Tools Built for Filmmakers Who Refuse to Get Screwed.
The Berserker Ecosystem was built to arm creators with what the industry hides — calculators, checklists, and AI-powered systems that let you predict profits, pass streamer QC, and negotiate like a studio exec.
⚙️ The Berserker Tools
(Choose your weapon below)
🎬 The Filmmaker’s Dictionary — Powered by The Berserker Method™
Understand the terms. Outsmart the traps. Protect the creator.
Every definition comes with a Berserker breakdown — the studio truth behind the term, and how our ecosystem turns that knowledge into power:
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💰 Revenue Calculators to see where the money actually goes
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⚙️ AI Workflow Tools to slash fake post costs and fix-fee traps
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🧠 Berserker GPT to decode your contracts before someone else does
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🎓 Courses + Vault Access to learn what the gatekeepers won’t teach
You’re not here to memorize terms.
You’re here to weaponize them.
⚔️ Dive in below — and never walk blind into a deal again.
🎬 The Filmmaker’s Dictionary — Filmmaker Berserk
Understand the terms. Outsmart the traps. Protect the creator.
Distribution Deal
Definition: The contract granting a company rights to exploit your film in exchange for fees, expenses, and revenue share.
Berserker Move: Cap expenses, ban vague “marketing,” demand quarterly reporting & audit rights. Berserker Film Business Mastery
Deliverables
Definition: The technical/legal package (masters, QC, M&E, captions, chain-of-title, metadata, artwork) required for release.
Berserker Move: Deliver in the right order, pass QC first time to avoid “fix” fees. Master Course (Deliverables)
Minimum Guarantee (MG)
Definition: An upfront payment against future royalties; often used to secure rights or finance.
Berserker Move: Negotiate payment schedule + true-up triggers, and keep MG outside cross-collateralization. Learn the MG math
Recoupable Expenses
Definition: Costs the distributor deducts before you see backend (P&A, delivery, legal, platform fees).
Berserker Move: Itemize, pre-approve, cap, and tie to receipts — no “black box” buckets. Expense cap strategies
Backend
Definition: Your share of revenue after fees and recoupment.
Berserker Move: Use audit rights + expense caps + platform statements to actually trigger payments. Backend protection
Sales Agent
Definition: Intermediary who licenses your film to buyers/territories for a fee/commission.
Berserker Move: Limit term/territory, block cross-collateralization, and require buyer/offer transparency. Negotiation templates
Pre-Sale
Definition: Conditional buyer commitment used to collateralize production loans.
Berserker Move: Leverage the paper — lock delivery exemptions, timelines, and remedies if buyer slips. Financing courses
Chain of Title
Definition: The documentation proving you own all rights (scripts, music, talent, trademarks).
Berserker Move: Clear early to prevent E&O claims and distributor leverage. Rights & Legal Module
Quality Control (QC)
Definition: Technical inspection of audio/video files against platform specs.
Berserker Move: Pre-QC with AI tools; fix once, not ten times. AI QC Workflows
M&E Track
Definition: Music & Effects mix without dialogue for foreign dubbing.
Berserker Move: Print-master correctly; it’s a top reason for delivery rejection. Delivery Specs Guide
AVOD / TVOD / SVOD
Definition: Ad-supported, transactional (rent/buy), and subscription streaming models.
Berserker Move: Window smartly — use AVOD for discovery, TVOD for recoup, SVOD for stability. Release Strategy Courses
Gross vs Net
Definition: “Gross” before deductions; “Net” after deductions (often nothing left).
Berserker Move: Push gross-based points or “adjusted gross” with tightly defined deductions. Profit Math Training
Most Favored Nation (MFN)
Definition: Clause giving you terms no worse than others in a similar class.
Berserker Move: Use MFN on reporting, caps, and approvals. Clause Playbook
Term & Territory
Definition: How long (term) and where (territory) a distributor controls rights.
Berserker Move: Shorten terms; carve out key territories you can sell direct. Territory Tactics
Windowing
Definition: Sequencing release across platforms (festivals → TVOD → SVOD → AVOD/FAST).
Berserker Move: Plan windows to stack revenue, not cannibalize it. Windowing Strategy
Cross-Collateralization
Definition: Combining revenues/costs across titles/territories, delaying recoupment.
Berserker Move: Prohibit it — keep each title/territory ring-fenced. Deal Protections
Reporting & Audit Rights
Definition: Your right to timely statements and to inspect books.
Berserker Move: Quarterly reports, late fees, digital access, and paid audits on variance. Audit Kit
Completion / Deliverables Bond
Definition: Insurance that the film will be finished and delivered to spec.
Berserker Move: Use when required by financiers or to unlock better terms. Financing Modules
Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance
Definition: Liability coverage for IP/defamation/privacy claims.
Berserker Move: Budget it early; many platforms mandate it. Delivery Compliance
Metadata
Definition: Textual/imagery data for platforms: synopsis, cast, ratings, tags, artwork specs.
Berserker Move: AI-generate variants that boost discoverability and pass platform checks. AI Metadata Tools
FAST Channels
Definition: Free ad-supported linear channels programmed by theme/genre.
Berserker Move: Use as evergreen library revenue; negotiate clear ad splits and reporting. FAST Strategy Course
Platform Fees
Definition: Charges from streamers/stores (delivery, ingestion, bandwidth, rev-share).
Berserker Move: Demand line-item proof and exclude platform costs from “marketing.” Fee Controls
“Fix” Fees
Definition: Charges to correct deliverables/QC issues — often inflated.
Berserker Move: Pre-QC + platform-spec encoding to kill repeat fixes. AI QC Workflows
Revenue Waterfall
Definition: Order of who gets paid first (platform → distributor fees/expenses → investors → participants).
Berserker Move: Model your waterfall before you sign. Master Course (Waterfall)
MG Split
Definition: How an MG is divided among producer, investors, and recoupment pools.
Berserker Move: Put it in writing before delivery to avoid “afterthought” deductions. Distribution Math
Carve-Outs
Definition: Rights or territories you exclude from a deal (airlines, EDU, certain regions).
Berserker Move: Keep profitable niches to sell direct. Course Catalog
Holdback
Definition: Contractual delay before releasing on certain platforms/territories.
Berserker Move: Negotiate shorter, strategic holdbacks to avoid revenue
Points
Definition: Percentage of net or gross profits granted to talent, crew, or investors.
Berserker Move: Tie points to adjusted gross not net, and document them in writing with backend triggers.
Deferral
Definition: Deferred payment owed after recoupment or revenue milestones.
Berserker Move: Cap the total deferred pool and specify payback order in your Revenue Waterfall.
Gap Financing
Definition: Short-term loan filling the gap between confirmed pre-sales and total budget.
Berserker Move: Keep lender recoupment senior only to sales fees, not to your equity investors.
Equity Investor
Definition: Partner who exchanges capital for ownership stake or percentage of profits.
Berserker Move: Present transparent waterfall and proof of IP control to attract real investors, not “friends with favors.”
Soft Money
Definition: Non-equity funding like rebates, grants, or tax incentives.
Berserker Move: Stack rebates across state or country lines—but only if your Incentives Module confirms qualification.
Tax Incentive
Definition: Government program returning a % of local spend, wages, or investment.
Berserker Move: File early and assign the rebate to your financier at discount for instant liquidity.
Co-Production Treaty
Definition: Official partnership between countries granting domestic status in both regions.
Berserker Move: Use treaties to unlock multiple incentive pools and dual distribution access.
Completion Guarantee
Definition: Bond company ensures delivery if producer defaults.
Berserker Move: Budget it only for investor confidence or studio pre-sale—not every indie needs one.
Cash-Flowing a Rebate
Definition: Borrowing against expected tax incentive funds.
Berserker Move: Use a completion bond or bank letter to minimize interest drag.
Music Licensing
Definition: Legal right to use existing songs or scores.
Berserker Move: Clear sync + master separately; never rely on festival-only rights for distribution masters.
Composer Agreement
Definition: Contract governing music ownership, credits, and royalties.
Berserker Move: Ensure a work-for-hire clause or shared publishing plan.
Festival Premiere
Definition: The first public screening of a film at a festival.
Berserker Move: Time premiere with deliverables ready so buyers can act immediately.
Festival Run
Definition: Strategic sequence of festival screenings for exposure and deals.
Berserker Move: Target markets, not trophies. Build a lead list of buyers attending each fest.
P&A Budget (Prints & Advertising)
Definition: Marketing and distribution spend required for release.
Berserker Move: Make distributors prove actual media buys; cap reimbursable P&A.
Investor Recoupment
Definition: Return of principal investment before profit splits.
Berserker Move: Put investors first position in the waterfall—but limit to true cash-in, not deferred promises.
Waterfall Tier
Definition: Level within revenue distribution order.
Berserker Move: Label tiers clearly in your contracts—don’t let distributors invent them later.
Negative Pickup
Definition: Studio/distributor agrees to buy completed film for fixed price.
Berserker Move: Use the deal as collateral to fund production—but control delivery terms.
Bridge Loan
Definition: Short-term financing while waiting for funds or rebates to arrive.
Berserker Move: Cap interest and attach collateral only to receivables, not IP.
Debt Financing
Definition: Borrowed funds to cover production costs, repaid with interest.
Berserker Move: Align repayment with release milestones; avoid open-ended lender control.
Equity-Debt Mix
Definition: Combining investor equity with loans for balanced leverage.
Berserker Move: Keep debt senior only to recoupable equity—not perpetual ownership.
Private Placement Memorandum (PPM)
Definition: Legal disclosure for raising investor funds.
Berserker Move: Use your PPM to show risk control, deliverables readiness, and AI efficiencies.
Subscription Agreement
Definition: Legal document where investor commits funds under PPM terms.
Berserker Move: Spell out conversion rights, clawbacks, and refund triggers.
Executive Producer Credit
Definition: Title often linked to financing, connections, or creative oversight.
Berserker Move: Define deliverables for credit to avoid title inflation.
Above-the-Line Costs
Definition: Creative leadership expenses—cast, director, producers, writers.
Berserker Move: Negotiate points over upfront pay when budget is tight—but document triggers.
Below-the-Line Costs
Definition: Crew, equipment, and day-to-day production expenses.
Berserker Move: Use AI scheduling and budgeting tools to forecast overages before they hit.
Union vs. Non-Union
Definition: Determines labor contracts, pay scales, and benefits under guild rules.
Berserker Move: Hybrid structures save costs—consult legal on SAG-AFTRA Tier waivers.
Letter of Intent (LOI)
Definition: Non-binding agreement outlining interest or commitment from cast, crew, or investors.
Berserker Move: Stack LOIs early for leverage in financing rounds—but clarify expiration.
Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
Definition: Legal contract preventing confidential information leaks.
Berserker Move: Use NDAs before sharing scripts, decks, or budgets—always with watermark tracking.
Option Agreement
Definition: Grants right to purchase a screenplay or IP within a timeframe.
Berserker Move: Limit option term to 12-18 months with extension fees due upfront.
Marketing Assets
Definition: Trailers, posters, stills, BTS, and social content used for promotion.
Berserker Move: Capture deliverables during production to avoid post-shoot pickups.
Press Kit / EPK
Definition: Electronic Press Kit containing synopsis, bios, and key art for media.
Berserker Move: Include AI-generated captions and alt-text for accessibility and SEO.
AI Production Pipeline
Definition: Integrated workflow of AI tools for script, pre-vis, editing, QC, and marketing.
Berserker Move: License The Berserker Method™ for 70% faster delivery and 50% cost savings.
Access your 24/7 Movie Studio Level Executive Producing Partner Berserker GPT
Key Art
Definition: Primary poster/thumb assets used for platform discovery.
Berserker Move: A/B test artwork; it changes click-through and revenue more than most “marketing.” Marketing courses
Localization
Definition: Subtitles, captions, and dubs tailored per territory/spec.
Berserker Move: Budget for priority languages that actually move the needle. Localization tips
Tech Specs
Definition: Platform-specific requirements (codec, frame rate, color, audio layout, captions).
Berserker Move: Deliver native frame rate and platform-legal ranges to prevent rejections. AI encoding & QC
Approval Rights
Definition: Your contractual ability to approve artwork, trailers, edits, and expenses.
Berserker Move: Retain approval or at least meaningful consultation with timelines. Contract levers
Expense Caps
Definition: Hard limits on recoupable costs (delivery, marketing, legal, overhead).
Berserker Move: Cap by dollar and %, require pre-approval for overages – or they eat it. Expense-cap kit
Points
Definition: Percentage of net or gross profits granted to talent, crew, or investors.
Berserker Move: Tie points to adjusted gross, not net, and document triggers. Profit-points training
Deferral
Definition: Deferred payment owed after recoupment or revenue milestones.
Berserker Move: Cap the total deferred pool and specify payback order in your Revenue Waterfall.
Gap Financing
Definition: Short-term loan filling the gap between confirmed pre-sales and total budget.
Berserker Move: Keep lender recoupment senior only to sales fees, not to equity investors. Financing modules
Equity Investor
Definition: Partner who exchanges capital for ownership stake or percentage of profits.
Berserker Move: Present a transparent waterfall and proof of IP control. Investor-ready kit
Soft Money
Definition: Non-equity funding like rebates, grants, or tax incentives.
Berserker Move: Stack rebates across regions only when qualified. Incentives courses
Tax Incentive
Definition: Government program returning a % of local spend, wages, or investment.
Berserker Move: File early; assign rebate to financiers for liquidity. Tax-credit playbook
Co-Production Treaty
Definition: Official partnership between countries granting domestic status in both regions.
Berserker Move: Unlock multiple incentive pools and dual distribution access. Treaty strategies
Completion Guarantee
Definition: Bond company ensures delivery if producer defaults.
Berserker Move: Budget it for investor confidence or pre-sales – not by default. Bonding basics
Cash-Flowing a Rebate
Definition: Borrowing against expected tax-incentive funds.
Berserker Move: Use a completion bond or bank letter to reduce interest drag. Rebate cash-flowing
Music Licensing
Definition: Legal right to use existing songs or scores.
Berserker Move: Clear sync + master separately; never rely on festival-only rights for distribution masters. Music-rights module
Composer Agreement
Definition: Contract governing music ownership, credits, and royalties.
Berserker Move: Ensure work-for-hire or a defined publishing split. Contract templates
Festival Premiere
Definition: The first public screening of a film at a festival.
Berserker Move: Time premiere with deliverables ready so buyers can act immediately. Festival strategy
Festival Run
Definition: Strategic sequence of festival screenings for exposure and deals.
Berserker Move: Target markets, not trophies – build a buyer lead list. Buyer outreach
P&A Budget (Prints & Advertising)
Definition: Marketing and distribution spend required for release.
Berserker Move: Make distributors prove media buys; cap reimbursable P&A. P&A controls
Investor Recoupment
Definition: Return of principal investment before profit splits.
Berserker Move: First position for true cash-in – not deferred IOUs. Waterfall templates
Waterfall Tier
Definition: Level within revenue distribution order.
Berserker Move: Label tiers in contracts – don’t let distributors invent them later. Tier structuring
Negative Pickup
Definition: Studio/distributor agrees to buy completed film for a fixed price.
Berserker Move: Use as collateral to fund production – control delivery terms. Deal variants
Bridge Loan
Definition: Short-term financing while waiting for funds or rebates to arrive.
Berserker Move: Cap interest; collateralize receivables, not IP. Debt tools
Debt Financing
Definition: Borrowed funds to cover production costs, repaid with interest.
Berserker Move: Align repayment with release milestones; avoid open-ended lender control. Debt vs Equity
Equity-Debt Mix
Definition: Combining investor equity with loans for balanced leverage.
Berserker Move: Keep debt senior only to recoupable equity – never perpetual ownership. Capital stack
Private Placement Memorandum (PPM)
Definition: Legal disclosure for raising investor funds.
Berserker Move: Show risk control, deliverables readiness, and AI efficiencies. PPM checklist
Subscription Agreement
Definition: Document where investor commits funds under PPM terms.
Berserker Move: Spell conversion rights, clawbacks, refund triggers. Investor docs
Executive Producer Credit
Definition: Title often linked to financing, connections, or creative oversight.
Berserker Move: Define deliverables for credit to avoid title inflation. Credit agreements
Above-the-Line Costs
Definition: Creative leadership expenses – cast, director, producers, writers.
Berserker Move: Negotiate points over upfront when tight – but document triggers. ATL budgeting
Below-the-Line Costs
Definition: Crew, equipment, and day-to-day production expenses.
Berserker Move: Use AI scheduling and budgeting to forecast overages early. AI planning tools
Union vs Non-Union
Definition: Determines labor contracts, pay scales, and benefits under guild rules.
Berserker Move: Hybrid structures save costs – consult on SAG-AFTRA Tier waivers. Labor strategy
Letter of Intent (LOI)
Definition: Non-binding interest or commitment from cast, crew, or investors.
Berserker Move: Stack LOIs early for leverage – clarify expiration. Papering deals
Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
Definition: Contract preventing confidential information leaks.
Berserker Move: Use NDAs before sharing scripts, decks, or budgets – watermark everything. Legal templates
Option Agreement
Definition: Grants right to purchase screenplay/IP within a timeframe.
Berserker Move: Limit to 12–18 months; charge extension fees upfront. Option
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