James Lejsek

Consultant for independent producers and media financiers.

• Lead executive in the Los Angeles office of a British based media finance company, overseeing dealmaking on US originated projects and supervising US productions as well as general relationship management for all of North America. • Oversee traditional senior debt deals in conjunction with our UK Commercial Director, in house UK legal and US external counsel. Provide guidance on mezzanine debt deals to ensure the lowest risk exposure and maximum upside. Additional support on projects financed under EIS structures and other types of co-production treaties. • Sourced projects for bridge financing and conducted extensive due diligence from a financial and production perspective to ensure timely funding, appropriate repayment and if needed effectively take control of the project to allow for a completed picture through either re-financing or monetization of the film. • Outreach to emerging markets (in particular UK co-production countries such as Australia, China, India, etc) and emerging technologies (virtual reality, OTT distributors, crowdfunding, etc).

• Manage and coordinate all facets of the company and project specific infrastructure including the acquisition and development of material, talent and crew deals, film completion guarantees, etc. • Oversaw accounting and cashflow management at the corporate level. Individual project cashflow oversight included the oversight of ledger bibles, cost reports, currency exchange and audits. • Production budget review and financial close budget lock responsibilities, • Corporate support on production insurance claims, vendor disputes and resolutions. • Tax incentives research and management in conjunction with production accounting and 3rd party tax incentive handlers. • Heavy involvement in the negotiation and completion of an array of different distribution deals both international and domestic including theatrical, day and date VOD releases with such companies as Sony Pictures Classics, CBS Films, Lionsgate, and others. • Work on problem solving in all phases of production, from pre-production to delivery for a number of films including Margin Call, Lawless, The Words, Kill Your Darlings, etc. • In conjunction with our team at Loeb & Loeb strategize and supervise all borrowing and lending activity • Participate in the consultation or approval over the marketing strategy, promotional campaign, trailer, market research and testing, and all creative materials including TV, Radio, Print, Digital & Social Media. • Work closely with our PR agencies in overseeing publicity campaigns and special events surrounding the festival launch of our movies at Sundance and Cannes. • Provide additional support to our foreign sales companies and international distributors for their territory specific needs including access to domestic marketing material, international screenings and festival submission. • Maintain close relationships with talent agencies, foreign sales companies, PR agencies, production companies along with foreign and domestic distributors.

• General company and project specific responsibilities. Support the CEO in dealmaking, production, borrowing, film distribution, accounting and cashflow management.

• Developed relationships with high level executives at major talent agencies, management companies, TV networks and studios while providing general support to Chris and his clients. Coordinated production activities for PSYCH with emphasis on casting, production design, post production, and marketing.

• Worked in all areas of the agency including film, television, new media, music and independent film finance. Additional duties within the Independent Film Finance Department included project review and evaluation.