Hello all, I initially replied directly to James, but since he mentioned us specifically I thought I should share with everyone.
There are two sides to what we do: Acquisitions, and Productions. Acquisitions is when a producer (whether large like the BBC, or a small independent shop, or even just a talented and energetic individual) has a finished product, and we craft an agreement to add it to our collection and promote/market/sell it, with royalties going to the producer. We have a large and entrenched distribution network and reach a lot of educators with very targeted marketing. Productions is when a video is created from the ground up. This might be a straight contract job where the producer is a work for hire, paid by us, and then we own the film and keep all revenue from it. Or it could be a situation where we give a modest advance to seed the project, the producer completes it with our input/review, and collects royalties in perpetuity (once the advance is recouped). And there are some other models and shades of gray here creative contract modeling to suit what works best for all parties. There are hybrid situations as well, where a producer has ideas and intends to create certain films, with or without us, but speaks to me for advice, guidance, review, etc., to make sure that the film gets made in a way that suits the market. And when it's done, we license it and pay royalties to the producer like other acquisitions. I'm always on the lookout for new talent, new partners, and new producers. Brad Kloza -- Director of Video Development Infobase Learning Films Media Group - Facts On File Group 132 West 31st Street, 17th Floor New York, NY 10001 VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
