Get Funding for Films
Movies are an expensive business--even low-budget, independent productions can cost millions of dollars--and without funding, your dreams of cinematic brilliance may vanish in a puff of smoke. Before the cameras begin rolling, you need to know how much money you have and where it's coming from. It may be the toughest part of making a movie, but with a solid game plan and knowledge of exactly what you need, you can ensure that a lack of financing doesn't derail your project before it begins.
Instructions
1. Calculate exactly how much money you need for your film. Include a budget for absolutely everything: cameras, equipment, salary for the cast and crew, food, housing and the number of days it will take to shoot the whole thing. You may wish to divide your figures into two categories-: pie-in-the-sky things that you would love but can live without, and figures that are absolutely necessary to complete the film. Funding becomes much easier if you have a detailed budget at your command.
2. Approach Hollywood studios with a pitch for your film. The benefit of big studios is that they have plenty of money at their disposal. The downside is that they usually want things done their way, and if they option your script, you need to be prepared to make significant compromises. If you wish to pursue Hollywood funding, be sure to get serious representation through a talent agency or an entertainment law firm. They will fight on your behalf and get the best deal possible when securing financing.
3. Talk to independent distributors about financing. If your film has a limited scale and can be made on the (comparative) cheap, they can provide the funds to get you off the ground. In most cases, you need to have everything in place and be ready to roll the cameras as soon as they approve. Financing from another source may be desirable, but you will likely be more free to shoot the movie you want instead of making changes for a big studio. The American Film Marketing Association (AFMA) can help point you toward an independent financier.
4. Speak to a talent agency about financing your film. While they rarely finance films themselves, they can help present your project to a well-known actor or director. Signing a "name" helps open doors in the financing process and makes people more willing to invest because they believe they will receive a better return on their money.
5. Contact a government agency or nonprofit organization to see about funding. Though the United States government doesn't invest a huge amount in filmmaking, other countries--such as Australia and the U.K.--have branches that do. Private entities such as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences provide grants for aspiring filmmakers and film festivals as well. Learn about the process of applying for such grants, then send the applications out to as many entities as you can.
6. Look for private financing. Independent investors--be they individuals, banks or small businesses--may be very interested in the filmmaking process and willing to front you some of all of your budget in exchange for producer credit. When approaching private investors, stress the need for participating in the arts or engaging in the glamour of the process rather than the probability of a profit. You can't always deliver a return on the investment, but you can guarantee that your investors keep a creative flame alive.
