ITEM 1
Page
Description of Business 3
Description of Property 22
Legal Proceedings 22
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 22
Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholders Matters 22
Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation 23
Financial Statements 27
Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants 27
Controls and Procedures 27
Directors, Executive Officers, Compliance with Section 16(a) of the
Exchange Act. 28
Executive Compensation 29
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial owners and Management and
Related Stockholders Matters 30
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 30
Exhibits, Financial Statements and Reports on Form 8-K 30
Principal Accountant Fees and Services 31
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This ANNUAL Report on Form 10-KSB includes forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We have based these
forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about
future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us that may cause our actual results,
levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from
any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify
forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should,"
"could," "would," "expect," "plan," anticipate," believe," estimate," continue,"
or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Factors that might
cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, those
in our other Securities and Exchange
Commission filings, including our Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed on
November 21, 2003. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with
our Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto included
elsewhere in this report.
PART I
ITEM 1 DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
OVERVIEW:
Organization
Silver Screen Studios, Inc. ("the Company") was organized to engage in the
business of, development, production, financing and distribution of
entertainment related products. The Company was incorporated in the State of
Georgia in May of 2003. The company is the result of a reverse holding company
merger formed by Group Management and SSSG Acquisition Corp. on August 23, 2003.
Silver Screen Studios, Inc. trades on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board under
the symbol SSSU. Silver Screen Studios, Inc. began operations on August 23, 2003
in Atlanta, GA. Group Management Corp. was undergoing a restructuring of its
operations and management concluded due to the business conditions of Group
Management Corp. a merger was in the best interest of the shareholders of Group
Management Corp.
General
We are a multimedia entertainment company with a focus on developing
entertainment content. We develop, produce and distribute a broad range of
music, motion picture and other filmed entertainment content through our
following operating subsidiaries:
In addition, we intend to establish a music publishing division, a
television production division and a producer/artist management division. We
have identified a market opportunity in the entertainment industry resulting
from the convergence of music and film in the world's fastest growing consumer
entertainment product, the digital video disc ("DVD"). The percentage of DVD
unit sales has increased in market share for entertainment content delivery to
consumers faster than any format in entertainment history. The DVD has received
overwhelming market acceptance and response. The music industry has used the DVD
to enhance the sale of its products. Many music fans have responded favorably to
concert DVD's and music video DVD's of their favorite artists. It is the vision
of our management team, our Chief Executive Officer, and industry consultants to
focus on the DVD format as a means to identify and enable creative artists to
combine their visual and audio talents in a consumer product that will protect
the proprietary nature of the content. Our mission is to become an independent
multimedia entertainment company combining state-of-the-art technologies with
creative product that meets the growing demand of today's market.
As the demand for cost-effective entertainment product, including digitally
recorded music, television programming and film, continues to increase, we
believe that more of the major entertainment companies, including radio,
television, cable, film and Internet service providers, will be turning towards
independent entertainment companies and production facilities to deliver product
and programming to improve their profitability and create market share.
The Film Division
Green Light Productions, Inc. operates our film division. Green Light acts
as our in-house production arm that produces, distributes and markets
feature-length DVD films and movies, taking projects from initial creative
development through principal photography, post-production, distribution and
ancillary sales. We believe that fans of Hip-Hop and Urban Music are active
consumers throughout the world, purchasing CDs, DVDs, records, clothes and
concert tickets. In addition, members of the Hip-Hop audience are a highly
coveted demographic group targeted by advertising retailers due to their age and
spending habits. We believe that outside of traditional Hollywood productions,
there is a shortage of "Lifestyle Specific" DVD products for the Hip-Hop
audience.
Green Light Productions, Inc. will produce low budget films with plots and
marquee name music artists and that are relevant to the mainstream youth
culture, particularly the Hip-Hop and Urban Music audience. Kadalak
Entertainment Group, Inc., our music arm will produce soundtracks featuring the
aforementioned artists to be sold as a CD packaged with a DVD for retail sale to
consumers.
Pursuant to our international business development strategy, we plan to
form joint ventures for co-production of entertainment projects on a
territory-by-territory basis. On occasion we will also obtain the rights to
distribute and exploit entertainment projects in US and foreign markets as well
as co-venture projects for release and development in various media formats.
Film Production
Our goal is to produce quality films in the low budget range with total
costs of $20,000 to $1,000,000 per film. Our current strategic plan calls for
the production or co-production of five to ten films annually. Our ability to
execute this plan is dependent upon our ability to raise additional financing
necessary to fund such productions. Currently, we are reviewing film projects
for development and production and upon obtaining additional working capital, we
will begin the production of new films. We did not produce any films in Fiscal
2003.
Distribution
We formed our on internal distribution arm via Silver Screen Distributions,
Inc. to take advantage of the synergies of the vertical integration of our
business model. Silver Screen Distribution will distribute the production of our
internal products as well as the products of third parties. The Murder by
Deception project will be given a minimal theatrical release in approximately
two to three theaters in several major markets in the United States to create
awareness about a particular film. The end product at retail will be a DVD/CD
package that will have a retail price of approximately $19.99 to $34.99 with an
approximate $16 to $20 wholesale price. Our sales goal is 100,000 to 500,000
units worldwide for each project. We intend to distribute to the rental market
using direct distribution and revenue share output arrangements with Blockbuster
and other leading rental retailers. In addition, when the opportunity arises we
intend to distribute or sell directly to mass merchandisers, such as Wal-Mart
Stores Inc., Costco Wholesale Corporation, Target Corporation, Best Buy Co.
Inc., and others who buy large volumes of videos and DVDs to sell directly to
the consumer.
Currently there have been very few products released in the DVD/CD
combination package. It is very uncommon for major and independent distribution
companies in film and music to come together on one product for distribution.
Historically, film companies have been reluctant to give DVDs to music companies
and music companies have been reluctant to give CDs to film companies for
distribution. Our goal is to effectively pioneer this format and become a leader
in this marketplace. Each film project will have the potential to allow us to
capitalize on every potential revenue stream across the board for each of our
divisions in terms of film, studio, publishing and management operations.
Pay and Free Television Distribution
We intend to license our own productions and productions acquired from
third parties to the domestic and international marketplace on a project basis
through Sony or independent distributors on a territory-by-territory basis.
The Record Division
Kadalak Entertainment Group, Inc. operates our record division. We believe
that the next five years will offer important opportunities for the organization
and growth of viable, newly created record companies. We believe that such
companies will be more competitive because they have the ability to be flexible,
responsive and are not constrained by the typical large company bureaucracy.
A popular music record company depends on its ability to sign and retain
artists who will appeal to popular taste over a period of time. We will employ a
popular music artist and repertoire ("A&R") staff whose task will be to identify
both new artists with potential appeal and established artists who will
complement our planned artist roster or whose potential we believe has not been
fully exploited. The A&R staff, which is headed by our management team, will
include a group of producers/songwriters and will meet on a regular basis to
discuss tapes of artists who have been previously screened by staff members. If
a consensus is reached to attempt to sign an artist, a strategy will be
developed for a contract proposal. Currently, we are evaluating several artists
with whom we would consider entering contracts. However, such considerations are
contingent upon our ability to obtain a sufficient amount of additional
financing. There can be no assurance that we will be able to attract and sign
artists or that such artists will be successful.
Independent Label
Artist Recording Contracts
We will concentrate on the development of new talent rather than competing
with larger companies to acquire established artists. We believe that the risks
involved with higher advances and royalties demanded by established artists may
be difficult to justify financially. In addition to the lower financial cost of
signing and developing new talent, we believe that it generally is easier to
negotiate a longer contract term with new talent, whereas established artists
demand higher payments accompanied by shorter contract terms. We recognize that
established artists have existing fan support and name recognition. However, we
have determined that the cost associated with retaining established artists
represents a significantly greater financial risk if a recording project fails
to achieve minimum consumer sales in an intensely competitive market. From time
to time we may sign artists who require advances because they have established
sales bases.
Pursuant to our strategy of identifying, signing and developing new talent,
the artists whom we intend to sign will generally have limited recording
industry backgrounds. For the most part, these artists will be identified and
contracted by us after analysis of demonstration tapes by our A&R department and
after consultation among our senior management.
The Rock and Pop music genres will enable us to compete in a market segment
comprising 33.7% of gross business in the United States record industry.
Likewise, activity in the Rap/Hip-Hop, R&B/Urban segment of the market will put
us into an additional 25% of gross business in the United States record
industry. We may seek to develop divisions that will address the remaining
segments of the market, which includes jazz, Latin and other musical styles.
Although we may from time to time license already completed master recordings
for a fixed price plus royalty, we will primarily be involved in the actual
production of master recordings. This aspect of the recording business will
require our management to approve a specific project and then contract with
recording artists, musicians and producers to produce a master recording. The
artist and producer will each receive either a minimum fee plus a percentage
royalty based on the proceeds received by us from distribution of a recording or
a percentage royalty without a minimum fee. The fee and royalty arrangements
will be negotiated on a recording-by-recording basis. We will produce recordings
in our own studios or by renting time at any one of a number of recording
studios. Management therefore seeks to reduce or eliminate certain costs and to
match the specific configuration of a particular studio to the requirements of a
particular artist or producer.
Certain production and acquisition costs, such as artists' and producers'
royalties, are contingent upon subsequent sales while other costs, such as
salaries, overhead, manufacturing, studio time and other expenses, are payable
regardless of sales. Although the appeal of a particular artist may be
transitory, we believe that increasing the size and diversity of our planned
artist roster gives us a measure of protection against sudden shifts in taste.
Further, we believe that acquisition of interests in recorded music composition
catalogues will provide an important and relatively stable source of future
sales in addition to revenue generated from new releases.
Promotion and Marketing
We plan to release records primarily in pop, neo-classical soul and
Rap/Hip-Hop, dance and alternative music fields. Accordingly, we expect to
market our records to the principal buying groups in the 12 to 45 year old
categories broadly representative of the American population in that age group.
We plan to promote our recordings, as is generally the case throughout the
record industry, primarily through radio time and utilizing the internet and
high speed broadband connection of the TCP/IP transmission protocol. To
supplement our staff, we may engage independent promotion specialists on a
record-by-record basis to generate airplay. As sales increase, management may
add additional promotion staff.
Cable operations, such as MTV, VH-1 BET and other music television channels,
as well as certain commercial television stations, have provided significant
exposure to new music groups. We intend to utilize television as a promotional
tool. In addition, we intend to produce promotional videotapes, CDs and DVDs
featuring our artists, and maintain effective cost controls through the use of
our own music video production department.
The music video and DVD market has grown significantly over the past few
years and we believe that the music video and DVD business is a natural
extension of our other planned activities in the music business. Our music video
department will concentrate primarily upon promotional activities for our
artists to produce videos of single songs for promotional purposes. Generally,
income from music videos is derived from television broadcasts and from the sale
of videocassettes, CDs and DVDs. We may make electronic press kits ("EPKs"),
long-form videos and enhanced videos or CD-ROMS playable on computer. We also
may combine artist videos and EPKs for release on DVD, providing a whole new
format for viewing which was previously limited to television broadcasts. Our
music and videos may also be included in real player packages. We anticipate
experiencing increased activity as we enter into contracts with additional
artists. In such event, longer music programs, such as DVDs or concert programs,
are contemplated.
The marketing methods which we plan to use are customary in the music
industry. These methods will include:
o radio;
o television;
o newspaper and magazine advertising;
o distribution of posters featuring our artists and records; o street
teams; o wrapped vans and trucks; o bus backs, bus stops and benches;
o billboards;
o marquee style movie lights at label sponsored events and artists
shows; and
o coordinated promotions with retail stores such as in-store displays
and appearances by performers.
Initially, our principal efforts will be focused on radio promotion through
radio play of artist's singles to develop consumer recognition and product
demand. We plan future advertising in national music consumer publications and
industry trade publications as artists achieve increasing consumer recognition,
provided such additional advertising, in management's opinion, would enhance
sales.
Licensing of Recordings
We also intend to license rights in certain of our recordings to other
major record labels for manufacture and distribution in foreign markets. These
labels normally pay all distribution and marketing costs and, in addition, pay
us an advance plus a royalty based on sales, which is payable after recovery of
the advance. A portion of any royalties received by us from sales will be used
to pay artists' and producers' royalties or the owner of a master recording, as
the case may be.
We will seek agreements to license recordings of several of our future
artists through various record and licensing companies in Europe and Japan. We
intend to negotiate with several foreign distributors for the right to license
other artists. We intend to direct a material part of our future activities
toward the development of international markets.
Copyright
Our business, like that of other record companies, primarily rests on
ownership or control and exploitation of musical works and sound and
audio-visual recordings.
Rights and royalties relating to particular recordings vary from case to
case. When a recording is made, copyright in that recording vests either in the
recording artist and is licensed to a record company or in the company itself,
depending on the terms of agreement between the recording artist and the record
company. Similarly, when a musical composition is written, copyright in the
composition vests either in the writer and is licensed to a music publishing
company or in the publishing company. Artists generally record songs that are
controlled by music publishers. The rights to reproduce such songs on tapes and
CDs are obtained by the company from music publishers or collection societies on
their behalf. The manufacture and sale of tapes and CDs results in royalties
being payable by the record company to the publishing company at industry agreed
or statutory rates for the use of the composition and the publishing company in
turn pays a royalty to the writer and by the record company to the recording
artist for the use of the recording.
Record companies are largely dependent upon legislation to protect their
rights against unauthorized reproduction, importation or rental. In all
territories where we intend to operate, our products will receive some degree of
copyright protection. The period of protection varies widely from 75 years from
first publication in the United States, to 50 years in the United Kingdom, to 30
years from date of recording in Japan.
Piracy, or the unauthorized reproduction of recordings for commercial sales
and Internet file sharing exists throughout the world. Sales in certain markets
are very difficult, and some markets are virtually closed to legitimate record
companies because of the dominance of pirated product, which is substantially
cheaper than legitimate products due to lower quality standards and the absence
of recording and royalty costs. In recent years, however certain countries,
particularly in Southeast Asia, have enforced copyrights resulting in a
reduction in piracy. There can be no assurance that the proliferation of piracy
of entertainment content through the Internet or other means will be reduced in
the future. The proliferation of these practices, if continued, could have a
material adverse affect on the entertainment industry.
Home taping, or the unauthorized reproduction for personal use of
recordings, has been a global problem since the advent of cassette tapes and
CDs, which existing copyright laws have done little to contain. In some
countries, the industry has been successful in securing the introduction of a
levy on hardware used for such reproduction or on blank tapes. However, such
levies, which are generally shared among those involved in the production of
recordings, including the record companies and the artists, do not adequately
compensate for the losses suffered from home taping. CD recording technology may
increase the opportunity for consumers to make high-quality copies for home use.
There can be no assurance that the proliferation of piracy of entertainment
content through the Internet or other means will be reduced in the future that,
if continued, could have a material adverse affect on the entertainment
industry.
Rental of tapes and CDs is a problem in those countries whose copyright
laws do not provide adequate protection. Those countries include Japan, where a
levy on rental income is paid to domestic rights owners, but not in respect of
foreign repertoire, and Germany.
The recorded music industry has been affected by piracy, and in particular,
the home copying and file sharing of recorded music over the Internet. Recording
technologies have been developed that enable consumers to make high quality
duplicates of recorded music from original CDs and the Internet. In the absence
of adequate copyright protection, CD recording technology may adversely affect
sales of CDs. We cannot predict the extent to which our CD sales would be
affected by such technology. However, we generally believe that as we focus on
the development of new artists and have a limited release schedule, we are not
materially dependent upon foreign sales in markets unregulated by copyright laws
and that piracy or illegal home taping will not have a material adverse impact
on our business or operations in the near or foreseeable future.
The Music Publishing Division
We intend to establish a music publishing division. Music publishing involves
the acquisition of rights to the exploitation of musical compositions as opposed
to musical recordings. Principal sources of revenue are royalties from the
reproduction of musical works on cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, license fees from
the radio and television broadcast (i.e., public performances) of such musical
works, and film soundtracks of recordings embodying the compositions concerned.
We intend to create a music publishing operation to collect performance
royalties for our products through ASCAP and BMI. ASCAP and BMI are collecting
societies licensed to collect performance royalties due from radio, television,
jukeboxes, film and similar venues for public performance of musical
compositions.
We may receive publishing royalties on master recordings which we produce.
Moreover, we intend to negotiate with recording artists a percentage of the
copyright rate that is set by statute and modified from time to time by the
Copyright Royalty Tribunal.
Once we form a publishing operation, we plan to seek to acquire copyright
ownership of, or other rights in, the songs written by or for our artists. We
propose to develop a catalogue of songs, retaining present and future publishing
rights. Additionally, we intend to employ songwriters and producers to develop
music products with publishing rights retained by us. We plan to acquire
interests in original songs that will be developed at our facilities. We do not
deem the acquisition of these songs to be material in that presently none have
been recorded or used in any of our activities, including promotion, and we have
no present intention or plans to use them in any capacity. In the future, it is
conceivable that songs commissioned or acquired by us may be included on albums
or produced as singles, although no assurance can be given as to this use. We
have not determined an international publishing agent to administer our songs
outside of the United States.
The Studio Division
Kadalak operates our studio division, which provides support for he in-house
recording of our artists. Metropolitan is an audio recording facility that
provides us with "start to finish" music recording services.
We intend to provide audio recording services to the music industry, including
national and international recording companies, independent record producers and
other entities which request the services of the recording facilities. The
studio division will seek to combine technological expertise and creative,
experienced management in the state-of-the-art commercial recording facilities.
Metropolitan consists of three studios and is capable of tracking to tape
or digitally. The studio features custom acoustical design treatments, which
provide a critically accurate listening environment. The studio's equipment
includes:
a Pro-tool LE digital recording module;
a top-of-the-line recording/mixing console;
a Phat Planet Sound Module
Kadalak's operation of the music division affords us the added benefit of
vertical integration in the recorded music industry. also includes fully
equipped digital film and editing facilities for film, video and television
productions. We view the sound studios principally as a catalyst to attract
artists and to record their products in-house. We will sell studio time when the
studios are not in use for in-house production.
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
The Recorded Music Industry
The recorded music industry has experienced substantial revenue growth
since its inception and is dominated by four major international entertainment
companies:
o Universal Music Group;
o Time Warner Inc.;
o Sony Corp. (Sony Music Entertainment)/Bertelsmann AG (BMG); and
o EMI Group PLC.
In the late 1940's, record retail sales amounted to only $48 million
annually. By 1970, sales had grown to nearly $1.7 billion annually. By way of
current comparison, the Recording Industry Association of America ("RIAA")
reported the sound recording domestic market in 2002 to be $12.6 billion. The
International Federation of Phonographic Industry ("IFPI"), an organization that
represents the recording industry worldwide, reported recorded music sales
worldwide of $32 billion in 2002. This revenue growth has resulted from a
combination of factors, the most important of which has been rapidly developing
technology. Since 1984, the value of sales industry wide has increased at a
faster rate than unit volume growth, due in part to the introduction and
acceptance of CDs, which are priced substantially higher than vinyl records and
tapes. CDs represented 91 percent of all units shipped in 2002. IFPI reports
that sales of recorded music in 2002 to be largest in the United Kingdom, the
United States, Japan, Australia, Germany, France, Canada and Spain. The
proportion of global music sales accounted for by the world's top ten markets
was 84 percent in 2002. Globally, music video sales increased in 2002, boosted
by the DVD video. The United States represents approximately 40 percent of the
total world music market. The RIAA reports that, in 2002, Rock remained the most
popular genre of music in the United States with 24.7 percent of the market
followed by Rap/Hip-Hop with 13.8 percent, R&B/Urban with 11.2 percent, Country
music with 10.7 percent, Pop with 9.0 percent, Jazz with 3.2 percent and
Classical with 3.1 percent of all music items purchased.
Both the RIAA and IFPI reported that the increased availability of free
music via mass digital copying and internet piracy have had a substantial
negative impact on the recorded music industry in 2002 and the industry is
aggressively pursuing strategies to resolve the erosion of unit shipments and
sales in the world market. In 2002, digital copying and Internet piracy have
resulted in an approximate 7 percent decline in worldwide revenues as well as an
approximate 8 percent decline in units sold worldwide. This decline continued in
2003.
Music is also an essential part of the advertising and film industries.
Music contributes significantly to the success of advertising. Additionally,
music has become an integral part of film, as seen from the successes of many
musical soundtracks of popular movies. Film soundtracks have also produced a
number of hit singles worldwide. The growth of the DVD format has demonstrated
an increased demand for DVD products.
Foreign record sales account for over one-half of worldwide record sales.
English versions of popular hits have achieved acceptance and success throughout
the globe. Music publishing rights serve as an additional and significant source
of earnings for record companies. Publishing and sub-publishing revenues are
generated for each song contained in an album, cassette or CD.
The Feature Film Industry
General
The feature film industry encompasses the development, production and
distribution of feature-length motion pictures and their subsequent distribution
in the home video, television and other ancillary markets. The major studios
dominate the industry, some of which have divisions that are promoted as
"independent" distributors of motion pictures, including:
Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. (including New Line Cinema and Castle Rock
Entertainment); Twentieth Century Fox, Sony Pictures Entertainment (including
Columbia Pictures and Columbia Tristar Motion Picture Group); Paramount
Pictures; The Walt Disney Company (including Buena Vista Pictures, Touchstone
Pictures and Miramax Film Corp.); and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (including MGM
Pictures, United Artists Pictures Inc., Orion Pictures Corporation and Goldwyn
Entertainment Company).
In recent years, however, true "independent" motion picture production and
distribution companies have played an important role in the production of motion
pictures for the worldwide feature film market.
Independent Feature Film Production and Financing
Generally, independent production companies do not have access to the
extensive capital required to make feature-length motion pictures, such as the
"blockbuster" films produced by the major studios. They also do not have the
capital necessary to maintain the substantial overhead that is typical of
operations of major studios. Independent producers target their product at
specialized markets and usually produce motion pictures with budgets of less
than $20 million. Generally, independent producers do not maintain significant
infrastructure. They instead hire only creative and other production personnel
and retain the other elements required for development, pre-production,
principal photography and post-production activities on a project-by-project
basis. Also, independent production companies typically finance their production
activities from bank loans, pre-sales, equity offerings, co-productions and
joint ventures rather than out of operating cash flow. They generally complete
financing of an independent motion picture prior to commencement of principal
photography to minimize the risk of loss.
Independent Feature Film Distribution
Film distribution encompasses the exploitation of motion pictures in theatres
and in markets, such as home DVD and video, pay-per-view, pay television, free
television and ancillary markets, such as hotels, airlines and streaming films
on the Internet. Independent producers do not typically have distribution
capabilities. Instead, these producers rely on advances from domestic and
international distributors who approve their projects before production
commences, as well as profit sharing or equity arrangements for individual
projects. Generally, the local distributor in any country or region will acquire
distribution rights for a motion picture from an independent producer using one
or more of these methods. The local distributor will agree to advance the
producer a non-refundable minimum guarantee. The local distributor will then
generally receive a distribution fee of between 20% and 35% of gross receipts,
while the producer will receive a portion of gross receipts in excess of the
distribution fees, distribution expenses and monies retained by exhibitors. The
local distributor and theatrical exhibitor generally will enter into an
arrangement providing for the exhibitor's payment to the distributor of a
percentage of the box-office receipts for the exhibition period, generally 40%to
50%, depending upon the success of the motion picture.
COMPETITION
The recorded music, motion picture, and music publishing industries are highly
competitive. We will compete with other companies for artists, airtime and space
in retail outlets. We are not at present, and do not expect in the foreseeable
future, to be a significant participant in the marketplace. We face competition
from companies within the entertainment business and from alternative forms of
leisure entertainment, such as travel, sporting events, outdoor recreation and
other cultural activities. We compete with the major media and entertainment
companies and studios, numerous independent motion picture, recorded music,
music publishing and television production companies, television networks and
pay television systems for the acquisition of literary and film properties, the
services of performing artists, directors, producers and other creative and
technical personnel and production financing. In addition, our music and motion
picture productions compete for audience acceptance and exhibition outlets with
music and motion pictures produced and distributed by other larger more
established companies. As a result, the success of any of our recorded music
products or DVD/motion pictures is dependent on not only the quality and
acceptance of a particular production, but also on the quality and acceptance of
other competing productions released into the marketplace at or near the same
time.
The entertainment industry is highly competitive, rapidly evolving and subject
to constant change. Other entertainment companies currently offer one or more of
each of the types of products and services we plan to offer. Some of our
competitors in the entertainment market will include Time Warner, Sony/BMG, EMI,
Disney, Viacom and numerous independent companies. Some of our competitors in
the music business will include Motown, Time Warner Inc., Universal Music Group,
Interscope, Sony/BMG and EMI. We expect that our film business will compete with
well-established companies, including MGM, Dreamworks, Time Warner Inc. and
numerous smaller independent companies, which produce, develop or market films,
DVD's, television and cable programming.
EMPLOYEES
We use and plan to continue using independent consultants, producers,
professionals and contractors on an as needed basis. Upon obtaining additional
financing, we will hire additional employees in connection with the production
of our recorded music and film productions. We believe that our employee and
labor relations are good. Our full-time employee is not a member of any union.
On film projects, we may employ members of a number of unions, including the
International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, the Screen Actors
Guild and the Teamsters. A strike by one or more of the unions that provide
personnel essential to the production of films could delay or halt our ongoing
production activities. Such a halt or delay, depending on the length of time
involved, could cause delay in our release of new films and thereby could
adversely affect our cash flow and revenues.
RISK FACTORS
In addition to other information included in this report, the following
factors should be considered in evaluating our business and future prospects. We
need to obtain financing in order to continue our operations.
On a prospective basis, we will require both short-term financing for
operations and long-term capital to fund our expected growth. We have no
existing bank lines of credit and have not established any definitive sources
for additional financing. Based on our current operating plan, we will not have
enough cash to meet our anticipated cash requirements through January 31, 2005
if we do not raise at least $2,500,000 from the sale of our securities or other
financing means. While we are in discussions and have entered agreements with
potential financing sources, we currently do not have definitive arrangements
with respect to, or sources of, additional financing. Additional financing may
not be available to us, or if available, then it may not be available upon terms
and conditions acceptable to us. If adequate funds are not available, then we
may be required to delay, reduce or eliminate product development or marketing
programs. The entertainment industry is rapidly evolving. Our inability to take
advantage of opportunities in the industry because of capital constraints may
have a material adverse effect on our business and our prospects.
Independent distributors will be a significant element of our growth strategy.
We will rely on independent distributors to distribute a significant
portion of our entertainment products and services when developed. A significant
element of our growth strategy will be to increase the sale and distribution of
our products and services by expanding our presence in local markets and by
extending this network into new markets either by internal growth, joint
ventures, licensing, acquisition or other means. We may not be able to develop,
recruit, maintain, motivate, retain or control a network of independent
distributors. In addition, we have little control over the resources that
independent distributors will devote to marketing our products and the amount of
our competitors' products that our independent distributors choose to market.
Any decision by a distributor to not distribute or promote our products or
services or to promote our competitors' products and services could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial
condition.
We have a limited operating history in the entertainment industry.
We have a limited history in the entertainment industry. In august , 2003,
we entered into a merger with SSSG Acquisition Corp providing the basis for our
formation. Our strategy is to become an independent multimedia entertainment
company. In addition to operating a music division, recording studio division
and film production company, we plan to establish television, publishing and
management operations. Prior to entering into the Share Exchange Agreement, we
did not operate in the multimedia and entertainment industry. Accordingly, we
have a limited history in the industry in which we operate. We have retained the
law firm of Rosenfeld, Goldman & Ware, Inc. of Atlanta, GA to act as our legal
counsel and to provide strategic legal planning on the entertainment industry.
We are dependent on the advice of Rosenfeld, Goldman & Ware, Inc. and there is
no assurance that Rosenfeld, Goldman & Ware, Inc. will continue to represent our
interests.
Our net loss for the period from inception (August 25, 2003) to December
31, 2003 totaled $410,031. We expect that production and development, marketing
and operating expenses will increase significantly during the next several
years. In order to achieve profitability, we will need to generate significant
revenue. We cannot be certain that we will generate sufficient revenue to
achieve profitability. We anticipate that we will continue to generate operating
losses and negative cash flow from operations at least through the end of Fiscal
2004. We cannot be certain that we will ever achieve, or if achieved, maintain
profitability. If our revenue grows at a slower rate than we anticipate or if
our project development, marketing and operating expenses exceed our
expectations or cannot be adjusted accordingly, our business, results of
operation and financial condition will be materially adversely effected.
Shares of our common stock lack a significant trading market.
Shares of our common stock are not eligible for trading on any national or
regional exchange. Our common stock is eligible for trading in the
over-the-counter market on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board pursuant to Rule
15c2-11 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This market tends to be highly
illiquid, in part because there is no national quotation system by which
potential investors can trace the market price of shares except through
information received or generated by certain selected broker-dealers that make a
market in that particular stock. There are currently no plans, proposals,
arrangements or understandings with any person with regard to the development of
a trading market in our common stock. There can be no assurance that an active
trading market in our common stock will develop, or if such a market develops,
that it will be sustained. In addition, there is a greater chance for market
volatility for securities that trade on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board as
opposed to securities that trade on a national exchange or quotation system.
This volatility may be caused by a variety of factors, including the lack of
readily available quotations, the absence of consistent administrative
supervision of "bid" and "ask" quotations and generally lower trading volume.
Our success will depend on external factors in the music and film industries.
Operating in the music and film industries involves a substantial degree of
risk. Each planned music project, film production is an individual artistic
work, and unpredictable audience reactions primarily determine commercial
success. The commercial success of a music project or a film production also
depends upon:
the quality and acceptance of other competing records or films released into the
marketplace at or near the same time; critical reviews; the availability of
alternative forms of entertainment and leisure activities;
general economic conditions; and other tangible and intangible factors.
Each of these factors is subject to change and cannot be predicted with
certainty. There can be no assurance that our planned music projects and film
productions will obtain favorable ratings or reviews or that consumers will
purchase our entertainment products and services.
Our success will be largely dependent upon our key executive officers and other
key personnel.
Our success will be largely dependent upon the continued employment of our key
executive officers and, particularly, our continued employment of our law firm
of Rosenfeld, Goldman & Ware, Inc., ("RGW") The loss of Rosenfeld, Goldman &
Ware, Inc. services would have a material adverse effect on us. We believe that
our continued success will depend to a significant extent upon the efforts and
abilities of our executive officers and our ability to retain them.. Although we
believe that we would be able to locate a suitable replacement for RGW if their
services were lost, we cannot assure you that we would be able to do so. In
addition, our future operating results will substantially depend upon our
ability to attract and retain highly qualified management, financial, technical,
creative and administrative personnel. Competition for highly talented personnel
is intense and can lead to increased compensation expenses. We cannot assure you
that we will be able to attract and retain the personnel necessary for the
development of our business.
Unauthorized use of our intellectual property and trade secrets may affect our
market share and profitability.
We protect intellectual property rights to our productions through available
copyright and trademark laws and licensing and distribution arrangements with
reputable international companies in specific territories and media for limited
durations. Despite these precautions, existing copyright and trademark laws
afford only limited practical protection in certain jurisdictions. We may
distribute our products in some jurisdictions in which there is no copyright and
trademark protection. As a result, it may be possible for unauthorized third
parties to copy and distribute our productions or certain portions or
applications of our intended productions. We will rely on our copyrights,
trademarks, trade secrets, know-how and continuing technological advancement to
establish a competitive position in the marketplace. We will attempt to protect
our intellectual property through copyright and agreements with future artists
and employees. Other companies may independently develop or otherwise acquire
similar creative materials or gain access to our intellectual property. Despite
our precautions, there can be no assurance that we will be able to adequately
protect our intellectual property from competitors in the future. In addition,
litigation may be necessary in the future to:
enforce intellectual property rights;
to protect our trade secrets;
to determine the validity and scope of the rights of others; or to defend
against claims of infringement or invalidity.
Any such litigation could result in substantial costs and the diversion of
resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating
results or financial condition.
Protecting and defending against intellectual property claims may have a
material adverse effect on our business.
From time to time, we may receive notice that others have infringed on our
proprietary rights or that we have infringed on the intellectual property rights
of others. There can be no assurance that infringement or invalidity claims will
not materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of
operations. Regardless of the validity or the success of the assertion of
claims, we could incur significant costs and diversion of resources in
protecting or defending against claims, which could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Piracy, illegal duplication of CDs and DVDs and file sharing of music and film
products over the Internet may have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our ability to compete depends in part on the successful protection of our
intellectual property, including our music and film productions. Piracy, illegal
duplication and Internet peer-to-peer file sharing of music and film products
has had an adverse effect on the entertainment industry as a whole. If new
legislation aimed at protecting entertainment companies against piracy, illegal
duplication and Internet peer-to-peer file sharing is not enacted and enforced,
and we are unable to protect our music and film productions from piracy, illegal
duplication and Internet peer-to-peer file sharing, then such continued
activities may have a material adverse effect on our business.
Advances in technology may have a material adverse effect on our revenues.
Advances in technology may affect the manner in which entertainment content is
distributed to consumers. These changes, which might affect the entertainment
industry as a whole, include the proliferation of digital music players,
services that allow individuals to download and store single songs and
pay-per-view movie services. These technological advances have created new
outlets for consumers to purchase entertainment content. These new outlets may
affect the quantity of entertainment products that consumers purchase and may
reduce the amount that consumers are willing to pay for particular products. As
a result, this could have a negative impact on our ability to sell DVD's, CD's
and soundtracks. Any failure to adapt our business model to these changes could
have a material adverse effect on our revenues.
Our success will depend on our artists.
We plan to enter into film and recording contracts with several artists. We
cannot assure you that we will be able to retain the artists we plan to enter
contracts with or that we will be able to attract additional artists. We may not
be able to develop our artists successfully or in such a manner that produces
significant sales. Furthermore, each film and recording is an individual
artistic work, the public acceptance of which cannot be known in advance.
Accordingly, we cannot assure you that any film or record released by any
particular artist will experience financial success. In addition, if any
particular artist experiences success, we cannot predict the timing or longevity
of such success or the extent of the popularity of any particular artist.
We will depend on the continued popularity of urban music.
We plan to produce records in multiple genres of music including
neo-classical soul and hip-hop. Our proposed artists will be primarily in this
segment of the market. If tastes move away from this type of music and we do not
develop any alternatives, then we may not be able to sell enough entertainment
products and services to be profitable. Although we believe that this sector
will continue to grow, consumer taste is unpredictable and constantly changing,
and we cannot predict with any certainty that this segment will continue to
remain popular.
Our growth as a multimedia entertainment company depends on the success and
increased use of entertainment products and services.
The entertainment products and service market is rapidly evolving. The
demand and market acceptance of our planned products and services is uncertain
and subject to a high degree of risk. In order for certain of our planned
entertainment products and services to be successfully accepted in the
marketplace, the production and content of our entertainment products and
services must be accepted as a viable alternative to traditional entertainment
products and services. Because these markets may be new and evolving, it is
difficult to predict the size of the market and its growth rate. If the market
for our entertainment products and services fails to develop or develops more
slowly than we anticipate, we will not be able to generate revenues from our
entertainment products and services at the rate we anticipate. In addition, if
demand for our entertainment products and services grows too quickly, our
infrastructure may not be able to support the demands placed on us by this
growth and our performance and reliability may decline.
We will be in competition with companies that are larger, more established and
better capitalized than we are.
The entertainment industry is highly competitive, rapidly evolving and
subject to constant change. Other entertainment companies currently offer one or
more of each of the products and services we plan to offer. Some of our
competitors in the entertainment market will include Time Warner Inc., Sony/BMG,
EMI, Disney and Viacom. Some of our competitors in the music business will
include Motown, Time Warner Inc., Universal Music Group, Interscope, Sony/BMG,
EMI and numerous smaller independent companies. We expect that our film business
will compete with well-established companies, including MGM, Dreamworks, Time
Warner Inc. and numerous smaller independent companies, which produce, develop
or market films, DVD's, television and cable programming. Many of our
competitors have:
greater financial, technical, personnel, promotional and marketing resources;
longer operating histories; greater name recognition;
and larger consumer bases than us.
We believe that existing competitors are likely to continue to expand their
products and service offerings. Moreover, because there are few, if any,
substantial barriers to entry, we expect that new competitors are likely to
enter the entertainment market and attempt to market entertainment products and
services similar to our products and services, which would result in greater
competition. We cannot be certain that we will be able to compete successfully
in the entertainment, multimedia, music, film, management or television
programming markets.
Future sales of our securities will dilute the ownership interest of our
current stockholders.
We expect to sell our equity securities in order to raise the funds
necessary to fund our operations. Any such transactions will involve the
issuance of our previously authorized and unissued securities and will result in
the dilution of the ownership interests of our present stockholders. We might
expand through acquisitions which may cause dilution of our common stock and
additional debt and expenses.
Any acquisitions of other companies which we complete may result in
potentially dilutive issuances of our equity securities and the incurrence of
additional debt, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations and financial condition. We plan to seek
acquisitions and joint ventures that will complement our services, broaden our
consumer base and improve our operating efficiencies. Acquisitions involve
numerous additional risks, including difficulties in the assimilation of the
operations, services, products and personnel of acquired companies, which could
result in charges to earnings or otherwise adversely affect our operating
results. There can be no assurance that acquisition or joint venture
opportunities will be available, that we will have access to the capital
required to finance potential acquisitions, that we will continue to acquire
businesses or that any acquired businesses will be profitable.
Operating internationally may expose us to additional and unpredictable risks.
We intend to enter international markets, licensing arrangements and to
form joint ventures internationally to expand sales of our planned entertainment
products and to market our entertainment products and services. International
operations are subject to inherent risks, including:
potentially weaker intellectual property rights;
changes in laws and policies
affecting trade; difficulties in obtaining foreign licenses;
changes in regulatory requirements;
instability of foreign economies and governments;
instances of war or terrorists activities;
unexpected changes in regulations and
tariffs;
fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies;
intricate investment and tax laws, including laws and policies relating to the
repatriation of funds and to withholding taxes;
and uncertain market acceptance and difficulties in marketing efforts due to
language and cultural differences.
Due to these risks, operating in international markets could have a material
adverse effect on our future business, results of operations or financial
condition.
Our shares of common stock are subject to penny stock regulation.
Holders of shares of our common stock may have difficulty selling those
shares because our common stock will probably be subject to the penny stock
rules. Shares of our common stock are subject to rules adopted by the Securities
and Exchange Commission that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with
transactions in "penny stocks". Penny stocks are generally equity securities
with a price of less than $5.00 which are not registered on certain national
securities exchanges or quoted on the NASDAQ system, provided that current price
and volume information with respect to transactions in those securities is
provided by the exchange or system. The penny stock rules require a
broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from
those rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document prepared by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, which contains the following:
description of the nature and level of risk in the market for penny stocks in
both public offerings and secondary trading;
a description of the broker's or dealer's duties to the customer and of the
rights and remedies available to the customer with respect to violation to such
duties or other requirements of securities laws; a brief, clear, narrative
description of a dealer market, including "bid" and "ask" prices for penny
stocks and the significance of the spread between the "bid" and "ask" price; a
toll-free telephone number for inquiries on disciplinary actions; definitions of
significant terms in the disclosure document or in the conduct of trading in
penny stocks; and such other information and is in such form (including
language, type, size and format), as the Securities and Exchange Commission
shall require by rule or regulation.
Prior to effecting any transaction in penny stock, the broker-dealer also must
provide the customer with the following:
the bid and offer quotations for the penny stock; the compensation of the
broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction; the number of shares to
which such bid and ask prices apply, or other comparable information relating to
the depth and liquidity of the market for such stock; and monthly account
statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer's
account.
In addition, the penny stock rules require that, prior to a transaction in a
penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, the broker-dealer must make a
special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for
the purchaser and receive the purchaser's written acknowledgment of the receipt
of a risk disclosure statement, a written agreement to transactions involving
penny stocks, and a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement.
These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the trading
activity in the secondary market for a stock that becomes subject to the penny
stock rules.
Budget overruns may adversely affect our business.
Actual music projects or film production costs may exceed their budget,
sometimes significantly. Risks such as labor disputes, death or disability of
star performers, rapid high technology changes relating to special effects or
other aspects of production, shortages of necessary equipment, damage to film
negatives, master tapes and recordings or adverse weather conditions may cause
cost overruns and delay or frustrate completion of a production. If a music
project or film production incurs substantial budget overruns, then we may have
to seek additional financing from outside sources to complete production. We
cannot assure you that such financing will be available to us, or if available,
whether such funds will be available to us on acceptable terms. In addition, if
a music project or film production incurs substantial budget overruns, there can
be no assurance that such costs will be recouped, which could have a significant
impact on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Our operating results may fluctuate significantly.
We expect that our future operating results may fluctuate significantly as
a result of the following:
the timing of domestic and international releases of future music projects, or
films we produce;
the success of our future music projects or films;
the timing of the release of related products into their respective markets;
the costs to distribute and promote the future music projects and films;
the success of our distributors in marketing our future music projects and
films;
the timing of receipt of proceeds generated by the music projects, and films
from distributors; the introduction of new music projects, and films by our
future competitors;
the timing and magnitude of operating expenses and capital expenditures;
the level of unreimbursed production costs in excess of budgeted maximum
amounts;
the timing of the recognition of advertising costs for accounting purposes
under generally accepted accounting principles;
and general economic conditions, including continued slowdown in advertiser
spending.
As a result, we believe that our results of operations may fluctuate
significantly, and it is possible that our operating results could be below the
expectations of investors.
We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our shares of common stock.
The future payment of dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of
Directors and will depend on our future earnings, financial requirements and
other similarly unpredictable factors. For the foreseeable future, it is
anticipated that any earnings which may be generated from our operations will be
retained by us to finance and develop our business and that dividends will not
be paid to stockholders.
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