Raising Investment Funds for Your Film Project

Unless you're Michael Douglas and born into the film industry or possess limitless wealth, you will probably need to rely on creativity and persistence to raise money for your film project. Now, it's possible to make a film for about $80 if you have the equipment and editing software that you can find at any community college and you have friends willing to act for free. However, if you're going to make a serious movie, independent film or documentary, you will need to rely on outside sources of income when you consider the cost of paying actors at least $100 per day from the Screen Actors Guild, making sure they have their basic amenities such as food, changing quarters, a make up crew, etc. and paying for all the equipment and location costs.

As as is the case in raising any venture capital, you are selling a dream. You need to be genuinely excited about your idea yourself, first, to the point that you can't wait to tell the world. Otherwise, you will not have the motivation to do it and you shouldn't bother. First off, calculate a budget of how much money you'll need to get started. Consider your equipment needs and fees you'll have to pay to people you'll have to hire.

Secondly, you will need to own the rights to the film's script, which may require a consultation with an entertainment attorney, and have a list of your film team with examples of their credentials, and then compile a list of friends, family, and people you know who might be interested in investing. Then, it's just a matter of sending out e-mail and or calling people about asking if they would be interested in looking at your business plan for the film production. I have taken college courses in public relations, and I know that you can expect 1 or 2 out of ten to actually have some interest in looking at a proposal. So at this point, just contact as many people as you possibly can.

The next point is setting up a professional looking business plan for the people in your network who might want to invest and for professional venture capitalists. Most cities have a Small Business Association office and they will help you do this for free and you can also go to SBA.com to learn how to write a business plan, or have a professional author one for slightly under $1000.

The first thing you need to have is a disclosure of risk which will require an entertainment attorney. Than, you will have to write a really good script synopsis which is like a press release telling them why your film is special and worth their time. Provide an overview of your management team and highlight their resume experience, especially key production members and any awards, accolades, or significant experience they may have on their resume. Include your budget, and an investment structure which will highlight exactly how the investors will be paid back.

Now, it's just matter of duplication. Use the Internet first. You could establish a website at fundable.com describing your project and people looking for investment opportunities can pay you electronically. It would be wise to put together a public relations press kit which you can learn about at PRweb.com or the website for the Public Relations Society of America at PRSA.com. Include a catchy synopsis of your movie's plot, something that stands out and a DVD copy of something resembling a trailer of your movie. Start locally and submit your press kit to all the local publications and newspapers. It could end up as a feature story in your home town newspaper; something like "could these local boys have the next "Blair Witch Project."

Organizations to approach for funding include Philanthropy.com, Film Arts Foundation Grants, Paul G. Allen Foundations, and Artist Trust. there are many more. Just do a Google search and submit to every single one. Also, don't forget to take advantage of all the free advertising you can with your Myspace pages and YouTube Videos. I am planning on using YouTube to promote my future hypnosis videos. If you have a great idea, and lot of people hear about it, the funding should come to you if you play the numbers game. Remember the old salesman's line: talk to a thousand people to get 10 prospects. With the Internet, and with software such as article submitters and PR services, it's not that hard to do.

Sources -
Before You Shoot, a Guide to Low-Budget Film and Video Production by Helen Garvy
Filmmaking.net