Getting a movie made in today's economic environment is no easy task. The reason is that movies of any size, theme, location or genre represent a major risk. Specifically, if the audience interest doesn't generate revenue at the box office, the production company won't recover the money it put into production, such as paying the actors, building the sets and making the costumes. Even a modest film short could cause you to max out your credit cards if you don't have a plan in place long before you say "Lights! Camera! Action!"
Instructions
1. Establish what your budget is going to be for this project. Itemize your expenses in terms of actor and crew salaries, set/costume/prop construction, production equipment, usage fees, catering, marketing and transportation. Allow at least a 20 percent cushion for addressing emergencies (such as a rainy day that delays the shoot, repairing broken equipment or last-minute adjustments).
2. Estimate the amount of profit you realistically expect to make from this project. When you go asking potential investors to back your film, the first thing they are going to want to know is, "What's in it for me?" Not only do they want back the original sum of money that they loaned to you, but they'll also be interested in whether your film will yield a bonus payback.
3. Prepare a professional pitch package to show potential investors. A pitch package should include items such as a synopsis of the script and its target demographic; a copy of the script itself; brief biographies of the writer, director, cinematographer and actors; and a budget breakdown so that funders will have a clear sense of how, exactly, you plan to spend their money. If you have already shot a trailer as a teaser, it's helpful to include a DVD of that as well.
4. Investigate the possibility of a corporate sponsor or non-profit organization to back your film from both a financial and PR standpoint. Let's say, for example, that your movie revolves around the challenges of caring for an autistic child. Because the story not only serves as entertainment but also as an emotional vehicle to draw more public attention to this disease, it might be in the interests of autism organizations or companies that donate substantial funds to them to help underwrite your production and promote it through their own media connections.
5. Barter! The overall cost of a production can often be lessened if you're not shy about working trades for the things you need. For instance, instead of building a restaurant set, ask if a local restaurant would allow you to shoot a scene during its off hours in exchange for a credit in the film. Other benefactors might be interested in product-placement opportunities; for example, all of your characters drink a particular kind of soda or wear logo hats.
6. Solicit multiple investors for your project. While it would be nice to have one person with a large checking account underwrite your entire endeavor, it's more likely that you'll get more "yes" responses if the amount you'd like each person or organization to contribute is low.
7. Enter screenplay contests. In addition to the exposure your script will get with contest judges (many of whom work in the film industry), there is also a possibility you can win a nice chunk of change or pick up a producer in the process who has her own funding sources to get your movie made. One of the great resources for screenplay contests is MovieBytes. There are also numerous contests held across the country for films that have already been shot and edited but that need financial assistance with their PR and distribution efforts.
8. Pursue film and government grants that will award you a set amount of money that you won't be required to pay back. This is an especially attractive option for documentary and educational film projects, as well as nonfiction works that seek to raise general social consciousness.
9. Organize a local fundraising event to let people know you're making a film. There's something magical about moviemaking that makes people want to be a part of the excitement. Ideas to think about are a mini-screening of the production, a silent auction or a raffle with movie-themed prizes. Maybe you and the members of your crew can even hold a garage sale and donate all of the cash toward your production.
10. Network like there's no tomorrow! Stay active in Internet chat rooms, join local film clubs and hang out with like-minded souls who are as excited about filmmaking as you are.
