Our Services
Litigation
Expert witness in all manner of film and television disputes with substantial testifying experience at trial and arbitration. Extensive experience in all areas of film financing, presales, accounting requirements and library valuations. Trial strategy regarding all manner of entertainment contracts.
International pre-sale contract disputes
TV series and motion picture financing claims of talent and financiers involving industry accounting standards, financing protocol norms and copyright valuations
Establishing profit expectations for distribution contracts
Determining value of loss of earnings claims
Analyzing the composition and relevancy of Film Databases to support financial products
Valuation
Prepare and evaluate media target valuations for potential lenders, investors and asset owners.
Damages and enterprise value for companies undergoing involuntary dissolutions
Start-up development, production and animation companies
Motion Picture and TV libraries
Profit entitlements under contractual terms
Interests in motion picture and TV products
Consultancy & Compliance
All manner of oversight and advisory services for media companies currently operating or considering entrance into the space. Experience managing studio film assets, financial and administrative functions. Preparation, due diligence, and development of all manner of entertainment initiatives. Trusted resource for compliance testing for all the major senior lenders credit agreements that have asset backed structures.
Investment Oversight and Advisory:
Senior credit commitments for under-staffed lenders
Motion picture production companies for passive investors
Distribution strategies for motion picture exploitation for investors and owners
Administration for profit participants’ accountings and reporting
Business Plans & Strategy Development
Preparation, due diligence, and development of all manner of entertainment initiatives
Financial Due Diligence
Acquisition (pre & post) analysis
Compliance Related
Debt covenants and value representations from senior credit borrowers
Profit participation contracts
Outsourced CFO/COO
With experience running the financial and operational arms of major studios, leading independents, financing companies and media funds, we take care of all your management, operations, production and administration needs on a non-exclusive basis.
Management of operations and accounting needs on a non-exclusive basis
GAAP Financials and audit coordination
Administration
Production
Participation & residuals
Negotiations
Investor relations
Credit relationships
Global Audit Solution
Focused oversight and contractual compliance on global review of documentation with specialization in studio co-productions and multi-picture slate financings by an affiliated senior executive with extensive experience in both the major studio and independent worlds.
Financial Structuring
Complex contract negotiations and financial structuring including bank debt and international funds, credits and shelters.
Financial Structuring
Licensing deals with major international companies throughout the world
Credit agreements with major global banks
Tax and incentive structures for motion picture production throughout the world
Acquisitions of business interests
Contract Negotiations
All manner of motion picture and TV related arrangements
Distribution agreements
Production agreements
Financing agreements
Profit entitlements
Disposition agreements
Custom Services
With 40+ years of experience, we can help you with any custom projects you might have. Contact us for help with any custom services.
Client List
Working with the finest in the industry
Media Finance Structures works alongside some of the finest clients in the industry. A selection of clients can be found below with a comprehensive list available by request.
About Us
40+ years of financial executive experience
John Zabel is a former Senior Media Finance Executive & national award winning CPA (top 100 score out of over 75,000 candidates) with 40+ years of international negotiation, project financing, capital raising and accounting/general management experience, primarily in the motion picture and television areas.
Writing, Presentations and Speaking Engagements
Guest lecturer for Peter Guber’s UCLA Film School class, speaking on film finance and licensing realities
Featured speaker at California CPA Society Entertainment Conference, June 2002, speaking on the Studio Environment in the 21st Century
Lead article in February 2003 Century City Lawyer, entitled "New Film, TV and Distribution Accounting Rules: Looking Behind SOP 00-2’s $4 billion in Writeoffs"
March 2003 CC Bar MCLE Presentation on Film Financing Techniques
Lead article in August 2003 Century City Lawyer entitled – Distribution Deals –Minor Provisions can have Major Impact
Presentations, 2005 & 2006, for the Women in Film International – Film Finance Symposiums – Equity Options for Motion Picture Investment Opportunities
Featured speaker on Film Finance at the Savannah Film Festival, October 2006
Featured speaker on Global Film Audits for the Los Angeles Licensing Executives Society, January 2012
Employment History
Media Finance Structures, LLC
Founder and CEO
2002 – present
Mandalay Pictures, LLC
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
1995 – 2002
Sony Pictures Entertainment
SVP – Joint Venture Finance & Film Controller
1984 – 1995
Arthur Young & Company (Big 8 Accounting)
Member FASB 53 AcSec Task Force (SOP-00-2)
California CPA #38834
ELIJAH WATTS SELLS AWARD, November 1981 Exam
1981 – 1984
Education
UCLA Executive Program
#72
1990
California State University, Long Beach
B.S., Business Administration, Professional Accounting with Great Distinction
1981
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