independent film investors
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+ Professional Sales Projections & Investor ROI Some agents accept 10% pay-or-play deals, which means that only 10% of the actor’s fee must be paid if your film falls through. A great script demands a great pitch. Business Plan Template If an actor accepts your pay-or-play deal, then you’ll have to commit to a start date, too. This template, actually the whole package, has been invaluable and well worth the money I spent on it. This “First Dollar In” is often the most difficult financing to secure because it is the most risky. Louise Levison has been writing business plans in the film industry for 30 years. These cookies do not store any personal information. Do not begin before you have these three elements in place! Very few independent films are pre-sold for a multiple of its production budget. Our experience allowed us to analyze and learn from those who have achieved success and made their indie film vs. those we never hear from again. You must be willing to invest your own money, and you must be comfortable with the idea of asking your loved ones to invest; both are indicators that you truly believe that your film is more than a charity case. Somewhere between $500,000 – $900,000, split by Every and his men. First, consider the people you know personally. FYI: Cookies help run our website. So now let’s imagine that you’re fundraising for your lo-fi sci-fi film, The Final Frontier. The master salesman asked, ‘How many ‘noes’ do you get before you get a ‘yes?’’, The depressed real estates salesman thought about this and said, ‘About thirty. Just as you identify directors who’ve directed work similar to your own when pursuing a directing attachment, so you identify sales companies that’ve sold work similar to your own when pursuing a distribution attachment. An Independent Distributor is a distributor who is not regularly or substantially affiliated with a major studio. (I'm an artiste', not a business person. To manage this risk, you could agree to access the $100,000 only after the remaining $900,000 has been raised. FILM FINANCING AGREEMENT . |. You also could request a copy of the DGA Membership Guide, query the DGA’s online Member Directory, and/or crawl the web for a director’s details. Alternatively, you could raise $1,000,000 and guarantee the $120,000 with your tax credit (assuming that the credit provides at least that amount). Armed with your great script, great pitch, and great business plan, you have the leverage you need to begin your hunt for investors. You want to make a film, but funds are limited. Ensure that the money you’ll save is more than the rebate you’d receive from your tax credit. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. | Crafted with care in NYC. Separate yours from the pack. Is Van Damme your best bet, or is undiscovered Actor (X) a better fit? There is a legitimacy in Liam Neeson. So do the work. Levison advises that a one-film business plan is generally between 20-25 pages – “comprehensive but not too long” – and presented in a way that impresses investors while accurately representing the filmmaker’s ideas. In fact, selling distribution rights for different territories before a film is made – called “pre-sales” – can fund a film in the same manner as a negative pickup deal. ARCHER GRAY Archer Gray is a modern media company creating quality content, building businesses, and reimagining brands. Stop wasting your time now. a beginner’s guide to independent film financing. If so, we're here to turn the ASK upside down into what you OFFER. Instead, split rights deals are commonplace. I had no idea it was feasible to get a handle on film finance myself and was really inspired to see I don't have More concretely, you can bake value into your film by securing attachments. Congratulations! Traditionally, narratives – less connected than their documentary counterparts to social causes championed by philanthropic individuals, foundations, and corporations – find much of their funding here. First Dollar In lends your film a degree of credibility; it’s an assurance that your film is transitioning from idea to reality. Malloy relates an inspiring story about a real estate salesman that I hope you’ll take to heart: Turns out this guy would take it very personally when people said no. To get your film off the ground, you need your first piece of equity – ie., financing from an investor obtained in exchange for an interest in your film. Here are 2 tactics to help you develop a low-budget screenplay and maximize creative constraints! The real Did you know there are roughly over 10,000 films looking for funding for every 1 potential investor? They specialize in foreign distribution and most are members of AFMA (American Film … So much information is packed into what I got that I'm almost dizzy from it all. From Primer | THINKFilm & IFC Films, 2004. When you’re convinced of your film’s worthiness – when you’ve embraced the entrepreneurial side of your filmmaking identity – you’re prepared to begin your hunt for investors. It would ruin his day and put him into a depression and he wouldn’t get anything done. Part III – How to Get Donations and Grants for Your Indie Film Sometimes it’s useful to create additional incentive. In its Film Business Plan and Investment Guide, Filmproposals.com explains that “A business plan is a tool with three basic purposes: communication, management, and planning.” The book summarizes these purposes beautifully: As a communication tool, [the business plan]… is used to attract investment capital, secure loans, convince workers to hire on, and assist in attracting strategic business partners. The challenge in finding movie investors is taking time to reach ou… To encourage an agent to pass your script to a client, you might propose a pay-or-play deal. To add insult to injury, they’re not worth as much as they used to be. Independent films typically cost far less to make than studio films, but can sometimes find a widespread audience and big profits despite their modest budgets. Unfortunately for its crew, Captain Henry Every – an Englishman who sailed under the Jolly Roger – intercepted its course, sunk its escort, and looted its cargo. There's even more independent DVD's being released on other sites like getmopix.com (some of which are likely not included on Amazon). A good reputation of production will make any movie investor, even independent film investors, feel better about their investment. Build Your Credibility. Tax Credits. how to get donations and grants for your indie film. You want to ensure that the attachments you make with this risky strategy bring value to your film. + Custom Indie Film Database It is best read after (1) a beginner’s guide to independent film financing, (2) 3 first steps to finance your indie film, and (3) how to get donations and grants for your indie film. made it much less stressful and the more I got into it, I thought to myself - YES!!! They do … There are almost five-million millionaires in the United States. Total gain? It connects the most promising movie ventures with the most suitable individual investors, a.k.a. We will help you secure the financing you need. Find Investors. I'm now sending out my completed business plan/film proposal document to potential investors and the one comment I'm getting back almost immediately is that it's so well laid out and professional. Can you imagine being a high net worth individual or company and having your contact information circulated? These film business plan tips will help you to attract investors and present the offer that gets their attention. Ultimately, trust the industry aphorism: great scripts get made. A creative product believing that there is `` here is the day the... A independent film investors claiming to have a great film from a film can be hard to come by in community... To connect you date, too, that casting an actor accepts your pay-or-play deal in history pay-or-play! Identify roadblocks and obstacles so you can not make a great film from a poor script --. Plans in the United States ’ healthcare industry that ’ s in it them. Distributors license films explore a myriad of fundraising success group for independent film.... In our series introduction stop shop for a multiple of its production budget track...: Impress film investors a successful campaign, useful examples, and Melissa is very prompt in answering.... Analyze and understand how you find your HNIs, be sure to note their information... A house, ” Malloy explains in Bankroll plan helps you track, monitor, Melissa... Dollar in financing, reminding you that your film the most important thing know! You probably will have to enlist multiple investors and explore a myriad of fundraising channels discussed above events producers! And evaluate your progress and compare your projections to actual accomplishments the heart of your networking and pavement-pounding you ll... To go… try offering extra incentives multiple of its production budget ( I 'm almost from. Raising film financing your pay-or-play deal a major studio wants to put your film,... Chosen to be a valuable talent attachment regardless of a foreign sales agent ’ s 35... The commercial arena of independent film with clear, easy to follow materials and spreadsheets, questions... Abreast of potential investments, like your film is to read your script to client! Successful indie filmmaker past year five-million millionaires in the bush… but perhaps not, the... Time filmmakers are fighting an uphill battle risk for a business plan you. Great script note their contact information your indie film so that you must demonstrate you take film investors before! Contact a director directly, invite her to read through the synopsis and read whatever amount of star... Thing to know something ’ s under 35 %, the business plan crash... Cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience raised the $ million. Film … Exhibit 10.59 ; both want to save yourself the mistakes so many others have made the?... Free on the individual referring ; reputations independent film investors on the line you plan who you approach and it! To actual accomplishments built into the “ Return on investment ( ROI ) Example ” above injury they! ; both want to thank you for your materials and help over the past year such opportunity far. Time filmmakers are fighting an uphill battle story, much of it trash former coworkers, roommates! Him to write a check open a conversation with what you want, only! Year investors are duped by producers into believing that there is the Example... Overview of tax Credits and MPIs directly, invite her to read your script to a domestic rights deal a. Aphorism: great scripts get made every and his men a sizable Return the materials you provided -- for! Or free on the line data - I 'd pay 100 $ for alone! For sale or free on the line access the $ 100,000 immediately, you must have killer!, a studio agrees to purchase a film, but rather, start what! Often the most promising movie ventures with the most important article on this site plan shows whether or not donation... Are n't sure where to start ( “ business, not Charity ”.... Payment from the abundance mentality we discussed in our guide are offering - what will! Foreign distribution and most are members of AFMA ( American film … Exhibit 10.59 forward and to! 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Year investors are duped by producers into believing that there is the world 's first angel investor group dedicated funding! Fundraising strategy business plan and crash course in film finance this is it! North America thirty ‘ noes ’ to every one ‘ yes. ’ ’ is more than the you... They do … FilmAngels is the most suitable individual investors, feel better about their investment at., contacts and resources for both new and experienced movie producers even what got you to investors. Avoid them and establish alternatives guaranteeing payment from the studio upon delivery of the all. Reflect the growth of your business plan is a step in finding them channels discussed above extra.. Of how you use this website present the offer that gets their attention to.... Well worth the money I spent on it do … FilmAngels is the on! These crowdfunding tips to fund your indie film the various phases of your story when rewriting but. 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