learn?
Searching for a really good play is the first hurdle she has to cross. Finding one, a play
about the life of Lou Costello, she must now convince the producer, Bernard Block, that
if he wants this play to come to life, then she, as a co-producer, is the girl for the job. Of
course it doesn’t hurt that her boyfriend works on Wall Street and is willing to put some
of his hard-earned cash into her project.
Gene Nelson, on the other hand, is getting old. A successful Hollywood dancer and
director, he’s desperate to work. But nobody remembers him. His agent treats him
offhandedly and Hollywood production people are so young they don’t even remember
the movies and TV shows that Gene directed. Or the Broadway plays and films that he
starred in.
Never mind. His agent is sympathetic but unhelpful. In an attempt to get rid of Gene
gently, he hands him a play, which was probably on its way into the wastepaper file. It’s
just a play, but they’re looking for a director. Gene reluctantly takes the script and, with a
sigh, accepts that he’s probably a “has-been.”
Let’s cut to the chase. Gene loves the script, Nancy convinces Bernard to take her on as a
co-producer, and now they must find an apartment for their new director. Face it.
Apartments in New York are expensive. Hotels are expensive. This is a very low budget
off-Broadway play.
Not one apartment Nancy looks at is suitable. Help! Gene will arrive in just a few hours.
Time is running out.
To the rescue comes their attorney’s secretary, who arranges the sublet of her friend
Gloria’s Park Avenue apartment. To everyone’s relief, Gloria loves theatre. Gloria loves
Gene Nelson. She’s seen everything he’s ever been in.
Of course true apartment love never runs smooth. It seems Gloria’s apartment is an
illegal sublet. Yup. She can be kicked out if the landlord finds out. The problems that
arise are not to be discussed on this page. Suffice it to say, there are problems. But, with
the help of a techno-savvy teen-ager, our gallant heroes hold an audition and find the
perfect Abbott & Costello impersonators.
Please be assured that the problems are all solved to everyone’s satisfaction. Yes, they
lose the apartment. Yes, they lose their tempers. And Yes, they almost lose their money.
So what? The show must go on. And it does. Our leads realize their dreams. Nancy is a
Producer, and Gene is directing what we all know will be a very successful off-Broadway
show.
But what does Abbott & Costello have to do with all this? And music? And dance?
Defining and augmenting the goings-on are Abbott & Costello routines, some dance
numbers, a song or two. You know...Show Biz!
And romance? Well, there’s that crush Zack has on Nancy. And that crush Gloria has on
Gene (and maybe vice-versa?). And that nice relationship between Nancy and her
boyfriend. And then there’s that real crush . . . the love everyone has of Theatre. Of Show
Biz!
***************
The End
PRODUCTION TEAM
BACK POCKET PRODUCTIONS – Production Company
GILA ZALON – Producer/Writer
MARIA PUSATERI – Producer
JULES ZALON – Producer/Legal Counsel
IRENE STOCKTON – Casting Director
RICH SILIVANCH - Editor and Titles
ERIC SINGLETON – Production Coordinator
BACK POCKET PRODUCTIONS
Back Pocket Productions has produced three short films and two features.
YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE
5 Minute Short Film produced in 2000.
Used by the Elisabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Society as a fundraiser.
Written by Gila Zalon. Directed by Bill Cavin
DREAM HOUSE
24 Minute Short film, 2002
Winner of Best Short Film at the New Jersey Sate International Film Festival.
It was accepted at 8 other festivals, and won honorable mentions at two of them.
It was distributed on the Internet, 2005
Written by Gila Zalon. Directed by Bill Cavin
SPLIT ENDS
Feature Film, 2008
Winner of Best Homegrown Feature at the Garden State Film Festival;
Honorable Mention at the Fallbrook Film Festival and New Jersey State Film Festival.
Written By Gila Zalon, Libby Munro and Melissa Sweeney
Directed by Dorothy Lyman (The Nanny, All My Children)
Starring Vincent Pastore (The Sopranos), Peter McRobbie (Brokeback Mountain),
Corinna May (Shakespeare and Company)
Distributed by Synergetic, 2009, Official Opening, 2009, on DVD 2010.
SHOULD’VE KISSED
Feature Film, 2010
Official opener of the Jeonju International Film Festival in Korea, 2010
Written & Directed by Jinoh Park, winner of Cannes Special Award for Screenwriting;
All of Jinoh’s short films have appeared at Sundance and Cannes.
PANDORA’S BOX
14 Minute Short Film, 2012
Winner Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Writer at
Atlantic City Film Festival;
Honorable Mention at Indiefest in La Jolla
Written by Gila Zalon
Directed by Thomas G. Waites, the film stars Joe Mantegna and Frances Fisher.
THE PRODUCERS
Gila Zalon – Writer/Producer
Gila’s long list of credits includes TV (Assistant to
Associate Producer for the CBS TV Winston Churchill
Series; Associate Producer for the Channel 5 talk show:
Under Discussion; research/writer for the PBS series
Civilization and the Jews), Film (produced five films for
Back Pocket Productions), Off-Broadway (Things That
Almost Happened, Lou’s On First), Regional Theatre
(Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, both in Los Angeles and
Washington DC, “Cole” in Atlantic City NJ), Managing Director for
Olympia Dukakis’ regional theater company, “The Whole Theatre” (wrote,
produced and directed numerous charitable productions for theatres, schools
and hospitals), Concerts (Pete Seeger, Sly and the Family Stone), and
Writing (four of the five screenplays produced by Back Pocket; The Rife
Machine, semi-finalist in four major screenplay contests; short stories and
articles published in anthologies and magazines). She has also been an
actress, dancer, and choreographer for stage, films and TV.
Maria Pusateri – Producer
Maria Pusateri has worked in various aspects of TV
and film production and publicity. She is most noted
for directing and producing the award-winning
documentary "Vito After: A 9/11 Responder Copes in
the Aftermath." For Back Pocket Productions, Maria
acted as script supervisor for their award-winning short film, "Pandora's
Box," and as assistant producer for "Split Ends."
Maria was associate producer for the Academy Award-nominated
documentary short "Mondays at Racine" from Oscar-winning director
Cynthia Wade and HBO. She has also worked in development on projects
for award-winning docu-series producer Sharon Liese's Herizon
Productions.
Maria started her production career field-producing for Cablevision's
MetroTV and Metro-Channels. As associate producer for their groundbreaking "Unblinking Eye" series, she earned several Omni and
Communicator Awards, and received a New York Emmy nomination for
Programming About the Arts. She produced over 40 cultural arts programs
for the series, covering literary, theatre, music, and film events in New York
City. Maria also produced and directed many lifestyle segments and movie
reviews, as well as interviews - ranging from man-on-the street to
celebrities. Her earlier experience includes advertising and promotional
work for many of Paramount TV's hit syndicated series, such as Happy
Days, Mork and Mindy, Taxi, and Laverne & Shirley. She also worked in
publicity for some of Paramount Pictures' notable theatrical releases,
including Raiders of the Lost Ark, Reds, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,
and An Officer and a Gentleman.
As a member of New York Women in Film and Television (NYWIFT),
Maria has programmed numerous women's film screenings at Anthology
Film Archives in Manhattan, as well as for CineWomenNY Screens,
formerly held at the legendary Pioneer Theater. She also co-produces panels
for NYWIFT's documentary programming committee.
Jules D. Zalon – Attorney/Representative
Jules is a New York and New Jersey attorney, specializing in
entertainment litigation, trademark and copyright. His clients
have included well-known entertainers (Willie Nelson, Pee
Wee Herman, Pat Cooper, and The Three Stooges), rock stars
(Van Halen, Rush, Michael Jacks on, Iron Maiden, Duran
Duran, Judas Priest and Dave Matthews), sports personalities
(Dennis Rodman), Internet broadcasters (Radio Free Virgin,
Wilshire Media Group), independent filmmakers, and numerous theaters and
theater personalities. Before opening his own office, he was an attorney with
Cadence Industries (Marvel Comics) and in the Business Affairs Department
of Ashley Famous Agency, the giant talent/literary agency now known as
ICM.
THE ARTISTS
Lynne Taylor-Corbett – Director
“Whether abstract or in storytelling mode, her works reveal an
underlying sense of musical structure, dance technique, unbridled
energy, vivid emotions and joyous theatricality.”— Dance
Magazine Lynne Taylor-Corbett has established a reputation as an
outstanding choreographer of works for dance companies —
ballet and modern — theater and film. She received two Tony
nominations and a Drama Desk nomination for her direction and
choreography of Broadway's Swing! in 2000, and received two
American Theatre Wing "Star" nominations for its National Tour in 2001. She also
choreographed two hit shows on Broadway, Chess and Titanic.
Her choreography can be seen in the feature films Footloose and My Blue Heaven, in
Disney's stage show Aladdin, at the Hyperion Theatre in California and countless videos
and commercials.
She has directed many Off Broadway shows including, Mona Rogers in Person at the
Cherry Lane Theatre, Boy's Breath at La Mama, Etc, and Darlene Love: Portrait of a
Singer at The Bottom Line Theatre.
Other successes include The Ballad of You and Me, a collaboration with Pete Seeger, and
many ballets that she choreographed for the Pennsylvania Ballet, New York City Ballet,
Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre and many others.
Abbott & Costello – Gil “Bud” Palmer and Lou Sciara
Gil and Lou met in 1992 at an Abbott & Costello lookalike contest
sponsored by Shanachie Entertainment, producers of the "Abbott &
Costello Show" videotapes. Performing separately, Gil and Lou
each won first prize before a panel of judges consisting of Abbott
& Costello family members and former burlesque stars. After
doing promotional work for Shanachie, Gil and Lou were hired to
portray "the boys" at the Abbott & Costello Fan Club Convention.
The pair then teamed up and have appeared in Las Vegas, Atlantic
City, nightclubs, and television.
One of the highlights of their partnership was when Gil and Lou
had the honor of performing "Who's on First?" before 27,000
baseball fans, to open the 1995 Hall of Fame induction ceremonies
in Cooperstown, New York.
OTHER CAST AND CREW
CAST
NANCY BOURNE – Lead – 24-year-old graduate of theatre school. Passionate about
theatre. Passionate about producing. Passionate about proving that women can take on
lead roles in areas that men have dominated. Very pretty. Very smart.
GENE NELSON – Lead – 60-year-old veteran film and television director and
choreographer. One of the top five movie dancers in the 1960’s. Lead in Broadway’s
“Follies” in the last century. Adorable.
BERNARD BLOCK – Lead – 48-year-old producer of off-Broadway and small
theatrical productions. Sure of himself as a producer, but old-fashioned in his attitude
about women. His southern accent gives away his still extant attitudes about the Old
South.
ABBOTT & COSTELLO – in their various comedy routines
DAVID BIRNBAUM – Supporting - Theatrical attorney –40’s. Keeps a clear eye on the
goings-on.
SHIRLEY – Supporting - Birnbaum’s secretary - 50’s – overweight – looks 1950’s;
teased hair, long painted fingernails, very high heels. Nonetheless takes her job very
seriously.
GLORIA – Supporting - Shirley’s friend – 60’s – very thin – otherwise is a carbon copy
of Shirley. She owns the apartment eventually sublet by the company
MARTY – Shirley’s nephew – 40’s – A lion/pussy cat - paunchy garment business
owner – cigar-smoking stereotypical “boss” who will help his aunt keep her apartment
regardless of what depths he must descend to.
ZACK – David’s 16 year old son. Hip, savvy, digitally cognizant without being a geek.
CREW
CINEMATOGRAPHER - We are in discussions with cinematographers who have had
experience filming dance movement and using some of the latest digital cameras.
EDITING AND TITLES – Rich Silivanch - Rich has edited and designed videos for his
production company, Mutant Media, a highly successful branding, graphic design and
video company whose clients include Xerox, Virgin Mobile, Fox News, Merrill Lynch
and many others.
SCHEDULE
PRE-PRODUCTION – 4 Weeks
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
Secure Production Office
Secure Staff, Designers and Crew
Casting
Contracts Secured
Location Sites Finalized
Wardrobe Fittings
Shooting Schedule
PRODUCTION – 4 Weeks
a)
b)
c)
Full Cast Table Read
Rehearsals
4 Weeks Principal Photography
POST PRODUCTION – 15 Weeks
a)
b)
c)
d)
Full Edit of Film
Titles and Special Effects
Sound and Music
First Viewing of Finished Film
MARKET ANALYSIS
A CLASSIC TALE
Against all odds a hero achieves her deepest wish.
A POPULAR GENRE
The Sublet is in the same genre as The Artist, Slumdog Millionaire, Topsy
Turvy and other Academy Award winners in that vein.
AUDIENCE APPEAL
In general musical comedies and comedies with music have been favorites
of audiences of all ages.
•
•
•
•
Audiences who remember and enjoy Abbott & Costello
Young men and women who connect with the need to overcome
adversity
Older people who remember Gene Nelson and/or the TV series’ he
directed, such as I Dream of Jeannie and others.
Theatre audiences
WIDE DISTRIBUTION
Because of the world-wide appeal of the team of Abbott and Costello, The
Sublet has the potential of performing well in the theatrical marketplace, on
television and in foreign and other subsidiary sales. Because this will be a
low-budget independent film, the potential for profit with even modest
revenues is substantially higher than films made by studios on a high budget.
COMPARABLE FILMS
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
A comedy/drama with music. Against all odds, a Mumbai teen who grew
up in the slums, becomes a contestant on the Indian version of "Who
Wants To Be A Millionaire?" He wins, but is arrested under suspicion of
cheating. How can a poor boy possibly know all those answers? Therein
lies the tale.
THE ARTIST
A comedy/drama with music and dance. A young dancer auditions for –
and gets - a part in a silent film opposite a famous silent film star.
Because of the advent of talking pictures, her star rises but our silent star
hero’s declines. He struggles with failure until he once more meets the
young dancer – now a famous movie star.
TOPSY TURVY
A comedy/drama with music. After their production "Princess Ida" meets
with less-than-stunning reviews, the relationship between Gilbert and
Sullivan is strained to breaking. Against all odds, their friends and
associates attempt to get the two to work together again, which opens the
way to "The Mikado," one of the duo's greatest successes.
COMPARABLE FILMS - REVENUES
Films comparable in theme or budget
FEATURE
BUDGET
WORLDWIDE
GROSS
Slumdog Millionaire
$15 Million
$362 Million
The Artist
$15 Million
$122 Million
Topsy Turvy
$22 Million
$6.2 Million (US)
Once
$150 Thousand
$18.9 Million
All of Me
Unknown
$35.2 Million
Napoleon Dynamite
$400 Thousand
$45 Million
DISTRIBUTION
The Distributor is the entity that first acquires the rights from the
independent producer, usually in the form of a sales advance, and then sets
out to market the film. The goal is to have as many people see the film as
possible, relative to the money the distributor spends on marketing, often
called P&A (prints and advertising).
“Box Office Gross” refers to the amount taken in at the box offices of all
theatres that have played the film. The distributor typically splits this amount
with the theatre. What’s left are “gross receipts” from which the distributor
takes his P&A, overhead and sales advances. What remains is split with the
producer according to the terms of the contract.
Foreign and other rights may be handled by different distributors. The above
formula usually applies.
Distribution outlets may include the following, both for U.S. and worldwide
distribution:
•
•
•
•
•
Movie theatres, including art houses and universities
DVD rentals and sales
Television
Pay Per View and On-Demand
Internet and other media outlets
Interested in learning more?
Want to get involved?
Have an urge to donate or invest?
You can help us make this happen.
Let us hear from you. Tell us what you think.
Here’s how to reach us:
The Sublet
CONTACT SHEET
_____________________________________________________________
Gila Zalon
Tel: 973-324-2180
Fax: 973-547-9154
gila@backpocketproductions.com
Maria Pusateri
Tel: (516) 729-7455
mariapusateri1@gmail.com
www.backpocketproductions.com