Let’s face it, you are never going to get the amount you want for your first, second or probably even fifth movie but you might get something from investors. If you are lucky enough to have investors then you are half way there, if not don’t fret. Contrary to popular belief, you can make a movie for almost nothing as long as you are clever.
Government Money
Film grants also exist depending on your subject matter. These are few and far between and are not something I would count on.
Tip#1:
There are many movies being made out there on a shoestring budget. On one of our films we only had enough money to pay for food for 3 days and we had to shoot for 5. We didn’t even have money for the crew or the equipment. Fortunately, since then, we have always had investors. More than likely though you will have to start out like I did, with very little money, until you prove yourself. Keep your head high. It can be done and you can do it on your movie!
Donations
The way we financed one of our first films was mostly through donations. Some people are just into movies and want to help out wherever they can. We have found many crew this way and quite a bit of equipment. Treat these people like gold because, in essence, that is what they are. Lots of time these people will volunteer their time, food and equipment. Do not be afraid of their skills either, as long as you have seasoned key personnel, you can make it with others that are not as experienced. Even on the smallest movie, Money is needed! What type of money and how much depends on how much you raise.
I have yet to be able to capitalize on a grant and believe me, I have tried to get them for my films. There is a way to get a tax rebate in some states but probably not for the size film you are doing. In most states, films have to be a certain monetary level to qualify for these rebates.
Below are a few ideas for you on finding a way to pay for your film. This is something that will probably be the longest part of the process in filmmaking and is the least glamorous part. Good Luck and Keep Your Head Up!
Investors
Raising money can be one of the hardest parts of the process but once again it can be done. You need to be realistic on the budget and see what similar movies have made versus how much they cost to produce and market. This info is out there on the internet and will help you to develop a clear business plan for your project.
Investors will want to see a whole basic package of: a business plan, an approximate timeline for recouping their money, a synopsis of the film, actors attached to the film and the cost per point of the film that they will be investing in. Remember you will not make you fortune off your first film, more than likely you will not make anything so keep this in mind and the fact that you may have to give away more than you wanted to on the first few films to get them made. It is all about the big picture though so keep your head up and use this as a stepping stone.
Tip#3:
Do not count on getting all your money from one source. It is not an easy thing to come by from one investor and it almost never happens. You will need to find multiple ways to save and raise money to make it work for you.
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Tip#2:
Always treat everyone on you crew as if they are the most important person on the shoot. This will keep them working hard for you for little or low money. Remember, everyone is there to help you succeed and success is what you are after. This goes for your talent as well. You will get a better performance out of a happy actor.
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